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UGDH (UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase) is a cytosolic enzyme that converts
UDP-glucose into UDP-glucuronic acid, a precursor required for glucuronidation and for
the synthesis of hyaluronan, proteoglycans and other glycosaminoglycans. UGDH is
frequently elevated in established cancers, where it can increase extracellular-matrix
production, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumour-cell migration, invasion,
metastasis and resistance to anticancer therapy. UGDH can also promote metastasis
through mechanisms extending beyond matrix synthesis, including stabilization of
SNAI1 mRNA in lung cancer. Its inhibition or downregulation reduces UDP-glucuronic
acid and glycosaminoglycan production and has suppressed tumour growth and metastasis
in preclinical models. The typical cancer-associated direction is
up, while the desired anticancer modulation is
down.
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