Ketohexokinase (None)

Ketohexokinase (KHK), also known as fructokinase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of fructose to produce fructose-1-phosphate. This reaction is the first and key step in the specialized pathway for dietary fructose metabolism, known as fructolysis. There are two main isoforms of KHK produced by alternative splicing: KHK-C (high affinity) and KHK-A (low affinity). KHK initiates intracellular catabolism of dietary carbohydrate by converting fructose into fructose‐1‐phosphate. Deficiency leads to essential hereditary fructosuria. Altered expression is implicated in diseases associated with high-fructose diets such as diabetes, gout, and cancer.

Other names

Fructokinase

Ketohexokinase inhibitors (hypothetical) would reduce the rate of fructose phosphorylation, decreasing downstream metabolites and potentially mitigating metabolic effects of high fructose diets.