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T-Type Calcium Channels: A Mixed Blessing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179894. [PMID: 36077291 PMCID: PMC9456242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of T-type calcium channels is well established in excitable cells, where they preside over action potential generation, automaticity, and firing. They also contribute to intracellular calcium signaling, cell cycle progression, and cell fate; and, in this sense, they emerge as key regulators also in non-excitable cells. In particular, their expression may be considered a prognostic factor in cancer. Almost all cancer cells express T-type calcium channels to the point that it has been considered a pharmacological target; but, as the drugs used to reduce their expression are not completely selective, several complications develop, especially within the heart. T-type calcium channels are also involved in a specific side effect of several anticancer agents, that act on microtubule transport, increase the expression of the channel, and, thus, the excitability of sensory neurons, and make the patient more sensitive to pain. This review puts into context the relevance of T-type calcium channels in cancer and in chemotherapy side effects, considering also the cardiotoxicity induced by new classes of antineoplastic molecules.
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Bai S, Lan Y, Fu S, Cheng H, Lu Z, Liu G. Connecting Calcium-Based Nanomaterials and Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapy. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2022; 14:145. [PMID: 35849180 PMCID: PMC9294135 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-022-00894-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
As the indispensable second cellular messenger, calcium signaling is involved in the regulation of almost all physiological processes by activating specific target proteins. The importance of calcium ions (Ca2+) makes its "Janus nature" strictly regulated by its concentration. Abnormal regulation of calcium signals may cause some diseases; however, artificial regulation of calcium homeostasis in local lesions may also play a therapeutic role. "Calcium overload," for example, is characterized by excessive enrichment of intracellular Ca2+, which irreversibly switches calcium signaling from "positive regulation" to "reverse destruction," leading to cell death. However, this undesirable death could be defined as "calcicoptosis" to offer a novel approach for cancer treatment. Indeed, Ca2+ is involved in various cancer diagnostic and therapeutic events, including calcium overload-induced calcium homeostasis disorder, calcium channels dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium-associated immunoregulation, cell/vascular/tumor calcification, and calcification-mediated CT imaging. In parallel, the development of multifunctional calcium-based nanomaterials (e.g., calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium peroxide, and hydroxyapatite) is becoming abundantly available. This review will highlight the latest insights of the calcium-based nanomaterials, explain their application, and provide novel perspective. Identifying and characterizing new patterns of calcium-dependent signaling and exploiting the disease element linkage offer additional translational opportunities for cancer theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulu Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiying Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, People's Republic of China.
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Alza L, Visa A, Herreros J, Cantí C. T-type channels in cancer cells: Driving in reverse. Cell Calcium 2022; 105:102610. [PMID: 35691056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the strongly polarized membranes of excitable cells, activation of T-type Ca2+ channels (TTCCs) by weak depolarizing stimuli allows the influx of Ca2+ which further amplifies membrane depolarization, thus "recruiting" higher threshold voltage-gated channels to promote action potential firing. Nonetheless, TTCCs perform other functions in the plasma membrane of both excitable and non-excitable cells, in which they regulate a number of biochemical pathways relevant for cell cycle and cell fate. Furthermore, data obtained in the last 20 years have shown the involvement of TTCCs in tumor biology, designating them as promising chemotherapeutic targets. However, their activity in the steadily-depolarized membranes of cancer cells, in which most voltage-gated channels are in the inactivated (nonconducting) state, is counter-intuitive. Here we discuss that in cancer cells weak hyperpolarizing stimuli increase the fraction of open TTCCs which, in association with Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, may critically boost membrane hyperpolarization and driving force for Ca2+ entry through different voltage-independent Ca2+ channels. Available evidence also shows that TTCCs participate in positive feedback circuits with signaling effectors, which may warrant a switch-like activation of pro-proliferative and pro-survival pathways in spite of their low availability. Unravelling TTCC modus operandi in the context of non-excitable membranes may facilitate the development of novel anticancer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lía Alza
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Anna Visa
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Judit Herreros
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques), IRBLleida
| | - Carles Cantí
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain.
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Zhang H, Chen Z, Zhang A, Gupte AA, Hamilton DJ. The Role of Calcium Signaling in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031010. [PMID: 35162934 PMCID: PMC8835635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium signaling plays important roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including cutaneous melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), cell membrane calcium channels, calcium related proteins (S100 family, E-cadherin, and calpain), and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways are related to melanogenesis and melanoma tumorigenesis and progression. Calcium signaling influences the melanoma microenvironment, including immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), the vascular network, and chemical and physical surroundings. Other ionic channels, such as sodium and potassium channels, are engaged in calcium-mediated pathways in melanoma. Calcium signaling serves as a promising pharmacological target in melanoma treatment, and its dysregulation might serve as a marker for melanoma prediction. We documented calcium-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondria dysfunction, by targeting calcium channels and influencing [Ca2+]i and calcium homeostasis, and attenuated drug resistance in melanoma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhang
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (H.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.A.G.)
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China;
| | - Zhe Chen
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China;
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (H.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.A.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anisha A. Gupte
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (H.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.A.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dale J. Hamilton
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (H.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.A.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(713)-441-4483
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Targeting T-type channels in cancer: What is on and what is off? Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:743-758. [PMID: 34838727 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, various studies have demonstrated a pivotal role of T-type calcium channels (TTCCs) in tumor progression. Cytotoxic effects of TTCC pharmacological blockers have been reported in vitro and in preclinical models. However, their roles in cancer physiology are only beginning to be understood. In this review, we discuss evidence for the signaling pathways and cellular processes stemming from TTCC activity, mainly inferred by inverse reasoning from pharmacological blocks and, only in a few studies, by gene silencing or channel activation. A thorough analysis indicates that drug-induced cytotoxicity is partially an off-target effect. Dissection of on/off-target activity is paramount to elucidate the physiological roles of TTCCs, and to deliver efficacious therapies suited to different cancer types and stages.
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