Potassium channel ether à go-go1 is aberrantly expressed in human liposarcoma and promotes tumorigenesis

In Silico Analysis of Ion Channels and Their Correlation with Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer

Simple Summary

Breast cancer involves changes in the healthy cells of the breast resulting in rapid and abnormal division of cells that later spread to other parts of the body through the process of metastasis, which involves epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Ion channels play a significant role in the switch from epithelial to mesenchymal transition through their contributions to cellular motility, cell volume regulation and cell cycle progression. Comprehensive computational analyses were performed to understand the role of ion channels in tumor/metastatic samples of breast cancer and their correlation with EMT.

Abstract

Uncontrolled growth of breast cells due to altered gene expression is a key feature of breast cancer. Alterations in the expression of ion channels lead to variations in cellular activities, thus contributing to attributes of cancer hallmarks. Changes in the expression levels of ion channels were observed as a consequence of EMT. Additionally, ion channels were reported in the activation of EMT and maintenance of a mesenchymal phenotype. Here, to identify altered ion channels in breast cancer patients, differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analyses were performed using transcriptomic data. Protein–protein interactions network analysis was carried out to determine the ion channels interacting with hub EMT-related genes in breast cancer. Thirty-two ion channels were found interacting with twenty-six hub EMT-related genes. The identified ion channels were further correlated with EMT scores, indicating mesenchymal phenotype. Further, the pathway map was generated to represent a snapshot of deregulated cellular processes by altered ion channels and EMT-related genes. Kaplan–Meier five-year survival analysis and Cox regressions indicated the expression of CACNA1B, ANO6, TRPV3, VDAC1 and VDAC2 to be potentially associated with poor survival. Deregulated ion channels correlate with EMT-related genes and have a crucial role in breast cancer-associated tumorigenesis. Most likely, they are potential candidates for the determination of prognosis in patients with breast cancer.

Ion channels in sarcoma: pathophysiology and treatment options

Sarcomas are characterized by aggressive growth and a high metastasis potentially leading in most cases to a lethal outcome. These malignant tumors of the connective tissue have a high heterogeneity with numerous genetic mutations resulting in more than 100 types of sarcoma that can be grouped into two main kinds: soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma. Sarcomas are often diagnosed at late disease stage, whereas a guaranteed diagnosis of the sarcoma type is fundamental for successful therapy. However, there is no appropriate therapy available. Therefore, the need for new therapies, which prolong survival and improve quality of life, is high. In the last two decades, the role of ion channels in cancer has emerged. Ion channels seem to be an ideal target for anti-tumor therapies. However, different cancer types have their own altered ion channel pattern, and the knowledge about the tumor-associated ion channel expression is fundamental. Here, we focus on the role of different ion channels in sarcoma, their pathophysiology, and possible treatment options.

Ion channels as therapeutic antibody targets

It is now well established that antibodies have numerous potential benefits when developed as therapeutics. Here, we evaluate the technical challenges of raising antibodies to membrane-spanning proteins together with enabling technologies that may facilitate the discovery of antibody therapeutics to ion channels. Additionally, we discuss the potential targeting opportunities in the anti-ion channel antibody landscape, along with a number of case studies where functional antibodies that target ion channels have been reported. Antibodies currently in development and progressing towards the clinic are highlighted.

Silencing of perilipin by short hairpin RNA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in liposarcoma cells

Previous studies have identified that perilipin-1 (PLIN1) is a highly specific marker for liposarcoma. However, its functions have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of PLIN1 in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of liposarcoma cells. Short hairpin RNA was designed to inhibit PLIN1 levels. Cell proliferation was monitored by Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay and cell migration determined by wound healing assay. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the cell cycle distributions and apoptosis in liposarcoma cells. The results demonstrated that the expression of PLIN1 was significantly upregulated in liposarcoma tumor tissues compared with normal adipose tissues. Silencing of PLIN1 by short hairpin RNA significantly inhibited proliferation and migration and induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in liposarcoma cell lines. It was identified that PLIN1 serves a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of liposarcoma and may be a potential therapeutic target for its clinical management.

Kv10.1 potassium channel: from the brain to the tumors

The KCNH1 gene encodes the Kv10.1 (Eag1) ion channel, a member of the EAG (ether-à-go-go) family of voltage-gated potassium channels. Recent studies have demonstrated that KCHN1 mutations are implicated in Temple–Baraitser and Zimmermann–Laband syndromes and other forms of developmental deficits that all present with mental retardation and epilepsy, suggesting that Kv10.1 might be important for cognitive development in humans. Although the Kv10.1 channel is mainly expressed in the mammalian brain, its ectopic expression occurs in 70% of human cancers. Cancer cells and tumors expressing Kv10.1 acquire selective advantages that favor cancer progression through molecular mechanisms that involve several cellular pathways, indicating that protein–protein interactions may be important for Kv10.1 influence in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Several studies on transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of Kv10.1 expression have shown interesting mechanistic insights about Kv10.1 role in oncogenesis, increasing the importance of identifying the cellular factors that regulate Kv10.1 expression in tumors.