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Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
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Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases as emerging targets in cancer therapy

Yong Yu1, Jingying Li2, Kaiming Ren3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|May 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases (PCKs) are key metabolic enzymes regulating tumor growth. Understanding PCK regulation and function offers promising therapeutic targets for cancer management.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, involving altered expression of metabolic enzymes.
  • Metabolic enzymes play crucial roles in tumor initiation, development, and progression.
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases (PCKs), involved in gluconeogenesis, are critical regulators of cellular metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulatory mechanisms of PCKs expression.
  • To summarize the function of PCKs in tumor progression across different cellular contexts.
  • To explore PCKs as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on transcriptional and post-translational regulation of PCKs.
  • Analysis of PCK functions in various tumor types and cellular environments.
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting PCKs.

Main Results:

  • PCKs (PCK1 and PCK2) are key enzymes in gluconeogenesis, converting oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate.
  • PCKs regulate metabolic adaptation, immune responses, and signaling pathways crucial for tumor progression.
  • Dysregulation of PCKs is implicated in various cancers, highlighting their oncogenic role.

Conclusions:

  • PCKs are critical regulators of tumor metabolism and progression.
  • Understanding PCK regulatory mechanisms provides insights into their role in cancer.
  • Targeting PCKs presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer management.
Keywords:
cancergluconeogenesisimmunitymetabolic reprogrammingphosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

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