ENPP1

ENPP1, or exonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1, is alias PC-1, CD203c, etc. It is an extracellular glycoprotein, encoded by its own gene in human cells, and plays a role mainly in the immune system, bone metabolism, and energy metabolism.The mechanism of action of ENPP1 includes the hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotide triphosphates to produce pyrophosphate, a process that is important in bone mineralization and insulin signaling. In addition, ENPP1 inhibits the STING signaling pathway by hydrolyzing the immunotransmitter 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), thereby regulating the innate immune response.

ENPP1 has a wide range of biological significance, and is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including bone mineralization, insulin signaling, and immune escape from tumors, etc. Expression of ENPP1 has been associated with a variety of diseases, such as tumor microenvironment. For example, in the tumor microenvironment, high expression of ENPP1 is associated with poor prognosis, and its hydrolytic cGAMP activity may inhibit the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby suppressing anti-tumor immune responses . In addition, ENPP1 may be involved in the regulation of extracellular ATP/adenosine homeostasis, affecting immune cell infiltration and function in the tumor microenvironment . Therefore, ENPP1 is a potential target in immunobiological studies and cancer therapy.