Knockdown of SLC39A4 Expression Inhibits the Proliferation and Motility of Gallbladder Cancer Cells and Tumor Formation in Nude Mice

Abstract

Purpose Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common malignancy of the biliary tract and is characterized by rapid progression and early metastasis. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of GBC could help to develop better treatment strategies. Materials and Methods Human GBC cell lines (GBC-SD and NOZ) were applied to determine the capacity of the proliferation and migration of cells using the MTT assay, colony formation, wound-healing assay as well as the Transwell™ assay. A nude xenograft was used to evaluate tumor growth in vivo. Results Using two types of GBC cell lines, we found that absence of solute carrier family (SLC) 39A4 (which encodes the zinc transporter ZRT/IRT-like protein [ZIP]4), could suppress the proliferation and migration of cells. Additionally, absence of ZIP4 could impair growth of xenografts in nude mice. While, over-expression of SLC39A4 could promote the GBC cell proliferation and migration, and inhibit apoptosis. We revealed that SLC39A4 might affect GBC progression by modulating the signaling pathways responsible for the survival, energy supply and metastasis of cells, and indicated that SLC39A4 could serve as a novel therapeutic target for GBC. Conclusion SLC39A4 promoted the viability and motility of GBC cells, and tumor formation in nude mice. We demonstrated an oncogenic potential for SLC39A4.

Emerging Perspectives in Zinc Transporter Research in Prostate Cancer: An Updated Review

“…Previous studies by Chen and coworkers using a limited number of prostate cancer samples from the hospital of China Medical University have shown the upregulation of ZIP4 in one-quarter of the cancer samples compared with BPH [117]. ZIP4 upregulation has been observed in several cancers, including pancreatic cancer [85,118], ovarian cancer [119], nasopharyngeal carcinoma [120], and hepatocellular carcinoma [121,122]. Its upregulation has been correlated with oncogenesis and cancer progression, and it has also been considered a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker for human pancreatic cancer [85,118].…”

Solute carrier family 16 member 5 downregulation and its methylation might serve as a prognostic indicator of prostate cancer

“…Transporter inhibition is a promising cancer treatment strategy, attracting more focus of current research. [17][18][19] Nevertheless, MCT5-14 has yet to be thoroughly explored, particularly research evaluating MCT6, SLC16 member 5 [SLC16A5)], and its association with human cancer has yet to be conducted. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role and prognostic significance of SLC16A5 in PCa.…”