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Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
Identification of glycogen phosphorylase L as a potential target for lung cancer
Xin-Ling He1, Wen-Yu Lyu1, Xin-Yuan Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
Abstract:
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for cancer treatment. Identification of anti-cancer targets of TCM is the first and principal step in discovering molecular mechanisms of TCM as well as obtaining novel targets for cancer therapy. In this study, glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL) was identified as one of the targeted proteins for several TCMs and was upregulated in various cancer types. The expression level of PYGL was positively correlated with the stage of lung cancer and the poor prognosis of patients. Meanwhile, knockdown of PYGL significantly inhibited proliferation and migration in lung cancer cells. In addition, PYGL was associated with spindle, kinetochore, and microtubule, the cellular components that are closely related to mitosis, in lung cancer. Moreover, PYGL was more susceptible to be upregulated by 144 mutated genes. Taken together, PYGL is a potential target for lung cancer treatment and its molecular mechanism probably influences the mitotic function of cells by regulating energy metabolism.
Insights
Glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL) is a potential anti-cancer target identified in Traditional Chinese Medicine research. Targeting PYGL may inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation and migration, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is extensively used in cancer treatment.
- Identifying anti-cancer targets of TCM is crucial for understanding mechanisms and developing novel therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify anti-cancer targets of TCM and investigate their role in cancer.
- To explore the potential of glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL) as a therapeutic target in lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify targeted proteins of TCM.
- Analysis of PYGL expression in lung cancer tissues and correlation with clinical outcomes.
- Functional assays including knockdown of PYGL in lung cancer cells to assess proliferation and migration.
- Investigation of PYGL's association with cellular components involved in mitosis.
Main Results:
- Glycogen phosphorylase L (PYGL) was identified as a target protein for several TCMs and found to be upregulated in various cancers.
- PYGL expression positively correlated with lung cancer stage and poor prognosis.
- Knockdown of PYGL significantly inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation and migration.
- PYGL is associated with mitotic machinery (spindle, kinetochore, microtubule) and is upregulated by numerous mutated genes.
Conclusions:
- PYGL is a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.
- PYGL's molecular mechanism likely involves regulating energy metabolism to influence cellular mitotic function.
