Osaka, Japan – February 2025 – Atransen Pharma, a preclinical-stage biotech company developing LAT1-targeted therapies for solid tumors, is pleased to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study in Nature Communications on February 14, 2025. The study, titled “Structural basis of anticancer drug recognition and amino acid transport by LAT1″, was led by Dr. Yongchan Lee (Max Planck Institute and Yokohama City University) as the first author, with Dr. Yoshikatsu Kanai, CSO of Atransen Pharma, as a key contributor. The research provides critical structural insights into LAT1 (L-type amino acid transporter 1), a key metabolic transporter supporting cancer cell growth and an emerging target for novel cancer therapies
Decoding LAT1: A Key Player in Cancer Metabolism and Drug Development
LAT1 is a major transporter of essential amino acids, overexpressed in many solid tumors to fuel their aggressive growth. Its unique role in tumor metabolism has made it an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, the precise molecular basis of LAT1’s function and drug interactions has remained unclear—until now.
Dr. Lee, Dr. Kanai, and their international research team employed cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to resolve six high-resolution structures of LAT1 in complex with amino acids and anticancer drugs. This work provides a first-in-class structural framework for understanding how LAT1 selectively transports nutrients and interacts with small-molecule inhibitors
- High-Resolution LAT1 Structures – The study visualizes LAT1’s atomic structure in multiple conformations, identifying key amino acid residues responsible for selective transport.
- Drug Recognition Mechanism – Structural mapping reveals how LAT1 binds to anticancer drugs, offering a basis for rational drug design to improve inhibitor potency and selectivity.
- Conformational Changes in Transport – The research captures LAT1’s dynamic shifts during amino acid transport, providing critical insights into its function and potential vulnerabilities.
Atransen Pharma’s Role in Advancing LAT1-Targeted Therapies
Atransen Pharma is leveraging these structural insights to accelerate the development of next-generation LAT1 inhibitors for solid tumors.
“This study provides a comprehensive understanding of LAT1’s role in cancer metabolism and its interaction with small-molecule inhibitors. These insights lay the foundation for developing novel therapeutics that selectively block LAT1 activity in tumors,” said Dr. Kanai, CSO of Atransen Pharma.
With a pipeline of LAT1-targeted small-molecule inhibitors in preclinical development, Atransen Pharma is committed to translating fundamental transporter biology into innovative treatments for cancer patients.
For a detailed exploration of the study, the full publication can be accessed at:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56903-w.
About Atransen Pharma
Atransen Pharma is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel cancer therapeutics targeting LAT1 (L-type amino acid transporter 1). By combining expertise in transporter biology, structural drug design, and oncology, the company aims to deliver first-in-class LAT1 inhibitors to address unmet medical needs in solid tumors.
For partnership opportunities and inquiries, please contact: admin@atransen.com
Atransen Pharma