HK2: Gatekeeping microglial activity by tuning glucose metabolism and mitochondrial functions

Hexokinase 2 (HK2) plays a multifaceted role in the regulation of cellular activities. A new study by Hu et al. 1 Hu Y. Cao K. Wang F. Wu W. Mai W. Qiu L. Luo Y. Ge W.P. Sun B. Shi L. et al. Dual roles of hexokinase 2 in shaping microglial function by gating glycolytic flux and mitochondrial activity. Nat Metab. 2022; 4: 1756-1774https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00707-5 Crossref PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar delineated a critical role of HK2 in governing glycolytic flux and mitochondrial activity, thereby modulating microglial functions in maladaptive inflammation in brain diseases. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) plays a multifaceted role in the regulation of cellular activities. A new study by Hu et al. 1 Hu Y. Cao K. Wang F. Wu W. Mai W. Qiu L. Luo Y. Ge W.P. Sun B. Shi L. et al. Dual roles of hexokinase 2 in shaping microglial function by gating glycolytic flux and mitochondrial activity. Nat Metab. 2022; 4: 1756-1774https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00707-5 Crossref PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar delineated a critical role of HK2 in governing glycolytic flux and mitochondrial activity, thereby modulating microglial functions in maladaptive inflammation in brain diseases.