Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a glycolytic enzyme that is crucial for the Warburg effect, which is the increased rate of glycolysis seen in rapidly growing cancer cells. HK2 may be used in cancer research to study human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is the most common malignant brain tumor . HK2 may be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer as HK2 overexpression is associated with metastasis to the brain .
Hexokinase 2 is the predominant form found in skeletal muscle.
Hexokinases phosphorylate glucose to produce glucose-6-phosphate, thus committing glucose to the glycolytic pathway. Hexokinase 2 is involved in glucose metabolism and apoptosis .
