Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress
Published on: August 31, 2015
Inhibitory and Activating Effects of Some Flavonoid Derivatives on Human Pyruvate Kinase Isoenzyme M2
Sevki Adem1, Abdulselam Aslan2, Ishtiaq Ahmed3,4
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cankiri Karatekin University, Cankiri, Turkey.
Abstract:
Pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2) is expressed excessively in many different cancer types and it plays an important role in the control of glucose metabolism. Thus, it is evaluated as an important target in the development of medication for cancer. The flavonoids comprise a large group of natural products with variable phenolic structures and occur mainly in plants. They are of great interest due to their biological properties. In this study, the effects of various flavonoid derivatives on the PKM2 enzyme activity were analyzed in vitro. The flavonoid derivatives 1 and 2 showed inhibition effect with IC50 values of <60 μM. IC50 values of compounds 3-8 were calculated as 134, 415, 145, 163, 295 μM, and 3.5 mM, respectively. The molecules 9-12 showed an activation effect with values of AC50 of less than 90 μM. The IC50 values of the derivatives 13-17 were calculated as 115, 150, 200, 221, and 275 μM, respectively. The results show that catechin derivatives can be probably used as lead compounds for the design of PKM2 enzyme activators and inhibitors.
Insights
Flavonoid derivatives were tested for their effects on pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2), a key enzyme in cancer glucose metabolism. Some derivatives showed significant inhibition or activation, suggesting potential as lead compounds for cancer drug development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2) is upregulated in various cancers and crucial for glucose metabolism.
- PKM2 is a promising therapeutic target for anti-cancer drug development.
- Flavonoids, plant-derived compounds with diverse phenolic structures, possess notable biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of various flavonoid derivatives on pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2) enzyme activity.
- To identify flavonoid structures that can modulate PKM2 activity for potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- In vitro analysis of PKM2 enzyme activity in the presence of different flavonoid derivatives.
- Determination of IC50 (inhibition concentration) and AC50 (activation concentration) values for selected compounds.
Main Results:
- Flavonoid derivatives 1 and 2 exhibited potent PKM2 inhibition with IC50 values below 60 μM.
- Compounds 3-8 showed varying degrees of PKM2 inhibition, with IC50 values ranging from 134 μM to 3.5 mM.
- Molecules 9-12 demonstrated PKM2 activation with AC50 values under 90 μM.
- Derivatives 13-17 displayed PKM2 inhibition, with IC50 values between 115 μM and 275 μM.
Conclusions:
- Certain flavonoid derivatives effectively inhibit or activate PKM2 enzyme activity in vitro.
- Catechin derivatives show promise as foundational structures for designing novel PKM2 activators and inhibitors.
- These findings support the exploration of flavonoids as lead compounds for developing targeted cancer therapies.
More Related Videos
08:57Simultaneous Measurement of Superoxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH Production by Flavin-containing Mitochondrial Dehydrogenases
Published on: February 24, 2018
12:08Monitoring the Reductive and Oxidative Half-Reactions of a Flavin-Dependent Monooxygenase using Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometry
Published on: March 18, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme Inhibition
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Inhibition of CDK Activity
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis...
Feedback Inhibition