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6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3) is up-regulated in high-grade astrocytomas

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Abstract

The bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK-2/FBPase-2) controls the glycolytic flux via the allosteric activator fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Because of its proto-oncogenic character, the PFK-2/FBPase-2 of the PFKFB3 gene is assumed to play a critical role in tumorigenesis. We investigated the PFKFB3 expression in 40 human astrocytic gliomas and 20 non-neoplastic brain tissue specimens. The PFKFB3 protein levels were markedly elevated in high-grade astrocytomas relative to low-grade astrocytomas and corresponding non-neoplastic brain tissue, whereas no significant increase of PFKFB3 mRNA was observed in high-grade astrocytomas when compared with control tissue. In the group of glioblastomas the PFKFB3 protein inversely correlates with EGFR expression. The findings demonstrate that PFKFB3 up-regulation is a hallmark of high-grade astrocytomas offering an explanation for high glycolytic flux and lactate production in these tumors.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Wilhelm-Sander-Stiftung (2004.010.1).

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Author notes

  1. Franziska Bleichert

    Present address: Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, Leipzig, 04103, Germany

    Renate Kessler, Franziska Bleichert & Klaus Eschrich

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Hospital, Zwickau, 08008, Germany

    Jan-Peter Warnke

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  1. Renate Kessler
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  2. Franziska Bleichert
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  4. Klaus Eschrich
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Correspondence to Klaus Eschrich.

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Kessler, R., Bleichert, F., Warnke, JP. et al. 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3) is up-regulated in high-grade astrocytomas. J Neurooncol 86, 257–264 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-007-9471-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-007-9471-7

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