Which enzyme is crucial for the metabolism of glucose in glycolysis?

Phosphofructokinase plays a crucial role in glycolysis, which is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to extract energy in the form of ATP. It is considered one of the key regulatory enzymes in this pathway. Specifically, phosphofructokinase catalyzes the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, a reaction that requires the hydrolysis of ATP. This step is vital as it not only commits the substrate to continue through the glycolytic pathway but also regulates the flow of glucose metabolism according to the cell's energy needs.

Understanding the importance of phosphofructokinase highlights how glycolysis operates as a major metabolic route for energy production in cells. This enzyme is sensitive to levels of ATP and ADP in the cell, allowing it to act as a metabolic gatekeeper, ensuring that glycolysis is upregulated when energy is needed and downregulated when there is sufficient energy, thus contributing to cellular homeostasis.