Serine and one-carbon metabolism in cancer

M Yang, KH Vousden - Nature Reviews Cancer, 2016 - nature.com
M Yang, KH Vousden
Nature Reviews Cancer, 2016nature.com
The non-essential amino acid serine supports several metabolic processes that are crucial
for the growth and survival of proliferating cells, including protein, amino acid and
glutathione synthesis. As an important one-carbon donor to the folate cycle, serine
contributes to nucleotide synthesis, methylation reactions and the generation of NADPH for
antioxidant defence. Many cancer cells are highly dependent on serine, a trait that provides
several novel therapeutic opportunities, either through the inhibition of de novo serine …
Abstract
The non-essential amino acid serine supports several metabolic processes that are crucial for the growth and survival of proliferating cells, including protein, amino acid and glutathione synthesis. As an important one-carbon donor to the folate cycle, serine contributes to nucleotide synthesis, methylation reactions and the generation of NADPH for antioxidant defence. Many cancer cells are highly dependent on serine, a trait that provides several novel therapeutic opportunities, either through the inhibition of de novo serine synthesis or by limiting the availability or uptake of exogenous serine.
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