PCK2: A Promising Drug Target and Biomarker for Mitochondrial Disorders

Target Name: PCK2

NCBI ID: G5106

PCK2

PCK2: A Promising Drug Target and Biomarker for Mitochondrial Disorders

Introduction

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle, in the mitochondria. PCK2 is a key enzyme in the final step of the citric acid cycle, where the carbon dioxide produced in the previous step is converted into carbonate, which forms the basis of ATP production. The PCK2 enzyme has four known transcript variants, PCK2-1, PCK2-2, PCK2-3, and PCK2-4, which differ in their size and/or localization in the cell. In this article, we will focus on PCK2-2, which is the most abundant PCK2 isoform in the human body.

Disease-relevant functions of PCK2

PCK2 is involved in multiple cellular processes that are crucial for proper cell function and survival. One of its main functions is to regulate the citric acid cycle, which is the primary source of energy for the cell in the absence of oxygen. PCK2 is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to carbonate and water, which generates ATP through the production of energy in the form of ATP.

In addition to its role in the citric acid cycle, PCK2 is also involved in the regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy. It has been shown to play a positive role in the growth and development of cancer cells, and is often used as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Drug targeting PCK2

PCK2 is a drug target of great interest due to its involvement in multiple cellular processes that are important for human health and disease. One of the main goals of drug development is to inhibit the activity of PCK2 and reduce its levels to treat diseases that are caused by the over-active or dysfunctional PCK2.

In recent years, several inhibitors have been developed specifically to target PCK2. These inhibitors include:

1. Cardifol: This drug is a small molecule inhibitor of PCK2, which blocks the activity of PCK2 in the mitochondria and inhibits the production of ATP.
2. Necropressin: This drug is a peptide inhibitor of PCK2, which blocks the activity of PCK2 in the brain and inhibits the production of neurotransmitters.
3. Trivarax: This drug is a small molecule inhibitor of PCK2, which blocks the activity of PCK2 in the liver and inhibits the production of bile acids.

In addition to these inhibitors, there are also several research studies are being conducted to identify new targets for PCK2 inhibitors.

Biomarker potential of PCK2

PCK2 is also a potential biomarker for several diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and respiratory diseases. The PCK2 enzyme has been shown to be over-expressed in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, and it is also over-expressed in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In addition, PCK2 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of cellular processes that are important for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, PCK2 may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PCK2 is a protein that plays a crucial role in multiple cellular processes that are important for human health and disease. Its involvement in the citric acid cycle, cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy makes it an attractive drug target for the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and respiratory diseases. The development of inhibitors specifically targeting PCK2, such as cardifol, n ecropressin and trivarax, holds great promise for the future of drug development.

Protein Name: Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase 2, Mitochondrial

Functions: Catalyzes the conversion of oxaloacetate (OAA) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), the rate-limiting step in the metabolic pathway that produces glucose from lactate and other precursors derived from the citric acid cycle

The "PCK2 Target / Biomarker Review Report" is a customizable review of hundreds up to thousends of related scientific research literature by AI technology, covering specific information about PCK2 comprehensively, including but not limited to:
•   general information;
•   protein structure and compound binding;
•   protein biological mechanisms;
•   its importance;
•   the target screening and validation;
•   expression level;
•   disease relevance;
•   drug resistance;
•   related combination drugs;
•   pharmacochemistry experiments;
•   related patent analysis;
•   advantages and risks of development, etc.
The report is helpful for project application, drug molecule design, research progress updates, publication of research papers, patent applications, etc. If you are interested to get a full version of this report, please feel free to contact us at BD@silexon.ai

More Common Targets