GLS (Glutaminase)

After metabolic reprogramming, many cancer cells become glutamine addicted, that is, they depend on a high consumption of this amino acid for their survival and proliferation. Glutaminase catalyzes the stoichiometric conversion of L-glutamine to L-glutamate and ammonium ions, the first step of glutaminolysis. GLS gene encodes two isoforms, known as kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and glutaminase C (GAC). Upregulation of GLS is a common feature of many tumors and, in recent years, this enzyme and its interacting partners have attracted much attention as potential new targets for cancer therapy. Considerable effort is being devoted towards the development of small-molecule inhibitors of GLS