5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) supports the growth of aggressive experimental human breast cancer tumors.

ABSTRACT: Rapid tumor growth can establish metabolically stressed microenvironments that activate 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a ubiquitous regulator of ATP homeostasis. Previously, we investigated the importance of AMPK for the growth of experimental tumors prepared from HRAS-transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts and for primary brain tumor development in a rat model of neurocarcinogenesis. Here, we used triple-negative human breast cancer cells in which AMPK activity had been knocked down to investigate the contribution of AMPK to experimental tumor growth and core glucose metabolism. We found that AMPK supports the growth of fast-growing orthotopic tumors prepared from MDA-MB-231 and DU4475 breast cancer cells but had no effect on the proliferation or survival of these cells in culture.

SUBMITTER: Laderoute KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4132788 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature