Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A (ALDOA)

Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A is a key glycolytic enzyme encoded by the *ALDOA* gene on chromosome 16. It catalyzes the reversible cleavage of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into two three-carbon sugars—glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate—in one of the central steps of glycolysis. Three isoforms exist in vertebrates: ALDOA (muscle/erythrocyte), ALDOB (liver/kidney/intestine), and ALDOC (brain). The protein forms a homotetrameric structure with each subunit adopting a TIM-barrel fold typical for class I aldolases. Deficiency leads to myopathy or hemolytic anemia; overexpression has been implicated in several cancers due to its role supporting high rates of aerobic glycolysis ("Warburg effect"). While not yet targeted by approved drugs, it remains an area of interest for anticancer and antiparasitic drug development because its inhibition could selectively impair rapidly proliferating cells reliant on high rates of glucose metabolism.

Other names

Aldolase AALDAFructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase AMuscle-type aldolase

For potential inhibitors—blockade of glycolytic activity by inhibiting the catalytic conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to triose phosphates; disruption leads to impaired energy production in rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells or parasites.