Survival of cancer cells is maintained by EGFR independent of its kinase activity.

Abstract

Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase associated with cell proliferation and survival, is overactive in many tumors of epithelial origin. Blockade of the kinase activity of EGFR has been used for cancer therapy; however, by itself, it does not seem to reach maximum therapeutic efficacy. We report here that in human cancer cells, the function of kinase-independent EGFR is to prevent autophagic cell death by maintaining intracellular glucose level through interaction and stabilization of the sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1).

• Authors: Zhang Weihua, Rachel Tsan, Wei-Chien Huang, Qiuyu Wu, Chao-Hua Chiu, Isaiah J Fidler, Mien-Chie Hung
• Journal: Cancer cell (Cancer Cell) Vol. 13 Issue 5 Pg. 385-93 (May 2008) ISSN: 1878-3686 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18455122 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Small Interfering
• SLC5A1 protein, human
• Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1
• ErbB Receptors
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
• Glucose

Topics

• Autophagy
• Cell Death
• Cell Division
• Cell Survival
• ErbB Receptors (deficiency, genetics, physiology)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Homeostasis
• Humans
• Kinetics
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasms (pathology)
• RNA, Small Interfering (genetics)
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 (physiology)