Uptake of a fluorescent deoxyglucose analog (2-NBDG) in tumor cells.
OBJECTIVE
A new fluorescent analog of D -glucose was recently developed by [Yoshioka K, Takahashi H, Homma T, Sato M, Ki Bong O, Nemoto Y, Matsuoka H (1996) A novel fluorescent derivative of glucose applicable to the assessment of glucose uptake activity of Escherichia coli. Biochim Biophys Acta 1289:5-9] and shown to be transported into normal cells. The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the use of this fluorescent 2-deoxyglucose analog, 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), as a sensitive probe for monitoring glucose uptake into malignant tumor cells.


METHODS
MCF-7 breast cancer epithelial cells were grown and plated on coverslips for analysis of 2-NBDG uptake via fluorescence imaging microscopy.


RESULTS
Steady-state fluorescence analysis of 2-NBDG uptake displayed rapid uptake for the first one to five minutes, then slowed, reaching an apparent maximum uptake near 20-30 minutes. Addition of 5 mM D -glucose to the media markedly reduced 2-NBDG uptake. Uptake of 2-NBDG in nonmalignant epithelial cells (M-1 epithelial cells) was slow, averaging less than 20% of that observed for tumorigenic cells, the MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the HepG2 liver cancer cell line.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary data clearly demonstrate a rapid uptake of 2-NBDG into tumor cells that can be monitored by fluorescence imaging analysis. The uptake displays saturation and competition with D -glucose, all properties expected for 2-NBDG uptake and retention in cancer cells. Additional studies, including comparisons among other malignant cell lines and control cells, will be needed to fully characterize the kinetic properties of 2-NBDG uptake and the potential use of this 2-DG analog as a probe for glucose uptake in malignant cells.
O'Neil
Roger G
RG
Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA. roger.g.oneil@uth.tmc.edu
Wu
Ling
L
Mullani
Nizar
N
D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001692:Biological Transport; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D003847:Deoxyglucose; D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan; C098340:2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose