Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase: An Emerging Protagonist in Cancer Macro(r)evolution.

ABSTRACT: Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has progressed from being considered merely a Phase II metabolic enzyme to one with a central role in cell function and energy metabolism. Over the last three decades, a significant body of evidence has accumulated which clearly demonstrates a central role for NNMT in cancer survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting a role for NNMT in the progression of the cancer phenotype and how it achieves this by driving the activity of pro-oncogenic NAD+-consuming enzymes. We also describe how increased NNMT activity supports the Warburg effect and how it promotes oncogenic changes in gene expression. We discuss the regulation of NNMT activity in cancer cells by both post-translational modification of the enzy

SUBMITTER: Parsons RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8533529 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature