Cytoophidia: Implications and opportunities for cancer treatment

Cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo CTP synthesis, forms filamentous structures known as cytoophidia, which are evolutionarily conserved across species and cell types. These dynamic structures are regulated by cellular metabolic states, stress, and post-translational modifications. Cytoophidia are believed to play a vital role in regulating nucleotide biosynthesis, ensuring cellular homeostasis, and responding to metabolic stress through the modulation of CTPS activity. In cancer cells, where the demand for nucleotides is heightened, cytoophidia may be essential for supporting proliferation and survival. This review delves into the growing understanding of cytoophidia, highlighting their significance in cancer biology and potential as therapeutic targets. Understanding how cytoophidia regulate the balance between CTPS stabilization and degradation could provide valuable insights into cancer metabolism, offering novel therapeutic opportunities. Targeting the mechanisms that govern cytoophidia formation presents a potential strategy for cancer therapy.