Identification of a novel cancer therapy target molecule by elucidating the physiological function of the orphan transporter

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24890170
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Medical pharmacy
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: ITO Shingo 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部, 助教 (20466535)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-08-31 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: オーファントランスポーター / タンパク質翻訳後修飾 / がん治療標的分子 / 腫瘍形成

Research Abstract

We detected the expression of SLC22A18, an orphan transporter and tumor suppressor gene, in organelle membranes, but not within the plasma membrane. We showed that the level of UDP-GlcNAc, an O-GlcNAc modification substrate, is higher in cells stably expressing SLC22A18 than in mock cells. In addition, the levels of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins detected using western blot analysis are increased in cells stably expressing SLC22A18. We found that SLC22A18 knockdown in some tumor cell types increased cell proliferation rates, suggesting that a relationship exists between low SLC22A18 levels and acceleration of tumorigenesis.

Research Products

• [Remarks]
  • URL: http://www.ohtsuki-lab.jp/