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Insights into O-GlcNAcylation and programmed cell death in cancer

Xiaohan Yan1,2,3, Wenhao Ren1,3, Zhuang Zhu1,2,3

  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|October 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

O-GlcNAcylation, a protein modification, impacts cancer development and resistance. This review explores its links to programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, offering insights for novel anti-cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • O-GlcNAcylation is a crucial post-translational modification regulating diverse cellular processes.
  • Aberrant O-GlcNAcylation is implicated in various aspects of cancer, including signaling, metabolism, and cell division.
  • Programmed cell death (PCD) encompasses multiple regulated cell death pathways vital in cancer progression and treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate connections between O-GlcNAcylation and distinct PCD pathways.
  • To elucidate how O-GlcNAcylation influences cancer onset, progression, and therapeutic resistance.
  • To establish a theoretical foundation for developing improved anti-cancer strategies targeting O-GlcNAcylation and PCD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on O-GlcNAcylation and PCD in cancer.
  • Analysis of studies linking O-GlcNAcylation to apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis.
  • Integration of findings to highlight the role of O-GlcNAcylation in cancer biology.

Main Results:

  • O-GlcNAcylation significantly modulates multiple PCD pathways, affecting cancer cell fate.
  • The interplay between O-GlcNAcylation and PCD is critical for cancer initiation, advancement, and evasion of therapy.
  • Specific PCD pathways are differentially regulated by O-GlcNAcylation, impacting tumor behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the O-GlcNAcylation-PCD axis provides a novel perspective on cancer mechanisms.
  • Targeting O-GlcNAcylation in conjunction with PCD pathways holds significant promise for future cancer therapeutics.
  • Further research into this relationship could unlock new clinical applications for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
O-GlcNAcylationapoptosisautophagycancerferroptosisnecroptosisprogrammed cell deathpyroptosis

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