Phosphoglycerate mutase

Class of enzymes

This enzyme is not to be confused with Bisphosphoglycerate mutase which catalyzes the conversion of 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate to 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate. Phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM) is any enzyme that catalyzes step 8 of glycolysis the internal transfer of a phosphate group from C 3 to C 2 which results in the conversion of 3 phosphoglycerate (3PG) to 2 phosphoglycerate (2PG) through a 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate intermediate. These enzymes are categorized into the two distinct classes of either cofactor dependent (dPGM) or cofactor independent (iPGM). The dPGM enzyme is composed of approximately 250 amino acids and is found in all vertebrates as well as in some invertebrates, fungi, and bacteria. The iPGM class is found in all plants and algae as well as in some invertebrate, fungi, and Gram positive bacteria. This class of PGM enzyme shares the same superfamily as alkaline phosphatase.

PGM is an isomerase enzyme, effectively transferring a phosphate group (PO43−) from the C 3 carbon of 3 phosphoglycerate to the C 2 carbon forming 2 phosphoglycerate. There are a total of three reactions dPGM can catalyze: a mutase reaction resulting in the conversion of 3PG to 2PG and vice versa, a phosphatase reaction creating phosphoglycerate from 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate, and a synthase reaction producing 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate from 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate similar to the enzyme bisphosphoglycerate mutase. Kinetic and structural studies have provided evidence that indicate dPGM and bisphosphoglycerate mutase are paralogous structures. The catalyzed mutase reaction involves two separate phosphoryl groups and the ending phosphate on the 2 carbon is not the same phosphate removed from the 3 carbon. In the cofactor dependent enzyme's initial state, the active site contains a phosphohistidine complex formed by phosphorylation of a specific histidine residue. When 3 phosphoglycerate enters the active site, the phosphohistidine complex is positioned as to facilitate transfer of phosphate from enzyme to substrate C 2 creating a 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate intermediate. Dephosphorylation of the enzyme histidine actuates a local allosteric change in enzyme configuration which now aligns the substrates 3 C phosphate group with enzyme active site histidine and facilitates phosphate transfer returning the enzyme to its initial phosphorylated state and releasing product 2 phosphoglycerate. 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate is required a cofactor for dPGM. In contrast, the iPGM class is independent of 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate and catalyzes the intramolecular transfer of the phosphate group on monophosphoglycerates using a phosphoserineintermediate.

Phosphoglycerate mutase has a small positive Gibbs free energy and this reaction proceeds easily in both directions. Since it is a reversible reaction, it is not the site of major regulation mechanisms or regulation schemes for the glycolytic pathway. Anionic molecules such as vanadate, acetate, chloride ion, phosphate, 2 phosphoglycolate, and N [tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl 2 amino]ethanesulfonate are known inhibitors of the mutase activity of dPGM. Studies have shown dPGM to be sensitive to changes in ionic concentration, where increasing concentrations of salts result in the activation of the enzyme's phosphatase activity while inhibiting its mutase activity. Certain salts, such as KCl, are known to be competitive inhibitors in respect to 2 phosphoglycerate and mutase activity. Both phosphate and 2 phosphoglycolate are competitive inhibitors of mutase activity in respect to the substrates 2 phosphoglycerate and 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate.

In humans the PGAM2 gene which encodes this enzyme is located on the short arm of chromosome 7. Deficiency of phosphoglycerate mutase causes glycogen storage disease type X, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder with symptoms ranging from mild to moderate; is not thought life threatening and can be managed with changes in lifestyle. This presents as a metabolic myopathy and is one of the many forms of syndromes formerly referred to as muscular dystrophy. PGAM1 deficiency affects the liver, while PGAM2 deficiency affects the muscle. Onset is generally noted as childhood to early adult though some who may be mildly affected by the disorder may not know they have it. Patients with PGAM deficiency are usually asymptomatic, except when they engage in brief, strenuous efforts which may trigger myalgias, cramps, muscle necrosis and myoglobinuria. An unusual pathologic feature of PGAM deficiency is the association with tubular aggregates. The symptoms are an intolerance to physical exertion or activity, cramps and muscle pain. Permanent weakness is rare. The disease is not progressive and has an excellent prognosis.