Gnpda1, glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 1, is an enzyme involved in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). It can convert glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) back into fructose-6-phosphate (Fru6P) and ammonium, thus affecting protein N-glycosylation and O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation), which are crucial for protein function and cellular responses to signals. The HBP and Gnpda1 are associated with metabolic diseases and cancer [3].

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Gnpda1 is highly expressed. High Gnpda1 expression is significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, TNM stage or grade, and is related to poor prognosis in HCC patients. 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 addition, Gnpda1 was identified as one of the up-regulated genes in the phlegm-dampness constitution, and gene functional analyses indicated that people with this constitution are susceptible to hyperlipemia and diabetes [2].

In colorectal cancer cells treated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), Gnpda1 was up-regulated, and these differentiated proteins may be potential molecular targets involved in the anti-cancer effect of CAPE [4].

An integrative analysis revealed Gnpda1 as a potential gene related to biopsychosocial factors among Taiwanese women with a family history of breast cancer. Gnpda1 hypomethylation was associated with poor overall survival in breast cancer, and it was also associated with the BRCA1, BRCA2, and pro-oncogenic actions of the androgen receptor in breast cancer [5].

A study on glycolysis-related gene pairs signature found that the IDUA_GNPDA1 pair was a significantly progressive factor for HCC patients, and a five-gene expression signature including Gnpda1 had a satisfactory prognostic value for overall survival of gastrointestinal cancer patients in the Asian population [6,7].

In gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells, Gnpda1 was one of the mRNAs targeted by specific miRNAs, and gemcitabine resistance may alter the fraction of memory CD4+ T cells via the miRNA-Gnpda1 network [8].

In conclusion, Gnpda1 is an important enzyme in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Its abnormal expression is closely related to the occurrence and development of various cancers such as HCC, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, as well as metabolic diseases like hyperlipemia and diabetes. Studies on Gnpda1 contribute to understanding the mechanisms of these diseases and may provide new directions for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.