# Arginine Transporters in Human Cancers: Emerging Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

**Authors:** Xi Cai, Li Shang, Yueshuo Li, Ya Cao, Feng Shi

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/biom16010132 · Biomolecules · 2026-01-12

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how arginine transporters in cancer cells could be used as targets for new cancer treatments.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms and clinical potential of arginine transporters in cancer.

## Key findings

- Arginine transporters are divided into cell membrane and intracellular types.
- They are important for cancer progression and could serve as therapeutic targets.
- Understanding their structure and function may aid in developing targeted cancer therapies.

## Abstract

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid for adults, which serves as a central hub synthesizing various metabolites. Arginine plays a critical role in carcinogensis. As a polar amino acid, the uptake and the transportation of arginine across cell membrane systems rely on transporter proteins. Arginine transporters remain critically important, particularly as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Based on the subcellular localization, arginine transporters could be divided into two types: cell membrane arginine transporters and intracellular membrane arginine transporters. This review aims to investigate the latest advancements of arginine transporter proteins in cancer, focusing on their cellular localization, structural characteristics, and mechanism, with the goal of promoting the design and development of targeted anticancer therapeutics against these transporters.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** arginine (PubChem CID 232)
- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Cancers (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** acid (MESH:D000143), arginine (MESH:D001120)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

7 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12839458/full.md

## References

160 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12839458/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12839458