Question

Researchers can manipulate the genes of a mouse so that a single gene in a single tissue either produces an inactive protein (a knockout mouse) or produces a protein that is always (constitutively) active. What effects on metabolism would you predict for mice with these genetic changes?

Answer 1

Answer:

1) The genetic changes can lead to a reduction in the capacity of the mice to move glycogen at its branches points and lowers blood glucose levels between meals.

2) Genetic changed can lead to a decrease in the capacity to lower blood glucose due to the knock out of the hexokinase gene leading to elevated levels in the bloodstream.

(c) A knockout of FBPase2 will result in elevated levels of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate in

liver favoring the glycolytic pathway and inhibiting gluconeogenesis by the decrease of fructose 1,6-

bisphosphatase-1 activity

(d) An active FBPase-2 will now favor gluconeogenesis and this inhibits glycolysis. I.e. a decrease in PFK-1 activity while increasing FBPase-1 activity simultaneously.