What Does PDK Stand For?

PDK stands for Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase

PDK, or Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase, is an enzyme that plays a critical role in cellular metabolism by regulating the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. This complex is essential for converting pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a key substrate for the citric acid cycle. PDK inhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity through phosphorylation, thereby influencing energy production and metabolic pathways in response to cellular energy demands. Regulation of PDK is crucial in various physiological contexts, including glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and adaptation to hypoxic conditions.