title: PKM2 and cancer: The function of PKM2 beyond glycolysis.
abstract: Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells and is used by cancer cells for growth and survival. Pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2 (PKM2) is a limiting glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the final step in glycolysis, which is key in tumor metabolism and growth. The present review discusses the expression and regulation of PKM2, and reports the dominant role that PKM2 plays in glycolysis to achieve the nutrient demands of cancer cell proliferation. In addition, the present study discusses the non-metabolic function of PKM2, and its role as a coactivator and protein kinase, which contributes to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, conflicting studies concerning the role of PKM2 as a therapeutic target are reviewed. The improved understanding of PKM2 may provide a noval approach for cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Gaochao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qixing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wenjie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China; The First Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Youtao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: PKM2; Warburg effect; cancer; glycolysis; metabolic reprogramming; novel function