Question:

Which element is required by phosphofructokinase?

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Kinases use ATP as the Mg-ATP complex - which metal?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Magnesium
  • Inorganic phosphate
  • Manganese
  • Copper
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) is the rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, transferring a phosphate from ATP to fructose-6-phosphate to make fructose-1,6-bisphosphate.

Step 2: Like essentially all kinases that use ATP, PFK requires magnesium. The true substrate is the Mg-ATP complex, because magnesium neutralises the negative charge on the phosphate groups and positions ATP for phosphoryl transfer.

Step 3: Structural studies show the bound magnesium ion bridges the phosphoryl groups of the products (ADP and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate) in the closed state, confirming its catalytic role.

Step 4: The other options do not fit: inorganic phosphate is not the required cofactor for this step, while manganese and copper are not the physiological metal cofactor of PFK. Hence the answer is magnesium.
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