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Updated: Oct 7, 2025
A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells
Published on: July 3, 2013
Systematic analysis of the role of SLC52A2 in multiple human cancers
Lilong Zhang1,2, Man Li1,2, Zhoujun Cui3
1Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, China.
Background:
In humans, riboflavin must be obtained through intestinal absorption because it cannot be synthesized by the body. SLC52A2 encodes a membrane protein belonging to the riboflavin transporter protein family and is associated with a variety of diseases. Here, we systematically explore its relevance to multiple human tumors.
Methods:
We analyzed the association of SLC52A2 with 33 tumors using publicly available databases such as TCGA and GEO. We verified the SLC52A2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer using immunohistochemistry.
Results:
We report that SLC52A2 was highly expressed in almost all tumors, and the immunohistochemical results in the hepatocellular, gastric, colon, and rectal cancers were consistent with the above. SLC52A2 expression was linked to patient overall survival, disease-specific survival, progression-free interval, diagnosis, mutations, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, common immune checkpoint genes, and immune cells infiltration. Enrichment analysis showed that SLC52A2 was mainly enriched in oocyte meiosis, eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis, and cell cycle. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the SLC52A2 expression is an independent prognostic factor. The SNHG3 and THUMPD3-AS1/hsa-miR-139-5p-SLC52A2 axis were identified as potential regulatory pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we have systematically described for the first time that SLC52A2 is closely associated with a variety of tumors, especially hepatocellular carcinoma.
Insights
Riboflavin transporter SLC52A2 is highly expressed in most human tumors and linked to patient outcomes. Its role in cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, is systematically described for the first time.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential for humans, obtained via intestinal absorption.
- SLC52A2 encodes a riboflavin transporter protein crucial for cellular function.
- Dysregulation of SLC52A2 is implicated in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the association of SLC52A2 with multiple human tumors.
- To explore SLC52A2's prognostic significance, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of SLC52A2 expression across 33 tumors using TCGA and GEO databases.
- Immunohistochemical validation of SLC52A2 in specific cancers (liver, gastric, colon, rectal).
- Correlation analysis with clinical outcomes, genomic alterations, and immune profiles.
Main Results:
- SLC52A2 exhibits high expression in the majority of analyzed tumors.
- SLC52A2 expression correlates with patient survival, tumor progression, and immune cell infiltration.
- SLC52A2 is an independent prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma, with identified regulatory pathways.
Conclusions:
- SLC52A2 is significantly associated with a wide range of human cancers.
- This study provides the first systematic description of SLC52A2's broad relevance in oncology.
- SLC52A2 emerges as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma.
