The Function of GPT2 in Tumor Progression

Abstract

Glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) is one of the GPTs and is widely used as a biomarker of hepatocellular injury, along with GPT1. GPT2, a glutamine-metabolizing transaminase found in mitochondria, catalyzes the reversible process between glutamate, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, and alanine. Compared to GPT1, the intracellular abundance of GPT2 is higher, suggesting that its enzymatic activity has a considerable role in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism. In recent years, it has been discovered that deletion or mutation of GPT2 causes malignant transformation of tumors and that its expression level is closely correlated with tumor development. It is for this reason that the level of GPT2 can be used to reflect the metabolism level of the tumor cells in the body and can indicate metastasis based on its changes. The metabolism level of GPT2 in tumor cells is expected to be a marker in the tumor diagnostic process and subsequently contribute to early detection, thus improving tumor diagnosis and patient prognosis. This paper presents an overview of the current state of GPT2 research in the progression of tumors.