SLC5A8 (also known as SMCT1) is a sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter.
- Many studies suggest that SLC5A8 functions as a tumor suppressor. In normal tissues, SLC5A8 contributes to the cellular uptake of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate. Butyrate is known to have histone deacetylase inhibitor activity, which can modulate gene expression in a way that suppresses tumor growth.
-In cancer, loss or silencing of SLC5A8 is often observed. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA hypermethylation of the SLC5A8 promoter region are commonly cited as a reason for its downregulation.
SLC5A8 is commonly downregulated in a variety of cancers. Its loss, often due to promoter hypermethylation, correlates with poorer outcomes in several tumor types, suggesting a tumor suppressor role. While sustained expression of SLC5A8 appears to be protective and is associated with a better prognosis in some cancers, the field is still evolving.
Inhibitors of DNA methylation induce reactivation of SLC5A8.
procaine is a DNA-demethylating agent with growth-inhibitory effects in human cancer cells.
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