While canonical and non-canonical functions of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) are recognized to mediate often-opposing roles in cancer, its contribution to cellular and systemic fatty acid homeostasis remains poorly understood. A new study by Liu et al (2021) uncovers ER transmembrane protein TMEM33 as a novel target of PKM2, which is essential for regulation of cancer cell cholesterol metabolism. These findings highlight the diversity of tissue-specific functions of PKM2 and potential implications for cancer treatment.

中文翻译：

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脂质代谢：癌症中 PKM2 阴阳的新转折

虽然丙酮酸激酶 M2 (PKM2) 的规范和非规范功能被认为在癌症中介导经常相反的作用，但它对细胞和全身脂肪酸稳态的贡献仍然知之甚少。Liu等人(2021) 的一项新研究发现，内质网跨膜蛋白 TMEM33 是 PKM2 的新靶点，对调节癌细胞胆固醇代谢至关重要。这些发现突出了 PKM2 组织特异性功能的多样性以及对癌症治疗的潜在影响。