3-Bromopyruvic acid is a brominated derivative of pyruvic acid , which inhibits HXK II (hexokinase II) in cancer cells. As a result of this inhibition the cells are unable to metabolize glucose into ATP directly. Studies conducted on MCF-7 breast cancer cells show that 3-Bromopyruvic acid hydrate reduces the expression of Bcl-2, c-Myc and mutant p53, which are involved in the cell death signal transduction pathway. Alternate studies indicate that 3-Bromopyruvic acid hydrate is a very selective antibiotic, inhibiting the growth of certain yeasts. 3-Bromopyruvic acid is a brominated derivative of pyruvic acid , which inhibits HXK II (hexokinase II) in cancer cells. As a result of this inhibition the cells are unable to metabolize glucose into ATP directly. Studies conducted on MCF-7 breast cancer cells show that 3-Bromopyruvic acid hydrate reduces the expression of Bcl-2, c-Myc and mutant p53, which are involved in the cell death signal transduction pathway. Alternate studies indicate that 3-Bromopyruvic acid hydrate is a very selective antibiotic, inhibiting the growth of certain yeasts. Affinity label for cysteine residues; Cross-linker between nucleic acids and proteins