Purified anti-Hexokinase II Antibody, Hexokinase II, W19163B,BioLegend,944001

Hexokinase enzymes are evolutionarily conserved proteins that play a critical role in glycolysis by catalyzing the conversion of glucose to the intermediate glucose-6-phosphate. In humans, four hexokinase isozymes exist that differ in their tissue distribution and affinity for glucose. The hexokinase II isozyme is ubiquitously expressed and is the most highly regulated member of the hexokinase family. In addition to its cytosolic localization, hexokinase II also associates with the mitochondrial outer membrane, resulting in efficient substrate channeling of ATP to the enzyme which fuels cell proliferation. Hexokinase II association with the outer mitochondrial membrane protein VDAC disrupts the ability of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death through cytochrome C release. Many cancer cells show elevated expression of hexokinase II, which allows efficient funneling of glucose to support anaerobic glycolysis, as well as increased survival through inhibition of Bax-mediated apoptotic death.