PEPCK (EC 4.1.1.32) is widely found in animals, flowering plants, algae, some fungi and bacteria. The
enzyme catalyzes the conversion of oxaloacetic acid to phosphoenolpyruvate, which is the first-rate
limiting enzyme regulating gluconeogenesis.
PEPCK catalyzes oxaloacetic acid to form phosphoenolpyruvate and CO2, pyruvate kinase and lactate
dehydrogenase further catalyze the oxidation of NADH to NAD+ in turn, and determine the NADH
decline rate at 340 nm, which can reflect the PEPCK activity.
Reagents and Equipment Required but Not Provided
Spectrophotometer, low temperature centrifuge, water bath pot, 1 mL quartz cuvette, adjustable pipette,
mortar/homogenizer, ice and distilled water