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M2-PK: metabolic consequences of the dimeric form
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 Animation
Explanation:
When M2-PK (PKM2) is in the less active dimeric form all phosphometabolites above pyruvate kinase such as glycerate 3-P and fructose 1,6-P2 accumulate and are then available as precursors for synthetic processes such as nucleic acid, phospholipid and amino acid synthesis.
Consequently:
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ADP and GDP levels are high (= substrates of PK).
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ATP and GTP levels are low (= products of the PK reaction).
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Phosphometabolite levels are high.
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Product levels of synthetic processes, such as UTP and CTP are high.
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(ATP+GTP) : (UTP+CTP) ratio is low.
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Energy is provided by glutaminolysis.
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When the fructose 1,6-P2 levels reach a certain high value the dimeric form of M2-PK (PKM2) reassociates to the tetrameric form. Then glucose is converted to lactate until the fructose 1,6-P2 levels drop below a minimum signal level. As a consequence M2-PK (PKM2) dissociates to the dimeric form and this oscillating cycle starts again.
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References
Metabolic consequences of the tetrameric form
Pyruvate Kinase isoenymes : M2-PK
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