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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Sep 7.
Published in final edited form as: Cell Metab. 2011 Sep 7;14(3):285–286. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.08.004

Figure 1. Role of PHGDH in tumor cell metabolism.

Figure 1

Many tumors have enhanced expression of the metabolic enzyme phosphoglycerate (PHGDH), in some cases because the gene encoding this enzyme is amplified on chromosome 1p12. PHGDH diverts flux away from glycolysis by oxidizing 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) to 3-phospho-hydroxypyruvate (3-POHPyr). Subsequent metabolism of this 3-carbon intermediate feeds into the serine and glycine pools, providing numerous precursor molecules and other substrates required for cell growth and proliferation. Abbreviations: Ac-CoA, acetyl-CoA; αKG, α-ketoglutarate; DHAP, dihydroxyacetone phosphate; GA3P, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate; NH4+, ammonium ion; N5N10-MTHF, N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate; OAA, oxaloacetate; PEP, phosphoenolpyruvate; PSAT1, phosphoserine aminotransferase-1; SAM, S-adenosylmethionine; SHMT, serine hydroxymethyltransferase; THF, tetrahydrofolate.