Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase 1 (GNPNAT1)

Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase 1 (GNPNAT1) is a cytoplasmic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of glucosamine-6-phosphate to N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate, a rate-limiting step in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, which is essential for producing UDP-N-acetylglucosamine[1][4]. It plays a key role in protein glycosylation and cellular metabolism. GNPNAT1 is upregulated in several human cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer, and its expression is associated with poor prognosis, advanced tumor stage, and increased metastatic potential[1][2][3][4]. The enzyme influences tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, and it may modulate immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment[1][4]. GNPNAT1 serves as a potential prognostic biomarker and suggested therapeutic target, with evidence supporting its involvement in the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as Abraxane in lung cancer[2].

Other names

Glucosamine phosphate N-acetyltransferase 1GNA1Gpnat1FLJ10607Phosphoglucosamine acetylasePhosphoglucosamine transacetylaseRHZDANGlucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferaseGNPNAT

Inhibition of GNPNAT1 expression reduces proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Stabilization of Snai2 (implicating post-translational modification impacting EMT). Downregulation impairs cancer cell growth and metastatic capacity.