Pyruvate kinase plays a crucial role in glycolysis, where it catalyzes the final step of converting phosphoenolpyruvate into pyruvate, generating ATP in the process. This enzyme is essential for energy production in cells, particularly in tissues with high energy demands like muscle and brain. In medicine, pyruvate kinase deficiency is a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Therapeutic strategies are being developed to target this enzyme to manage such conditions. Additionally, pyruvate kinase is studied in cancer research, as its activity is often altered in tumor cells, making it a potential target for anticancer therapies. Its role in metabolic pathways also makes it significant in studies related to diabetes and other metabolic disorders.