Role of the LIV-1 subfamily of zinc transporters in the development and progression of breast cancers: A mini review

Zinc is a trace metal essential for many cellular processes, including its recently described role as a signaling mediator. Zinc transporters regulate intracellular zinc homeostasis, control numerous physiological cell functions involved in zinc signaling, and play a role in the progression of several diseases. In breast cancer, zinc transporters are significantly involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition and in resistance to anti-hormonal therapies, which are critical factors associated with a poor prognosis. In a previous study, we showed that the promotion of cell migration was strongly dependent on both the extracellular glucose concentration and the transport of zinc ions by zinc transporters, which play an essential role in the glucose-induced cell migration. These findings suggest that zinc transporters are key molecules involved in cellular adaptation to the extracellular environment, which has been linked to malignant progression in breast cancer. In this review, we discuss the latest findings on the pathophysiological role of zinc transporters in breast cancer and their potential as targets in breast cancer therapy. Correspondence to: Tomoka Takatani-Nakase, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women’s University, Japan 11-68, Koshien Kyuban-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 6638179, Japan, Tel: +81-798-45-9943, Fax: +81-798-45-9943; E-mail: [email protected] Koichi Takahashi, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women’s University, Japan 11-68, Koshien Kyuban-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8179, Japan, Tel: +81-798-45-9943, Fax +81-798-45-9943; E-mail: [email protected]