Insights from Natural Product PHGDH Inhibitor Studies

Abstract

The synthetic activity of serine is significantly upregulated in several cancers [1]. Homo sapiens 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of serine synthesis, which converts 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG) and NAD+ to 3-phosphohydroxypyruvate and NADH [2,3]. PHGDH inhibitors were extensively pursued recently for their use in the treatment of affected cancers [4,5]. Among the inhibitors identified, three natural products including azacoccone E [6], ixocarpalactone A [7], withaferin A and oridonin [8] were shown to effectively inhibit PHGDH enzyme activity and cancer cell growth.