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Hexokinases in cancer and other pathologies
Dong Guo1,2, Ying Meng1,2, Xiaoming Jiang1,2
1Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Cell Insight
|May 16, 2023
Summary
Hexokinases are crucial for cell survival and function, impacting glucose metabolism and various cellular processes. Dysregulation of hexokinases is linked to diseases like cancer and immune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Glucose metabolism is essential for cellular energy and biosynthesis.
- Hexokinases are key enzymes in glucose metabolism, catalyzing the first step.
- Hexokinases also have noncanonical roles in cellular processes beyond glycolysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical roles of hexokinases in cellular functions.
- To discuss the involvement of hexokinases in both canonical and noncanonical cellular activities.
- To underscore the contribution of aberrant hexokinase regulation to disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of hexokinase functions.
- Analysis of hexokinase involvement in cell growth and survival.
- Examination of hexokinase's role in immune response, stemness, and autophagy.
Main Results:
- Hexokinases are indispensable for cell growth and survival.
- Hexokinases regulate glucose metabolism through canonical enzymatic activity.
- Hexokinases influence immune response, cell stemness, and autophagy via noncanonical functions.
Conclusions:
- Hexokinases are multifunctional enzymes critical for cellular homeostasis.
- Aberrant hexokinase regulation is implicated in the development and progression of diseases.
- Targeting hexokinases may offer therapeutic strategies for cancer and immune diseases.
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