Pantothenate Kinase 4 Governs Lens Epithelial Fibrosis by Negatively Regulating Pyruvate Kinase M2-Related Glycolysis.

ABSTRACT: Lens fibrosis is one of the leading causes of cataract in the elderly population. The primary energy substrate of the lens is glucose from the aqueous humor, and the transparency of mature lens epithelial cells (LECs) is dependent on glycolysis for ATP. Therefore, the deconstruction of reprogramming of glycolytic metabolism can contribute to further understanding of LEC epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the present study, we found a novel pantothenate kinase 4 (PANK4)-related glycolytic mechanism that regulates LEC EMT. The PANK4 level was correlated with aging in cataract patients and mice. Loss of function of PANK4 significantly contributed to alleviating LEC EMT by upregulating pyruvate kinase M2 isozyme (PKM2), which was phosphorylated at Y105, thus switching oxidative phosph

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10529755 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature