Open AccessCationic amino acid transporter PQLC 2 is a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer
Author(s) -
Jeung YunJi,
Lee Kyeong,
Lee Hyo Jin,
Kim Eunah,
Son Myung Jin,
Ahn Jiwon,
Kim HanGyeul,
Kim Wantae,
Lee HoJoon,
Kim Jin Man,
Chung KyungSook
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13966
Subject(s) - amino acid transporter , downregulation and upregulation , gene knockdown , protein kinase b , cancer research , cell growth , chemistry , cancer , mapk/erk pathway , cancer cell , apoptosis , amino acid , in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , transporter , signal transduction , biology , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Tumor cells overexpress amino acid transporters to meet the increased demand for amino acids. PQ loop repeat‐containing ( PQLC )2 is a cationic amino acid transporter that might be involved in cancer progression. Here, we show that upregulation of PQLC 2 is critical to gastric cancer ( GC ) development in vitro and in vivo. Both PQLC 2 mRNA and protein were overexpressed in GC tissues, especially of the diffuse type. Overexpression of PQLC 2 promoted cell growth, anchorage independence, and tumor formation in nude mice. This was due to activation of MEK / ERK 1/2 and PI 3K/ AKT signaling. Conversely, PQLC 2 knockdown caused growth arrest and cell death of cancer cells and suppressed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. These results suggest that targeting PQLC 2 is an effective strategy for GC treatment.