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PKM 2, cancer metabolism, and the road ahead
Author(s) -
Dayton Talya L,
Jacks Tyler,
Vander Heiden Matthew G
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201643300
Subject(s) - biology
A major metabolic aberration associated with cancer is a change in glucose metabolism. Isoform selection of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase has been implicated in the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells, and specific pyruvate kinase isoforms have been suggested to support divergent energetic and biosynthetic requirements of cells in tumors and normal tissues. PKM 2 isoform expression has been closely linked to embryogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer. In contrast, forced expression of the PKM 1 isoform has been associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation. Here, we discuss the role that PKM 2 plays in cells and provide a historical perspective for how the study of PKM 2 has contributed to understanding cancer metabolism. We also review recent studies that raise important questions with regard to the role of PKM 2 in both normal and cancer cell metabolism.