PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2), its association with phospho-tyrosine (pTyr) motifs, enables cells to use predominantly aerobic glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation. Also PKM2 suggest that this change benefits cancer cells by enabling them to redirect glycolytic metabolites away from oxidation and energy production and, instead, toward anabolic processes and biosynthesis. PKM2-mediated generation of the aerobic glycolytic phenotype, although wasteful in terms of glucose consumption and waste generation, could provide a variety of advantages for cancerous cells. In addition nuclear translocation of the tumor marker pyruvate kinase M2 induces programmed cell death.