The proper cellular ATP levels are critical for almost all cell function (~1mM i
ID: 209749 • Letter: T
Question
The proper cellular ATP levels are critical for almost all cell function (~1mM in the cytoplasm). In this problem set you will propose different mechanisms how a cell could regulate and maintain this ATP level. Your proposed mechanisms don't have to exist (do not read up online about the way cells regulate ATP levels!). But the mechanisms should be plausible and based on what you learned in the lectures about ATP, regulatory mechanisms and mitochondrial metabolism. All regulatory systems you need first a sensor that can identify a drop in ATP levels. Second you need an "executioner" that can receive the information from the sensor and execute a change to stabilize ATP levels. In your answers both describe briefly the mechanism and draw your proposed system. Your answers cannot include regulation of the ATP synthase or the electron transport chain (no direct regulation or changes in expression). These proteins are known to be highly stable and unlikely to be regulated.
Executioner: 1) Propose one regulatory response that could lead to an increase in ATP synthesis (do not target ATP synthase of electron transport chain!), which stabilizes ATP levels.
2) Propose one regulatory response that would lead to a drop in ATP consumption and thereby stabilizes the cellular ATP levels. It would be a good idea to think about which cellular pathways use the most energy (google might help).
Explanation / Answer
Question 1-
During glycolysis process, ATP production gets high, this causes allosteric inhibition in Phosphofructokinase enzyme activity, which stops the production of fructose 1,6 bisphosphate. This helps to stop the glycolysis process and hence extra ATP does not produce.
Question 2-
In our body during stress, ATP hydrolyzes and AMP production gets increases, when cyclic AMP concentration increases too much to ATP. Then cyclic AMP starts signaling to liver cells for production of glucagon hormones. This causes to increase blood glucose level and then makes ATP.
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