Stimulation of the hexose monophosphate
pathway in the human erythrocyte by Mn2+: Evidence for a Mn2+
dependent NADPH peroxidase activity
Bennun, A., Needle, N.A. and De Bari, V.A.
The hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP) occupies a prominent
position in the overall metabolism of the erythrocyte. This
is mainly due to its ability to generate NADPH, which serves
primarily to keep glutathione in its reduced state through
the glutathione reductase reaction, thereby protecting hemoglobin
from oxidation. The regulation of this pathway is a biochemical
process which is important for normal red blood cell function.
Although most of the intensive investigation of the role of
divalent cations as regulatory agents in metabolism has been
focused on Ca2+ and Mg2+, the trace metals, notably Zn2+ and
Mn2+ have also received considerable attention due to a growing
demand for both clinico-chemical and toxicological data. In
this work, the effect of Mn2+ upon the HMP was studied, and,
upon observing a potent stimulatory effect, a possible cause
for this stimulation was investigated.
Biochemical Medicine, 33, (1985), 17-21