Introduction
Normally cells use TCA cycle in order to produce their energy but tumors often use glycolysis much more than their healthy cell counterparts as energy producing pathway. this is called Warburg effect.
Mechanism
Although molecular mechanism of this effect has not yet fully discovered, but recent studies suggest several mechanism:
PDK activation
Pyrovate dehydrogenase kinase is activated which in turn phosphorylates PDH and inhibits acetyl coA formation in mitochondria.
PK M2 Expression
Pyrovate kinase is the last enzyme in glycolytic pathway. Recent studies suggest that it's expression in tumors is associated with warburg effect.