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Ceramide glycosylation and related enzymes in cancer signaling and therapy

Zibo Li1, Lin Zhang1, Dan Liu1

  • 1Guangdong Key Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine, Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|April 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Ceramides suppress tumors by triggering cell death, but cancer cells can counteract this. This review explores how ceramide glycosylation enzymes impact cancer progression and resistance, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sphingolipid metabolism, particularly ceramides, is crucial in cancer, acting as tumor suppressors by inducing apoptosis.
  • Dysregulation of ceramide metabolism, especially by metabolic enzymes, contributes to cancer development and progression.
  • Ceramide glycosyltransferases (CGTs) are key enzymes in glycosphingolipid synthesis and are implicated in poor cancer prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of ceramide glycosylation and related enzymes in cancer signaling and therapeutic strategies.
  • To discuss the involvement of CGTs in multidrug resistance and explore potential inhibitors.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding CGT structure and signaling pathways for novel cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on ceramide metabolism, CGTs, and cancer.
  • Analysis of research on CGT expression in various cancers and their correlation with patient prognosis.
  • Exploration of studies on multidrug resistance mechanisms involving CGTs and potential therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Ceramide glycosylation, catalyzed by CGTs, significantly influences tumor progression.
  • High expression of CGTs is linked to poor prognosis in several cancer types.
  • CGTs play a role in multidrug resistance, presenting them as potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting ceramide glycosylation and CGTs offers a promising avenue for cancer therapy.
  • Further research into CGT structure and signaling pathways is essential for developing effective treatments.
  • Understanding ceramide metabolism is critical for overcoming cancer and multidrug resistance.
Keywords:
Cancer risksCeramide glycosyltransferasesDrug resistanceGlycosphingolipidsInhibitors

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