bims-meglyc Biomed News
on Metabolic disorders affecting glycosylation
Issue of 2025–04–06
three papers selected by
Silvia Radenkovic, UMC Utrecht



  1. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2025 Mar 30. pii: S0167-4889(25)00053-9. [Epub ahead of print]1872(5): 119948
      The metabolite Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) plays a vital role in human metabolism, and is a crucial activator and stabilizer for phosphomannomutase-2 (PMM2) - mutations within this protein propagate the most common congenital disorder of glycosylation (PMM2-CDG). In vivo, Glc-1,6-P2 is hydrolysed by phosphomannomutase-1 (PMM1), predominantly in the brain, under the influence of inosine monophosphate (IMP). In the present study, we employed knock-out PMM1 in Arg141His/Phe119LeuPMM2 patient-derived fibroblasts and investigated the phenotypic improvement. Increased Glc-1,6-P2 was associated with glycosylation enhancement, confirmed by glycan profiling. Previously identified PMM2-CDG biomarkers, such as LAMP1, PTX3 and lysosomal enzymes showed empirical imrovement- these findings were corroborated by metabolomic and proteomic analysis. Moreover, our results support the potential of Glc-1,6-P2 modulation for PMM2-CDG, potentiating novel perspectives in drug discovery.
    Keywords:  Biomarkers; Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate; Glycomics; Metabolomics; PMM1; PMM2-CDG; Proteomics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2025.119948
  2. Drug Discov Today. 2025 Mar 28. pii: S1359-6446(25)00059-5. [Epub ahead of print] 104346
      Ultra-rare diseases, particularly those that affect a few hundred patients worldwide, are of little commercial interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Patient-led organizations have made remarkable progress in funding the early-stage, academic development of therapies for such neglected ultra-rare conditions. But the long and difficult path to translate most academic proof-of-concept studies into approved medicines means that very few therapies ever reach patients. Here, we discuss some of the roadblocks to the development of therapeutics for conditions of limited commercial interest and propose ways to overcome these obstacles.
    Keywords:  patient advocacy; philanthropy; ultra-rare disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104346