Expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 Glucose Transporters in Endometrial and Breast Cancers

Abstract

Cancer cells have accelerated metabolism and high glucose requirements. The up-regulation of specific glucose transporters may represent a key mechanism by which malignant cells may achieve increased glucose uptake to support the high rate of glycolysis. In present study we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 glucose transporters by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and Western blotting technique in 76 cases of endometrial carcinoma and 70 cases of breast carcinoma. SLC2A1 and SLCA2A3 mRNAs expression was found, respectively in 100% and 97.4% samples of endometrial cancers and only in 50% and 40% samples of breast cancers. In endometrial cancers GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein expression was identified in 67.1% and 30.3% of cases. Analogously, in breast cancers in 48.7% and 21% of samples, respectively. The results showed that both endometrial and breast poorly differentiated tumors (grade 2 and 3) had significantly higher GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression than well-differentiated tumors (grade 1). Statistically significant association was found between SLCA2A3 mRNA expression and estrogen and progesterone receptors status in breast cancers. GLUT1 has been reported to be involved in the uptake of glucose by endometrial and breast carcinoma cells earlier and the present study determined that GLUT3 expression is also involved. GLUT1 and GLUT3 seem to be important markers in endometrial and breast tumors differentiation.

Glucose transporter 3 performs a critical role in mTOR-mediated oncogenic glycolysis and tumorigenesis

“…Under physiological conditions, Glut3 is expressed predominantly in the brain tissue (2). The abnormal overexpression of Glut3 has been detected in numerous types of cancer, including breast, oral, lung, colon and bladder cancer, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear (3)(4)(5)21). Given that mTORC1 signaling is also frequently activated in cancer, one hypothesis is that hyperactivated mTORC1 signaling may be responsible for the elevated Glut3 in these types of cancer.…”

“…A family of glucose transporters (Gluts) facilitates glucose movement across the plasma membranes in a tissue-specific manner, and 14 different Glut isoforms have been characterized at present (2). Glut3 is an effective glucose transporter, previous studies have demonstrated that Glut3 is upregulated in certain types of malignancy and that it is associated with poor prognosis (3,4). Downregulation of Glut3 reduces the glucose consumption of the cell and therefore cell growth rate (5).…”

Expression and clinical significance of glucose transporter-1 in pancreatic cancer

“…The members of this family differ in their affinity for glucose and their effects on physiological regulation (8,9). Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) is a member of the GLUT family, which is expressed in erythrocytes, endothelial cells, placenta and blood-tissue barriers, including the blood-brain and blood-nerve barriers (10,11). Recent studies have demonstrated that GLUT-1 is often upregulated in various malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer (12), esophageal cancer (13), oral squamous cell carcinoma (14), renal cell carcinoma (15) breast cancer and lung cancer (16).…”

Glucose transporters 1, 3, 6, and 10 are expressed in gastric cancer and glucose transporter 3 is associated with UICC stage and survival

“…Whereas the impact of Glut-1 in cancer has been studied extensively, the roles of other members of SLC2 in cancer are unknown. Glut-3 is expressed in different kinds of cancer and has been identified as a negative prognostic factor for lung cancer, endometrial cancer, and laryngeal cancer [10][11][12]. Younes et al [13] described the expression of Glut-3 in 2/8 gastric cancer samples, and it was not detected in normal gastric mucosa.…”