Solute Carrier Family 35, Member G2 (SLC35G2)

TMEM22 (transmembrane protein 22), a transmembrane protein, in cell growth of RCC. Northern blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses confirmed up-regulation of TMEM22 in a great majority of RCC clinical samples and cell lines examined. Immunocytochemical analysis validated its localization at the plasma membrane. An interaction between TMEM22 and RAB37 (Ras-related protein Rab-37), which was also up-regulated in RCC cells. Interestingly, knockdown of either of TMEM22 or RAB37 expression by specific siRNA caused significant reduction of cancer cell growth.

TMEM22/RAB37 complex is likely to play a crucial role in growth of RCC and that inhibition of the TMEM22/RAB37 expression or their interaction should be novel therapeutic targets for RCC.