Hormones are involved in intercellular controls. This hormone affects liver cells in a manner similar to glucagon, but it also affects the buildup of Pool 1 glycolytic intermediates in skeletal muscle. Pseudocycle II enzymes are not affected in muscle. The nonoxidative stage can be thought of as being the conversion of 3 pentoses to 2 hexose phosphates plus one triose phosphate. It is interesting that a deficiency of this enzyme, common among African or Mediterranean descendents, can lead to partial protection of the parasite that causes malaria.
Hemolytic anemia can also result when pyruvate kinase is deficient.
The reason is that ion pumps are not maintained and red blood cells swell and cannot squeeze through capillaries.