Gnpda1, glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 1, is an enzyme involved in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. It can convert glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) back into fructose-6-phosphate (Fru6P) and ammonium. This reaction is crucial as it links the hexosamine system to the glycolytic pathway, thus influencing energy metabolism [2,3].

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), high Gnpda1 expression is significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, TNM stage, and grade, and indicates poor prognosis. Knockdown of Gnpda1 in SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cell lines inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells, and promotes apoptosis, suggesting it may be a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC [1]. In gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells, Gnpda1 is targeted by certain miRNAs, and its role is associated with the alteration of memory CD4+ T cells [4]. In a study on glycolysis-related gene pairs in HCC, the IDUA_GNPDA1 pair was identified as a significant progressive factor, and a signature including this pair could predict prognosis [5]. In the Asian population with gastrointestinal cancer, Gnpda1 was one of the prognosis-related genes among differentially expressed glycolysis-related genes, and a five-gene signature including Gnpda1 could independently predict overall survival [6].

In conclusion, Gnpda1 plays a role in energy-related metabolic pathways and is involved in the progression of various cancers such as HCC, pancreatic cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. Research on Gnpda1 in these cancer models helps to understand its function in disease development, potentially providing new insights for diagnosis and treatment.