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Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Fluorescence Microscopy for ATP Internalization Mediated by Macropinocytosis in Human Tumor Cells and Tumor-xenografted Mice
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Defueling the cancer: ATP synthase as an emerging target in cancer therapy

Ting Wang1,2, Fei Ma3, Hai-Li Qian1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.

Molecular Therapy Oncolytics
|October 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells reprogram metabolism, often overexpressing mitochondrial ATP synthase (MAS). This enzyme

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Mitochondrial ATP synthase (MAS) is crucial for cellular ATP production.
  • High MAS expression correlates with poor prognosis in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma, ovarian, prostate, breast, and renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of ATP synthase in cancer.
  • To discuss ATP synthase as a therapeutic target.
  • To summarize recent ATP synthase inhibitors for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ATP synthase in cancer.
  • Analysis of the link between MAS expression and cancer prognosis.
  • Examination of cell surface ATP synthase involvement in tumorigenesis.
  • Review of current ATP synthase inhibitors and their clinical testing.

Main Results:

  • Mitochondrial ATP synthase (MAS) is highly expressed in various cancers, correlating with poor prognosis.
  • Cell surface-localized ATP synthase contributes to angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis.
  • ATP synthase inhibitors show potential in suppressing tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • ATP synthase is a critical enzyme in cancer metabolism and progression.
  • Targeting ATP synthase presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
  • Ongoing research and clinical trials are evaluating ATP synthase inhibitors for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ATP synthase inhibitorcancer metabolismchemotherapymitochondrial ATP synthasemitochondrial metabolism

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