Identification of an unusual phosphofructokinase in the red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis

Phosphofructokinase has been identified in Rhodotorula glutinis. The enzyme presents highly cooperative kinetics for fructose 6-phosphate (n = 4). The kinetics for ATP shows no appreciable cooperativity and only a slight inhibition by excess ATP is observed. The enzyme presents a sharp pH optimum at pH 8 and is activated by phosphate.This work has been partially supported by a grant of the Fundaci6n Pedro Barrié de la Maza, Conde de Fenosa. Marfa J. Maz6n had a fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia