title: Pyruvate kinase type M2 and its role in tumor growth and spreading.
abstract: Proliferating cells and tumor cells in particular express the pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2 (M2-PK). Within the tumor metabolome M2-PK regulates the proportions of glucose carbons that are channelled to synthetic processes (inactive dimeric form) or used for glycolytic energy production (highly active tetrameric form, a component of the glycolytic enzyme complex). In tumor cells, the dimeric form of M2-PK (Tumor M2-PK) is always predominant. The dimerization is caused by direct interaction of M2-PK with certain oncoproteins. The switch between the tetrameric and dimeric form of M2-PK allows tumor cells to survive in environments with varying oxygen und nutrient supply.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry & Endocrinology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 100, 35392 Giessen, Germany. Sybille.Mazurek@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Sybille
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazurek
authors.forename: C Bruce
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Boschek
authors.forename: Ferdinand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hugo
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eigenbrodt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011770:Pyruvate Kinase