AG-348 enhances pyruvate kinase activity in red blood cells from patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency.

ABSTRACT: Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare genetic disease that causes chronic hemolytic anemia. There are currently no targeted therapies for PK deficiency. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of AG-348, an allosteric activator of PK that is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of PK deficiency. We demonstrate that AG-348 can increase the activity of wild-type and mutant PK enzymes in biochemical assays and in patient red blood cells treated ex vivo. These data illustrate the potential for AG-348 to restore the glycolytic pathway activity in patients with PK deficiency and ultimately lead to clinical benefit.

SUBMITTER: Kung C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5609468 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature