PFKP: More than phosphofructokinase.

ABSTRACT

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is one of the key enzymes that functions in glycolysis. Studies show that PFKP regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, cell migration/metastasis, and stemness through glycolysis and glycolysis-independent functions. PFKP performs its function not only in the cytoplasm, but also at the cell membrane, on the mitochondria, at the lysosomal membrane, and in the nucleus. The functions of PFKP are extensively studied in cancer cells. PFKP is also highly expressed in certain immune cells; nevertheless, the study of the PFKP's role in immune cells is limited. In this review, we summarize how the expression and activity of PFKP are regulated in cancer cells. PFKP may be applied as a prognostic marker due to its overexpression and significant functions in cancer cells. As such, specifically targeting/inhibiting PFKP may be a critical and promising strategy for cancer therapy.