Transketolase is a key enzyme in the non-oxidative arm of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and alterations in its expression or activity can affect cellular metabolism, redox balance, and biosynthetic processes that are critical for rapidly proliferating cancer cells.
– Role: TKT catalyzes the reversible transfer of two-carbon units between sugars in the non-oxidative PPP.
– Impact: By contributing to the generation of ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis and influencing the production of NADPH, TKT activity supports both biosynthetic demands and antioxidative defense in tumor cells.
-Alterations in TKT expression can therefore impact the balance between ROS generation and detoxification, influencing cell survival and chemoresistance.
-Inhibition of TKT may thus impair the cell’s antioxidative defenses, leading to a buildup of ROS. Elevated ROS can contribute to oxidative stress, damage cellular components, and in some contexts, even promote cell death.
– Many studies have observed that TKT is upregulated in various malignancies, including lung, breast, colon, and liver cancers.
– Association with Aggressiveness: Elevated TKT expression is often correlated with higher proliferation rates, enhanced anabolic activity, and worse clinical outcomes in some cancer types.
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