The context-specific roles of urea cycle enzymes in tumorigenesis

Mol Cell. 2021 Sep 16;81(18):3749-3759. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.08.005. Epub 2021 Aug 31.

Abstract

The expression of the urea cycle (UC) proteins is dysregulated in multiple cancers, providing metabolic benefits to tumor survival, proliferation, and growth. Here, we review the main changes described in the expression of UC enzymes and metabolites in different cancers at various stages and suggest that these changes are dynamic and should hence be viewed in a context-specific manner. Understanding the evolvability in the activity of the UC pathway in cancer has implications for cancer-immune cell interactions and for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Urea / metabolism*
  • Urea Cycle Disorders, Inborn / metabolism
  • Urea Cycle Disorders, Inborn / physiopathology

Substances

  • Ammonia
  • Urea