Hexokinase Proteins Impart Distinct Functions In Myeloid Development And Cell Death

Many key oncogenic pathways converge to adapt tumor cell metabolism to requirements of cancer cells. Aberrant proliferation that is frequently associated with cancer cells is also linked to an adjustment of metabolism in order to fuel cell growth and division. Cancer cells prefer utilizing glycolysis for energy production and providing essential building blocks for a variety of macromolecules. Hexokinases (HKs) are rate-limiting enzymes that catalyze the first and irreversible step of glycolysis, the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. Four HK isoforms are expressed in mammalian cells, HK1, HK2, HK3 and HK4 (also known as glucokinase). HKs promote and sustain a concentration gradient that facilitates glucose entry, which ensures the initiation of glucose dependent pathways. In general, HKs have a cytoprotective role that was highlighted by enhanced sensitivity of cancer cells to drugs when HKs were inhibited. Previously we have reported that HK3 was transcriptionally regulated by PU.1 (SPI-1) in myeloid cells. Further, HK3 expression was significantly reduced in patient acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, particularly in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells expressing the PML-RARA oncofusion protein.