Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026

A Pathway Association Study Tool for GWAS Analyses of Metabolic Pathway Information
Published on: July 1, 2020
AKR1B1 bridges metabolic pathways and disease progression
Qinyu Zhang1, Zhe Cao2, Tao Wang3
1Science and Technology Innovation Center, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China.
None:
Aldo-keto reductase 1B1 (AKR1B1) is a highly conserved, NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase that plays pivotal roles across multiple metabolic pathways. Although mounting evidence highlights its diverse contributions to disease progression and its potential as a therapeutic target, the literature remains fragmented with respect to how AKR1B1's metabolic functions intersect with pathogenesis. This review article summarizes the key metabolic functions of AKR1B1 under physiological conditions and discusses its pathological involvement in a spectrum of disorders, including diabetic complications, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. In addition, we review the progress of clinical research on AKR1B1 inhibitors over the past two decades, outlining the achievements and persistent challenges. By integrating insights from metabolism and diseases, this work provides a foundation and inspires new research efforts to advance the understanding of AKR1B1.
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis...

