glucokinase

noun

glu·​co·​ki·​nase ˌglü-kō-ˈkī-ˌnās How to pronounce glucokinase (audio)
-ˌnāz
: a hexokinase found especially in the liver that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose

Examples of glucokinase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Cats may also lack other components of the ability to enjoy (and digest) sugars, such as glucokinase in their liver—a key enzyme that controls the metabolism of carbohydrates and prevents glucose from flooding the animal’s bloodstream. David Biello, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015 Two months ago, the glucokinase activator cleared its Phase 3 clinical trial, bringing the therapy closer to a market approval by the end of the year. Jonathan Chan, STAT, 25 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glucokinase was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Glucokinase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glucokinase. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

glucokinase

noun
glu·​co·​ki·​nase -ˈkī-ˌnās, -ˌnāz How to pronounce glucokinase (audio)
: a hexokinase found especially in the liver that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose in metabolic processes

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