Kinetics of human erythrocyte hexokinase. Influence of temperature, ATP4- and magnesium ions.

Human erythrocyte hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) is inhibited competitively with respect to Mg-ATP2- by uncomplexed Mg2+ (Ki = 16--18 mM) and ATP4- (Ki = 1.6 mM). No real activation by low concentrations of Mg2+ could be detected and no allosteric behaviour was observed under the conditions tested. The temperature dependence of the enzyme was studied in relationship to the presence of Mg2+ or ATP4-. At equal concentrations of Mg2+ and ATP4- a break in the Arrhenius plot was observed at 27.5 degrees C, the higher temperature form of the enzyme having the lower activation energy. This break point in the Arrhenius plot was shifted to 36 degrees C in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. A straight-line relationship was observed in the presence of 2.5 mM ATP4-. The Km for Mg-ATP2- showed a linear increase at temperatures over about 36 degrees C independent of the presence of Mg2+ or ATP4-. The nature of these phenomena is discussed.