noun
- An enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, playing a key role in glucose metabolism and blood sugar regulation.
Usage: biochemistry; also called hexokinase IV
Examples
- Glucokinase is primarily found in the liver and pancreatic beta cells.
- The enzyme glucokinase acts as a glucose sensor in the body.
- Mutations in the glucokinase gene can lead to maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
- Glucokinase has a higher Km value for glucose compared to other hexokinases.
- Researchers are studying glucokinase activators as potential diabetes treatments.