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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cellular and Protein Engineering to Control Biological Functions and Develop Novel Therapies
04:17

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cellular and Protein Engineering to Control Biological Functions and Develop Novel Therapies

Published on: September 27, 2024

841

Adenosine-Metabolizing Enzymes, Adenosine Kinase and Adenosine Deaminase, in Cancer

Galina Zhulai1, Eugenia Oleinik1, Mikhail Shibaev2

  • 1Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia.

Biomolecules
|March 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Adenosine suppresses anti-tumor immunity. This review explores adenosine kinase (ADK) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), enzymes impacting cancer immunotherapy by regulating adenosine levels and epigenetic modifications.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Adenosine's immunosuppressive role in tumors is known.
  • Current immunotherapies target adenosine signaling pathways.
  • Intracellular adenosine regulation and enzymatic pathways pose challenges to immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest data on adenosine kinase (ADK) and adenosine deaminase (ADA).
  • To discuss the biological significance and roles of ADK and ADA in cancer development.
  • To explore therapeutic perspectives targeting these enzymes in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on ADK and ADA.
  • Analysis of enzymatic pathways controlling ATP-adenosine balance.
  • Examination of adenosine's epigenetic, receptor-independent roles.

Main Results:

  • ADK phosphorylates adenosine, and a nuclear ADK isoform is linked to DNA methylation.
  • ADA converts adenosine to inosine, with altered ADA activity observed in various cancers.
  • These enzymes significantly influence the tumor microenvironment and cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • ADK and ADA are critical regulators of adenosine metabolism in cancer.
  • Targeting ADK and ADA presents a promising strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
  • Further research into these enzymes can unlock novel therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ADAADK-LADK-Sadenosinecancer therapytumor microenvironment

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