title: Serine and one-carbon metabolism in cancer.
abstract: The non-essential amino acid serine supports several metabolic processes that are crucial for the growth and survival of proliferating cells, including protein, amino acid and glutathione synthesis. As an important one-carbon donor to the folate cycle, serine contributes to nucleotide synthesis, methylation reactions and the generation of NADPH for antioxidant defence. Many cancer cells are highly dependent on serine, a trait that provides several novel therapeutic opportunities, either through the inhibition of de novo serine synthesis or by limiting the availability or uptake of exogenous serine.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.
authors.forename: Karen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Vousden
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012694:Serine