A phosphotransferase present in yeast, muscle, brain, and other tissues that catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of d-glucose and other hexoses to form d-glucose 6-phosphate (or other hexose 6-phosphates); the first step in glycolysis; a deficiency of h. can result in hemolytic anemia and impaired glycolysis.
* * *
hexo·ki·nase .hek-sə-'kī-.nās, -.nāz n any of a group of enzymes that accelerate the phosphorylation of hexoses (as in the formation of glucose-6-phosphate from glucose and ATP) in carbohydrate metabolism
* * *
n.
an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. This is the first stage of glycolysis.
* * *
hexo·ki·nase (hek″so-kiґnās) [EC 2.7.1.1] an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the phosphorylation of hexose at the 6 carbon, the initial step in the cellular utilization of free hexoses. The enzyme occurs in all tissues and exists as various isozymes. Those in brain and muscles are relatively nonspecific; glucose, fructose, and mannose are effective substrates at low concentrations. The liver isozyme, often designated type IV, is called also glucokinase because it is more specific for glucose.Medical dictionary. 2011.