ATIC: A Focus of Cancer Research and The Development of Therapeutic Drugs

Target Name: ATIC

NCBI ID: G471

ATIC: A Focus of Cancer Research and The Development of Therapeutic Drugs

ATIC (Phosphoribosylaminoimidazolecarboxamide formyltransferase) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of protein tyrosine, which is a crucial step in the regulation of cellular processes such as growth, development, and response to stimuli. The failure of this enzyme to function properly can lead to a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases. As a result, ATIC has become a focus of research in the pharmaceutical industry, with a goal of developing drugs that target this enzyme and improve treatment outcomes.

History of the Discovery

The discovery of ATIC was made through a combination of biochemical, cellular, and genetic studies. The protein tyrosine biosynthesis pathway was first identified in the 1950s, and the first reports of ATIC activity were described in the 1970s. However, it was not until the 1990s that the enzyme's function and specificity were fully understood.

ATIC is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of protein tyrosine, which is a critical precursor to many signaling pathways in the cell. Protein tyrosine is synthesized from tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that can be found in many plant and animal foods. Tryptophan is first converted to indole by the enzyme tryptophan aminotransferase (TAT), and then further converted to tyrosine by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TH). ATIC is involved in the transfer of the amino group from the tryptophan side chain to the carboxylic acid side chain of tyrosine.

ATIC's Role in Cancer

ATIC is a well-established gene mutator, and has been implicated in the development and progression of many types of cancer. In addition, ATIC has also been shown to play a role in the regulation of cellular processes that are important for cancer growth and progression , such as cell division, angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), and the response to chemotherapy.

One of the key ways in which ATIC contributes to cancer development is by promoting the permanent activation of signaling pathways that promote cell growth and proliferation. For example, ATIC has been shown to promote the growth of cancer cells by activating the S/TJ pathway , which is involved in cell-cell signaling and has been implicated in the development of many types of cancer.

In addition, ATIC has also been shown to contribute to the development of cancer by promoting the formation of blood-vessel-rich environments that can provide tumors with a source of oxygen and nutrients. This is accomplished through the activation of the angiogenesis pathway, which is involved in the formation of new blood vessels from endothelial cells.

TargetingATIC

The development of drugs that target ATIC is a promising strategy for the treatment of many types of cancer. By inhibiting the activity of ATIC, drugs can inhibit the biosynthesis of protein tyrosine, which is a critical precursor to many signaling pathways in the cell. This can lead to a range of potential therapeutic effects, including the inhibition of cancer cell growth, the regression of cancer tumors, and the improvement of quality of life in patients with cancer.

In addition, drugs that target ATIC have the potential to be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The expression of ATIC has been shown to be elevated in a range of cancer types, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Therefore , the levels of ATIC expression in cancer cells or tissues can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of these cancers.

Drugs that Target ATIC

There are currently several drugs in development that target ATIC, including inhibitors of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and sorafenib, and small molecules that inhibit ATIC's activity, such as

Protein Name: 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide Formyltransferase/IMP Cyclohydrolase

Functions: Bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the last two steps of purine biosynthesis (PubMed:11948179, PubMed:14756554). Acts as a transformylase that incorporates a formyl group to the AMP analog AICAR (5-amino-1-(5-phospho-beta-D-ribosyl)imidazole-4-carboxamide) to produce the intermediate formyl-AICAR (FAICAR) (PubMed:9378707, PubMed:11948179, PubMed:10985775). Can use both 10-formyldihydrofolate and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate as the formyl donor in this reaction (PubMed:10985775). Also catalyzes the cyclization of FAICAR to IMP (PubMed:11948179, PubMed:14756554). Is able to convert thio-AICAR to 6-mercaptopurine ribonucleotide, an inhibitor of purine biosynthesis used in the treatment of human leukemias (PubMed:10985775). Promotes insulin receptor/INSR autophosphorylation and is involved in INSR internalization (PubMed:25687571)

More Common Targets