From Evolution to Early Detection
From its role in the evolution of modern humans to its importance in the treatment of cancer and viral diseases: Researchers from around the world are documenting the relevance of the transketolase-like-1 gene in an increasing number of studies. Most recently, the Swedish physician and biologist Prof. Dr. Svante Pääbo, who conducts research in Germany, caused quite a stir when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his research on the genome of the Neanderthal man. In the process, his team and he discovered the relevance of the TKTL1 gene for the development of modern humans.
They were able to show that modern humans have a higher density of neurons in certain brain regions compared to Neanderthals. The researchers found that a variant of the protein TKTL1, which in modern humans differs from the Neanderthal version by only a single amino acid, plays a crucial role in the formation of neurons in the brain. This mutation is responsible for the increased neuron formation in the developing frontal lobe of the neocortex of modern humans.
From Evolution to Early Detection
From its role in the evolution of modern humans to its importance in the treatment of cancer and viral diseases: Researchers from around the world are documenting the relevance of the transketolase-like-1 gene in an increasing number of studies. Most recently, the Swedish physician and biologist Prof. Dr. Svante Pääbo, who conducts research in Germany, caused quite a stir when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his research on the genome of the Neanderthal man. In the process, his team and he discovered the relevance of the TKTL1 gene for the development of modern humans.
They were able to show that modern humans have a higher density of neurons in certain brain regions compared to Neanderthals. The researchers found that a variant of the protein TKTL1, which in modern humans differs from the Neanderthal version by only a single amino acid, plays a crucial role in the formation of neurons in the brain. This mutation is responsible for the increased neuron formation in the developing frontal lobe of the neocortex of modern humans.
Key Role in Cell Division
Moreover, in 2019, it was proven that TKTL1 plays a crucial role in the cell division process (cell duplication). The previously held view that increased consumption of ribose-5-phophate during cell doubling triggers replenishment of the same, thus “pulling” the cell into doubling (the so-called “pull-effect”) could be refuted. In fact, TKTL1 is expressed first, a heterodimer of TKTL1 and TKT is formed, and this leads to an increase in the concentration of ribose-5-phosphate, which ultimately pushes the cell into doubling – the so-called “push effect”.
Key Role in Cell Division
Moreover, in 2019, it was proven that TKTL1 plays a crucial role in the cell division process (cell duplication). The previously held view that increased consumption of ribose-5-phophate during cell doubling triggers replenishment of the same, thus “pulling” the cell into doubling (the so-called “pull-effect”) could be refuted. In fact, TKTL1 is expressed first, a heterodimer of TKTL1 and TKT is formed, and this leads to an increase in the concentration of ribose-5-phosphate, which ultimately pushes the cell into doubling – the so-called “push effect”.
Sie konnten zeigen, dass der moderne Mensch im Vergleich zu Neandertalern eine höhere Dichte an Neuronen in bestimmten Gehirnregionen aufweist. Die Forscher haben herausgefunden, dass eine Variante des Proteins TKTL1, die sich bei modernen Menschen nur um eine einzige Aminosäure von der Neandertaler-Version unterscheidet, eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Bildung von Nervenzellen im Gehirn spielt. Dies führt zu einer vermehrten Bildung von Nervenzellen im sich entwickelnden Frontallappen des Neokortex von modernen Menschen.
Pioneering Studies
In 2019 and 2022, studies were published in the journals Nature and Science which examplify the importance of TKTL1 to us humans, our evolutionary history, and our health:
APC/CCDH1 synchronizes ribose-5-phosphate levels and DNA synthesis to cell cycle progression
NATURE | 2019
The 2019 study disproves the previously common assumption of a “pull effect” in cell division. The production of the basic building block ribose-5-phosphate formed by TKTL1 is not triggered by its consumption; instead, an overproduction of the substance controlled by TKTL1 “pushes” the cell into duplication, the so-called “push effect.” TKTL1 thus controls the cell cycle by providing the building block necessary for DNA synthesis.
Human TKTL1 implies greater neurogenesis in frontal neocortex of modern humans than Neanderthals
SCIENCE | 2022
The research team led by Svante Pääbo and Wieland Huttner published the sensational study on brain development in Neanderthals and modern humans in September 2022. This study revealed that a mutation on the TKTL1 gene caused modern humans to form more neurons in the neocortex than Neanderthals. The crucial mutation resulted in the alteration of only a single amino acid on the TKTL1 gene and yet had far-reaching consequences for our development.
TKTL1 Cancer-Related Studies
Especially in the field of early cancer detection and cancer diagnostics, the findings and studies on TKTL1 are increasing rapidly. A selection of important studies from recent years:
„Blood-Test Based Targeted Visualization Enables Early Detection of Premalignant and Malignant Tumors in Asymptomatic Individuals“
The largest study to date on TKTL1 addresses the question of whether the TKTL1 protein serves as a universal tumor marker in cancer diagnostics.
The background to the study is that in Germany there are still no screening tests for 55% of new cancer cases each year. With PanTum Detect®, Zyagnum AG has developed a blood test that provides a universal indication of a possible tumor on the basis of TKTL1 and DNaseX as biomarkers. If the result is conspicuous, it is clarified by means of imaging procedures.
The study involved 5,000 individuals aged 50 to 70 years. In 82% of the participants with abnormal blood samples, a previously undetected tumor or tumor precursor was ultimately discovered.
“Epitope Detection in Monocytes (EDIM) As a New Method of Liquid Biopsy in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma”
Researchers from the Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen, Germany, investigated whether the biomarkers TKTL1 and DNaseX (Apo10) differ in children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma compared to a healthy control group.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant cancer that affects muscle tissue. It is the most common soft tissue tumor in childhood. In advanced stages, only 25% of treated patient:s are cancer-free after three years. The disease is currently diagnosed based on clinical signs, imaging techniques such as MRI, laboratory parameters and by bone marrow aspiration.
Twenty-nine infants, children and adolescents aged 0 to 21 years suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma participated in the study. The control group included 27 healthy individuals. The PanTum Detect® blood test developed by Zyagnum AG was used. This so-called biological biopsy, based on EDIM® technology, detects elevated TKTL1 and DNaseX (Apo10) levels in macrophages.
Significantly elevated TKTL1 and DNaseX (Apo10) levels were detected in 28 of the 29 rhabdomyosarcoma patients. In the control group, none of the participants showed elevated levels of TKTL1 and DNaseX (Apo10).
Study List
2023
CELLULAR ONCOLOGY
Apo10 and TKTL1 in blood macrophages as biomarkers for differentiating lung cancer from benign lung lesions: a comparative study with conventional biomarkers
Xie, C., Wang, S., Guo, C. et al. Apo10 and TKTL1 in blood macrophages as biomarkers for differentiating lung cancer from benign lung lesions: a comparative study with conventional biomarkers. Cellular Oncology 2023.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
Case Report: Early detection of lung carcinoid in an asymptomatic individual by blood-test initiated PET-CT imaging
Burg S.; Smeets R.; Gosau M.; Failing K.; Grust A.: Case Report: Early detection of lung carcinoid in an asymptomatic individual by blood-test initiated PET-CT imaging. Frontiers in Oncology 2023, 13.
2022
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Proteomic characterization of gastric cancer response to chemotherapy and targeted therapy reveals potential therapeutic strategies
Li Y.; Xu C.; Wang B.; Xu F.; Ma F.; Qu Y. et al.: Proteomic characterization of gastric cancer response to chemotherapy and targeted therapy reveals potential therapeutic strategies. Nature Communications 2022.
SCIENCE
Human TKTL1 implies greater neurogenesis in frontal neocortex of modern humans than Neanderthals
Pinson A.; Xing L.; Xinnan L.; Namba T.; Kalebic N; Peters J. et al.: Human TKTL1 implies greater neurogenesis in frontal neocortex of modern humans than Neanderthals. Science 2022.
NATURE METABOLISM
Non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway controls regulatory T cell function by integrating metabolism and epigenetics
Qi L.; Fangming Z.; Xinnan L.; Ying L.; Ke Y.; Na T.; et al.: Non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway controls regulatory T cell function by integrating metabolism and epigenetics. Nature Metabolism 2022.
ELSEVIER
The role of transketolase in human cancer progression and therapy
Shiming, H.; Qingfei, M.; Huihui S.; Yunkuo L.; Yao L.; et al.: The role of transketolase in human cancer progression and therapy. Elsevier 2022.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
Epitope Detection in Monocytes (EDIM) As a New Method of Liquid Biopsy in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma
Urla, C.; Stagno, M.J.; Schmidt, A.; Handgretinger, R.; Fuchs, J.; Warmann, S.W.; Schmid, E. Epitope Detection in Monocytes (EDIM) As a New Method of Liquid Biopsy in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma. Biomedicines 2022.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND MEDICAL IMAGES
Clinical Study Blood-Test Based Targeted Visualization Enables Early Detection of Premalignant and Malignant Tumors in Asymptomatic Individuals Citation
Burg, S.; Grust, AC.; Feyen, O.; Failing, K.; Banat, GA.; Coy, JF. et al. Blood-Test Based Targeted Visualization Enables Early Detection of Premalignant and Malignant Tumors in Asymptomatic Individuals. Journal of Clinical and Medical Images 2022, 6.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
Epitope detection in monocytes (EDIM) for liquid biopsy including identification of GD2 in childhood neuroblastoma
Stagno, M.; Schmidt, A.; Bochem, J. et al. Epitope detection in monocytes (EDIM) for liquid biopsy including identification of GD2 in childhood neuroblastoma—a pilot study. British Journal of Cancer 2022, 7.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
TKTL1 Knockdown Impairs Hypoxia-Induced Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Overexpression
Baptista, I.; Karakitsou, E.; Cazier, JB.; Günther, UL.; Marin, S.; Cascante, M. TKTL1 Knockdown Impairs Hypoxia-Induced Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Overexpression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23, 3574.
CELL DEATH AND DISEASE
Transketolase promotes colorectal cancer metastasis through regulating AKT phosphorylation
Li, M.; Zhao, X.; Yong, H.; Xu, J.; Qu, P.; Qiao, S. et al. Transketolase promotes colorectal cancer metastasis through regulating AKT phosphorylation. Cell Death and Disease 2022, 13, 99.
JOURNAL OF CANCER
Transketolase Serves as a Biomarker for Poor Prognosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma
Niu, C.; Qiu, W.; Li, X.; Li, H.; Zhou, J.; Zhu, H. Transketolase Serves as a Biomarker for Poor Prognosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma. Journal of Cancer 2022, 13, 2584–93.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
Inhibition of Transketolase Improves the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer
Zhang, L.; Huang, Z.; Cai, Q.; Zhao, C.; Xiao, Y.; Quan, X.; et al. Inhibition of Transketolase Improves the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer. Frontiers in Medicine 2022, 9, 837143.
2021
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE
Hypoxia-Related Gene-Based Signature Can Evaluate the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Predict the Prognosis of Colon Adenocarcinoma Patient
He, X.; Ding, J.; Cheng, X.; Xiong, M. Hypoxia-Related Gene-Based Signature Can Evaluate the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Predict the Prognosis of Colon Adenocarcinoma Patients. International Journal of General Medicine 2021, 14, 9853–62.
TRANSLATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH
A hypoxia-linked gene signature for prognosis prediction and evaluating the immune microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Wang, J.; Li, Y.; Zhang, C.; Chen, X.; Zhu, L.; Luo, T. A hypoxia-linked gene signature for prognosis prediction and evaluating the immune microenvironment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Trans Cancer Research 2021, 10, 3979–92.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
TKTL1 participated in malignant progression of cervical cancer cells via regulating AKT signal mediated PFKFB3 and thus regulating glycolysis
Zhu, Y.; Qiu, Y.; Zhang, X. TKTL1 participated in malignant progression of cervical cancer cells via regulating AKT signal mediated PFKFB3 and thus regulating glycolysis. Cancer Cell International 2021, 21, 678.
ONCOLOGY
TKTL1 as a Prognostic Marker in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Correlation with FDG-PET-CT
Ahopelto, K.; Saukkonen, K.; Hagström, J.; Kauhanen, S.; Seppänen, H.; Böckelman, C.; et al. TKTL1 as a Prognostic Marker in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Correlation with FDG-PET-CT. Oncology 2021, 99, 177–85.
DIAGNOSTICS (BASEL)
Importance of Potential New Biomarkers in Patient with Serouse Ovarian Cancer
Cymbaluk-Płoska, A.; Chudecka, K.; Chudecka-Głaz, A.; Piotrowska, K.; Kwiatkowski, S.; Tarnowski, M. Importance of Potential New Biomarkers in Patient with Serouse Ovarian Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021, 11, 1026.
2020
CANCER BIOMARKERS: SECTION A OF DISEASE MARKERS
Biomarkers Apo10 and TKTL1: Epitope-detection in monocytes (EDIM) as a new diagnostic approach for cholangiocellular, pancreatic and colorectal carcinoma
Saman, S.; Stagno, M.;, Warmann, SW.; Malek, NP.; Plentz, RR.; Schmid, E. Biomarkers Apo10 and TKTL1: Epitope-detection in monocytes (EDIM) as a new diagnostic approach for cholangiocellular, pancreatic and colorectal carcinoma. Cancer Biomarkers 2020, 27, 129–37.
CANCER BIOLOGY & THERAPY
High TKTL1 expression as a sign of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer with synchronous rather than metachronous liver metastases
Peltonen, R.; Ahopelto, K.; Hagström, J.; Böckelman, C.; Haglund, C.; Isoniemi, H. High TKTL1 expression as a sign of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer with synchronous rather than metachronous liver metastases. Cancer Biology Therapy 2020, 21, 826–31.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
Use of AKR1C1 and TKTL1 in the Diagnosis of Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions from Mexican Women
Sequeda-JuÁrez, A.; Jiménez, A.; Espinosa-Montesinos, A.; Del Carmen Cardenas-Aguayo, M.; RamÓn-Gallegos, E. Use of AKR1C1 and TKTL1 in the Diagnosis of Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions from Mexican Women. Anticancer Research 2020, 40, 6273–84.
ONCOLOGY
Transketolase-Like Protein 1 and Glucose Transporter 1 in Gastric Cancer
Ahopelto, K.; Laitinen. A.; Hagström, J.; Böckelman, C.; Haglund, C. Transketolase-Like Protein 1 and Glucose Transporter 1 in Gastric Cancer. Oncology 2020, 98, 643–52.
2018
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
TKTL1 modulates the response of paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel
Zheng, X.; Li, H. TKTL1 modulates the response of paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2018.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Gene Suppression of Transketolase-Like Protein 1 (TKTL1) Sensitizes Glioma Cells to Hypoxia and Ionizing Radiation
Heller, S.; Maurer, G.D.; Wanka, C.; Hofmann, U.; Luger, A.; Bruns, I. et al. Gene Suppression of Transketolase-Like Protein 1 (TKTL1) Sensitizes Glioma Cells to Hypoxia and Ionizing Radiation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2018, 19, 2068.
2017
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
Knockdown of TKTL1 additively complements cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by regulating the levels of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate
Dong, Y.; Wang, M. Knockdown of TKTL1 additively complements cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by regulating the levels of NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 2018, 85.
