PDK1 and cancer: PDK1 phosphorylates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, thereby inhibiting its activity; inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex inhibits the tricarboxylic acid cycle and metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells to glycolysis, and transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of the PDK family is one way in which cancer cells can alter normal pyruvate metabolism to promote proliferation [36].