The Role of Inorganic Phosphate Transporters in Highly Proliferative Cells: From Protozoan Parasites to Cancer Cells.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of mechanistic and biochemical literature without new empirical human data
PubMed 36676849 · doi:10.3390/membranes13010042
What was done
This narrative review examined literature on the biological roles of inorganic phosphate (Pi) transporters—specifically the Pi:Na+ symporter (PiT) and Pi:H+ symporter (PHS) families—in highly proliferative unicellular eukaryotes (protozoan parasites) and tumorigenic cells.
What was found
No quantitative data, sample sizes, or effect estimates were reported in the abstract. The authors describe that Pi transporters function as nutrient suppliers and sensors ('transceptors') that regulate intracellular phosphate homeostasis, pathogen virulence, and tumor aggressiveness, supporting aerobic glycolysis and biomass synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.
Why it matters
Identifying shared metabolic dependencies on phosphate transport across both protozoans and cancer cells clarifies conserved mechanisms of cellular bioenergetics and rapid proliferation.
Limits
The abstract reports no systematic review methodology, quantitative findings, or clinical data. The paper relies on mechanistic reasoning and qualitative narrative comparison across disparate biological models.
Cited by
- supports Parasites and cancer cells utilize common metabolic pathways for survival.