What is pepck?

PEPCK, or Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, is an enzyme that plays a key role in the process of gluconeogenesis, which is the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids, glycerol, or lactate. PEPCK helps to catalyze the conversion of oxaloacetate into phosphoenolpyruvate, a key step in the gluconeogenesis pathway.

There are two isoforms of PEPCK, cytosolic PEPCK (PEPCK-C) and mitochondrial PEPCK (PEPCK-M), which are located in different cellular compartments and have different functions. PEPCK-C is primarily involved in gluconeogenesis in the cytosol, while PEPCK-M is involved in other metabolic pathways such as the citric acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism in the mitochondria.

PEPCK is regulated by various factors, including hormones such as glucagon and cortisol, which stimulate its activity during fasting or stress conditions when glucose levels are low. PEPCK is also important in maintaining blood glucose levels and energy balance in the body.

Defects or abnormalities in PEPCK can lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome. Understanding the function and regulation of PEPCK is important for developing treatments for these conditions and improving overall metabolic health.