BK channels in human glioma cells have enhanced calcium sensitivity

Paraptosis and tumor immunity

Paraptosis is the programmed cell death pathway that leads to cellular necrosis. Manystudies have shown that prolonged paraptosis activation improves tumorimmunogenicity; this treatment reproduces the vaccinating effects of mM-CSFtransduced cells. In this short communication, we want to highlight the paraptosisprocess as a valuable strategy for clinical immunotherapy against cancer.

Mapping the functional expression of auxiliary subunits of KCa1.1 in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive glial tumor, where ion channels, including K_Ca1.1, are candidates for new therapeutic options. Since the auxiliary subunits linked to K_Ca1.1 in GBM are largely unknown we used electrophysiology combined with pharmacology and gene silencing to address the functional expression of K_Ca1.1/β subunits complexes in both primary tumor cells and in the glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG. The pattern of the sensitivity (activation/inhibition) of the whole-cell currents to paxilline, lithocholic acid, arachidonic acid, and iberiotoxin; the presence of inactivation of the whole-cell current along with the loss of the outward rectification upon exposure to the reducing agent DTT collectively argue that K_Ca1.1/β3 complex is expressed in U-87 MG. Similar results were found using human primary glioblastoma cells isolated from patient samples. Silencing the β3 subunit expression inhibited carbachol-induced Ca²⁺ transients in U-87 MG thereby indicating the role of the K_Ca1.1/β3 in the Ca²⁺ signaling of glioblastoma cells. Functional expression of the K_Ca1.1/β3 complex, on the other hand, lacks cell cycle dependence. We suggest that the K_Ca1.1/β3 complex may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential in glioblastoma in the future.

Alterations of Ion Homeostasis in Cancer Metastasis: Implications for Treatment

We have previously reported that metastases from all malignancies are characterized by a core program of gene expression that suppresses extracellular matrix interactions, induces vascularization/tissue remodeling, activates the oxidative metabolism, and alters ion homeostasis. Among these features, the least elucidated component is ion homeostasis. Here we review the literature with the goal to infer a better mechanistic understanding of the progression-associated ionic alterations and identify the most promising drugs for treatment. Cancer metastasis is accompanied by skewing in calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium and chloride homeostasis. Membrane potential changes and water uptake through Aquaporins may also play roles. Drug candidates to reverse these alterations are at various stages of testing, with some having entered clinical trials. Challenges to their utilization comprise differences among tumor types and the involvement of multiple ions in each case. Further, adverse effects may become a concern, as channel blockers, chelators, or supplemented ions will affect healthy and transformed cells alike.

Deeper and Deeper on the Role of BK and Kir4.1 Channels in Glioblastoma Invasiveness: A Novel Summative Mechanism?

In the last decades, increasing evidence has revealed that a large number of channel protein and ion pumps exhibit impaired expression in cancers. This dysregulation is responsible for high proliferative rates as well as migration and invasiveness, reflected in the recently coined term oncochannelopathies. In glioblastoma (GBM), the most invasive and aggressive primary brain tumor, GBM cells modify their ionic equilibrium in order to change their volume as a necessary step prior to migration. This mechanism involves increased expression of BK channels and downregulation of the normally widespread Kir4.1 channels, as noted in GBM biopsies from patients. Despite a large body of work implicating BK channels in migration in response to an artificial intracellular calcium rise, little is known about how this channel acts in GBM cells at resting membrane potential (RMP), as compared to other channels that are constitutively open, such as Kir4.1. In this review we propose that a residual fraction of functionally active Kir4.1 channels mediates a small, but continuous, efflux of potassium at the more depolarized RMP of GBM cells. In addition, coinciding with transient membrane deformation and the intracellular rise in calcium concentration, brief activity of BK channels can induce massive and rapid cytosolic water loss that reduces cell volume (cell shrinkage), a necessary step for migration within the brain parenchyma.

Dynamical diversity of mitochondrial BK channels located in different cell types

Mitochondrial large-conductance voltage- and Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels (mitoBK) exhibit substantial similarities in their physiology regardless of the channel's location. Nevertheless, depending on the cell type, composition of membranes can vary, and mitoBK channels can be expressed in different splice variants as well as they can be co-assembled with different types of auxiliary β subunits. These factors can modulate their voltage- and Ca²⁺-sensitivity, and single-channel current kinetics. It is still an open question to what extent the mentioned factors can affect the complexity of the conformational dynamics of the mitoBK channel gating. In this work the dynamical diversity of mitoBK channels from different cell types was unraveled by the use of nonlinear methods of analysis: multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) and multiscale entropy (MSE). These techniques were applied to the experimental series of single channel currents. It turns out that the differences in the mitoBK expression systems influence gating machinery by changing the scheme of switching between the stable channel conformations, and affecting the average number of available channel conformations (this effect is visible for mitoBK channels in glioblastoma cells). The obtained results suggest also that a pathological dynamics can be represented by signals of relatively low complexity (low MSE of the mitoBK channel gating in glioblastoma).

Hydrogen Sulfide Relaxes Human Uterine Artery via Activating Smooth Muscle BKCa Channels

Opening of large conductance calcium-activated and voltage-dependent potassium (BK_Ca) channels hyperpolarizes plasma membranes of smooth muscle (SM) to cause vasodilation, underling a key mechanism for mediating uterine artery (UA) dilation in pregnancy. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been recently identified as a new UA vasodilator, yet the mechanism underlying H₂S-induced UA dilation is unknown. Here, we tested whether H₂S activated BK_Ca channels in human UA smooth muscle cells (hUASMC) to mediate UA relaxation. Multiple BK_Ca subunits were found in human UA in vitro and hUASMC in vitro, and high β1 and γ1 proteins were localized in SM cells in human UA. Baseline outward currents, recorded by whole-cell and single-channel patch clamps, were significantly inhibited by specific BK_Ca blockers iberiotoxin (IBTX) or tetraethylammonium, showing specific BK_Ca activity in hUASMC. H₂S dose (NaHS, 1–1000 µM)-dependently potentiated BK_Ca currents and open probability. Co-incubation with a Ca²⁺ blocker nifedipine (5 µM) or a chelator (ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 5 mM) did not alter H₂S-potentiated BK_Ca currents and open probability. NaHS also dose-dependently relaxed phenylephrine pre-constricted freshly prepared human UA rings, which was inhibited by IBTX. Thus, H₂S stimulated human UA relaxation at least partially via activating SM BK_Ca channels independent of extracellular Ca²⁺.

Differences in Gating Dynamics of BK Channels in Cellular and Mitochondrial Membranes from Human Glioblastoma Cells Unraveled by Short- and Long-Range Correlations Analysis

The large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BK) are encoded in humans by the Kcnma1 gene. Nevertheless, BK channel isoforms in different locations can exhibit functional heterogeneity mainly due to the alternative splicing during the Kcnma1 gene transcription. Here, we would like to examine the existence of dynamic diversity of BK channels from the inner mitochondrial and cellular membrane from human glioblastoma (U-87 MG). Not only the standard characteristics of the spontaneous switching between the functional states of the channel is discussed, but we put a special emphasis on the presence and strength of correlations within the signal describing the single-channel activity. The considered short- and long-range memory effects are here analyzed as they can be interpreted in terms of the complexity of the switching mechanism between stable conformational states of the channel. We calculate the dependencies of mean dwell-times of (conducting/non-conducting) states on the duration of the previous state, Hurst exponents by the rescaled range R/S method and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and use the multifractal extension of the DFA (MFDFA) for the series describing single-channel activity. The obtained results unraveled statistically significant diversity in gating machinery between the mitochondrial and cellular BK channels.

Subunits of BK channels promote breast cancer development and modulate responses to endocrine treatment in preclinical models

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pore-forming α subunits of the voltage- and Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ channel with large conductance (BKα) promote malignant phenotypes of breast tumour cells. Auxiliary subunits such as the leucine-rich repeat containing 26 (LRRC26) protein, also termed BKγ1, may be required to permit activation of BK currents at a depolarized resting membrane potential that frequently occur in non-excitable tumour cells.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Anti-tumour effects of BKα loss were investigated in breast tumour-bearing MMTV-PyMT transgenic BKα knockout (KO) mice, primary MMTV-PyMT cell cultures, and in a syngeneic transplantation model of breast cancer derived from these cells. The therapeutic relevance of BK channels in the context of endocrine treatment was assessed in human breast cancer cell lines expressing either low (MCF-7) or high (MDA-MB-453) levels of BKα and BKγ1, as well as in BKα-negative MDA-MB-157.

KEY RESULTS

BKα promoted breast cancer onset and overall survival in preclinical models. Conversely, lack of BKα and/or knockdown of BKγ1 attenuated proliferation of murine and human breast cancer cells in vitro. At low concentrations, tamoxifen and its major active metabolites stimulated proliferation of BKα/γ1-positive breast cancer cells, independent of the genomic signalling controlled by the oestrogen receptor. Finally, tamoxifen increased the relative survival time of BKα KO but not of wild-type tumour cell recipient mice.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Breast cancer initiation, progression, and tamoxifen sensitivity depend on functional BK channels thereby providing a rationale for the future exploration of the oncogenic actions of BK channels in clinical outcomes with anti-oestrogen therapy.

Regulation of BK Channels by Beta and Gamma Subunits

Ca²⁺- and voltage-gated K⁺ channels of large conductance (BK channels) are expressed in a diverse variety of both excitable and inexcitable cells, with functional properties presumably uniquely calibrated for the cells in which they are found. Although some diversity in BK channel function, localization, and regulation apparently arises from cell-specific alternative splice variants of the single pore-forming α subunit ( KCa1.1, Kcnma1, Slo1) gene, two families of regulatory subunits, β and γ, define BK channels that span a diverse range of functional properties. We are just beginning to unravel the cell-specific, physiological roles served by BK channels of different subunit composition.

Suppression of CaMKIIβ Inhibits ANO1-Mediated Glioblastoma Progression

ANO1, a Ca²⁺-activated chloride channel, is highly expressed in glioblastoma cells and its surface expression is involved in their migration and invasion. However, the regulation of ANO1 surface expression in glioblastoma cells is largely unknown. In this study, we found that Ca²⁺/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) β specifically enhances the surface expression and channel activity of ANO1 in U251 glioblastoma cells. When KN-93, a CaMKII inhibitor, was used to treat U251 cells, the surface expression and channel activity of ANO1 were significantly reduced. Only CaMKIIβ, among the four CaMKII isoforms, increased the surface expression and channel activity of ANO1 in a heterologous expression system. Additionally, gene silencing of CaMKIIβ suppressed the surface expression and channel activity of ANO1 in U251 cells. Moreover, gene silencing of CaMKIIβ or ANO1 prominently reduced the migration and invasion of U251 and U87 MG glioblastoma cells. We thus conclude that CaMKIIβ plays a specific role in the surface expression of ANO1 and in the ANO1-mediated tumorigenic properties of glioblastoma cells, such as migration and invasion.

Multifractal Properties of BK Channel Currents in Human Glioblastoma Cells

Potassium channels play an important physiological role in glioma cells. In particular, voltage- and Ca2+-activated large-conductance BK channels (gBK in gliomas) are involved in the intensive growth and extensive migrating behavior of the mentioned tumor cells; thus, they may be considered as a drug target for the therapeutic treatment of glioblastoma. To enable appropriate drug design, molecular mechanisms of gBK channel activation by diverse stimuli should be unraveled as well as the way that the specific conformational states of the channel relate to its functional properties (conducting/nonconducting). There is an open debate about the actual mechanism of BK channel gating, including the question of how the channel proteins undergo a range of conformational transitions when they flicker between nonconducting (functionally closed) and conducting (open) states. The details of channel conformational diffusion ought to have its representation in the properties of the experimental signal that describes the ion-channel activity. Nonlinear methods of analysis of experimental nonstationary series can be useful for observing the changes in the number of channel substates available from geometrical and energetic points of view at given external conditions. In this work, we analyze whether the multifractal properties of the activity of glioblastoma BK channels depend on membrane potential, and which states, conducting or nonconducting, affect the total signal to a larger extent. With this aim, we carried out patch-clamp experiments at different levels of membrane hyper- and depolarization. The obtained time series of single channel currents were analyzed using the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) method in a standard form and incorporating focus-based multifractal (FMF) formalism. Thus, we show the applicability of a modified MFDFA technique in the analysis of an experimental patch-clamp time series. The obtained results suggest that membrane potential strongly affects the conformational space of the gBK channel proteins and the considered process has nonlinear multifractal characteristics. These properties are the inherent features of the analyzed signals due to the fact that the main tendencies vanish after shuffling the data.

Squaring the Circle: A New Study of Inward and Outward-Rectifying Potassium Currents in U251 GBM Cells

In the present study, the functional role of the inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel, Kir4.1, and large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK) channel during cell migration in U251 cell line was investigated. We focused on polarised cells which are positive for the active-Cdc42 migration marker. The perforated patch technique was used to avoid intracellular dialysis and to maintain physiological changes in intracellular calcium. Wound healing was employed to assay migration after 24 h. Polarised cells recorded displayed different hallmarks of undifferentiated glial cells: depolarised resting membrane potential and high membrane resistance. Cells recorded outside wounded area did not display either constitutive inward or outward rectification. After migration, U251 cells were characterised by a constitutively smaller Kir4.1 and larger BK currents with a linearly related amplitude. Menthol modulation increased both currents in a linearly dependent manner, indicating a common mechanism triggered by activation of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a Ca²⁺-permeable non-selective cation channel. We hypothesised that both migration and menthol modulation would share an increase of intracellular calcium triggering the increase in Kir4.1 and BK channels. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the cytoplasmic expression of both Kir4.1 and BK channels and a mislocation in the nucleus under basal conditions. Before and after migration, polarised cells increased the expression of Kir4.1 and BK channels both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. TEM ultrastructural analysis displayed a different nuclear distribution of Kir4.1 and BK channels. In the present study, the physiological role of Kir4.1 and BK currents at membrane potential, their involvement in migration, and the functional role of nuclear channels were discussed.

Regulation of BK Channels by Beta and Gamma Subunits

Ca²⁺- and voltage-gated K⁺ channels of large conductance (BK channels) are expressed in a diverse variety of both excitable and inexcitable cells, with functional properties presumably uniquely calibrated for the cells in which they are found. Although some diversity in BK channel function, localization, and regulation apparently arises from cell-specific alternative splice variants of the single pore-forming α subunit ( KCa1.1, Kcnma1, Slo1) gene, two families of regulatory subunits, β and γ, define BK channels that span a diverse range of functional properties. We are just beginning to unravel the cell-specific, physiological roles served by BK channels of different subunit composition.

Mechanosensitivity of the BK Channels in Human Glioblastoma Cells: Kinetics and Dynamical Complexity

BK channels are potassium selective and exhibit large single-channel conductance. They play an important physiological role in glioma cells: they are involved in cell growth and extensive migrating behavior. Due to the fact that these processes are accompanied by changes in membrane stress, here, we examine mechanosensitive properties of BK channels from human glioblastoma cells (gBK channels). Experiments were performed by the use of patch-clamp method on excised patches under membrane suction (0-40 mmHg) at membrane hyper- and depolarization. We have also checked whether channel's activity is affected by possible changes of membrane morphology after a series of long impulses of suction. Unconventionally, we also analyzed internal structure of the experimental signal to make inferences about conformational dynamics of the channel in stressed membranes. We examined the fractal long-range memory effect (by R/S Hurst analysis), the rate of changes in information by sample entropy, or correlation dimension, and characterize its complexity over a range of scales by the use of Multiscale Entropy method. The obtained results indicate that gBK channels are mechanosensitive at membrane depolarization and hyperpolarization. Prolonged suction of membrane also influences open-closed fluctuations-it decreases channel's activity at membrane hyperpolarization and, in contrary, increases channel's activity at high voltages. Both membrane strain and its "fatigue" reduce dynamical complexity of channel gating, which suggest decrease in the number of available open conformations of channel protein in stressed membranes.

Glioblastoma quo vadis: Will migration and invasiveness reemerge as therapeutic targets?

PURPOSE

The purpose of the current review is to highlight, on one hand, the fact that the migratory pattern of glioma cells is the major obstacle to combat them with chemotherapy, and on the other one, the new treatment strategies to overcome this obstacle.

METHODS

This review surveys several membrane and extracellular molecules involved in glioma cell migration, invasiveness and resistance to apoptosis.

RESULTS

This review focuses on signaling pathways implicated in the positive regulation of glioblastoma cell migration, including glutamate and ion channel networks, microtubes and membrane-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) containing microRNAs. Glioma cells release glutamate to the extracellular matrix, inducing neuronal cell death, which may facilitate glioma growth and invasion. Glioma cell migration and invasion are further facilitated through ion channels and transporters that modify cellular volume. Microtubes and EV promote connections and communication among glioma cells and with the microenvironment and are associated with progression and resistance to therapy. Potential therapies linked to these pathways for glioblastoma are being developed.

CONCLUSION

Our view is evolving from an intracellular view of the complex intracellular signaling pathways to one of orchestral machinery, including connections between heterogeneous tumoral and nontumoral cells and with the microenvironment through channels, microtubes, and extracellular miRNA, generating different signals at different times. All of these elements give rise to a new perspective for the treatment of glioblastoma.

BK channels blockage inhibits hypoxia-induced migration and chemoresistance to cisplatin in human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) cells express large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels, whose activity is important for several critical aspects of the tumor, such as migration/invasion and cell death. GBMs are also characterized by a heavy hypoxic microenvironment that exacerbates tumor aggressiveness. Since hypoxia modulates the activity of BK channels in many tissues, we hypothesized that a hypoxia-induced modulation of these channels may contribute to the hypoxia-induced GBM aggressiveness. In U87-MG cells, hypoxia induced a functional upregulation of BK channel activity, without interfering with their plasma membrane expression. Wound healing and transwell migration assays showed that hypoxia increased the migratory ability of U87-MG cells, an effect that could be prevented by BK channel inhibition. Toxicological experiments showed that hypoxia was able to induce chemoresistance to cisplatin in U87-MG cells and that the inhibition of BK channels prevented the hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. Clonogenic assays showed that BK channels are also used to increase the clonogenic ability of U87-MG GBM cells in presence, but not in absence, of cisplatin. BK channels were also found to be essential for the hypoxia-induced de-differentiation of GBM cells. Finally, using immunohistochemical analysis, we highlighted the presence of BK channels in hypoxic areas of human GBM tissues, suggesting that our findings may have physiopathological relevance in vivo. In conclusion, our data show that BK channels promote several aspects of the aggressive potential of GBM cells induced by hypoxia, such as migration and chemoresistance to cisplatin, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of GBM.

Combating malignant astrocytes: Strategies mitigating tumor invasion

Malignant gliomas are glial-derived, primary brain tumors that carry poor prognosis. Existing therapeutics are largely ineffective and dramatically affect quality of life. The standard of care details a taxing combination of surgical resection, radiation of the resection cavity, and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, with treatment extending life by only an average of months (Maher et al., 2001; Stupp et al., 2005). Despite scientific and technological advancement, surgery remains the most important treatment modality. Therapeutic obstacles include xenobiotic protection conveyed by the blood-brain barrier (Zhang et al., 2015), invasiveness and therapeutic resistance of tumor cell populations (Bao et al., 2006), and distinctive attributes of secondary glioma occurrence (Ohgaki and Kleihues, 2013). While these brain malignancies can be classified by grade or grouped by molecular subclass, each tumor presents itself as its own complication. Based on all of these obstacles, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. These will likely emerge from numerous exciting studies of glioma biology that are ongoing and reviewed here. These show unexpected roles for ion channels, amino-acid transporters, and connexin gap junctions in supporting the invasive growth of gliomas. These studies have identified a number of proteins that may be targeted for therapy in the future.

Overexpression of Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Human Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells and Their Role in Cell Migration

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are brain tumors characterized by diffuse invasion of cancer cells into the healthy brain parenchyma, and establishment of secondary foci. GBM cells abundantly express large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels that are thought to promote cell invasion. Recent evidence suggests that the GBM high invasive potential mainly originates from a pool of stem-like cells, but the expression and function of BK channels in this cell subpopulation have not been studied. We investigated the expression of BK channels in GBM stem-like cells using electrophysiological and immunochemical techniques, and assessed their involvement in the migratory process of this important cell subpopulation. In U87-MG cells, BK channel expression and function were markedly upregulated by growth conditions that enriched the culture in GBM stem-like cells (U87-NS). Cytofluorimetric analysis further confirmed the appearance of a cell subpopulation that co-expressed high levels of BK channels and CD133, as well as other stem cell markers. A similar association was also found in cells derived from freshly resected GBM biopsies. Finally, transwell migration tests showed that U87-NS cells migration was much more sensitive to BK channel block than U87-MG cells. Our data show that BK channels are highly expressed in GBM stem-like cells, and participate to their high migratory activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2478-2488, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular Determinants of BK Channel Functional Diversity and Functioning

Large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels play many physiological roles ranging from the maintenance of smooth muscle tone to hearing and neurosecretion. BK channels are tetramers in which the pore-forming α subunit is coded by a single gene ( Slowpoke, KCNMA1). In this review, we first highlight the physiological importance of this ubiquitous channel, emphasizing the role that BK channels play in different channelopathies. We next discuss the modular nature of BK channel-forming protein, in which the different modules (the voltage sensor and the Ca2+ binding sites) communicate with the pore gates allosterically. In this regard, we review in detail the allosteric models proposed to explain channel activation and how the models are related to channel structure. Considering their extremely large conductance and unique selectivity to K+, we also offer an account of how these two apparently paradoxical characteristics can be understood consistently in unison, and what we have learned about the conduction system and the activation gates using ions, blockers, and toxins. Attention is paid here to the molecular nature of the voltage sensor and the Ca2+ binding sites that are located in a gating ring of known crystal structure and constituted by four COOH termini. Despite the fact that BK channels are coded by a single gene, diversity is obtained by means of alternative splicing and modulatory β and γ subunits. We finish this review by describing how the association of the α subunit with β or with γ subunits can change the BK channel phenotype and pharmacology.

A role for ion channels in perivascular glioma invasion

Malignant gliomas are devastating tumors, frequently killing those diagnosed in little over a year. The profuse infiltration of glioma cells into healthy tissue surrounding the main tumor mass is one of the major obstacles limiting the improvement of patient survival. Migration along the abluminal side of blood vessels is one of the salient features of glioma cell invasion. Invading glioma cells are attracted to the vascular network, in part by the neuropeptide bradykinin, where glioma cells actively modify the gliovascular interface and undergo volumetric alterations to navigate the confined space. Critical to these volume modifications is a proposed hydrodynamic model that involves the flux of ions in and out of the cell, followed by osmotically obligated water. Ion and water channels expressed by the glioma cell are essential in this model of invasion and make opportune therapeutic targets. Lastly, there is growing evidence that vascular-associated glioma cells are able to control the vascular tone, presumably to free up space for invasion and growth. The unique mechanisms that enable perivascular glioma invasion may offer critical targets for therapeutic intervention in this devastating disease. Indeed, a chloride channel-blocking peptide has already been successfully tested in human clinical trials.

Ion channel blockers and glioblastoma risk and outcome: a nested case-control and retrospective cohort studies

PURPOSE

Mutations in ion channels are common among patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and promote cell migration and invasion. We sought to evaluate the association between the use of specific ion channel blockers such as digoxin, amiodarone, diltiazem and verapamil and GBM risk and survival.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study in a large primary care database from the UK. Cases were defined as all individuals with incident diagnosis of GBM during follow-up. For each case, up to four controls were selected using incidence density sampling. The primary exposure of interest was active treatment with each of the four ion channel blockers. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between ion channel blocker use and GBM risk. We then performed a Cox regression analysis among those diagnosed with GBM in order to evaluate the association between use of ion channel blockers and overall survival. Both analyses were adjusted to common confounders.

RESULTS

The study included 1076 cases and 4253 matched controls. There was no statistically significant difference between cases and controls in cardiac and metabolic risk factors. There was no change in GBM risk in active users of ion channel blockers compared with non-users. Among patients with GBM, active users of amiodarone had worse survival compared with never users with an HR of 4.41 (95%CI 1.95-9.96). There was no statistically significant change in survival among diltiazem, verapamil or digoxin users.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with specific ion channel blockers was not associated with the risk of GBM but was associated with worse survival in patients with GBM. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Blockage of potassium channel inhibits proliferation of glioma cells via increasing reactive oxygen species

The potassium (K⁺) channel plays an important role in the cell cycle and proliferation of tumor cells, while its role in brain glioma cells and the signaling pathways remains unclear. We used tetraethylammonium (TEA), a nonselective antagonist of big conductance K⁺ channels, to block K⁺ channels in glioma cells, and antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) to inhibit production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). TEA showed an antiproliferation effect on C6 and U87 glioma cells in a time-dependent manner, which was accompanied by an increased intracellular ROS level. Antioxidant NAC pretreatment reversed TEA-mediated antiproliferation and restored ROS level. TEA treatment also caused significant increases in mRNA and protein levels of tumor-suppressor proteins p53 and p21, and the upregulation was attenuated by pretreatment of NAC. Our results suggest that K⁺ channel activity significantly contributes to brain glioma cell proliferation via increasing ROS, and it might be an upstream factor triggering the activation of the p53/p21^Cip1-dependent signaling pathway, consequently leading to glioma cell cycle arrest.

The role of ion channels in malignant brain tumors

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors and have poor clinical prognosis, despite multimodal therapeutic strategies. In recent years, ion channels have emerged as major players in tumor pathophysiology regarding all hallmarks of cancer. Since ion channels are easily accessible structures, they may prove to be effective targets for canner therapy, although their broad expression pattern and role in physiological processes should be taken into consideration. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of ion channels in the pathophysiology of malignant gliomas, especially glioblastoma, and evaluates their potential role in targeted antiglioma therapy.

Ion channel gene expression predicts survival in glioma patients

Ion channels are important regulators in cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The malfunction and/or aberrant expression of ion channels may disrupt these important biological processes and influence cancer progression. In this study, we investigate the expression pattern of ion channel genes in glioma. We designate 18 ion channel genes that are differentially expressed in high-grade glioma as a prognostic molecular signature. This ion channel gene expression based signature predicts glioma outcome in three independent validation cohorts. Interestingly, 16 of these 18 genes were down-regulated in high-grade glioma. This signature is independent of traditional clinical, molecular, and histological factors. Resampling tests indicate that the prognostic power of the signature outperforms random gene sets selected from human genome in all the validation cohorts. More importantly, this signature performs better than the random gene signatures selected from glioma-associated genes in two out of three validation datasets. This study implicates ion channels in brain cancer, thus expanding on knowledge of their roles in other cancers. Individualized profiling of ion channel gene expression serves as a superior and independent prognostic tool for glioma patients.

Voltage-gated ion channels in cancer cell proliferation

Changes of the electrical charges across the surface cell membrane are absolutely necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis in physiological as well as in pathological conditions. The opening of ion channels alter the charge distribution across the surface membrane as they allow the diffusion of ions such as K+, Ca++, Cl.

Reconciling the discrepancies on the involvement of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K channels in glioblastoma cell migration

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, and is notable for spreading so effectively through the brain parenchyma to make complete surgical resection virtually impossible, and prospect of life dismal. Several ion channels have been involved in GBM migration and invasion, due to their critical role in supporting volume changes and Ca(2+) influx occuring during the process. The large-conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K (BK) channels, markedly overexpressed in biopsies of patients with GBMs and in GBM cell lines, have attracted much interest and have been suggested to play a central role in cell migration and invasion as candidate channels for providing the ion efflux and consequent water extrusion that allow cell shrinkage during migration. Available experimental data on the role of BK channel in migration and invasion are not consistent though. While BK channels block typically resulted in inhibition of cell migration or in no effect, their activation would either enhance or inhibit the process. This short review reexamines the relevant available data on the topic, and presents a unifying paradigm capable of reconciling present discrepancies. According to this paradigm, BK channels would not contribute to migration under conditions where the [Ca(2+)] i is too low for their activation. They will instead positively contribute to migration for intermediate [Ca(2+)] i , insufficient as such to activate BK channels, but capable of predisposing them to cyclic activation following oscillatory [Ca(2+)] i increases. Finally, steadily active BK channels because of prolonged high [Ca(2+)] i would inhibit migration as their steady activity would be unsuitable to match the cyclic cell volume changes needed for proper cell migration.

Lipid rafts, KCa/ClCa/Ca2+ channel complexes and EGFR signaling: Novel targets to reduce tumor development by lipids?

Membrane lipid rafts are distinct plasma membrane nanodomains that are enriched with cholesterol, sphingolipids and gangliosides, with occasional presence of saturated fatty acids and phospholipids containing saturated acyl chains. It is well known that they organize receptors (such as Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor), ion channels and their downstream acting molecules to regulate intracellular signaling pathways. Among them are Ca2+ signaling pathways, which are modified in tumor cells and inhibited upon membrane raft disruption. In addition to protein components, lipids from rafts also contribute to the organization and function of Ca2+ signaling microdomains. This article aims to focus on the lipid raft KCa/ClCa/Ca2+ channel complexes that regulate Ca2+ and EGFR signaling in cancer cells, and discusses the potential modification of these complexes by lipids as a novel therapeutic approach in tumor development. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane channels and transporters in cancers.

Genomic and transcriptome analysis revealing an oncogenic functional module in meningiomas

OBJECT

Meningiomas are among the most common primary adult brain tumors. Although typically benign, roughly 2%-5% display malignant pathological features. The key molecular pathways involved in malignant transformation remain to be determined.

METHODS

Illumina expression microarrays were used to assess gene expression levels, and Illumina single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays were used to identify copy number variants in benign, atypical, and malignant meningiomas (19 tumors, including 4 malignant ones). The authors also reanalyzed 2 expression data sets generated on Affymetrix microarrays (n = 68, including 6 malignant ones; n = 56, including 3 malignant ones). A weighted gene coexpression network approach was used to identify coexpression modules associated with malignancy.

RESULTS

At the genomic level, malignant meningiomas had more chromosomal losses than atypical and benign meningiomas, with average length of 528, 203, and 34 megabases, respectively. Monosomic loss of chromosome 22 was confirmed to be one of the primary chromosomal level abnormalities in all subtypes of meningiomas. At the transcriptome level, the authors identified 23 coexpression modules from the weighted gene coexpression network. Gene functional enrichment analysis highlighted a module with 356 genes that was highly related to tumorigenesis. Four intramodular hubs within the module (GAB2, KLF2, ID1, and CTF1) were oncogenic in other cancers such as leukemia. A putative meningioma tumor suppressor MN1 was also identified in this module with differential expression between malignant and benign meningiomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' genomic and transcriptome analysis of meningiomas provides novel insights into the molecular pathways involved in malignant transformation of meningiomas, with implications for molecular heterogeneity of the disease.

A neurocentric perspective on glioma invasion

Malignant gliomas are devastating tumours that frequently kill patients within 1 year of diagnosis. The major obstacle to a cure is diffuse invasion, which enables tumours to escape complete surgical resection and chemo- and radiation therapy. Gliomas use the same tortuous extracellular routes of migration that are travelled by immature neurons and stem cells, frequently using blood vessels as guides. They repurpose ion channels to dynamically adjust their cell volume to accommodate to narrow spaces and breach the blood-brain barrier through disruption of astrocytic endfeet, which envelop blood vessels. The unique biology of glioma invasion provides hitherto unexplored brain-specific therapeutic targets for this devastating disease.

Mitochondrial but not plasmalemmal BK channels are hypoxia-sensitive in human glioma

Tumor cells are resistant to hypoxia but the underlying mechanism(s) of this tolerance remain poorly understood. In healthy brain cells, plasmalemmal Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels ((plasma)BK) function as oxygen sensors and close under hypoxic conditions. Similarly, BK channels in the mitochondrial inner membrane ((mito)BK) are also hypoxia sensitive and regulate reactive oxygen species production and also permeability transition pore formation. Both channel populations are therefore well situated to mediate cellular responses to hypoxia. In tumors, BK channel expression increases with malignancy, suggesting these channels contribute to tumor growth; therefore, we hypothesized that the sensitivity of (plasma)BK and/or (mito)BK to hypoxia differs between glioma and healthy brain cells. To test this, we examined the electrophysiological properties of (plasma)BK and (mito)BK from a human glioma cell line during normoxia and hypoxia. We observed single channel activities in whole cells and isolated mitoplasts with slope conductance of 199 ± 8 and 278 ± 10 pA, respectively. These currents were Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent, and were inhibited by the BK channel antagonist charybdotoxin (0.1 μM). (plasma)BK could only be activated at membrane potentials >+40 mV and had a low open probability (NPo) that was unchanged by hypoxia. Conversely, (mito)BK were active across a range of membrane potentials (-40 to +40 mV) and their NPo increased during hypoxia. Activating (plasma)BK, but not (mito)BK induced cell death and this effect was enhanced during hypoxia. We conclude that unlike in healthy brain cells, glioma (mito)BK channels, but not (plasma)BK channels are oxygen sensitive.

The roles of K(+) channels in cancer

Potassium channels are transmembrane proteins that selectively facilitate the flow of potassium ions down an electrochemical gradient. These molecules have been studied in great detail in the context of cell excitability, but their roles in less cell type-specific functions, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis or cell migration, have only recently been assessed. Moreover, the importance of these channels for tumour biology has become evident. This, coupled with the fact that they are accessible proteins and that their pharmacology is well characterized, has increased the interest in investigating potassium channels as therapeutic targets in cancer patients.

Application of ion-sensitive field effect transistors for ion channel screening

Cell-based screening assays are now widely used for identifying compounds that serve as ion channel modulators. However, instrumentation for the automated, real-time analysis of ion flux from clonal and primary cells is lacking. This study describes the initial development of an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET)-based screening assay for the acquisition of K(+) efflux data from cells cultured in multi-well plates. Silicon-based K(+)-sensitive ISFETs were tested for their electrical response to varying concentrations of KCl and were found to display a linear response relationship to KCl in the range of 10 µM-1 mM. The ISFETs, along with reference electrodes, were inserted into fast-flow chambers containing either human colonic T84 epithelial cells or U251-MG glioma cells. Application of the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 (1 µM), to activate Ca(2+)-activated non-selective cation (NSC) channels (T84 cells) and large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels (U251 cells), resulted in time-dependent increases in the extracellular K(+) concentration ([K(+)]o) as measured with the ISFETs. Treatment of the cells with blockers of either the NSC or BK channels, caused a strong inhibition of the A23187-induced increase in [K(+)]o. These results were consistent with ion current measurements obtained using the whole-cell arrangement of the patch clamp procedure. In addition, K(+) efflux data could be acquired in parallel from multiple cell chambers using the ISFET sensors. Given the non-invasive properties of the probes, the ISFET-based assay should be adaptable for screening ion channels in various cell types.

A BK (Slo1) channel journey from molecule to physiology

Calcium and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels are key actors in cell physiology, both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells and tissues. Through negative feedback between intracellular Ca (2+) and membrane voltage, BK channels provide a damping mechanism for excitatory signals. Molecular modulation of these channels by alternative splicing, auxiliary subunits and post-translational modifications showed that these channels are subjected to many mechanisms that add diversity to the BK channel α subunit gene. This complexity of interactions modulates BK channel gating, modifying the energetic barrier of voltage sensor domain activation and channel opening. Regions for voltage as well as Ca (2+) sensitivity have been identified, and the crystal structure generated by the 2 RCK domains contained in the C-terminal of the channel has been described. The linkage of these channels to many intracellular metabolites and pathways, as well as their modulation by extracellular natural agents, has been found to be relevant in many physiological processes. This review includes the hallmarks of BK channel biophysics and its physiological impact on specific cells and tissues, highlighting its relationship with auxiliary subunit expression.

Molecular interaction and functional coupling between type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and BKCa channel stimulate breast cancer cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

The implication of ion channels and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca(2+) signalling (IICS) in the carcinogenesis processes, including deregulation of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, is increasingly studied. Studies from our laboratory have shown that type 3 IP3 receptor (IP3R3) and voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels BKCa channels are involved in human breast cancer cell proliferation. In this context, we investigated the probable interaction between these two proteins (IP3R3 and BKCa channel) in normal and in breast cancer cells.

METHODS

MCF-7 and MCF-10A cell viability was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-assay in the presence or absence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Furthermore, cell-cycle analysis was carried out and cell cycle protein expression was examined by Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to check co-localisation of BKCa and IP3R3 and their molecular interaction. Finally, whole cell patch-clamp and Ca(2+) imaging were performed to assess the functional interaction.

RESULTS

Our results are in favour of a functional and a molecular coupling between IP3R3 and BKCa channel that is involved in MCF-7 proliferation. Indeed, ATP increased MCF-7 cell proliferation and this effect was impaired when the expression of BKCa and/or IP3R3 has been reduced by specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Flow cytometry experiments showed that both siRNAs led to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and these results were confirmed by the analysis of cell cycle protein expression. Specifically, BKCa and IP3R3 silencing decreased both cyclin-D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) expression levels. Furthermore, ATP elicited a phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent elevation of internal Ca(2+) that triggered in turn an iberiotoxin (IbTx)- and a tetra-ethyl-ammonium (TEA)-sensitive membrane hyperpolarisation that was strongly reduced in the cells with silenced IP3R3 or BKCa. In the same way, intracellular application of Ins(2,4,5)P3 triggered an IbTx-sensitive membrane hyperpolarisation. Moreover, intracellular Ca(2+) chelation with 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) prevented ATP-induced BKCa activation. BKCa and IP3R3 also co-immunoprecipitated and this interaction seemed to occur in cholesterol-enriched microdomains. Conversely, in the normal breast cell line MCF-10A, neither ATP application nor BKCa silencing affected cell proliferation. Furthermore, IP3R3 and BKCa did not co-immunoprecipitate, suggesting the absence of a molecular coupling between BKCa and IP3R3 in the MCF-10A normal cell line.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, our results suggest a molecular and functional link between BKCa channel and IP3R3 in cancer cells. Our findings led us to propose this coupling between BKCa and IP3R3 as an important mechanism for tumour cell proliferation.

Ionizing radiation, ion transports, and radioresistance of cancer cells

The standard treatment of many tumor entities comprises fractionated radiation therapy which applies ionizing radiation to the tumor-bearing target volume. Ionizing radiation causes double-strand breaks in the DNA backbone that result in cell death if the number of DNA double-strand breaks exceeds the DNA repair capacity of the tumor cell. Ionizing radiation reportedly does not only act on the DNA in the nucleus but also on the plasma membrane. In particular, ionizing radiation-induced modifications of ion channels and transporters have been reported. Importantly, these altered transports seem to contribute to the survival of the irradiated tumor cells. The present review article summarizes our current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms and introduces strategies to radiosensitize tumor cells by targeting plasma membrane ion transports.

Human glioma-initiating cells show a distinct immature phenotype resembling but not identical to NG2 glia

Glioma-initiating cells (GICs) represent a potential important therapeutic target because they are likely to account for the frequent recurrence of malignant gliomas; however, their identity remains unsolved. Here, we characterized the cellular lineage fingerprint of GICs through a combination of electrophysiology, lineage marker expression, and differentiation assays of 5 human patient-derived primary GIC lines. Most GICs coexpressed nestin, NG2 proteoglycan, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Glioma-initiating cells could be partially differentiated into astrocytic but not oligodendroglial or neural lineages. We also demonstrate that GICs have a characteristic electrophysiologic profile distinct from that of well-characterized tumor bulk cells. Together, our results suggest that GICs represent a unique type of cells reminiscent of an immature phenotype that closely resembles but is not identical to NG2 glia with respect to marker expression and functional membrane properties.

Glioma big potassium channel expression in human cancers and possible T cell epitopes for their immunotherapy

Big potassium (BK) ion channels have several spliced variants. One spliced variant initially described within human glioma cells is the glioma BK (gBK) channel. This isoform consists of 34 aa inserted into the intracellular region of the basic BK ion channel. PCR primers specific for this inserted region confirmed that human glioma cell lines and freshly resected surgical tissues from glioblastoma multiforme patients strongly expressed gBK mRNA. Normal human brain tissue very weakly expressed this transcript. An Ab specific for this gBK isoform confirmed that human glioma cells displayed this protein in the cell membrane, mitochondria, Golgi, and endoplasmic reticulum. Within the gBK region, two putative epitopes (gBK1 and gBK2) are predicted to bind to the HLA-A*0201 molecule. HLA-A*0201-restricted human CTLs were generated in vitro using gBK peptide-pulsed dendritic cells. Both gBK1 and gBK2 peptide-specific CTLs killed HLA-A2⁺/gBK⁺ gliomas, but they failed to kill non-HLA-A2-expressing but gBK⁺ target cells in cytolytic assays. T2 cells loaded with exogenous gBK peptides, but not with the influenza M1 control peptide, were only killed by their respective CTLs. The gBK-specific CTLs also killed a variety of other HLA-A*0201⁺ cancer cells that possess gBK, as well as HLA-A2⁺ HEK cells transfected with the gBK gene. Of clinical relevance, we found that T cells derived from glioblastoma multiforme patients that were sensitized to the gBK peptide could also kill target cells expressing gBK. This study shows that peptides derived from cancer-associated ion channels maybe useful targets for T cell-mediated immunotherapy.

Microcoil-based MR phase imaging and manganese enhanced microscopy of glial tumor neurospheres with direct optical correlation

Susceptibility differences among tissues were recently used for highlighting complementary contrast in MRI different from the conventional T(1), T(2), or spin density contrasts. This method, based on the signal phase, previously showed improved image contrast of human or rodent neuroarchitecture in vivo, although direct MR phase imaging of cellular architecture was not available until recently. In this study, we present for the first time the ability of microcoil-based phase MRI to resolve the structure of human glioma neurospheres at significantly improved resolutions (10 × 10 μm(2)) with direct optical image correlation. The manganese chloride property to function as a T(1) contrast agent enabled a closer examination of cell physiology with MRI. Specifically the temporal changes of manganese chloride uptake, retention and release time within and from individual clusters were assessed. The optimal manganese chloride concentration for improved MR signal enhancement was determined while keeping the cellular viability unaffected. The presented results demonstrate the possibilities to reveal structural and functional observation of living glioblastoma human-derived cells. This was achieved through the combination of highly sensitive microcoils, high magnetic field, and methods designed to maximize contrast to noise ratio. The presented approach may provide a powerful multimodal tool that merges structural and functional information of submilimeter biological samples.

Ion channels in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor with the most dismal prognosis. It is characterized by extensive invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. Median survival is only 15 months due to this behavior, rendering focal surgical resection ineffective and adequate radiotherapy impossible. At this moment, several ion channels have been implicated in glioblastoma proliferation, migration, and invasion. This paper summarizes studies on potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium channels of glioblastoma. It provides an up-to-date overview of the literature that could ultimately lead to new therapeutic targets.

Ion channels and transporters [corrected] in cancer. 2. Ion channels and the control of cancer cell migration

A hallmark of high-grade cancers is the ability of malignant cells to invade unaffected tissue and spread disease. This is particularly apparent in gliomas, the most common and lethal type of primary brain cancer affecting adults. Migrating cells encounter restricted spaces and appear able to adjust their shape to accommodate to narrow extracellular spaces. A growing body of work suggests that cell migration/invasion is facilitated by ion channels and transporters. The emerging concept is that K(+) and Cl(-) function as osmotically active ions, which cross the plasma membrane in concert with obligated water thereby adjusting a cell's shape and volume. In glioma cells Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporters (NKCC1) actively accumulate K(+) and Cl(-), establishing a gradient for KCl efflux. Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and voltage-gated Cl(-) channels are largely responsible for effluxing KCl promoting hydrodynamic volume changes. In other cancers, different K(+) or even Na(+) channels may function in concert with a variety of Cl(-) channels to support similar volume changes. Channels involved in migration are frequently regulated by Ca(2+) signaling, most likely coupling extracellular stimuli to cell migration. Importantly, the inhibition of ion channels and transporters appears to be clinically relevant for the treatment of cancer. Recent preclinical data indicates that inhibition of NKCC1 with an FDA-approved drug decreases neoplastic migration. Additionally, ongoing clinical trials demonstrate that an inhibitor of chloride channels may be a therapy for the treatment of gliomas. Data reviewed here strongly indicate that ion channels are a promising target for the development of novel therapeutics to combat cancer.

Enhancement effects of martentoxin on glioma BK channel and BK channel (α+β1) subtypes

Background

BK channels are usually activated by membrane depolarization and cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. Especially,the activity of BK channel (α+β4) can be modulated by martentoxin, a 37 residues peptide, with Ca²⁺-dependent manner. gBK channel (glioma BK channel) and BK channel (α+β1) possessed higher Ca²⁺ sensitivity than other known BK channel subtypes.

Methodology and Principal Findings

The present study investigated the modulatory characteristics of martentoxin on these two BK channel subtypes by electrophysiological recordings, cell proliferation and Ca²⁺ imaging. In the presence of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺, martentoxin could enhance the activities of both gBK and BK channel (α+β1) subtypes in dose-dependent manner with EC₅₀ of 46.7 nM and 495 nM respectively, while not shift the steady-state activation of these channels. The enhancement ratio of martentoxin on gBK and BK channel (α+β1) was unrelated to the quantitive change of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentrations though the interaction between martentoxin and BK channel (α+β1) was accelerated under higher cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. The selective BK pore blocker iberiotoxin could fully abolish the enhancement of these two BK subtypes induced by martentoxin, suggesting that the auxiliary β subunit might contribute to the docking for martentoxin. However, in the absence of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺, the activity of gBK channel would be surprisingly inhibited by martentoxin while BK channel (α+β1) couldn't be affected by the toxin.

Conclusions and Significance

Thus, the results shown here provide the novel evidence that martentoxin could increase the two Ca²⁺-hypersensitive BK channel subtypes activities in a new manner and indicate that β subunit of these BK channels plays a vital role in this enhancement by martentoxin.

Molecular interaction and functional regulation of ClC-3 by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in human malignant glioma

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. Tumor cells diffusely infiltrate the brain making focal surgical and radiation treatment challenging. The invasion of glioma cells into normal brain is facilitated by the activity of ion channels aiding dynamic regulation of cell volume. Recent studies have specifically implicated ClC-3, a voltage-gated chloride channel, in this process. However, the interaction between ClC-3 activity and cell movement is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ClC-3 is highly expressed on the plasma membrane of human glioma cells where its activity is regulated through phosphorylation via Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Intracellular infusion of autoactivated CaMKII via patch pipette enhanced chloride currents 3-fold, and this regulation was inhibited by autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide, a CaMKII-specific inhibitor. CaMKII modulation of chloride currents was also lost upon stable small hairpin RNA knockdown of ClC-3 channels indicating a specific interaction of ClC-3 and CaMKII. In ClC-3-expressing cells, inhibition of CaMKII reduced glioma invasion to the same extent as direct inhibition of ClC-3. The importance of the molecular interaction of ClC-3 and CaMKII is further supported by our finding that CaMKII co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with ClC-3. ClC-3 and CaMKII also co-immunoprecipitate in tissue biopsies from patients diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma. These tumor samples show 10-fold higher ClC-3 protein expression than nonmalignant brain. These data suggest that CaMKII is a molecular link translating intracellular calcium changes, which are intrinsically associated with glioma migration, to changes in ClC-3 conductance required for cell movement.

Menthol increases human glioblastoma intracellular Ca2+, BK channel activity and cell migration

This study examined the effect of menthol, an agonist for transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) ion channels, to increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, in human glioblastoma cells (DBTRG cells), which resulted in activation of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ membrane ion channels (BK channels). Voltage ramps applied over 300 ms from -100 to 100 mV resulted in membrane currents with marked inwardly- and outwardly-rectifying components. Paxilline (2 microM) abolished the outwardly-rectifying current. Outwardly-rectifying on-cell patch currents were increased markedly by menthol (100 microM) added to the bath. The estimated on-cell conductance of these channels was 253 pS. Kinetic analysis showed that added menthol increased channel open probability and mean open frequency after 5 min. In a similar time course menthol increased [Ca2+]i, and this increase was abolished either by added paxilline, tetraethylammonium ion or by Ca2+-free external solution. Finally, menthol stimulated the rate of DBTRG cell migration into scratch wounds made in confluent cells, and this also was inhibited by paxilline or by tetraethylammonium ion. We conclude that menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, increases DBTRG cell [Ca2+]i that in turn activates membrane BK ion channels. Inhibition of BK channels by paxilline reverses menthol-stimulated increase of [Ca2+]i and of cell migration. Thus, BK channels function to maintain elevations in [Ca2+]i needed to sustain increases in DBTRG cell migration.