BCAT1 and cancer: BCAA metabolism can both influence multiple cancer phenotypes and serve as a marker of disease pathology.30 As such, BCAA metabolism and BCAA metabolic enzymes, such as the cytosolic branched-chain aminotransferase 1 (BCAT1), play key roles in the progression of different cancer types.31 MYC directly targets BCAT1 to upregulate its expression, and promotes BCAA catabolism involved lipid synthesis.31–33