Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate decline in human erythrocytes: possible involvement of phosphoglucomutase PGM2 isoenzymes

Human erythrocytes incubated with various sugars lower their glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) content, as do haemolysates containing exogenous Glc-1,6-P2 incubated with sugar monophosphates (sugar-P). Experiments performed with isolated erythrocyte phosphoglucomutase (PGM) isoenzymes indicate that only definite isoenzymatic forms, namely PGM2, are able to consume Glc-1,6-P2 during the mutation of sugar-P other than glucose-P. In this process a phosphate group is released from Glc-1,6-P2 and can be partially recovered in the biphosphate of the mutated sugar-P. The relevance of this mechanism of Glc-1,6-P2 degradation is discussed in regard to the physiological turnover of the biphosphate.