Serine and One-carbon Metabolism in Cancer

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Cancer

Specialty Oncology

Date 2016 Sep 17

PMID 27634448

Citations 490

Authors

Ming Yang

Karen H Vousden

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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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