Oncoprotein LAMTOR5 Activates GLUT1 Via Upregulating NF-κB in Liver Cancer

OBJECTIVE: Accumulating reports reveal that serving as an oncogenic factor LAMTOR5 is involved in the progression of many specific cancers. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is frequently identified in many cancers. However, it remains unexplored whether GLUT1 plays a role in LAMTOR5-enhanced liver cancer. Here, we aim to decipher the function of LAMTOR5 in the regulation of GLUT1 in liver cancer. METHODS: The effect of LAMTOR5 on GLUT1 was analyzed using Western blotting and RT-PCR assay. Dose-increased over-expression or silencing of LAMTOR5 was performed through transient transfection. LAMTOR5-activated GLUT1 promoter was revealed by luciferase reporter assay. The regulation of GLUT1 by LAMTOR5/NF-κB was examined via Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: The data showed that in liver cancer cells under the administration with dose-increased LAMTOR5, the level of mRNA and protein of GLUT1 was obviously raised. Our data revealed that the activities of GLUT1 promoter were induced by LAMTOR5. Then, we found that the elevation of GLUT 1 mediated by LAMTOR5 slowed when the inhibitor or siRNAs of NF-κB was introduced into the liver cancer cells. Conclusion. LAMTOR5 is responsible for the activation of GLUT1 via transcription factor NF-κB in liver cancer.