Aiding Cancer's "Sweet Tooth": Role of Hexokinases in Metabolic Reprogramming

Overview

Journal Life (Basel)

Specialty Biology

Date 2023 Apr 28

PMID 37109475

Authors

Zeenat Farooq

Hagar Ismail

Sheraz Ahmad Bhat

Brian T Layden

Md Wasim Khan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hexokinases (HKs) convert hexose sugars to hexose-6-phosphate, thus trapping them inside cells to meet the synthetic and energetic demands. HKs participate in various standard and altered physiological processes, including cancer, primarily through the reprogramming of cellular metabolism. Four canonical HKs have been identified with different expression patterns across tissues. HKs 1-3 play a role in glucose utilization, whereas HK 4 (glucokinase, GCK) also acts as a glucose sensor. Recently, a novel fifth HK, hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1), has been identified, which plays a role in whole-body glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity. Beyond the metabolic functions, HKDC1 is differentially expressed in many forms of human cancer. This review focuses on the role of HKs, particularly HKDC1, in metabolic reprogramming and cancer progression.

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