PEPCK-C enzyme

In considering the PEPCK-C, or PCK-1, enzyme, the first thoughts of it turn to Super Mouse, otherwise known as Mighty Mouse, the popular Terrytoons children's cartoon. Before being used to genetically modify mice, PCK-1 operates as part of a natural process. After the mice are introduced to PEPCK-C in an overexpressed form, their natural aggression, energy, and physical capability skyrocket.

PEPCK-C Enzyme Facts

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is the official name, and boy it's a mouthful. PEPCK for short, this enzyme is a part of the process of glucose generation from non-sugar carbon substrates. In layman's terms, this enzyme is part of an elaborate body function that happens in the kidneys and liver resulting in creation of energy and glucose.

A series of studies spanning five years of research has developed a super mouse of sorts, a comparison made between mice whose genes lacked PEPCK-C, and those whom have been exposed to an over-expression of the enzyme. Here, the skinny and strong of the results:

PEPCK-C Overexpressed Mice are Supermice!

That's right, you heard me. Over the course of the study, the mice which were bred with an abundance of PEPCK-C ate a considerable amount more each day, were highly active, and became aggressive early on.

These mice also continued breeding later in their lives in addition to living much longer. One case of this regards a three year old mouse giving birth, which has been equated to an 80 year old becoming pregnant.

While the mice are incredibly dense in relation to the control group, meaning they are more muscular, they are also violent. Behavior testing has shown that the overexpressed mice are seven times as active as normal mice, as well as being quicker to bite or provoke anything that threatens them.

PEPCK-C mice create energy chiefly by use of fatty acids rather than the normal behavior of burning carbohydrates.