The Solute Carrier 1A (SLC1A) family includes two major mammalian transport systems-the alanine serine cysteine transporters (ASCT1-2) and the human glutamate transporters otherwise known as the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT1-5). The EAATs play a critical role in maintaining low synaptic concentrations of the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, and hence they have been widely researched over a number of years. More recently, the neutral amino acid exchanger, ASCT2 has garnered attention for its important role in cancer biology and potential as a molecular target for cancer therapy. The nature of this role is still being explored, and several classes of ASCT2 inhibitors have been developed. However none have reached sufficient potency or selectivity for clinical use. Despite their distinct functions in biology, the members of the SLC1A family display structural and functional similarity. Since 2004, available structures of the archaeal homologues Glt and Glt have elucidated mechanisms of transport and inhibition common to the family. The recent determination of EAAT1 and ASCT2 structures may be of assistance in future efforts to design efficacious ASCT2 inhibitors. This review will focus on ASCT2, the present state of knowledge on its roles in tumour biology, and how structural biology is being used to progress the development of inhibitors.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-019-02934-xDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

amino acid
12
slc1a family
12
acid transporters
8
asct2 inhibitors
8
asct2
5
transporters
4
transporters exchangers
4
exchangers slc1a
4
family
4
family structure
4

Similar Publications

Recent studies have suggested that the interaction between diet and an individual's genetic predisposition can determine the likelihood of obesity and various metabolic disorders. The current study aimed to examine the association of dietary branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids(AAAs) with the expression of the leptin and FTO genes in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues of individuals undergoing surgery. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 136 Iranian adults, both men and women, aged ≥18 years.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nitrogen@Carbon quantum dots (N@CQDs) are prepared using microwave hydrothermal method, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and melamine are used as mixed C source and N source. Microwave reaction conditions of preparing the N@CQDs are 170 ℃ and 3 h. This N@CQDs are are used as fluorescence probe for detection of amino acids.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Can We Maintain Muscle Mass on a Plant-Based Diet?

Curr Nutr Rep

January 2025

Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to determine whether muscle mass and function can be effectively maintained without relying on animal-based protein sources. We evaluate the quality, digestibility, and essential amino acid profiles of plant-based proteins to understand their potential in preventing and managing sarcopenia.

Recent Finding: Recent studies indicate that while animal-based proteins have traditionally been considered the gold standard for supporting muscle protein synthesis, certain plant-based protein blends, fortified with leucine or other essential amino acids, can produce comparable anabolic responses.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Sarcopenia is an age-related disease that is related to nutritional intake and chronic low-grade inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of dietary intake, inflammatory markers and sarcopenia among the community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A total of 1001 older adults aged 60 and above were recruited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Previous studies have suggested that ginsenoside Rg glycine ester derivative (RG) exhibits therapeutic potential in mitigating hypoxia. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of RG in hypoxia injury through a combined approach of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Initially, a CoCl-induced cell hypoxia model was established, and the therapeutic impact of RG on biochemical indices was evaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!