Glycolytic enzymes

All cells must burn fuels to drive the myriad of cellular processes necessary for life. The most important organic fuel is glucose, a stable and soluble sugar that is particularly well suited for its role in biology. Cellular combustion of glucose occurs in 10 well-controlled steps in which six-carbon glucose molecules are broken apart (literally ‘glycolysis’) into three-carbon compounds. In the same process, chemical energy is captured through the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the hydrolysis of which powers many cellular processes. The 10 enzymes which catalyse the steps of glycolysis are exceptionally well characterised with regard to structure, catalytic mechanism and activity regulation. They provide a fascinating array of enzymes that have been perfected over long evolution to carry out their tasks swiftly, efficiently and with finely tuned control. Glycolytic enzymes are recognised as promising targets in health and disease.