SLC27, solute carrier 27 family, a long-chain fatty acid membrane transporters, in human cancers.

The Solute Carrier family 27 (SLC27), also known as the fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) is a group of transmembrane integral proteins that facilitate the entry of long-chain and very long-chain fatty acids into cells. The human SLC27 family consists of six highly homologous members (SLC27A1 to A6), which are expressed in various tissues reliant on fatty acids for energy metabolism and biosynthesis, participating in multiple physiological processes. Recent years have seen extensive research on the role of SLC27 in lipid metabolism and more recently in the exploration of the family in the initiation and progression of cancer. Aberrant expression of SLC27s in cancers have been reported, suggesting their potential involvement in key processes such as tumour growth, invasion, metastasis, and immune evasion by promoting fatty acid uptake, remodeling cellular metabolic networks, activating lipid-related signaling pathways, and even modulating the tumour immune microenvironment. Given their significant role in tumor metabolic reprogramming, SLC27s are increasingly regarded as potential therapeutic targets for cancer, attracting widespread attention. The present article summarises the basic characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of the SLC27 family, as well as their cellular functions and roles in cancer, exploring the potential of these family members in tumour metabolism and therapy, thereby providing new directions for future clinical research.