Up-regulation of the amino acid transporter ATB(0,+) (SLC6A14) in carcinoma of the cervix.

Objective: ATB(0,+) is an energy-coupled transporter for arginine and amino acid-based prodrugs. The objective of the study was to examine the expression of this transporter in cervical cancer.

Methods: Specimens of normal ectocervical mucosa and cervical squamous cell carcinoma were used for determination of ATB(0,+) mRNA levels by RT-PCR. A commercial dot blot of paired normal cervix and cervical cancer cDNA was also used to quantify ATB(0,+) mRNA. ATB(0,+) mRNA and protein in tissue sections were analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence.

Results: ATB(0,+) mRNA increased 5.6-fold (P < 0.0004) in cervical cancer compared to normal cervix. This was associated with a parallel increase in ATB(0,+) protein.

Conclusions: Expression of ATB(0,+) is minimal in normal cervix and is up-regulated in cervical cancer. The up-regulation of this highly concentrative transporter for arginine and prodrugs in cervical cancer has significant clinical and therapeutic relevance.