Design a radiotracer experiment that would allow you to determine which proporti

Question

Design a radiotracer experiment that would allow you to determine which proportion of glucose catabolism in a given tissue preparation occurs through the pentose phosphate pathway and which proportion occurs through glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Assume that you can synthesize glucose labeled with 14C in any desired position or combination of positions. Assume also that you can trap CO2 after administration of labeled glucose and determine its radioactivity.

a) Administer separately 1-[14C]glucose and 6-[14C]glucose, and measure the volumes of formed 14CO2. The difference in volumes gives relative flux rates through the two pathways. b) Administer separately 1-[14C]glucose and 6-[14C]glucose, and measure initial rates of 14CO2 formation. The ratio gives relative flux rates through the two pathways. c) Administer separately 2-[14C]glucose and 3-[14C]glucose, and measure initial rates of 14CO2 formation. The ratio gives relative flux rates through the two pathways. d) Administer separately 1-[14C]glucose and 2-[14C]glucose, and measure the volumes of formed 14CO2. The difference in volumes gives relative flux rates through the two pathways.

Explanation / Answer

Answer b) Administer separately 1-[14C] and 6-[14C] glucose, and measure initial rates of 14CO2 formation. The ratio gives relative flux rates through the two pathways. For example the ratio from C1-labeled to C6-labled glucose is 2:1, if flux rates rates are equal.

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