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SHMT2 promotes tumor growth through VEGF and MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer

Shuang-Yan Xie1,2, Ding-Bo Shi3, Yi Ouyang1

  • 1Department of Radiotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong, China.

American Journal of Cancer Research
|August 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is highly expressed in breast cancer, promoting cell proliferation. Targeting SHMT2 may offer a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer cell proliferation is linked to metabolic adaptations.
  • Molecular mechanisms regulating breast cancer metabolism remain incompletely understood.
  • Serine metabolism's role in breast cancer requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) in breast cancer proliferation.
  • To explore SHMT2 as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of SHMT2 expression in breast cancer cells and tissues.
  • In vitro studies involving SHMT2 knockdown and overexpression.
  • RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify affected signaling pathways.
  • In vivo validation using a xenograft tumor model.

Main Results:

  • SHMT2 is highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and cells, correlating with poor prognosis.
  • Modulating SHMT2 levels impacts breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro.
  • SHMT2 overexpression affects multiple signaling pathways, including MAPK and VEGF.
  • SHMT2 promotes tumor growth in vivo via MAPK and VEGF signaling.

Conclusions:

  • SHMT2 plays a critical role in breast cancer cell proliferation and growth.
  • SHMT2 regulates breast cancer progression through MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways.
  • SHMT2 represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Keywords:
MAPKSHMT2VEGFbreast cancerserine/glycine metabolism

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