α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase 1

α-methylacyl-CoA racemase 1 is an enzyme that catalyzes a key chiral inversion step in the metabolism of branched-chain fatty acids, and used as a maker in prostate and other cancer. In Vitro: α-methylacyl-CoA racemase protein levels are increased in all prostate and some other cancer cells and it is used as a marker. The enzyme requires no cofactors and catalyzes its reaction by a stepwise 1,1-proton transfer via an enolate intermediate. The biological role ofα-methylacyl-CoA racemase in cancer is complex, linking lipid metabolism with nuclear receptor (e.g. FXR and PPAR) activity and expression of enzymes such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)^[1]. α-methylacyl-CoA racemase 1 is a valuable tool to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer, especially if combined with basal cell markers. Microarray analysis reveals that tumours with prominent AMACR expression included adenocarcinomas of the prostate (72%), hepatocellular carcinomas (77%), papillary renal cell carcinomas (70%), and colorectal adenocarcinomas (71%)^[2].