Introduction:

• Also known as Aldolase A
• Enzyme involved in cellular metabolism
• Produced by ALDOA gene in humans
• Converts fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to DHAP and G3P
• Important in glycolytic pathway
• Abundant in skeletal muscle and red blood cells
• Has roles beyond glycolysis

Structural and Catalytic Properties:

• Functions as a homotetramer
• Each subunit is 39kDa
• Contains preserved residues for function
• Uses Schiff base intermediate
• Specific lysine residue forms substrate bond
• Structure includes α and β sheet regions
• X-ray crystallography reveals:
• Substrate binding mechanics
• Catalytic site design
• Reaction intermediate stability

Physiological Functions and Regulation:

• Energy Metabolism:
• Glucose breakdown
• ATP production
• Metabolic pathway integration
• Energy homeostasis
• Cytoskeletal Organization:
• Interacts with actin filaments
• Affects cell mobility
• Maintains cellular architecture
• Signal Transduction:
• Participates in signalling cascades
• Responds to hormones
• Regulates stress responses
• Transcriptional Regulation:
• Nuclear localization
• Influences gene expression
• Interacts with transcription factors

Clinical Significance and Disease Associations:

• Cancer:
• Elevated expression
• Contributes to Warburg effect
• Affects tumor progression
• Hereditary ALDOA Deficiency:
• Causes hemolytic anemia
• Affects red blood cells
• Cardiac Disorders:
• Involved in heart failure
• Affects cardiac energy metabolism
• Muscular Diseases:
• Critical for muscle metabolism
• Potential therapeutic target

Recent Research Developments:

• Novel Functions:
• Non-glycolytic roles
• Metastasis mechanisms
• Protein-protein interactions
• Therapeutic Approaches:
• ALDOA inhibitor development
• Drug delivery strategies
• Combination therapies
• Diagnostic Applications:
• Detection methods
• Prognostic indicators
• Treatment monitoring