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Targeting serine-glycine-one-carbon metabolism as a vulnerability in cancers

Wei Sun1,2,3, Ruochen Liu1,2,3,4, Xinyue Gao1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, No.2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400716, Chongqing, China.

Biomarker Research
|May 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The serine-glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) pathway fuels cancer growth by supporting cell proliferation and survival. Targeting SGOC metabolism offers a promising strategy to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cancer Biology
  • Metabolic Pathways

Background:

  • The serine-glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) metabolic pathway is essential for cellular biosynthesis and homeostasis.
  • This pathway is frequently dysregulated in cancer, supporting tumor cell survival and proliferation.
  • Understanding SGOC metabolism regulation is key to addressing tumor heterogeneity and recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of SGOC metabolism in tumorigenesis.
  • To highlight key enzymes and products involved in cancer progression.
  • To explore the connection between SGOC metabolism, cancer immunotherapy, and ferroptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on SGOC metabolic enzymes and their products.
  • Analysis of SGOC pathway's role in cancer cell acquisition and utilization of one-carbon units.
  • Discussion of recent findings on SGOC enzymes in tumorigenesis and development.

Main Results:

  • SGOC metabolism provides essential building blocks and maintains redox balance for cancer cells.
  • Key SGOC enzymes exhibit tumor-promoting functions, crucial for aggressive cancers.
  • The pathway is intricately linked to cancer's response to immunotherapy and ferroptosis.

Conclusions:

  • SGOC metabolism is a central hub in cancer cell metabolism, vital for proliferation.
  • Targeting SGOC metabolic enzymes presents a potential therapeutic avenue for improving cancer patient outcomes.
  • Further research into SGOC pathway regulation can elucidate mechanisms of tumor heterogeneity and recurrence.
Keywords:
FerroptosisImmunotherapyMetabolic enzyme inhibitorsSerine-glycine-one-carbon metabolismVulnerability

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