Up-regulation of the amino acid transporter ATB0,+ (SLC6A14) in carcinoma of the cervix

Objective.ATB0,+ 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 ATB0,+ mRNA levels by RT-PCR. A commercial dot blot of paired normal cervix and cervical cancer cDNA was also used to quantify ATB0,+ mRNA. ATB0,+ mRNA and protein in tissue sections were analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence.Results.ATB0,+ mRNA increased 5.6-fold (P < 0.0004) in cervical cancer compared to normal cervix. This was associated with a parallel increase in ATB0,+ protein.Conclusions.Expression of ATB0,+ 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.