Glutaminase isoenzymes in the metabolic therapy of cancer

José M Matés; José A Campos-Sandoval; Javier Márquez

doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.07.007

Glutaminase isoenzymes in the metabolic therapy of cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2018 Dec;1870(2):158-164. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Authors

José M Matés¹, José A Campos-Sandoval², Javier Márquez²

Affiliations

¹ IBIMA, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. Electronic address: jmates@uma.es.
² IBIMA, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.

PMID: 30053497
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.07.007

Abstract

Altered cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells express isoforms of metabolic enzymes that may constitute therapeutic targets. Glutaminase controls glutamine metabolism and their expression correlate with malignancy of tumours. The two types of glutaminase isoenzymes, GLS and GLS2, differ in their expression patterns and functional roles: GLS has oncogenic properties and GLS2 has been described as a tumour suppressor factor. Selective genomic and epigenomic intervention over glutaminase affects the metabolic reprogramming of cancer. This review highlights the molecular metabolic vulnerabilities in various types of cancer, to be used for biomarker development, drug design, and in personalized oncology.

Keywords: Cancer metabolism; Combinatory therapy; Glutaminase inhibitors; Glutaminase isoenzymes; Glutamine; Metabolic reprogramming.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
Drug Design
Glutaminase / metabolism*
Humans
Isoenzymes / metabolism
Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
Neoplasms / drug therapy
Neoplasms / enzymology*
Precision Medicine / methods

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
Isoenzymes
Glutaminase