Quantitative histochemistry of the primate skin. I. Hexokinase.

A fluorometric micromethod, applicable to 0.5 to 5.0 μg skin samples, for the determination of hexokinase is described. The majority of the skin and appendages of the rhesus and stumptail macaques and the green monkey have hexokinase activity in the order of 250 to 500 mmoles/hr/kg dry weight. The ecerine sweat glands of the scalp have exceptionally high hexokinase activity, more than 1 mole/hr/kg dry weight. The possible physiological role of hexokinase in the skin as one of the key enzymes for glucose utilization is briefly discussed.