Cystine-glutamate antiporter xCT as a therapeutic target for cancer

Cell Biochem Funct. 2021 Mar;39(2):174-179. doi: 10.1002/cbf.3581. Epub 2020 Aug 4.

Abstract

Cystine/glutamic acid reverse transporter (System Xc - ), a member of the amino acid transporter family, consists of two subunits, light chain xCT and heavy chain 4F2hc. xCT is the cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), which promotes cystine uptake and glutathione biosynthetic, thus protecting against oxidative stress and ferroptosis. Studies have confirmed that xCT is highly expressed in a variety of tumour and is associated with tumour proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance and ferroptosis, and can be used as a potential target for tumour treatment. This review provides insights into the biological effects of xCT and contribute to the development of new xCT-based strategies.

Keywords: cancer; ferroptosis; oxidative stress; system Xc−; xCT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport System y+ / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amino Acid Transport System y+ / genetics
  • Amino Acid Transport System y+ / metabolism*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / metabolism
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Ferroptosis / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / therapeutic use
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sulfasalazine / metabolism
  • Sulfasalazine / pharmacology
  • Sulfasalazine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport System y+
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • SLC7A11 protein, human
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Glutathione