Cloning and biochemical characterisation of Aspergillus niger hexokinase--the enzyme is strongly inhibited by physiological concentrations of trehalose 6-phosphate.

The Aspergillus niger hexokinase gene hxkA has been cloned by heterologous hybridisation using the Aspergillus nidulans hexokinase gene as a probe. The DNA sequence of the gene was determined, and the deduced amino acid sequence showed significant similarity to other eukaryotic hexokinase and glucokinase proteins, in particular to those of the budding yeasts. The encoded protein was purified from a multicopy hxkA transformant, and extensively characterised. The hexokinase protein has a molecular mass of 54090, a pI of 4.9 and is a homodimer. D-Glucose, the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-fructose, D-mannose and D-glucosamine are phosphorylated by hexokinase, whereas the hexoses D-galactose, L-sorbose, methyl alpha-D-glucoside and the pentoses L-arabinose and D-xylose are not. The enzyme has high affinity for glucose (Km = 0.35 mM at pH 7.5) and for fructose (Km = 2.0 mM at pH 7.5) and is inhibited by ADP. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by physiological concentrations (0.1-0.2 mM) of trehalose 6-phosphate, which may be of importance for in vivo regulation of the enzyme. Inhibition of A. niger hexokinase by trehalose 6-phosphate is competitive towards the sugar substrate (Ki = 0.01 mM). Based on the kinetic constants of hexokinase and glucokinase their relative contribution to in vivo glucose phosphorylation was calculated and found to be strongly dependent on intracellular pH and glucose concentration. At pH 7.5 glucokinase is predominant, whereas at pH 6.5 hexokinase is predominant at glucose concentrations higher than 0.5 mM. Expression of the hexokinase and the glucokinase gene requires active carbon metabolism. Also on carbon sources which are not substrates for hexokinase or glucokinase, clear expression is observed. The hexokinase and glucokinase enzymes are quite stable in vivo. Even in the absence of transcription, active glucokinase and hexokinase remain present in the cells at almost the same level for at least 3-4 h after depletion of the carbon source.