Modulating serine palmitoyltransferase-deoxysphingolipid axis in cancer therapy.

A schematic illustration is given regarding serine restriction on tumor growth. Once the cellular abundance of serine decreased or alanine accumulated, the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) alternatively conjugates alanine and palmitoyl-CoA to form 3-keto-intermediates, which is rapidly converted to 1-deoxysphinganine and further metabolized to 1-deoxydihydroceramide (1-DeoxyDHCER) and 1-deoxyceramide (1-DeoxyDHCER), so that to exert cytotoxicity for tumor suppression.