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Description

Glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2, UniProt P35557, also known as GK, Hexokinase-4, Hexokinase-D, Hexokinase type IV, HK IV, HK4) is encoded by the GCK (also known as HHF3, MODY2) gene (Gene ID 2645) in human. Glucokinase/GK functions as the body's primary glucose sensor by catalyzing the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, the rate-limiting step of glucose metabolism in human pancreas and liver. GK activity is regulated rapidly in response to the elevated blood glucose after feeding, whereby a change in GK conformation causes a dissociation of the nuclear GK-glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP) complex, allowing GK translocation to the cytoplasm in an activated state. In mammals, there exist four types of hexokinases, HK1, HK2, and HK3 have high affinity for glucose, while GK (also known as HK4) has low affinity for glucose and its expression is restricted to the pancreas and liver. GCK gene mutations cause Maturity-onset diabetes of the young 2 (MODY2) and Familial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia 3 (HHF3).