Metformin Regulates the Expression of CD133 Through the AMPK-CEBPβ Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines.

ABSTRACT: CD133 is a cellular surface protein, which has been reported to be a cancer stem cell marker, and thus is considered a potential target for cancer treatment. Metformin, one of the biguanides used for the treatment of diabetes, is also known to reduce the risk of cancer development and cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), including the expression of CD133. However, the mechanism underlying the reduction of the expression of CD133 by metformin is not yet understood. This study shows that metformin suppressed CD133 expression mainly by affecting the CD133 P1 promoter via adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling but not the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). AMPK inhibition rescued the reduction of CD133 by metformin. Further experiments demonstrated that CCAAT/enha

SUBMITTER: Maehara O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6488768 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature