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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 expression controls cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radioresistance
Yuji Takaoka1,2, Masamitsu Konno3, Jun Koseki2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
Abstract:
Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is known to cause different expressions in normal and cancer cells. We observed a change in phenotype with the suppression of MPC expression. We knocked down MPC1 and/or MPC2 using siRNA or shRNA. We observed its cell morphology and accompanying molecular marker. Furthermore, the radioresistance of the MPC knockdown cell line was examined using a colony formation assay. MPC1-suppressed cells changed their morphology to a spindle shape. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was suspected, and examination of the EMT marker by PCR showed a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in fibronectin. Focusing on glutamine metabolism as the mechanism of this phenomenon, we knocked down the glutamine-metabolizing enzyme glutaminase (GLS). EMT was also observed in GLS-suppressed cells. Furthermore, when MPC1-suppressed cells were cultured in a glutamine-deficient medium, changes in EMT markers were suppressed. In addition, MPC1-suppressed cells also increased with a significant difference in radioresistance. Decreased MPC1 expression favorably affects EMT and radioresistance of cancer.
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