Migration-associated secretion of melanoma inhibitory activity at the cell rear is supported by KCa3.1 potassium channels

Micronutrients and skin cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

The intake of micronutrients is linked to cancer risk, but their specific mechanisms in skin cancer remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the causal effects of 15 micronutrients on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM) using Mendelian Randomization (MR).

METHODS

Genetically predicted levels of 15 micronutrients served as instrumental variables in a two-sample MR analysis, utilizing data from the Finnish FinnGen database (version R10). To address potential horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses included inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR Egger regression, and MR PRESSO. The study analyzed data from 650,657 European participants, including 19,077 NMSC and 3,194 MM cases.

RESULTS

Selenium (p = 0.0001, OR 0.788, 95% CI 0.703-0.883) and Potassium (p = 0.045, OR 0.463, 95% CI 0.219-0.982) were significantly negatively associated with MM risk, suggesting a protective effect. Conversely, Calcium (p = 0.025, OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.030-1.534) was positively associated with NMSC risk, indicating it may be a risk factor. Vitamin B6 (p = 0.004, OR 0.741, 95% CI 0.604-0.909) also showed a significant protective effect against NMSC.The remaining 11 micronutrients showed no significant causal association with NMSC or MM (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that Selenium and Potassium may protect against MM, while Calcium increases NMSC risk, with Vitamin B6 providing protection against NMSC. These findings enhance our understanding of micronutrients in skin cancer mechanisms and inform potential prevention strategies.

Intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa3.1) in cancer: Emerging roles and therapeutic potentials

The KCa3.1 channel (also known as the KCNN4, IK1, or SK4 channel) is an intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel that regulates the membrane potential and maintains calcium homeostasis. Recently, KCa3.1 channels have attracted increasing attention because of their diverse roles in various types of cancers. In cancer cells, KCa3.1 channels regulate key processes, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration, invasion, tumor microenvironments, and therapy resistance. In addition, abnormal KCa3.1 expression in cancers is utilized to distinguish between tumor and normal tissues, classify cancer stages, and predict patient survival outcomes. This review comprehensively examines the current understanding of the contribution of KCa3.1 channels to tumor formation, metastasis, and its mechanisms. We evaluated the potential of KCa3.1 as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Finally, we discuss the advances and challenges of applying KCa3.1 modulators in cancer treatment and propose approaches to overcome these obstacles. In summary, this review highlights the importance of this ion channel as a potent therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker of cancer.

Duck hepatitis A virus 1-encoded 2B protein disturbs ion and organelle homeostasis to promote NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response

Previous studies by our group and others have highlighted the critical role of hyperinflammation in the pathogenicity of duck hepatitis A virus 1 (DHAV-1), an avian picornavirus that has caused significant devastation in the duck industry worldwide for decades. However, the precise mechanisms by which DHAV-1 infection regulates the inflammatory responses, particularly the production of IL-1β, remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that DHAV-1 infection triggers NF-κB- and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production. Mechanistically, DHAV-1 infection, particularly its replication and translation, disrupts cellular homeostasis of Ca2+, K+, ROS and cathepsin, which act cooperatively as assembly signals for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By screening DHAV-1-encoded proteins, we identified that the viroporin 2B dominates NF-κB as well as NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Mutation analysis revealed that I43 within the 2B protein is the key amino acid for Ca2+ mobilization and subsequent activation of NF-κB transcriptional activity and NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, DHAV-1 infection and the 2B protein activate the MAVS- and MyD88-NF-κB pathways by relay, providing the necessary priming signals for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In summary, our findings elucidate a mechanism through which DHAV-1 triggers inflammatory responses via NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation, offering new perspectives on DHAV-1 pathogenesis and informing the development of targeted anti-DHAV-1 treatments.

Proteasome inhibition potentiates Kv1.3 potassium channel expression as therapeutic target in drug-sensitive and -resistant human melanoma cells

Primary and acquired therapy resistance is a major problem in patients with BRAF-mutant melanomas being treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFI, MEKi). Therefore, development of alternative therapy regimes is still required. In this regard, new drug combinations targeting different pathways to induce apoptosis could offer promising alternative approaches. Here, we investigated the combination of proteasome and Kv1.3 potassium channel inhibition on chemo-resistant, BRAF inhibitor-resistant as well as sensitive human melanoma cells. Our experiments demonstrated that all analyzed melanoma cell lines were sensitive to proteasome inhibitor treatment at concentrations that are not toxic to primary human fibroblasts. To further reduce proteasome inhibitor-associated side effects, and to foster apoptosis, potassium channels, which are other targets to induce pro-apoptotic effects in cancer cells, were blocked. In support, combined exposure of melanoma cells to proteasome and Kv1.3 channel inhibitor resulted in synergistic effects and significantly reduced cell viability. On the molecular level, enhanced apoptosis correlated with an increase of intracellular Kv1.3 channels and pro-apoptotic proteins such as Noxa and Bak and a reduction of anti-apoptotic proteins. Thus, use of combined therapeutic strategies triggering different apoptotic pathways may efficiently prevent the outgrowth of drug-resistant and -sensitive BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. In addition, this could be the basis for an alternative approach to treat other tumors expressing mutated BRAF such as non-small-cell lung cancer.

Oxidative Stress and Immune Response in Melanoma: Ion Channels as Targets of Therapy

Oxidative stress and immune response play an important role in the development of several cancers, including melanoma. Ion channels are aberrantly expressed in tumour cells and regulate neoplastic transformation, malignant progression, and resistance to therapy. Ion channels are localized in the plasma membrane or other cellular membranes and are targets of oxidative stress, which is particularly elevated in melanoma. At the same time, ion channels are crucial for normal and cancer cell physiology and are subject to multiple layers of regulation, and therefore represent promising targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we analyzed the effects of oxidative stress on ion channels on a molecular and cellular level and in the context of melanoma progression and immune evasion. The possible role of ion channels as targets of alternative therapeutic strategies in melanoma was discussed.

Potassium Channels as a Target for Cancer Therapy: Current Perspectives

Potassium (K⁺) channels are highly regulated membrane proteins that control the potassium ion flux and respond to different cellular stimuli. These ion channels are grouped into three major families, Kv (voltage-gated K⁺ channel), Kir (inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel) and K2P (two-pore K⁺ channels), according to the structure, to mediate the K⁺ currents. In cancer, alterations in K⁺ channel function can promote the acquisition of the so-called hallmarks of cancer – cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, metabolic changes, angiogenesis, and migratory capabilities – emerging as targets for the development of new therapeutic drugs. In this review, we focus our attention on the different K⁺ channels associated with the most relevant and prevalent cancer types. We summarize our knowledge about the potassium channels structure and function, their cancer dysregulated expression and discuss the K⁺ channels modulator and the strategies for designing new drugs.

KCNN4 Promotes the Stemness Potentials of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by Enhancing Glucose Metabolism

The presence of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) is one of the reasons for the treatment failure of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For LCSCs, one of their prominent features is metabolism plasticity, which depends on transporters and ion channels to exchange metabolites and ions. The K+ channel protein KCNN4 (Potassium Calcium-Activated Channel Subfamily N Member 4) has been reported to promote cell metabolism and malignant progression of HCCs, but its influence on LCSC stemness has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrated that KCNN4 was highly expressed in L-CSCs by RT-PCR and Western blot. Then, we illustrated that KCNN4 promoted the stemness of HC-C cells by CD133+CD44+ LCSC subpopulation ratio analysis, in vitro stemness transcription factor detection, and sphere formation assay, as well as in vivo orthotopic liver tumor formation and limiting dilution tumorigenesis assays. We also showed that KCNN4 enhanced the glucose metabolism in LCSCs by metabolic enzyme detections and seahorse analysis, and the KCNN4-promoted increase in LCSC ratios was abolished by glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG or OXPHOS inhibitor oligomycin. Collectively, our results suggested that KCNN4 promoted LCSC stemness via enhancing glucose metabolism, and that KCNN4 would be a potential molecular target for eliminating LCSCs in HCC.

The Role of Calcium Signaling in Melanoma

Calcium signaling plays important roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including cutaneous melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i), cell membrane calcium channels, calcium related proteins (S100 family, E-cadherin, and calpain), and Wnt/Ca²⁺ pathways are related to melanogenesis and melanoma tumorigenesis and progression. Calcium signaling influences the melanoma microenvironment, including immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), the vascular network, and chemical and physical surroundings. Other ionic channels, such as sodium and potassium channels, are engaged in calcium-mediated pathways in melanoma. Calcium signaling serves as a promising pharmacological target in melanoma treatment, and its dysregulation might serve as a marker for melanoma prediction. We documented calcium-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondria dysfunction, by targeting calcium channels and influencing [Ca²⁺]i and calcium homeostasis, and attenuated drug resistance in melanoma management.

TRPM2 Oxidation Activates Two Distinct Potassium Channels in Melanoma Cells through Intracellular Calcium Increase

Tumor microenvironments are often characterized by an increase in oxidative stress levels. We studied the response to oxidative stimulation in human primary (IGR39) or metastatic (IGR37) cell lines obtained from the same patient, performing patch-clamp recordings, intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) imaging, and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis. In IGR39 cells, chloramine-T (Chl-T) activated large K⁺ currents (KROS) that were partially sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA). A large fraction of KROS was inhibited by paxilline—a specific inhibitor of large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated BK channels. The TEA-insensitive component was inhibited by senicapoc—a specific inhibitor of the Ca²⁺-activated KCa3.1 channel. Both BK and KCa3.1 activation were mediated by an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by Chl-T. Both KROS and [Ca²⁺]_i increase were inhibited by ACA and clotrimazole—two different inhibitors of the calcium-permeable TRPM2 channel. Surprisingly, IGR37 cells did not exhibit current increase upon the application of Chl-T. Expression analysis confirmed that the genes encoding BK, KCa3.1, and TRPM2 are much more expressed in IGR39 than in IGR37. The potassium currents and [Ca²⁺]_i increase observed in response to the oxidizing agent strongly suggest that these three molecular entities play a major role in the progression of melanoma. Pharmacological targeting of either of these ion channels could be a new strategy to reduce the metastatic potential of melanoma cells, and could complement classical radio- or chemotherapeutic treatments.

GABRP regulates chemokine signalling, macrophage recruitment and tumour progression in pancreatic cancer through tuning KCNN4-mediated Ca2+ signalling in a GABA-independent manner

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Neurotransmitter-initiated signalling pathway is profoundly implicated in tumour initiation and progression. Here, we investigated whether dysregulated neurotransmitter receptors play a role during pancreatic tumourigenesis.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets were used to identify differentially expressed neurotransmitter receptors. The expression pattern of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor pi subunit (GABRP) in human and mouse PDAC tissues and cells was studied by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The in vivo implications of GABRP in PDAC were tested by subcutaneous xenograft model and lung metastasis model. Bioinformatics analysis, transwell experiment and orthotopic xenograft model were used to identify the in vitro and in vivo effects of GABRP on macrophages in PDAC. ELISA, co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, electrophysiology, promoter luciferase activity and quantitative real-time PCR analyses were used to identify molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

GABRP expression was remarkably increased in PDAC tissues and associated with poor prognosis, contributed to tumour growth and metastasis. GABRP was correlated with macrophage infiltration in PDAC and pharmacological deletion of macrophages largely abrogated the oncogenic functions of GABRP in PDAC. Mechanistically, GABRP interacted with KCNN4 to induce Ca²⁺ entry, which leads to activation of nuclear factor κB signalling and ultimately facilitates macrophage infiltration by inducing CXCL5 and CCL20 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpressed GABRP exhibits an immunomodulatory role in PDAC in a neurotransmitter-independent manner. Targeting GABRP or its interaction partner KCNN4 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for PDAC.

Disruption of Membrane Integrity by the Bacterium-Derived Antifungal Jagaricin

Jagaricin is a lipopeptide produced by the bacterial mushroom pathogen Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosum, the causative agent of mushroom soft rot disease. Apart from causing lesions in mushrooms, jagaricin is a potent antifungal active against human-pathogenic fungi. We show that jagaricin acts by impairing membrane integrity, resulting in a rapid flux of ions, including Ca2+, into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, the calcineurin pathway is required for jagaricin tolerance in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans Transcriptional profiling of pathogenic yeasts further revealed that jagaricin triggers cell wall strengthening, general shutdown of membrane potential-driven transport, and the upregulation of lipid transporters, linking cell envelope integrity to jagaricin action and resistance. Whereas jagaricin shows hemolytic effects, it exhibited either no or low plant toxicity at concentrations at which the growth of prevalent phytopathogenic fungi is inhibited. Therefore, jagaricin may have potential for agricultural applications. The action of jagaricin as a membrane-disrupting antifungal is promising but would require modifications for use in humans.

The ion channel activator CyPPA inhibits melanogenesis via the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway

Research into materials that inhibit melanogenesis in skin has gained interest. Screening for such compounds in B16F10 cells revealed that cyclohexyl-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine (CyPPA), a positive modulator of small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, is a strong inhibitor of melanogenesis. We investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of CyPPA and the molecular mechanism by which CyPPA reduced melanin production in normal human melanocytes (NHM). CyPPA treatment resulted in a significant concentration-dependent reduction in melanin content without significant cytotoxicity; treatment likewise resulted in a significant time-dependent reduction in tyrosinase (TYR) activity. Treatment with CyPPA also decreased transcription of melanogenesis-related genes, including the gene encoding microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). In addition, visual evaluation of the MelanoDerm™ human skin model revealed significantly lower melanin content in the CyPPA-treated condition than in the untreated control. CyPPA was determined to modulate glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) activity, thereby leading to a decrease in β-catenin/MITF expression. Thus, CyPPA acts as a melanogenesis inhibitor by modulating the GSK3β/β-catenin/MITF pathway.

Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel KCa3.1 as a Therapeutic Target for Immune Disorders

In lymphoid and myeloid cells, membrane hyperpolarization by the opening of K⁺ channels increases the activity of Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels and transient receptor potential (TRP) Ca²⁺ channels. The intermediate-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel K_Ca3.1 plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cytokine production in innate and adaptive immune systems. K_Ca3.1 is therefore an attractive therapeutic target for allergic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disorders. In the past several years, studies have provided new insights into 1) K_Ca3.1 pharmacology and its auxiliary regulators; 2) post-transcriptional and proteasomal regulation of K_Ca3.1; 3) K_Ca3.1 as a regulator of immune cell migration, cytokine production, and phenotypic polarization; 4) the role of K_Ca3.1 in the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3; and 5) K_Ca3.1 as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we have assembled a comprehensive overview of current research on the physiological and pathophysiological significance of K_Ca3.1 in the immune system.

Pharmacological activation of TRPV4 produces immediate cell damage and induction of apoptosis in human melanoma cells and HaCaT keratinocytes

Background

TRPV4 channels are calcium-permeable cation channels that are activated by several physicochemical stimuli. Accordingly, TRPV4 channels have been implicated in the regulation of osmosensing, mechanotransduction, thermosensation, and epithelial/endothelial barrier functions. Whether TRPV4 is also mechanistically implicated in melanoma cell proliferation is not clear. Here, we hypothesized that TRPV4 is expressed in human melanoma and that pharmacological activation interferes with cell proliferation.

Methodology/Principal findings

TRPV4 functions were studied in melanoma cell lines (A375, SK-MEL-28, MKTBR), immortalized non-cancer keratinocytes (HaCaT), and murine 3T3 fibroblasts by patch-clamp, qRT-PCR, intracellular calcium measurements, cell proliferation, and flow cytometric assays of apoptosis and cell cycle. The selective TRPV4-activator, GSK1016790A, elicited non-selective cation currents with TRPV4-typical current-voltage-relationship in all cell lines. GSK1016790A-induced currents were blocked by the TRPV4-blocker, HC067047. TRPV4 mRNA expression was demonstrated by qRT-PCR. In A375 cells, TRPV4 activation was frequently paralleled by co-activation of calcium/calmodulin-regulated KCa3.1 channels. Light microscopy showed that TRPV4-activation produced rapid cellular disarrangement, nuclear densification, and detachment of a large fraction of all melanoma cell lines and HaCaT cells. TRPV4-activation induced apoptosis and drastically inhibited A375 and HaCaT proliferation that could be partially prevented by HC067047.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study showed that TRPV4 channels were functionally expressed in human melanoma cell lines and in human keratinocytes. Pharmacological TRPV4 activation in human melanoma cells and keratinocytes caused severe cellular disarrangement, necrosis and apoptosis. Pharmacological targeting of TRPV4 could be an alternative or adjuvant therapeutic strategy to treat melanoma progression and other proliferative skin disorders.

Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: Control by calcium-activated potassium channels

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in modern medicine for which understanding the mechanisms controlling their differentiation is fundamental. Ion channels offer novel insights to this process because of their role in modulating membrane potential and intracellular milieu. Here, we evaluate the contribution of calcium-activated potassium (K_Ca ) channels to the three main components of MSC differentiation: initiation, proliferation, and migration. First, we demonstrate the importance of the membrane potential (V_m ) and the apparent association of hyperpolarization with differentiation. Of K_Ca subtypes, most evidence points to activity of big-conductance channels in inducing initiation. On the other hand, intermediate-conductance currents have been shown to promote progression through the cell cycle. While there is no information on the role of K_Ca channels in migration of MSCs, work from other stem cells and cancer cells suggest that intermediate-conductance and to a lesser extent big-conductance channels drive migration. In all cases, these effects depend on species, tissue origin and lineage. Finally, we present a conceptual model that demonstrates how K_Ca activity could influence differentiation by regulating V_m and intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations. We conclude that K_Ca channels have significant involvement in MSC differentiation and could potentially enable novel tissue engineering approaches and therapies.

hERG1 positivity and Glut-1 negativity identifies high-risk TNM stage I and II colorectal cancer patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The identification of early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) with high risk of progression is one major clinical challenge, mainly due to lack of validated biomarkers. The aims of the present study were to analyze the prognostic impact of three molecular markers belonging to the ion channels and transporters family: the ether-à-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) and the calcium-activated KCa3.1 potassium channels, as well as the glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1); and to define the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in conjunction with the abovementioned biomarkers, in a cohort of radically resected stage I-III CRC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expressions of hERG1, KCa3.1, and Glut-1 were tested by immunohistochemistry on 162 surgical samples of nonmetastatic, stage I-III CRC patients. The median follow-up was 32 months. The association between biological markers, clinicopathological features, and survival outcomes was investigated by evaluating both disease-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

Although no prognostic valence emerged for KCa3.1, evidence of a negative impact of hERG1 expression on survival outcomes was provided. On the contrary, Glut-1 expression had a positive impact. According to the results of the multivariate analysis, patients were stratified in four risk groups, based on TNM stage and hERG1/Glut-1 expression. After adjusting for adjuvant therapy, stage I and II, Glut-1-negative, and hERG1-positive patients showed the worst survival experience.

CONCLUSION

This study strongly indicates that the combination of hERG1 positivity and Glut-1 negativity behaves as a prognostic biomarker in radically resected CRC patients. This combination identifies a group of stage I and II CRC patients with a bad prognosis, even worse than that of stage III patients, regardless of adjuvant therapy accomplishment.

Inhibition of SK4 Potassium Channels Suppresses Cell Proliferation, Migration and the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are limited; intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK4) channels are closely involved in tumor progression, but little is known about these channels in TNBC. We aimed to investigate whether SK4 channels affect TNBC. First, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting (WB), increased SK4 protein expression in breast tumor tissues was detected relative to that in non-tumor breast tissues, but there was no apparent expression difference between various subtypes of breast cancer (p>0.05). Next, functional SK4 channels were detected in the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 using WB, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and patch-clamp recording. By employing SK4 specific siRNAs and blockers, including TRAM-34 and clotrimazole, in combination with an MTT assay, a colony-formation assay, flow cytometry and a cell motility assay, we found that the suppression of SK4 channels significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration and promoted apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells (p<0.05). Further investigation revealed that treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF)/basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) caused MDA-MB-231 cells to undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to show increased SK4 mRNA expression. In addition, the down-regulation of SK4 expression inhibited the EMT markers Vimentin and Snail1. Collectively, our findings suggest that SK4 channels are expressed in TNBC and are involved in the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and EMT processes of TNBC cells.

Using Visualized Matrix Effects to Develop and Improve LC-MS/MS Bioanalytical Methods, Taking TRAM-34 as an Example

Matrix effects (MEs) continue to be an obstacle in the development of the LC-MS/MS method, with phospholipids being the major cause of MEs. Changing the mobile phase has been a common strategy to reduce MEs; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. "In-source multiple-reaction monitoring" (IS-MRM) for glycerophosphocholines (PCs) has been commonly applied in many bioanalytical methods. "Visualized MEs" is a suitable term to describe the application of IS-MRM to visualize the elution pattern of phospholipids. We selected a real case to discuss the relationship of MEs and phospholipids in different mobile phases by quantitative, qualitative, and visualized MEs in LC-MS/MS bioanalysis. The application of visualized MEs not only predicts the ion-suppression zone but also helps in selecting an appropriate (1) mobile phase, (2) column, (3) needle wash solvent for the residue of analyte and phospholipids, and (4) evaluates the clean-up efficiency of sample preparation. The TRAM-34 LC-MS/MS method, improved by using visualized MEs, was shown to be a precise and accurate analytical method. All data indicated that the use of visualized MEs indeed provided useful information about the LC-MS/MS method development and improvement. In this study, an integrative approach for the qualitative, quantitative, and visualized MEs was used to decipher the complexity of MEs.

Melanoma inhibitory activity in melanoma diagnostics and therapy - a small protein is looming large

Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis after the onset of metastasis. We have previously demonstrated that the protein melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) is involved in the metastasis of and immunosuppression in malignant melanoma. Recently, we further established MIA as a therapeutic target to inhibit metastatic spread in malignant melanoma. We could show that an inhibition of MIA by a synthetic peptide decreased both the number of metastases as well as immunosuppression in a murine model of malignant melanoma. To control recurrence after surgical resection of a primary lesion, it is paramount to have diagnostic tools available that can detect a relapse due to the strong metastatic potential of melanoma. This follow-up is maintained with periodic re-examinations. Due to high cost and the associated radiation exposure, radiology examinations are avoided if possible. The analysis of prognostic markers in patient serum is therefore attractive. In this review, we focus on the quantitative analysis of the MIA protein as a prognostic tool because it has proven to be a useful serum marker for documenting disease progression of malignant melanoma. The MIA quantification assay itself is readily performed using an ELISA kit and common laboratory equipment. Because analysing MIA serum levels in combination with other established markers such as S100B improves their prognostic value, we feel that the quantification of MIA in the serum, among other markers, should be performed as a general standard of care in patients at risk of developing metastatic melanoma.

Wnt5a directs polarized calcium gradients by recruiting cortical endoplasmic reticulum to the cell trailing edge

Wnt5a directs the assembly of the Wnt-receptor-actin-myosin-polarity (WRAMP) structure, which integrates cell-adhesion receptors with F-actin and myosin to form a microfilament array associated with multivesicular bodies (MVBs). The WRAMP structure is polarized to the cell posterior, where it directs tail-end membrane retraction, driving forward translocation of the cell body. Here we define constituents of the WRAMP proteome, including regulators of microfilament and microtubule dynamics, protein interactions, and enzymatic activity. IQGAP1, a scaffold for F-actin nucleation and crosslinking, is necessary for WRAMP structure formation, potentially bridging microfilaments and MVBs. Vesicle coat proteins, including coatomer-I subunits, localize to and are required for the WRAMP structure. Electron microscopy and live imaging demonstrate movement of the ER to the WRAMP structure and plasma membrane, followed by elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Thus, Wnt5a controls directional movement by recruiting cortical ER to mobilize a rear-directed, localized Ca2+ signal, activating actomyosin contraction and adhesion disassembly for membrane retraction.

Roles of ion transport in control of cell motility

Cell motility is an essential feature of life. It is essential for reproduction, propagation, embryonic development, and healing processes such as wound closure and a successful immune defense. If out of control, cell motility can become life-threatening as, for example, in metastasis or autoimmune diseases. Regardless of whether ciliary/flagellar or amoeboid movement, controlled motility always requires a concerted action of ion channels and transporters, cytoskeletal elements, and signaling cascades. Ion transport across the plasma membrane contributes to cell motility by affecting the membrane potential and voltage-sensitive ion channels, by inducing local volume changes with the help of aquaporins and by modulating cytosolic Ca(2+) and H(+) concentrations. Voltage-sensitive ion channels serve as voltage detectors in electric fields thus enabling galvanotaxis; local swelling facilitates the outgrowth of protrusions at the leading edge while local shrinkage accompanies the retraction of the cell rear; the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration exerts its main effect on cytoskeletal dynamics via motor proteins such as myosin or dynein; and both, the intracellular and the extracellular H(+) concentration modulate cell migration and adhesion by tuning the activity of enzymes and signaling molecules in the cytosol as well as the activation state of adhesion molecules at the cell surface. In addition to the actual process of ion transport, both, channels and transporters contribute to cell migration by being part of focal adhesion complexes and/or physically interacting with components of the cytoskeleton. The present article provides an overview of how the numerous ion-transport mechanisms contribute to the various modes of cell motility.

Altered expression of two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels in cancer

Potassium channels have become a focus in cancer biology as they play roles in cell behaviours associated with cancer progression, including proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Two-pore domain (K_2P) potassium channels are background channels which enable the leak of potassium ions from cells. As these channels are open at rest they have a profound effect on cellular membrane potential and subsequently the electrical activity and behaviour of cells in which they are expressed. The K_2P family of channels has 15 mammalian members and already 4 members of this family (K_2P2.1, K_2P3.1, K_2P9.1, K_2P5.1) have been implicated in cancer. Here we examine the expression of all 15 members of the K_2P family of channels in a range of cancer types. This was achieved using the online cancer microarray database, Oncomine (www.oncomine.org). Each gene was examined across 20 cancer types, comparing mRNA expression in cancer to normal tissue. This analysis revealed all but 3 K_2P family members (K_2P4.1, K_2P16.1, K_2P18.1) show altered expression in cancer. Overexpression of K_2P channels was observed in a range of cancers including breast, leukaemia and lung while more cancers (brain, colorectal, gastrointestinal, kidney, lung, melanoma, oesophageal) showed underexpression of one or more channels. K_2P1.1, K_2P3.1, K_2P12.1, were overexpressed in a range of cancers. While K_2P1.1, K_2P3.1, K_2P5.1, K_2P6.1, K_2P7.1 and K_2P10.1 showed significant underexpression across the cancer types examined. This analysis supports the view that specific K_2P channels may play a role in cancer biology. Their altered expression together with their ability to impact the function of other ion channels and their sensitivity to environmental stimuli (pO2, pH, glucose, stretch) makes understanding the role these channels play in cancer of key importance.

Melanoma inhibitory activity promotes melanoma development through activation of YBX1

Melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA), a small soluble secreted protein, is functionally important for progression of malignant melanoma. We recently revealed that p54(nrb) acts as a mediator of MIA action. In this study, we characterize the transcriptional regulation of p54(nrb) by MIA to explain MIA's molecular action. We identified one highly conserved region in the p54(nrb) promoter that is necessary and sufficient for MIA-dependent activation. Functional promoter analysis identified the transcription factor YBX1 as the mediator of MIA activation of p54(nrb) transcription. We screened the genome for further potential MIA-regulated genes carrying the element in their promoter regions. Integrating our sequence data with expression data from human melanomas identified a list of 23 potential MIA-YBX1 targets in melanomas. In summary, we present for the first time effects of MIA on transcriptional regulation. Uncovering new potential downstream effectors working via activation of YBX1 supports the important role of MIA in melanoma.

TRAM-34, a putatively selective blocker of intermediate-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels, inhibits cytochrome P450 activity

TRAM-34, a clotrimazole analog characterized as a potent and selective inhibitor of intermediate-conductance, calcium-activated K⁺ (IK_Ca) channels, has been used extensively in vitro and in vivo to study the biological roles of these channels. The major advantage of TRAM-34 over clotrimazole is the reported lack of inhibition of the former drug on cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity. CYPs, a large family of heme-containing oxidases, play essential roles in endogenous signaling and metabolic pathways, as well as in xenobiotic metabolism. However, previously published work has only characterized the effects of TRAM-34 on a single CYP isoform. To test the hypothesis that TRAM-34 may inhibit some CYP isoforms, the effects of this compound were presently studied on the activities of four rat and five human CYP isoforms. TRAM-34 inhibited recombinant rat CYP2B1, CYP2C6 and CYP2C11 and human CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.9 µM to 12.6 µM, but had no inhibitory effects (up to 80 µM) on recombinant rat CYP1A2, human CYP1A2, or human CYP19A1. TRAM-34 also had both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on human CYP3A4 activity, depending on the substrate used. These results show that low micromolar concentrations of TRAM-34 can inhibit several rat and human CYP isoforms, and suggest caution in the use of high concentrations of this drug as a selective IK_Ca channel blocker. In addition, in vivo use of TRAM-34 could lead to CYP-related drug-drug interactions.

Role of ion channels and transporters in cell migration

Cell motility is central to tissue homeostasis in health and disease, and there is hardly any cell in the body that is not motile at a given point in its life cycle. Important physiological processes intimately related to the ability of the respective cells to migrate include embryogenesis, immune defense, angiogenesis, and wound healing. On the other side, migration is associated with life-threatening pathologies such as tumor metastases and atherosclerosis. Research from the last ≈ 15 years revealed that ion channels and transporters are indispensable components of the cellular migration apparatus. After presenting general principles by which transport proteins affect cell migration, we will discuss systematically the role of channels and transporters involved in cell migration.

General Sensitization of melanoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis by the potassium channel inhibitor TRAM-34 depends on release of SMAC

The death ligand TRAIL represents a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic melanoma, however prevalent and inducible resistance limit its applicability. A new approach is presented here for sensitization to TRAIL. It is based on inhibition of the membrane potassium channel KCa3.1 (IK1), which serves fundamental cellular functions related to membrane potential. The selective inhibitor TRAM-34 did not induce apoptosis by itself but synergistically enhanced TRAIL sensitivity and overrode TRAIL resistance in a large panel of melanoma cell lines. Expression of IK1 was also found in mitochondria, and its inhibition resulted in mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization and an early activation of Bax. The combination of TRAM-34 and TRAIL resulted in massive release of mitochondrial factors, cytochrome c, AIF and SMAC/DIABLO. Bax knockdown and Bcl-2 overexpression abolished apoptosis. Overexpression of XIAP diminished apoptosis by two-fold, and SMAC knockdown almost completely abolished apoptosis. These data uncover the existence of a rheostat in melanoma cells, consisting of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and SMAC, which regulates TRAIL sensitivity. Thus, a new strategy is described based on mitochondrial membrane channels, which correspond to Bax activation. As both TRAIL and IK1 inhibitors had shown only minor side effects in clinical trials, a clinical application of this combination is conceivable.

Targeting melanoma metastasis and immunosuppression with a new mode of melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) protein inhibition

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, with fast progression and early dissemination mediated by the melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) protein. Here, we discovered that dimerization of MIA is required for functional activity through mutagenesis of MIA which showed the correlation between dimerization and functional activity. We subsequently identified the dodecapeptide AR71, which prevents MIA dimerization and thereby acts as a MIA inhibitor. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrated the binding of AR71 to the MIA dimerization domain, in agreement with in vitro and in vivo data revealing reduced cell migration, reduced formation of metastases and increased immune response after AR71 treatment. We believe AR71 is a lead structure for MIA inhibitors. More generally, inhibiting MIA dimerization is a novel therapeutic concept in melanoma therapy.

The channel physiology of the skin

During embryonic development, the skin, the largest organ of the human body, and nervous system are both derived from the neuroectoderm. Consequently, several key factors and mechanisms that influence and control central or peripheral nervous system activities are also present and hence involved in various regulatory mechanisms of the skin. Apparently, this is the case for the ion and non-ion selective channels as well. Therefore, in this review, we shall focus on delineating the regulatory roles of the channels in skin physiology and pathophysiology. First, we introduce key cutaneous functions and major characteristics of the channels in question. Then, we systematically detail the involvement of a multitude of channels in such skin processes (e.g. skin barrier formation, maintenance, and repair, immune mechanisms, exocrine secretion) which are mostly defined by cutaneous non-neuronal cell populations. Finally, we close by summarizing data suggesting that selected channels are also involved in skin diseases such as e.g. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, non-melanoma cancers and malignant melanoma, genetic and autoimmune diseases, etc., as well as in skin ageing.