Roles of Aldolase Family Genes in Human Cancers and Diseases

The enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions of glycolysis promote tumor cell growth, cell cycle, and cancer metastasis. Isoforms of aldolases are abundant in the human body and play roles in glycolysis, fructolysis, and the synthesis of glyceraldehyde and ATP. The expression of aldolase family members is associated with poor survival rates or multiple clinical parameters in several cancer types. In silico analysis assesses the clinical value of aldolase family members as prognostic and diagnostic markers of human cancers and diseases. The non-enzymatic functions of aldolases reveal novel phenotypes or signaling through protein–protein interactions. The aldolase family members involved in metabolism and glycolysis are present in three isoforms: ALDOA, ALDOB, and ALDOC. Aldolases are differentially expressed in human tissues, and aberrant expression has been observed in several human diseases and cancer types. However, non-enzymatic functions through protein–protein interactions or epigenetic modifications have been reported in recent years. Using high-throughput screening and -omics database integration, aldolase has been validated as an independent clinical prognostic marker of human cancers. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide potential clinical value from in silico predictions and also summarize well-known signaling axes or phenotypes in various cancer types. Finally, we discuss the role of aldolase in the treatment of human diseases and cancers. The aldolase family members involved in metabolism and glycolysis are present in three isoforms: ALDOA, ALDOB, and ALDOC. Aldolases are differentially expressed in human tissues, and aberrant expression has been observed in several human diseases and cancer types. However, non-enzymatic functions through protein–protein interactions or epigenetic modifications have been reported in recent years. Using high-throughput screening and -omics database integration, aldolase has been validated as an independent clinical prognostic marker of human cancers. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide potential clinical value from in silico predictions and also summarize well-known signaling axes or phenotypes in various cancer types. Finally, we discuss the role of aldolase in the treatment of human diseases and cancers.