Non-canonical functions of PIP4K2A and its role in cancer biology: A review.

This review explores the emerging non-canonical roles of Phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2 alpha (PIP4K2A) and PIP4K2A's growing significance in cancer biology. Traditionally recognized as a lipid kinase involved in cellular signaling and lipid metabolism, recent findings unveil novel kinase-independent functions of PIP4K2A in RNA processing and disease regulation. Drawing from recent studies, we delve into the catalytically independent functions of PIP4K2A and its implications in disease. Additionally, we reviewed its dual role as a proto-oncogene in lymphoma, as well as in solid tumors like breast, liver, and prostate cancers, and as a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma and colon cancer, underscoring its intricate involvement in cancer biology. This review emphasizes the significance of these non-canonical functions in diverse cellular processes and highlights their promising potential for therapeutic exploration, offering a comprehensive perspective on the evolving understanding of PIP4K2A biology.