Uncovering the Metabolic Origin of Aspartate for Tumor Growth Using an Integrated Molecular Deactivator

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04520
• Publication Date: 2020-12-11T08:53:29Z
• Authors: Ruixue Duan; Yuanyuan Xu; Xuemei Zeng; Jiahui Xu; Liangliang Liang; Zhenzhen Zhang; Zhimin Wang; Xiaoxiao Jiang; Bengang Xing; Bifeng Liu; Angelo All; Xiaosong Li; Luke P. Lee; Xiaogang Liu
• Keywords: Nanoprobe; Metabolic pathway; Limiting

Reprogrammed glucose metabolism is vital for cancer cells, but aspartate, an intermediate metabolic product, the limiting factor cell proliferation. However, due to complexity of pathways, it remains unclear whether primary source endogenous aspartate. Here, we report design innovative molecular deactivator, based on a multifunctional upconversion nanoprobe, explore link between and This deactivator mainly works in acidic, hypoxic tumor microenvironment deactivates multiple types transporters membranes upon illumination at 980 nm. Cancer proliferation vivo strongly inhibited by blocking transporters. Our experimental data confirm that cellular synthesis aspartate growth glucose-dependent. work also demonstrates untapped potential molecularly engineered nanoprobes discovering hidden pathways improving therapeutic efficacy conventional antitumor drugs.