Potential Roles of GLUT12 for Glucose Sensing and Cellular Migration in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Under High Glucose Conditions.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent reports have indicated that hyperglycaemia is associated with breast cancer progression. High glucose conditions corresponding to hyperglycaemia significantly promote migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, however, little is known about the mechanisms of glucose sensing for the acquisition of migratory properties by MCF-7 cells. This study investigated glucose sensing and mediation, which are responsible for the high motility of MCF-7 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the migration of MCF-7 cells cultured in high glucose-containing medium and essential regulatory factors from the perspective of the glucose transport system. RESULTS: We demonstrated that glucose transporter 12 (GLUT12) protein level increased in MCF-7 cells and co-localized with actin organization under high glucose conditions. Moreover, GLUT12-knockdown completely abrogated high glucose-induced migration, indicating that GLUT12 functionally participates in sensing high glucose concentrations. CONCLUSION: GLUT12 plays a critical role in the model of breast cancer progression through high glucose concentrations.