Pyruvate kinase

Pyruvate kinase

Pyruvate kinase is an enzyme involved in glycolysis - a a sequence of metabolic transformations aimed at producing energy in the form of ATP from glucose. Genetically determined deficiency of the enzyme in the muscle, liver and red blood cells results in reduced energy efficiency of cells. Determination of pyruvate kinase is useful in diagnosing congenital non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia and acquired deficiency of the enzyme, which can occur in the course of acute myeloid leukemia and after chemotherapy.