Normal and Variant Isoenzymes of Human Blood Cell Hexokinase and the Isoenzyme Patterns in Hemolytic Anemia

Electrophoresis of red cell hexokinase in agarose electrophoresis revealed two major (1 and 2) and two minor (3 and 4) bands. Platelet and leukocyte hexokinase patterns differed from those of red cells. There was a strong band 1, but considerably faster bands termed 5, 6 and 7 were also observed which were sensitive to changes in glucose concentration. The presence of contaminating leukocytes can significantly alter the electrophoretic pattern of "red cell" hexokinase activity. Bands 2, 3 and 4 of red cells appeared to be synthesized independently of band 1 and absence of band 1 did not effect either red cell metabolism or survival. Absence of bands 2, 3 and 4 may be associated with hemolytic anemia, decreased erythrocyte hexokinase activity and decreased erythrocyte glycolysis. Young red cells had increased activity of all bands, particularly band 2. No influence of hemoglobin type on hexokinase patterns was observed, nor was there any selective influence of cell storage, medium glucose, or 2-mercaptoethanol on individual bands. None of the various isoenzyme patterns were associated with abnormal hexokinase kinetics.