6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4 also known as PFKFB4 is an
enzyme
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products ...
which in humans is encoded by the ''PFKFB4'' gene.
Function
The bifunctional 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase ()/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase () (PFKFB) regulates the steady-state concentration of
fructose 2,6-bisphosphate
Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, abbreviated Fru-2,6-''P''2, is a metabolite that allosterically affects the activity of the enzymes phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK-1) and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase-1) to regulate glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. F ...
, an activator of a key regulatory enzyme of
glycolysis,
phosphofructokinase
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a kinase enzyme that phosphorylates fructose 6-phosphate in glycolysis.
Function
The enzyme-catalysed transfer of a phosphoryl group from ATP is an important reaction in a wide variety of biological processes. ...
.
In 2012 research by scientists at Cancer Research UK’s London Research Institute show that an enzyme called PFKFB4 is essential for balancing these two processes – making sure the cell’s energy needs are met without allowing free radicals to build up and trigger cell death.
Study leader Dr. Almut Schulze, said: “Our study suggests that PFKFB4 acts to fine-tune the process by which cells convert glucose into energy. Blocking this enzyme in prostate cancer cells grown in the lab stalled growth and triggered a catastrophic build-up of free-radicals, suggesting that it could be a suitable drug target. Importantly, this route to energy production is common to many different types of cancer, suggesting that drugs to target it could potentially be used to treat a variety of cancers.”
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