PDK4 Protein, Mouse (221a.a, His)

PDK4, a pivotal kinase, intricately regulates glucose and fatty acid metabolism by phosphorylating the pyruvate dehydrogenase subunits PDHA1 and PDHA2. This phosphorylation inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, modulating metabolite flux through the tricarboxylic acid cycle, suppressing aerobic respiration, and impeding the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A. Consequently, this inhibition decreases glucose utilization and enhances fat metabolism during prolonged fasting and starvation. PDK4's crucial role in maintaining normal blood glucose levels under starvation aligns with its involvement in the insulin signaling cascade. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in preventing the accumulation of ketone bodies and maintaining normal blood pH. In the fed state, PDK4 mediates cellular responses to glucose levels and high-fat diets, regulating both fatty acid oxidation and de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. Additionally, PDK4 is implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species and provides protection against anoikis in detached epithelial cells. Its involvement in cell proliferation stems from its regulatory impact on carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism.