Potassium and Chloride Ion Channels in Cancer: A Novel Paradigm for Cancer Therapeutics.

Cancer is a collection of diseases caused by specific changes at the genomic level that support cell proliferation indefinitely. Traditionally, ion channels are known to control a variety of cellular processes including electrical signal generation and transmission, secretion, and contraction by controlling ionic gradients. However, recent studies had brought to light important facts on ion channels in cancer biology.In this review we discuss the mechanism linking potassium or chloride ion channel activity to biochemical pathways controlling proliferation in cancer cells and the potential advantages of targeting ion channels as an anticancer therapeutic option.

The Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Cancer: An Update.

Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is the most ubiquitously expressed and well characterized member of the transglutaminase family. It is a ubiquitous multifunctional enzyme implicated in the regulation of several cellular pathways that support the survival, death, and general homeostasis of eukaryotic cells. Due to its multiple localizations both inside and outside the cell, TG2 participates in the regulation of many crucial intracellular signaling cascades in a tissue- and cell-specific manner, making this enzyme an important player in disease development and progression. Moreover, TG2 is capable of modulating the tumor microenvironment, a process of dynamic tissue remodeling and biomechanical events, resulting in changes which influence tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. Even if generally related to the Ca2+-dependent post-translational modification of proteins, a number of different biological functions have been ascribed to TG2, like those of a peptide isomerase, protein kinase, guanine nucleotide binder, and cytosolic-nuclear translocator. With respect to cancer, TG2's role is controversial and highly debated; it has been described both as an anti- and pro-apoptotic factor and is linked to all the processes of tumorigenesis. However, numerous pieces of evidence support a tissue-specific role of TG2 so that it can assume both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles.

Synthesis of C60 /[10]CPP-Catenanes by Regioselective, Nanocapsule-Templated Bingel Bis-Addition.

The addition of two unsymmetric malonate esters to the Buckminster fullerene C60 can lead to 22 spectroscopically distinguishable isomeric products and therefore represents a formidable synthesis challenge. In this work, we achieve 87 % selectivity for the formation of a single (in,out-trans-3) isomer by combining three approaches: (i) we use a starting material, in which the two malonates are covalently connected (tether approach); (ii) we form the strong supramolecular complex of C60 with the shape-persistent [10]CPP macrocycle (template approach) and (iii) we embed this complex further within a self-assembled nanocapsule (shadow mask approach). Variation of the spacer chain shed light on the limitations of the approach and the ring dynamics in the unusual [2]catenanes were studied in silico with atomistic resolution. This work significantly widens the scope of mechanically interlocked architectures comprising cycloparaphenylenes (CPP).

Mitochondrial dysfunction interferes with neural crest specification through the FoxD3 transcription factor.

The neural crest is an important group of cells with pluripotency and migratory ability that is crucially involved in tissue and cell specification during development. Craniofacial shaping, sensory neurons, body asymmetry, and pigmentation are linked to neural crest functionality. Despite its prominent role in embryogenesis, neural crest specification as well as the possible part mitochondria play in such a process remains unclarified. Mitochondria are important organelles not only for respiration, but also for regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Modulation of mitochondrial fitness and depletion of mitochondrial ATP synthesis has been shown to down-regulate Wnt signaling, both in vitro and in vivo. Since Wnt signaling is one of the crucial players during neural crest induction/specification, we hypothesized a signaling cascade connecting mitochondria to embryonic development and neural crest migration and differentiation. Here, by using pharmacological and genetic modulators of mitochondrial function, we provide evidence that a crosstalk between mitochondrial energy homeostasis and Wnt signaling is important in the development of neural crest-derived tissues. Furthermore, our results highlight the possibility to modulate neural crest cell specification by tuning mitochondrial metabolism via FoxD3, an important transcription factor that is regulated by Wnt. FoxD3 ensures the correct embryonic development and contributes to the maintenance of cell stemness and to the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In summary, our work offers new insights into the molecular mechanism of action of FoxD3 and demonstrates that mitochondrial fitness is linked to the regulation of this important transcription factor via Wnt signaling in the context of neural crest specification.

Synthesis and cellular effects of a mitochondria-targeted inhibitor of the two-pore potassium channel TASK-3.

The two-pore potassium channel TASK-3 has been shown to localize to both the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial inner membrane. TASK-3 is highly expressed in melanoma and breast cancer cells and has been proposed to promote tumor formation. Here we investigated whether pharmacological modulation of TASK-3, and specifically of mitochondrial TASK-3 (mitoTASK-3), had any effect on cancer cell survival and mitochondrial physiology. A novel, mitochondriotropic version of the specific TASK-3 inhibitor IN-THPP has been synthesized by addition of a positively charged triphenylphosphonium moiety. While IN-THPP was unable to induce apoptosis, mitoIN-THPP decreased survival of breast cancer cells and efficiently killed melanoma lines, which we show to express mitoTASK-3. Cell death was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and fragmentation of the mitochondrial network, suggesting a role of the channel in the maintenance of the correct function of this organelle. In accordance, cells treated with mitoIN-THPP became rapidly depleted of mitochondrial ATP which resulted in activation of the AMP-dependent kinase AMPK. Importantly, cell survival was not affected in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and the effect of mitoIN-THPP was less pronounced in human melanoma cells stably knocked down for TASK-3 expression, indicating a certain degree of selectivity of the drug both for pathological cells and for the channel. In addition, mitoIN-THPP inhibited cancer cell migration to a higher extent than IN-THPP in two melanoma cell lines. In summary, our results point to the importance of mitoTASK-3 for melanoma cell survival and migration.

From Channels to Canonical Wnt Signaling: A Pathological Perspective.

Wnt signaling is an important pathway mainly active during embryonic development and controlling cell proliferation. This regulatory pathway is aberrantly activated in several human diseases. Ion channels are known modulators of several important cellular functions ranging from the tuning of the membrane potential to modulation of intracellular pathways, in particular the influence of ion channels in Wnt signaling regulation has been widely investigated. This review will discuss the known links between ion channels and canonical Wnt signaling, focusing on their possible roles in human metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer.

Exploring the Potential of Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide Supramolecular Polymers as Biomaterials.

The fast dynamics occurring in natural processes increases the difficulty of creating biomaterials capable of mimicking Nature. Within synthetic biomaterials, water-soluble supramolecular polymers show great potential in mimicking the dynamic behavior of these natural processes. In particular, benzene-1,3,5-tricaboxamide (BTA)-based supramolecular polymers have shown to be highly dynamic through the exchange of monomers within and between fibers, but their suitability as biomaterials has not been yet explored. Herein we systematically study the interactions of BTA supramolecular polymers bearing either tetraethylene glycol or mannose units at the periphery with different biological entities. When BTA fibers were incubated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), the protein conformation was only affected by the fibers containing tetraethylene glycol at the periphery (BTA-OEG4). Coarse-grained molecular simulations showed that BSA interacted with BTA-OEG4 fibers rather than with BTA-OEG4 monomers that are present in solution or that may exchange out of the fibers. Microscopy studies revealed that, in the presence of BSA, BTA-OEG4 retained their fiber conformation although their length was slightly shortened. When further incubated with fetal bovine serum (FBS), both long and short fibers were visualized in solution. Nevertheless, in the hydrogel state, the rheological properties were remarkably preserved. Further studies on the cellular compatibility of all the BTA assemblies and mixtures thereof were performed in four different cell lines. A low cytotoxic effect at most concentrations was observed, confirming the suitability of utilizing functional BTA supramolecular polymers as dynamic biomaterials.

Mitochondrial Kv1.3: a New Target in Cancer Biology?

Kv1.3 is a voltage gated potassium channel located in the plasma membrane, as well as at intracellular levels, such as mitochondria (mitoKv1.3), nucleus and Golgi apparatus. The plasma membrane channel has been shown to be important for cell proliferation, while the mitochondrial counterpart has been related to modulation of cell death. Moreover, altered expression of Kv1.3 was observed in various tumors and Kv1.3 seems to be involved in development and progression of various cancerous forms. Recent experimental evidences have proved that pharmacological inhibition of the mitoKv1.3 succeeded in reducing up to 90% of tumor volume in vivo in orthotopic mouse model. Furthermore, mitoKv1.3 modulation could impact on cell proliferation as well as on regulation of intracellular signaling pathways. Indeed, the treatment with sub-lethal doses of mitoKv1.3 inhibitors can downregulate Wnt-ß catenin signaling by reducing mitochondrial ATP production and triggering ER-stress. In this review, we describe the role of the mitoKv1.3 in cell death, cancer and intracellular signaling. We will discuss how pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial potassium fluxes impact on mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production and ATP synthesis. All these changes in mitochondrial fitness are related to cell proliferation as well as to cell death and finally on cancer development and progression, so Kv1.3 (and mitoKv1.3) could be now considered a new oncological target.

Inhibition of PI-3-K and AKT Amplifies Kv1.3 Inhibitor-Induced Death of Human T Leukemia Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We have previously shown that inhibition of the mitochondrial Kv1.3 channel results in an initial mitochondrial hyperpolarization and a release of oxygen radicals that mediate mitochondrial depolarization, cytochrome c release and death. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of Kv1.3 channels can also induce cellular resistance mechanisms that counteract the induction of cell death under certain conditions. METHODS: We treated leukemic T cells with the mitochondria-targeted Kv1.3 inhibitor PCARBTP and determined the activity of different kinases associated with cell survival including ZAP70, PI-3-K, AKT, JNK and ERK by measuring the activation-associated phosphorylation of these proteins. Furthermore, we inhibited AKT and JNK and determined the effect of PCARBTP-induced tumor cell death. RESULTS: We demonstrate that treatment of Jurkat T leukemia cells with low doses of the mitochondria-targeted inhibitor of Kv1.3 PCARBTP (0.25 µM or 1 µM) for 10 minutes induced a constitutive phosphorylation/activation of the pro-survival signaling molecules ZAP70, PI-3-K, AKT and JNK, while the phosphorylation/activation of ERK was not affected. Stimulation of Jurkat cells via the TCR/CD3 complex induced an additional activation of a similar pattern of signaling events. Higher doses of the Kv1.3 inhibitor, i.e. 10 µM PCARBTP, reduced the basal phosphorylation/activation of these signaling molecules and also impaired their activation upon stimulation via the TCR/CD3 complex. A low dose of PCARBTP, i.e. 0.25 µM PCARBTP, was almost without any effect on cell death. In contrast, concomitant inhibition of PI-3-K or AKT greatly sensitized Jurkat leukemia cells to the Kv1.3 inhibitor PCARBTP and allowed induction of cell death already at 0.25 µM PCARBTP. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that Jurkat leukemia cells respond to low doses of the mitochondria-targeted Kv1.3 inhibitor PCARBTP with an activation of survival signals counteracting cell death. Inhibition of these T cell survival signals sensitizes leukemia cells to death induced by mitochondria-targeted Kv1.3 inhibitors. High doses of the Kv1.3 inhibitor inactivate these signals directly permitting death.

Mitochondrial potassium channels in cell death.

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles involved in several processes from bioenergetics to cell death. In the latest years, ion channels are arising as new possible targets in controlling several cellular functions. The discovery that several plasma membrane located ion channels have intracellular counterparts, has now implemented this consideration and the number of studies enforcing the understanding of their role in different metabolic pathways. In this review, we will discuss the recent updates in the field, focusing our attention on the involvement of potassium channels during mitochondrial mediated apoptotic cell death. Since mitochondria are one of the key organelles involved in this process, it is not surprising that potassium channels located in their inner membrane could be involved in modulating mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, and respiratory chain complexes functions. Eventually, these events lead to changes in the mitochondrial fitness that prelude to the cytochrome c release and apoptosis. In this scenario, both the inhibition and the activation of mitochondrial potassium channels could cause cell death, and their targeting could be a novel pharmacological way to treat different human diseases.

Targeting Mitochondrial Ion Channels to Fight Cancer.

In recent years, several experimental evidences have underlined a new role of ion channels in cancer development and progression. In particular, mitochondrial ion channels are arising as new oncological targets, since it has been proved that most of them show an altered expression during tumor development and the pharmacological targeting of some of them have been demonstrated to be able to modulate cancer growth and progression, both in vitro as well as in vivo in pre-clinical mouse models. In this scenario, pharmacology of mitochondrial ion channels would be in the near future a new frontier for the treatment of tumors. In this review, we discuss the new advances in the field, by focusing our attention on the improvements in new drug developments to target mitochondrial ion channels.

Physiology of intracellular potassium channels: A unifying role as mediators of counterion fluxes?

Plasma membrane potassium channels importantly contribute to maintain ion homeostasis across the cell membrane. The view is emerging that also those residing in intracellular membranes play pivotal roles for the coordination of correct cell function. In this review we critically discuss our current understanding of the nature and physiological tasks of potassium channels in organelle membranes in both animal and plant cells, with a special emphasis on their function in the regulation of photosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration. In addition, the emerging role of potassium channels in the nuclear membranes in regulating transcription will be discussed. The possible functions of endoplasmic reticulum-, lysosome- and plant vacuolar membrane-located channels are also referred to. Altogether, experimental evidence obtained with distinct channels in different membrane systems points to a possible unifying function of most intracellular potassium channels in counterbalancing the movement of other ions including protons and calcium and modulating membrane potential, thereby fine-tuning crucial cellular processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-7, 2016', edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi.

Pharmacological targeting of ion channels for cancer therapy: In vivo evidences.

Since the discovery of the participation of various ion channels in the regulation of cell proliferation and programmed cell death two decades ago, the field exploring ion channel function in relation to cancer has undergone rapid development. Although the mechanisms accounting for the impact of ion channel modulators on cancer growth have not been fully clarified in all cases, numerous in vivo experiments targeting diverse ion channels in various cancer models illustrate the great potentiality of this approach and promote ion channels to the class of oncological targets. In the present review we give an updated overview of the field and critically discuss the promising results obtained in pre-clinical models using specific pharmacological modulators of calcium, sodium, potassium and anion-permeable ion channels, whose expression is often altered in tumor cells and tissues. The most, especially critical issues are specificity of action and side-effects. Interestingly, some of the most potent drugs are natural products, and several of the active compounds are already used in the clinic for other purposes. In these latter cases involving drug repositioning we may expect a faster progression from preclinical to clinical studies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Calcium and Cell Fate. Guest Editors: Jacques Haiech, Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs, Thierry Capiod and Olivier Mignen.

Targeting the Potassium Channel Kv1.3 Kills Glioblastoma Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive cancers, counting for a high number of the newly diagnosed patients with central nervous system (CNS) cancers in the United States and Europe. Major features of GBM include aggressive and invasive growth as well as a high resistance to treatment. Kv1.3, a potassium channel of the shaker family, is expressed in the inner mitochondrial membrane of many cancer cells. Inhibition of mitochondrial Kv1.3 was shown to induce apoptosis in several tumor cells at doses that were not lethal for normal cells. METHODS: We investigated the expression of Kv1.3 in different glioma cell lines by immunocytochemistry, western blotting and electron microscopy and analyzed the effect of newly synthesized, mitochondria-targeted, Kv1.3 inhibitors on the induction of cell death in these cells. Finally, we performed in vivo studies on glioma bearing mice. RESULTS: Here, we report that Kv1.3 is expressed in mitochondria of human and murine GL261, A172 and LN308 glioma cells. Treatment with the novel Kv1.3 inhibitors PAPTP or PCARBTP as well as with clofazimine induced massive cell death in glioma cells, while Psora-4 and PAP-1 were almost without effect. However, in vivo experiments revealed that the drugs had no effect on orthotopic brain tumors in vivo. CONCLUSION: These data serve as proof of principle that Kv1.3 inhibitors kills GBM cells, but drugs that act in vivo against glioblastoma must be developed to translate these findings in vivo.

The Roles of Mitochondrial Cation Channels Under Physiological Conditions and in Cancer.

Bioenergetics has become central to our understanding of pathological mechanisms as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies and as a tool for gauging disease progression in neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. The view is emerging that inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) cation channels have a profound effect on mitochondrial function and, consequently, on the metabolic state and survival of the whole cell. Since disruption of the sustained integrity of mitochondria is strongly linked to human disease, pharmacological intervention offers a new perspective concerning neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding IMM cation channels and their roles under physiological conditions as well as in cancer, with special emphasis on potassium channels and the mammalian mitochondrial calcium uniporter.

Impact of intracellular ion channels on cancer development and progression.

Cancer research is nowadays focused on the identification of possible new targets in order to try to develop new drugs for curing untreatable tumors. Ion channels have emerged as "oncogenic" proteins, since they have an aberrant expression in cancers compared to normal tissues and contribute to several hallmarks of cancer, such as metabolic re-programming, limitless proliferative potential, apoptosis-resistance, stimulation of neo-angiogenesis as well as cell migration and invasiveness. In recent years, not only the plasma membrane but also intracellular channels and transporters have arisen as oncological targets and were proposed to be associated with tumorigenesis. Therefore, the research is currently focusing on understanding the possible role of intracellular ion channels in cancer development and progression on one hand and, on the other, on developing new possible drugs able to modulate the expression and/or activity of these channels. In a few cases, the efficacy of channel-targeting drugs in reducing tumors has already been demonstrated in vivo in preclinical mouse models.

Biophysical characterization and expression analysis of Kv1.3 potassium channel in primary human leukemic B cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pharmacological inhibition of the potassium channel Kv1.3 has been shown to selectively kill B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Here we aimed to biophysically characterize and compare Kv1.3 channel activity in B cells isolated either from healthy subjects or patients and investigated the mechanism accounting for the increased protein expression in B-CLL cells. METHODS: Kv1.3 activity was measured by patch clamp, while expression of the channel protein was assessed by Western blot and FACS analysis. B-CLL cells were co-cultured with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and Kv1.3 inhibitor-induced apoptosis was assessed. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Kv1.3 is highly expressed and is more active at resting membrane potential in human B-CLL cells than in healthy cells. Channel expression in pathologic cells decreased by the B-RAF kinase inhibitor PLX-4720, while it increased with Doxazosin, an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist. Kv1.3 inhibitors induced death in B-CLL cells also when co-cultured with MSC. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to the characterization of B-CLL cells, as it shows that upregulation of Kv1.3 in pathologic B lymphocytes is linked to the oncogenic B-RAF signalling. We also conclude that Kv1.3 inhibitors represent a valuable tool to induce apoptosis of B-CLL cells even in the presence of MSC.

Thylakoid potassium channel is required for efficient photosynthesis in cyanobacteria.

A potassium channel (SynK) of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a photoheterotrophic model organism for the study of photosynthesis, has been recently identified and demonstrated to function as a potassium selective channel when expressed in a heterologous system and to be located predominantly to the thylakoid membrane in cyanobacteria. To study its physiological role, a SynK-less knockout mutant was generated and characterized. Fluorimetric experiments indicated that SynK-less cyanobacteria cannot build up a proton gradient as efficiently as WT organisms, suggesting that SynK might be involved in the regulation of the electric component of the proton motive force. Accordingly, measurements of flash-induced cytochrome b(6)f turnover and respiration pointed to a reduced generation of ΔpH and to an altered linear electron transport in mutant cells. The lack of the channel did not cause an altered membrane organization, but decreased growth and modified the photosystem II/photosystem I ratio at high light intensities because of enhanced photosensitivity. These data shed light on the function of a prokaryotic potassium channel and reports evidence, by means of a genetic approach, on the requirement of a thylakoid ion channel for optimal photosynthesis.

Neural stem/progenitor cells from olfactory neuroepithelium collected by nasal brushing as a cell model reflecting molecular and cellular dysfunctions in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: Neural stem/progenitor cells derived from olfactory neuroepithelium (hereafter olfactory neural stem/progenitor cells, ONSPCs) are emerging as a potential tool in the exploration of psychiatric disorders. The present study intended to assess whether ONSPCs could help discern individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) from non-schizophrenic (NS) subjects by exploring specific cellular and molecular features. METHODS: ONSPCs were collected from 19 in-patients diagnosed with SZ and 31 NS individuals and propagated in basal medium. Mitochondrial ATP production, expression of ß-catenin and cell proliferation, which are described to be altered in SZ, were examined in freshly isolated or newly thawed ONSPCs after a few culture passages. RESULTS: SZ-ONSPCs exhibited a lower mitochondrial ATP production and insensitivity to agents capable of positively or negatively affecting ß-catenin expression with respect to NS-ONSPCs. As to proliferation, it declined in SZ-ONSPCs as the number of culture passages increased compared to a steady level of growth shown by NS-ONSPCs. CONCLUSIONS: The ease and safety of sample collection as well as the differences observed between NS- and SZ-ONSPCs, may lay the groundwork for a new approach to obtain biological material from a large number of living individuals and gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying SZ pathophysiology.

A Meta-Analysis Study to Infer Voltage-Gated K+ Channels Prognostic Value in Different Cancer Types.

Potassium channels are often highly expressed in cancer cells with respect to healthy ones, as they provide proliferative advantages through modulating membrane potential, calcium homeostasis, and various signaling pathways. Among potassium channels, Shaker type voltage-gated Kv channels are emerging as promising pharmacological targets in oncology. Here, we queried publicly available cancer patient databases to highlight if a correlation exists between Kv channel expression and survival rate in five different cancer types. By multiple gene comparison analysis, we found a predominant expression of KCNA2, KCNA3, and KCNA5 with respect to the other KCNA genes in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). This analysis highlighted a prognostic role of KCNA3 and KCNA5 in SKCM, LUAD, LUSC, and STAD, respectively. Interestingly, KCNA3 was associated with a positive prognosis in SKCM and LUAD but not in LUSC. Results obtained by the analysis of KCNA3-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs); tumor immune cell infiltration highlighted differences that may account for such differential prognosis. A meta-analysis study was conducted to investigate the role of KCNA channels in cancer using cancer patients' datasets. Our study underlines a promising correlation between Kv channel expression in tumor cells, in infiltrating immune cells, and survival rate.