Emerging roles of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate kinase 1 (PCK1) in cancer

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Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
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Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Published on: May 3, 2018

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Ebsitu Abate1, Mohammed Mehdi1, Sisay Addisu1

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
|August 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The enzyme PCK1, crucial for gluconeogenesis, plays a significant role in various cancers, impacting tumor progression through both metabolic and non-metabolic functions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Metabolic pathways

Background:

  • Traditionally, gluconeogenesis enzymes were thought to be absent in non-gluconeogenic cancers.
  • Emerging evidence shows functional expression of these enzymes in diverse tumor types.
  • Shortened gluconeogenesis pathways are implicated in cancer metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of PCK1 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1) in cancer.
  • To elucidate the metabolic and non-metabolic functions of PCK1 in tumor progression.
  • To explore the relationship, function, and mechanisms of PCK1 across different cancer types.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of contemporary findings on PCK1 in cancer.
  • Analysis of PCK1's enzymatic activity and non-enzymatic roles.
  • Synthesis of data on PCK1's involvement in both gluconeogenic and non-gluconeogenic tumors.

Main Results:

  • PCK1, a key gluconeogenic enzyme, is functionally expressed in various cancers.
  • PCK1 exhibits both metabolic and non-metabolic roles in tumor development.
  • Its paradoxical role extends to tumors in both gluconeogenic and non-gluconeogenic organs.

Conclusions:

  • PCK1 is a significant factor in cancer progression and development.
  • Understanding PCK1's multifaceted roles is crucial for cancer research.
  • Further investigation into PCK1 mechanisms in different cancers is warranted.

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