Question

2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG) inhibits the proliferation of cells and hence finds use as an anti-cancer agent. It is also used in COVID therapy, where it blocks hyperproliferation of virus-infected cells. Mechanistically, 2-DG blocks glycolysis by inhibiting the activities of which of the following enzyme/s?

• A. Hexokinase
• B. Glucose 6-phosphate isomerase
• C. Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase
• D. Phosphofructokinase

Hint:

2-Deoxyglucose blocks glycolysis by inhibiting hexokinase, the first enzyme in the glycolytic pathway.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B

Step 1: Understanding the role of 2-DG.
2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG) interferes with glycolysis by inhibiting the enzyme hexokinase. Hexokinase is responsible for the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate in the first step of glycolysis. By blocking this step, 2-DG effectively halts the glycolytic pathway, which inhibits cell proliferation.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Correct, as hexokinase is the enzyme that is inhibited by 2-DG, halting the glycolysis process.
- (B) Incorrect, glucose 6-phosphate isomerase is involved in converting glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate, but it is not directly targeted by 2-DG.
- (C) Incorrect, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase is involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, not the glycolytic pathway directly impacted by 2-DG.
- (D) Incorrect, phosphofructokinase is an important enzyme in glycolysis but is not the primary target of 2-DG.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is (A) Hexokinase.