Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
Dual roles of PKM2 in cancer metabolism
1Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Cancer cells have distinct metabolism that highly depends on glycolysis instead of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation alone, known as aerobic glycolysis. Pyruvate kinase (PK), which catalyzes the final step of glycolysis, has emerged as a potential regulator of this metabolic phenotype. Expression of PK type M2 (PKM2) is increased and facilitates lactate production in cancer cells, which determines whether the glucose carbons are degraded to pyruvate and lactate or are channeled into synthetic processes. Modulation of PKM2 catalytic activity also regulates the synthesis of DNA and lipids that are required for cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms by which PKM2 coordinates high-energy requirements with high anabolic activities to support cancer cell proliferation are still not completely understood. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of PKM2 and discusses the dual role in cancer metabolism as well as the potential therapeutic applications. Given its pleiotropic effects on cancer biology, PKM2 represents an attractive target for cancer therapy.
More Related Videos
07:38Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants
Published on: June 6, 2025
19:44Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen
Published on: May 30, 2012
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Abnormal Proliferation
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...