Forkhead box protein K2

Transcriptional regulator involved in different processes such as glucose metabolism, aerobic glycolysis and autophagy (By similarity). Recognizes and binds the forkhead DNA sequence motif (5'-GTAAACA-3') and can both act as a transcription activator or repressor, depending on the context. Together with FOXK1, acts as a key regulator of metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis, a process in which glucose is converted to lactate in the presence of oxygen (By similarity). Acts by promoting expression of enzymes for glycolysis (such as hexokinase-2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase (PKLR) and lactate dehydrogenase), while suppressing further oxidation of pyruvate in the mitochondria by up-regulating pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases PDK1 and PDK4 (By similarity). Probably plays a role in gluconeogenesis during overnight fasting, when lactate from white adipose tissue and muscle is the main substrate (By similarity). Together with FOXK1, acts as a negative regulator of autophagy in skeletal muscle: in response to starvation, enters the nucleus, binds the promoters of autophagy genes and represses their expression, preventing proteolysis of skeletal muscle proteins (By similarity). In addition to the 5'-GTAAACA-3' DNA motif, also binds the 5'-TGANTCA-3' palindromic DNA motif, and co-associates with JUN/AP-1 to activate transcription. Also able to bind to a minimal DNA heteroduplex containing a G/T-mismatch with 5'-TRT[G/T]NB-3' sequence. Binds to NFAT-like motifs (purine-rich) in the IL2 promoter. Positively regulates WNT/beta-catenin signaling by translocating DVL proteins into the nucleus. Also binds to HIV-1 long terminal repeat. May be involved in both positive and negative regulation of important viral and cellular promoter elements.