HK2 [SEP] chromosome
HK2
Hexokinase 2 also known as HK2 is an enzyme which in humans is encoded by the "HK2" gene on chromosome 2. Hexokinases phosphorylate glucose to produce glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), the first step in most glucose metabolism pathways. This gene encodes hexokinase 2, the predominant form found in skeletal muscle. It localizes to the outer membrane of mitochondria. Expression of this gene is insulin-responsive, and studies in rat suggest that it is involved in the increased rate of glycolysis seen in rapidly growing cancer cells. [
provided by RefSeq, Apr 2009]
Structure.
HK2 is one of four highly homologous hexokinase isoforms in mammalian cells.
Structure Gene.
The "HK2" gene spans approximately 50 kb and consists of 18 exons. There is also an "HK2" pseudogene integrated into a long interspersed nuclear repetitive DNA element located on the X chromosome. Though its DNA sequence is similar to the cDNA product of the actual "HK2" mRNA transcript, it lacks an open reading frame for gene expression.
Structure Protein.
This