Excessive estrogen exposure is an important pathogenic factor in uterine endometrial cancer (UEC). Recent studies have reported the metabolic properties can influence the progression of UEC. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Glutaminase (GLS), MYC and autophagy levels were detected. The biological functions of estrogen-MYC-GLS in UEC cells (UECC) were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Our study showed that estrogen remarkably increased GLS level through up-regulating c-Myc, and enhanced glutamine (Gln) metabolism in estrogen-sensitive UEC cell (UECC), whereas fulvestrant (an ER inhibitor antagonist) could reverse these effects. Estrogen remarkably promoted cell viability and inhibited autophagy of estrogen sensitive UECC. However, CB-839, a potent selective oral bioavailable inhibitor of both splice variants of GLS, negatively regulated Gln metabolism, and inhibited the effects of Gln and estrogen on UECC’s growth and autophagy in vitro and / or in vivo. CB-839 triggers autophagy and restricts growth of UEC by suppressing ER/Gln metabolism, which provides new insights into the potential value of CB-839 in clinical treatment of estrogen-related UEC.

Lactate, which is regulated by gene expression, is largely believed to favor tumor growth and survival. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a negative prognostic biomarker because it is a key enzyme involved in cancer metabolism. Our previous study revealed that special AT‑rich‑binding protein 1 (SATB1), a genome‑organizing protein, was strongly associated with high metastasis rates in ovarian cancer. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms in ovarian cancer are unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether SATB1 modulated LDH expression and examined the relationship between SATB1 and LDH in ovarian cancer. We employed transient siRNA‑mediated knockdown of SATB1 in ovarian cancer and explored the effects of this knockdown on the expression levels of key glucose metabolism‑related enzyme genes (G6PD, LDH, MDH1, PFK1 and TGM1) and the glucose metabolism‑related protein monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1). We comprehensively analyzed the cellular and molecular role of LDH in ovarian cancer to determine whether it could be a conventional clinicopathological parameter. SATB1 knockdown significantly downregulated both LDH and MCT1 levels and markedly upregulated BRCA1 and BRCA2 levels in ovarian cancer cells (P<0.05). Serum LDH levels in ovarian cancer patients were significantly higher than those in patients with benign ovarian tumors (P<0.05). LDH levels at different stages and grades differed significantly in ovarian cancer. Survival curves revealed that higher LDH expression was correlated with shorter survival (P<0.05). SATB1 may reprogram energy metabolism in ovarian cancer by regulating LDH and MCT1 levels to promote metastasis. Serum LDH levels presented diagnostic accuracy with high specificity and may have potential as a conventional clinicopathological parameter for ovarian cancer.