Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
A systemic analysis of monocarboxylate transporters in ovarian cancer and possible therapeutic interventions
Priti Chatterjee1, Debaleena Bhowmik1,2, Sib Sankar Roy1,2
1Cell Biology and Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.
Abstract:
Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) play an immense role in metabolically active solid tumors by regulating concentration-dependent transport of different important monocarboxylates including pyruvate and lactate and are encoded by the SLC16A family of genes. Given the vast array of functions, these transporters play in oncogenesis, our objective was to look into the association of MCT1 (SLC16A1), MCT2 (SLC16A7), MCT3 (SLC16A8), and MCT4 (SLC16A3) with Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) pathophysiology by exploiting various publicly available databases and web resources. Few of the in silico findings were confirmed via in vitro experiments in EOC cell lines, SKOV3 and OAW-42. MCT1 and MCT4 were found to be upregulated at the mRNA level in OC tissues compared to normal. However, only higher level of MCT4 mRNA was found to be associated with poor patient survival. MCT4 was positively correlated with gene families responsible for invasion, migration, and immune modification, proving it to be one of the most important MCTs for therapeutic intervention. We compared the effects of MCT1/2 blocker SR13800 and a broad-spectrum MCT blocker α-Cyano Hydroxy Cinnamic Acid (α-CHCA) and discovered that α-CHCA has a greater effect on diminishing the invasive behavior of the cancer cells than MCT1/2 blocker SR13800. From our study, MCT4 has emerged as a prospective marker for predicting poor patient outcomes and a potential therapeutic target.
Insights
Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are vital in ovarian cancer. MCT4 is linked to poor survival and cancer cell invasion, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), encoded by the SLC16A gene family, regulate pyruvate and lactate transport.
- MCTs are crucial for cellular metabolism, particularly in solid tumors.
- Their role in oncogenesis highlights the need to study their association with Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of MCT1, MCT2, MCT3, and MCT4 with Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) pathophysiology.
- To evaluate MCT4 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in EOC.
- To compare the efficacy of different MCT inhibitors on EOC cell invasion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized publicly available databases and web resources for in silico analysis.
- Performed in vitro experiments in EOC cell lines (SKOV3, OAW-42).
- Analyzed mRNA expression levels and patient survival data.
- Compared the effects of MCT blockers SR13800 and α-Cyano Hydroxy Cinnamic Acid (α-CHCA).
Main Results:
- MCT1 and MCT4 mRNA were upregulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.
- Elevated MCT4 mRNA levels correlated with poorer patient survival.
- MCT4 showed positive correlation with gene families involved in invasion, migration, and immune modulation.
- The broad-spectrum MCT blocker α-CHCA demonstrated a greater reduction in cancer cell invasion than the MCT1/2 blocker SR13800.
Conclusions:
- MCT4 is a significant factor in EOC pathophysiology, associated with aggressive tumor behavior.
- MCT4 serves as a potential prognostic marker for predicting poor patient outcomes in EOC.
- MCT4 represents a promising therapeutic target for EOC intervention.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:06Carrier-Mediated Transport
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...