Glycogen degradation:
If glycogen degradation and glycogen synthesis were permitted to occur concurrently, the net effect would be hydrolysis of UTP, a so-called futile cycle. To prevent this, both pathways require to be strongly controlled. This control is carried out through allosteric regulation and covalent modification of both the glycogen phosphorylase and synthase. Additionally, the covalent modification is under close hormonal control.
![2448_Glycogen degradation.png](https://www.expertsmind.com/CMSImages/2448_Glycogen%20degradation.png)
Figure: Simultaneous operation of glycogen synthesis and degradation would result in net hydrolysis of UTP.