J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 260, Issue 6, 3314-3320, 03, 1985
In vivo glycolytic equilibria in dog gracilis muscle
RJ Connett
While the equilibrium assumption and the validity of using total measured
concentrations for near equilibrium indicator reactions have been widely
tested in liver, these have not been systematically evaluated in skeletal
muscle. Vascularly isolated dog gracilis muscles were stimulated via the
nerve at 4 Hz, and tissue was sampled by quick freezing at rest and after
10, 15, 30, 60, and 180 s of stimulation or after stimulation in the
presence of glycolytic blockade by iodoacetate. Phosphocreatine, creatine,
and several glycolytic intermediates were measured in tissue extracts. The
in vivo mass action ratios for triosephosphate isomerase and aldolase were
evaluated relative to substrate concentrations and compared with
equilibrium constants determined in vitro. Although there was evidence of
substrate binding at low substrate levels for the triosephosphate isomerase
reaction, the in vivo mass action ratios for both reactions stabilized at a
constant value at moderate substrate levels and in glycolytically blocked
muscles. It was concluded that both enzymes are in apparent equilibrium in
vivo, but the equilibrium constants are lower than those determined in
vitro. The mass action ratios of the combined creatine kinase, lactate
dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglycerate
kinase reactions were determined for resting muscles. These reactions are
also at equilibrium and the equilibrium constants are consistent with in
vitro values.