This gene encodes a member of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase family. The encoded protein phosphorylates pyruvate dehydrogenase, down-regulating the activity of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Overexpression of this gene may play a role in both cancer and diabetes. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2010],catalytic activity:ATP + [pyruvate dehydrogenase (acetyl-transferring)] = ADP + [pyruvate dehydrogenase (acetyl-transferring)] phosphate.,function:Inhibits the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by phosphorylation of the E1 alpha subunit, thus contributing to the regulation of glucose metabolism.,similarity:Belongs to the PDK/BCKDK protein kinase family.,similarity:Contains 1 histidine kinase domain.,tissue specificity:Expressed in many tissues, with the highest level in heart and skeletal muscle, intermediate levels in brain, kidney, pancreas and liver, and low levels in placenta and lung.,
