Role of monocarboxylate transporters in human cancers: state of the art

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Pinheiro, C (Author) Other; Longatto, A (Author) Other; Azevedo Silva, J (Author) Other; Casal, M (Author) Other; Fernando Schmitt (Author) FMUP; Baltazar, F (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes

Vol. 44

Pages: 127-139

ISSN: 0145-479X

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 302 Citations

Scopus - 312 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-D7C

DOI: 10.1007/s10863-012-9428-1

Abstract (EN): Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) belong to the SLC16 gene family, presently composed by 14 members. MCT1-MCT4 are proton symporters, which mediate the transmembrane transport of pyruvate, lactate and ketone bodies. The role of MCTs in cell homeostasis has been characterized in detail in normal tissues, however, their role in cancer is still far from understood. Most solid tumors are known to rely on glycolysis for energy production and this activity leads to production of important amounts of lactate, which are exported into the extracellular milieu, contributing to the acidic microenvironment. In this context, MCTs will play a dual role in the maintenance of the hyper-glycolytic acid-resistant phenotype of cancer, allowing the maintenance of the high glycolytic rates by performing lactate efflux, and pH regulation by the co-transport of protons. Thus, they constitute attractive targets for cancer therapy, which have been little explored. Here we review the literature on the role of MCTs in solid tumors in different locations, such as colon, central nervous system, breast, lung, gynecologic tract, prostate, stomach, however, there are many conflicting results and in most cases there are no functional studies showing the dependence of the tumors on MCT expression and activity. Additional studies on MCT expression in other tumor types, confirmation of the results already published as well as additional functional studies are needed to deeply understand the role of MCTs in cancer maintenance and aggressiveness.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13