Expression of glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1) in cell lines and clinical specimens from human prostate adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Increased uptake and metabolism of glucose is a characteristic of malignant transformation. Overexpression of glucose transporters, especially Glut-1, is a common event in human malignancies. To date, little is known about the role of Glut-1 in human prostate cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Glut-1 both in PC cell lines and clinical specimens of primary PC.


METHODS
The PC cell lines DU145, PC3 and LNCaP were assessed for Glut-1 mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis. In a total of 45 primary PC specimens, radioactive (35S) in situ hybridizations (RISH) for Glut-1 mRNA expression were performed on frozen sections. Quantification of Glut-1 expression was obtained by use of an image analysis system.


RESULTS
Glut-1 expression was detected in all 3 cell lines. Expression in the more poorly-differentiated cell lines DU145 and PC3 was even higher than in the hormone-responsive LNCaP cell line. In situ hybridizations in primary PC revealed Glut-1 expression just above the detection limit in well-differentiated tumors. Significantly increased Glut-1 expression was detected in moderately- to poorly-differentiated PC.


CONCLUSIONS
Glut-1 is expressed in PC cell lines and primary PC. The level of expression increases with advancing grade of malignancy. These findings support a role for Glut-1 in PC proliferation.
Effert
P
P
Department of Urology/Urological Research Laboratory, RWTH University of Aachen, Germany. peter.effert@onlinehome.de
Beniers
A J
AJ
Tamimi
Y
Y
Handt
S
S
Jakse
G
G
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C495677:SLC2A1 protein, human