PKM2 plays a critical role in cancer metabolism, often referred to as the Warburg effect. This phenomenon describes how cancer cells prefer aerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. PKM2 can exist in a dimeric form with low activity or a tetrameric form with high activity. The dimeric form of PKM2, which is prevalent in cancer cells, allows for the accumulation of glycolytic intermediates that are diverted into biosynthetic pathways, aiding in the rapid proliferation of cancer cells.
