Adenosine Receptor Expression in Two Different Human Cancer Cell Lines at Molecular Level

Abstract

Background: The metabolically active tumor cells may be characterized by a pronounced adenosine release that regulates the growth and development of the tumor. Consequently, the expression pattern of defined receptor subtypes will be an important determinant for specific effects of adenosine on the control of tumor cell growth. In recent studies, the expression profile, signal transduction, molecular function and cell growth modulation of adenosine receptors in the human breast cancer cell lines has been reported. To investigate the possible roles of adenosine receptors in other types of human cancers, in this study, we characterized the expression profile of adenosine receptors in two different human cancer cell lines: prostate carcinoma cell line (Du-145) and lung adenocarcinoma cell line (Calu-6). Our purpose is to test the hypothesis that diverse human cancer cell lines, according to their adenosine receptor subclass status, would show differential growth modulation.