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CD44 Variant Regulates Redox Status in Cancer Cells by Stabilizing the xCT Subunit of System xc- and Thereby Promotes Tumor Growth

  • Takatsugu Ishimoto
  • , Osamu Nagano
  • , Toshifumi Yae
  • , Mayumi Tamada
  • , Takeshi Motohara
  • , Hiroko Oshima
  • , Masanobu Oshima
  • , Tatsuya Ikeda
  • , Rika Asaba
  • , Hideki Yagi
  • , Takashi Masuko
  • , Takatsune Shimizu
  • , Tomoki Ishikawa
  • , Kazuharu Kai
  • , Eri Takahashi
  • , Yu Imamura
  • , Yoshifumi Baba
  • , Mitsuyo Ohmura
  • , Makoto Suematsu
  • , Hideo Baba
  • Hideyuki Saya

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

CD44 is an adhesion molecule expressed in cancer stem-like cells. Here, we show that a CD44 variant (CD44v) interacts with xCT, a glutamate-cystine transporter, and controls the intracellular level of reduced glutathione (GSH). Human gastrointestinal cancer cells with a high level of CD44 expression showed an enhanced capacity for GSH synthesis and defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ablation of CD44 induced loss of xCT from the cell surface and suppressed tumor growth in a transgenic mouse model of gastric cancer. It also induced activation of p38MAPK, a downstream target of ROS, and expression of the gene for the cell cycle inhibitor p21CIP1/WAF1. These findings establish a function for CD44v in regulation of ROS defense and tumor growth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-400
Number of pages14
JournalCancer Cell
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 08-03-2011
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

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