Dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Its structure and reactivity with -glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase and triose phosphate isomerase and some possible metabolic implications.

1. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate exists in neutral aqueous solution at 20 degrees C as a mixture of keto, gem-diol and enolic forms in the ratio 55:44:1. 2. The three forms are freely interconvertible and rate constants for these reactions have been determined. 3. Keto-dihydroxyacetone phosphate is the primary reactive species in the reactions catalysed by alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase and triose phosphate isomerase. 4. The proportion of keto form to gem-diol forms of dihydroxyacetone phosphate is temperature-dependent. At 37 degrees C, 83% is keto-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. 5. The enzymological and metabolic consequences of these results are discussed.