What are the Clinical Implications of Hexokinase Dysfunction?
Dysfunction in hexokinase activity can lead to various metabolic disorders. For instance, mutations in the hexokinase gene can result in rare conditions such as hexokinase deficiency, leading to issues like non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. Additionally, aberrant hexokinase activity is often observed in cancer cells, where it is associated with the Warburg effect, a phenomenon where cancer cells preferentially utilize glycolysis for energy production even in the presence of oxygen.
