What is the differences between hexokinase and glucokinase?

Hexokinase or glucokinase is an enzyme that convert glucose to glucose 6 phosphate. It is the first step of glycolysis. One ATP molecule is cleaved to ADP and the phosphate released is added to glucose. Hence glucose is converted to glucose 6 phosphate.

This enzyme which convert glucose to glucose 6 phosphate exists in two isomer forms. One is called hexokinase and another is called glucokinase. Here are the key differneces between hexokinase and glucokinase.

Hexokinase VS Glucokinase:

Both of these enzymes are iso enzymes, which means that both of them have the same chemical natures and have same action but have different physical properties and site of action  etc. Here are some of the difference between both.

1: Site of Action:-

Hexokinase is present in all tissues (Except) the liver and B-cells of pancreas whereas, Glucokinase is present in both Liver and B-cells of pancreas.

2: Activity:-

The activity of glucokinase depends upon the nutritional stat of glucose. Means it only becomes active when quantity of glucose is present in liver.

While activity of hexokinase doesn’t depends on nutritonal state of glucose. Means hexokinase remains active even at low glucose levels.

3: Km value:-

Glucokinase has a high km value while hexokinase has a low km value.

4: Allosteric Enzyme:-

Hexokinase is an allosteric enzyme while glucokinase is not an allosteric enzyme.

5: Induction by Insulin:-

Hexokinase is not induced by insulin while glucokinase is induced by insulin.

6:Feedback Inhibition:

Hexokinase feedback is inhibited by glucose 6 phosphate. While glucokinase has no direct feedback inhibition.

Quick Comparison between HexoKinase and GlucoKinase:

Here is a quick comparison and overview  between both:

• Hexokinase is present in all all tissues of the of body but glucokinase is present only in liver.
• Haxokisae remain active all the time but glucokinase is only active when more glucose is present.
• Hexokinase has low km value while gluxokinase has high.
• Hexo kinase is allosteric and gluco kinase is not.
• One is induced by insulin while another is not.
• One has feedback inhibition while other has not.

This is the complete difference between both of these iso enzymes. Both of these catalyze the the same reaction i.e they convert glucose to glucose 6 phosphate. But has the above explained physical differences.