Transcriptomic data analysis of melanocytes and melanoma cell lines of LAT transporter genes for precise medicine

Background: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a two-step treatment that can be used in some types of cancers. It involves administering a compound containing boron atoms to the patient and irradiating the affected area of the body with a neutron beam. The success of the therapy depends mainly on the delivery of the boron isotope (10B) to the tumor using an appropriate boron carrier. One of the boron carriers used is boronophenylalanine (BPA). Therefore, in research on the use of boron carriers, it is also important to know the mechanisms of its uptake by cells. Aim: To study the expression of LAT family genes in two melanoma (high melanotic WM115 and low melanotic WM266-4) cell lines and melanocytes (HEMa-Lp) which are responsible for the transport the BPA into cells. Methods: To normalize data from the transcriptomic analysis, the ratio of the median method was used. This allowed the samples to be compared with each other. Comparison metrics included log-fold change (LFC) values. The heatmap of LFC values and the cluster map were created. These graphs show the similarities and differences between the samples. Results: Transcriptomic data show that in melanocytes, LFC for SLC7A5 (LAT1) and SLC3A2 (4Fhc) was higher than in melanoma cell lines, which corresponded with their melanin content. Conclusion: Our results indicate overexpression of BPA transporter genes in normal cells (melanocytes), which may suggest the highest level of these proteins in melanocytes compared to less melanotic melanoma. Therefore, for BNCT, the use of BPA as the 10B carrier will require additional qualifying tests of amino acid transporter expression for patients and specific tumors to develop a personalized BNCT.