Distinct mechanical regulation of PFK1 isoforms during cytoskeletal remodeling.

The muscle isoform of PFK1 (PFKM) is a mechanosensitive enzyme that links cytoskeletal remodeling to increased glycolysis under mechanical stress.

• Why it matters: Understanding how mechanical forces influence cellular metabolism is crucial because it reveals mechanisms underlying tissue adaptation and disease progression, yet these links are not fully understood.
• What they did: The study examined three human PFK1 isoforms and found that shear stress activates PFKM, promoting its association with F-actin and boosting glucose uptake and ATP production; the PFKM C-terminal tail is essential for this response.
• The result: This discovery positions PFKM as a key mediator of mechanotransduction and energy regulation, offering insights into how mechanical and metabolic dysfunctions may contribute to disease states.