TRPM7 maintains progenitor-like features of neuroblastoma cells: implications for metastasis formation

Mutually exclusive teams-like patterns of gene regulation characterize phenotypic heterogeneity along the noradrenergic-mesenchymal axis in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial pediatric tumor and leads to 15% of all cancer-related deaths in children. Tumor relapse and therapy resistance in neuroblastoma are driven by phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity between noradrenergic (NOR) and mesenchymal (MES) cell states. Despite the importance of this phenotypic plasticity, the dynamics and molecular patterns associated with these bidirectional cell-state transitions remain relatively poorly understood. Here, we analyze multiple RNA-seq datasets at both bulk and single-cell resolution, to understand the association between NOR- and MES-specific factors. We observed that NOR-specific and MES-specific expression patterns are largely mutually exclusive, exhibiting a "teams-like" behavior among the genes involved, reminiscent of our earlier observations in lung cancer and melanoma. This antagonism between NOR and MES phenotypes was also associated with metabolic reprogramming and with immunotherapy targets PD-L1 and GD2 as well as with experimental perturbations driving the NOR-MES and/or MES-NOR transition. Further, these "teams-like" patterns were seen only among the NOR- and MES-specific genes, but not in housekeeping genes, possibly highlighting a hallmark of network topology enabling cancer cell plasticity.

The Role of TRPM7 in Oncogenesis

This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) channels in the pathophysiology of neoplastic diseases. The TRPM family represents the largest and most diverse group in the TRP superfamily. Its subtypes are expressed in virtually all human organs playing a central role in (patho)physiological events. The TRPM7 protein (along with TRPM2 and TRPM6) is unique in that it has kinase activity in addition to the channel function. Numerous studies demonstrate the role of TRPM7 chanzyme in tumorigenesis and in other tumor hallmarks such as proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis. Here we provide an up-to-date overview about the possible role of TRMP7 in a broad range of malignancies such as tumors of the nervous system, head and neck cancers, malignant neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, neoplasms of the urinary system, breast cancer, malignant tumors of the female reproductive organs, prostate cancer and other neoplastic pathologies. Experimental data show that the increased expression and/or function of TRPM7 are observed in most malignant tumor types. Thus, TRPM7 chanzyme may be a promising target in tumor therapy.

Mechanosensitive Ion Channels: Their Physiological Importance and Potential Key Role in Cancer

Mechanosensitive ion channels comprise a broad group of proteins that sense mechanical extracellular and intracellular changes, translating them into cation influx to adapt and respond to these physical cues. All cells in the organism are mechanosensitive, and these physical cues have proven to have an important role in regulating proliferation, cell fate and differentiation, migration and cellular stress, among other processes. Indeed, the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix in cancer change drastically due to high cell proliferation and modification of extracellular protein secretion, suggesting an important contribution to tumor cell regulation. In this review, we describe the physiological significance of mechanosensitive ion channels, emphasizing their role in cancer and immunity, and providing compelling proof of the importance of continuing to explore their potential as new therapeutic targets in cancer research.

Crosstalk between Ca2+ Signaling and Cancer Stemness: The Link to Cisplatin Resistance

In the fight against cancer, therapeutic strategies using cisplatin are severely limited by the appearance of a resistant phenotype. While cisplatin is usually efficient at the beginning of the treatment, several patients endure resistance to this agent and face relapse. One of the reasons for this resistant phenotype is the emergence of a cell subpopulation known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Due to their quiescent phenotype and self-renewal abilities, these cells have recently been recognized as a crucial field of investigation in cancer and treatment resistance. Changes in intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) through Ca²⁺ channel activity are essential for many cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival in various cell types. It is now proved that altered Ca²⁺ signaling is a hallmark of cancer, and several Ca²⁺ channels have been linked to CSC functions and therapy resistance. Moreover, cisplatin was shown to interfere with Ca²⁺ homeostasis; thus, it is considered likely that cisplatin-induced aberrant Ca²⁺ signaling is linked to CSCs biology and, therefore, therapy failure. The molecular signature defining the resistant phenotype varies between tumors, and the number of resistance mechanisms activated in response to a range of pressures dictates the global degree of cisplatin resistance. However, if we can understand the molecular mechanisms linking Ca²⁺ to cisplatin-induced resistance and CSC behaviors, alternative and novel therapeutic strategies could be considered. In this review, we examine how cisplatin interferes with Ca²⁺ homeostasis in tumor cells. We also summarize how cisplatin induces CSC markers in cancer. Finally, we highlight the role of Ca²⁺ in cancer stemness and focus on how they are involved in cisplatin-induced resistance through the increase of cancer stem cell populations and via specific pathways.

Roles of calcium signaling in cancer metastasis to bone

Bone metastasis is a frequent complication for cancers and an important reason for the mortality in cancer patients. After surviving in bone, cancer cells can cause severe pain, life-threatening hypercalcemia, pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, and even death. However, the underlying mechanisms of bone metastasis were not clear. The role of calcium (Ca2+) in cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion has been well established. Interestingly, emerging evidence indicates that Ca2+ signaling played a key role in bone metastasis, for it not only promotes cancer progression but also mediates osteoclasts and osteoblasts differentiation. Therefore, Ca2+ signaling has emerged as a novel therapeutical target for cancer bone metastasis treatments. Here, the role of Ca2+ channels and Ca2+-binding proteins including calmodulin and Ca2+-sensing receptor in bone metastasis, and the perspective of anti-cancer bone metastasis therapeutics via targeting the Ca2+ signaling pathway are summarized.

New Insights into TRP Ion Channels in Stem Cells

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are cationic permeable proteins located on the plasma membrane. TRPs are cellular sensors for perceiving diverse physical and/or chemical stimuli; thus, serving various critical physiological functions, including chemo-sensation, hearing, homeostasis, mechano-sensation, pain, taste, thermoregulation, vision, and even carcinogenesis. Dysregulated TRPs are found to be linked to many human hereditary diseases. Recent studies indicate that TRP ion channels are not only involved in sensory functions but are also implicated in regulating the biological characteristics of stem cells. In the present review, we summarize the expressions and functions of TRP ion channels in stem cells, including cancer stem cells. It offers an overview of the current understanding of TRP ion channels in stem cells.

TRPM7 via calcineurin/NFAT pathway mediates metastasis and chemotherapeutic resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The exact mechanisms of Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) chemoresistance and metastatic transformation remain unclear. In recent decades, members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family have been proposed as potential biomarkers and/or drug targets in cancer treatment. First, in a TCGA cohort of HNSCC, TRPM7 is highly expressed in cancer tissues, especially the expression in invasive cancer tissues is statistically significant (p>0.001). In GEO and TCGA cohort, patients with high expression of TRPM7 and NFATC2 have poor overall survival rates. The expression of TRPM7 and NFATC2 showed a positive correlation. Compared to human normal oral keratinocytes (hNOK), TRPM7 is overexpressed in FaDU, SAS, and TW2.6 cell lines. Similarly, patients with HNSCC exhibited higher TRPM7 expression than non-HNSCC subjects, and this high TRPM7 expression was associated with worse 5-year overall survival. Furthermore, TRPM7 inversely correlated with E-cadherin, but positively correlated with Vimentin, NANOG, and BMI-1 mRNA levels. Consistent with this, we demonstrated the overexpression of TRPM7 in cisplatin-resistant subjects, compared to the cisplatin-sensitive counterparts. Moreover, shRNA-mediated silencing of TRPM7 significantly suppressed the migration, invasion, colony formation, and tumorsphere formation of SAS cells, with associated downregulation of Snail, c-Myc, cyclin D1, SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG proteins expression. Finally, compared with the untreated wild-type SAS cells or cisplatin-treated cells, shTRPM7 alone or in combination with cisplatin significantly inhibited tumorsphere and colony formation. These findings serving as the basis for development of novel therapeutic strategies against metastasis and chemoresistance, while providing new insights into TRPM7 biology and activity in HNSCC.

Store-Operated Calcium Entry and Its Implications in Cancer Stem Cells

Tumors are composed by a heterogeneous population of cells. Among them, a sub-population of cells, termed cancer stem cells, exhibit stemness features, such as self-renewal capabilities, disposition to differentiate to a more proliferative state, and chemotherapy resistance, processes that are all mediated by Ca²⁺. Ca²⁺ homeostasis is vital for several physiological processes, and alterations in the patterns of expressions of the proteins and molecules that modulate it have recently become a cancer hallmark. Store-operated Ca²⁺ entry is a major mechanism for Ca²⁺ entry from the extracellular medium in non-excitable cells that leads to increases in the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration required for several processes, including cancer stem cell properties. Here, we focus on the participation of STIM, Orai, and TRPC proteins, the store-operated Ca²⁺ entry key components, in cancer stem cell biology and tumorigenesis.

Dynamic Expression of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-3 and Integrated Signaling with Growth Factor Pathways during Lung Epithelial Wound Repair following Wood Smoke Particle and Other Forms of Lung Cell Injury

Prior studies revealed increased expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 (TRPV3) ion channel after wood smoke particulate matter (WSPM) treatment of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). TRPV3 attenuated pathologic endoplasmic reticulum stress and cytotoxicity mediated by transient receptor potential ankyrin-1. Here, the basis for how TRPV3 expression is regulated by cell injury and the effects this has on HBEC physiology and WSPM-induced airway remodeling in mice was investigated. TRPV3 mRNA was rapidly increased in HBECs treated with WSPM and after monolayer damage caused by tryptic disruption, scratch wounding, and cell passaging. TRPV3 mRNA abundance varied with time, and stimulated expression occurred independent of new protein synthesis. Overexpression of TRPV3 in HBECs reduced cell migration and wound repair while enhancing cell adhesion. This phenotype correlated with disrupted mRNA expression of ligands of the epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-β, and frizzled receptors. Accordingly, delayed wound repair by TRPV3 overexpressing cells was reversed by growth factor supplementation. In normal HBECs, TRPV3 upregulation was triggered by exogenous growth factor supplementation and was attenuated by inhibitors of growth factor receptor signaling. In mice, subacute oropharyngeal instillation with WSPM also promoted TRPV3 mRNA expression and epithelial remodeling, which was attenuated by TRPV3 antagonist pre- and cotreatment. This latter effect may be the consequence of antagonist-induced TRPV3 expression. These findings provide insights into the roles of TRPV3 in lung epithelial cells under basal and dynamic states, as well as highlight potential roles for TRPV3 ligands in modulating epithelial damage/repair. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Coordinated epithelial repair is essential for the maintenance of the airways, with deficiencies and exaggerated repair associated with adverse consequences to respiratory health. This study shows that TRPV3, an ion channel, is involved in coordinating repair through integrated repair signaling pathways, wherein TRPV3 expression is upregulated immediately after injury and returns to basal levels as cells complete the repair process. TRPV3 may be a novel target for understanding and/or treating conditions in which airway/lung epithelial repair is not properly orchestrated.

Advances in Intracellular Calcium Signaling Reveal Untapped Targets for Cancer Therapy

Intracellular Ca2+ distribution is a tightly regulated process. Numerous Ca2+ chelating, storage, and transport mechanisms are required to maintain normal cellular physiology. Ca2+-binding proteins, mainly calmodulin and calbindins, sequester free intracellular Ca2+ ions and apportion or transport them to signaling hubs needing the cations. Ca2+ channels, ATP-driven pumps, and exchangers assist the binding proteins in transferring the ions to and from appropriate cellular compartments. Some, such as the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosomes, act as Ca2+ repositories. Cellular Ca2+ homeostasis is inefficient without the active contribution of these organelles. Moreover, certain key cellular processes also rely on inter-organellar Ca2+ signaling. This review attempts to encapsulate the structure, function, and regulation of major intracellular Ca2+ buffers, sensors, channels, and signaling molecules before highlighting how cancer cells manipulate them to survive and thrive. The spotlight is then shifted to the slow pace of translating such research findings into anticancer therapeutics. We use the PubMed database to highlight current clinical studies that target intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Drug repurposing and improving the delivery of small molecule therapeutics are further discussed as promising strategies for speeding therapeutic development in this area.

Transient Receptor Potential Channels in the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a strictly regulated process that is indispensable for normal development, but it can result in fibrosis and cancer progression. It encompasses a complete alteration of the cellular transcriptomic profile, promoting the expression of genes involved in cellular migration, invasion and proliferation. Extracellular signaling factors driving the EMT process require secondary messengers to convey their effects to their targets. Due to its remarkable properties, calcium represents an ideal candidate to translate molecular messages from receptor to effector. Therefore, calcium-permeable ion channels that facilitate the influx of extracellular calcium into the cytosol can exert major influences on cellular phenotype. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels represent a superfamily of non-selective cation channels that decode physical and chemical stimuli into cellular behavior. Their role as cellular sensors renders them interesting proteins to study in the context of phenotypic transitions, such as EMT. In this review, we elaborate on the current knowledge regarding TRP channel expression and activity in cellular phenotype and EMT.

Mechanisms involved in selecting and maintaining neuroblastoma cancer stem cell populations, and perspectives for therapeutic targeting

Pediatric neuroblastomas (NBs) are heterogeneous, aggressive, therapy-resistant embryonal tumours that originate from cells of neural crest (NC) origin and in particular neuroblasts committed to the sympathoadrenal progenitor cell lineage. Therapeutic resistance, post-therapeutic relapse and subsequent metastatic NB progression are driven primarily by cancer stem cell (CSC)-like subpopulations, which through their self-renewing capacity, intermittent and slow cell cycles, drug-resistant and reversibly adaptive plastic phenotypes, represent the most important obstacle to improving therapeutic outcomes in unfavourable NBs. In this review, dedicated to NB CSCs and the prospects for their therapeutic eradication, we initiate with brief descriptions of the unique transient vertebrate embryonic NC structure and salient molecular protagonists involved NC induction, specification, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and migratory behaviour, in order to familiarise the reader with the embryonic cellular and molecular origins and background to NB. We follow this by introducing NB and the potential NC-derived stem/progenitor cell origins of NBs, before providing a comprehensive review of the salient molecules, signalling pathways, mechanisms, tumour microenvironmental and therapeutic conditions involved in promoting, selecting and maintaining NB CSC subpopulations, and that underpin their therapy-resistant, self-renewing metastatic behaviour. Finally, we review potential therapeutic strategies and future prospects for targeting and eradication of these bastions of NB therapeutic resistance, post-therapeutic relapse and metastatic progression.

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.

Role of TRPM7 kinase in cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or 1 in 6 deaths, in 2018. Despite recent advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, the burden of this disease continues to grow with each year, with dire physical, emotional, and economic consequences for all levels of society. Classic characteristics of cancer include rapid, uncontrolled cell proliferation and spread of cancerous cells to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7), a Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-permeable nonselective divalent cation channel defined by the atypical presence of an α-kinase within its C-terminal domain, has been implicated, due to its modulation of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ influx, in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. TRPM7 is overexpressed in several cancer types and has been shown to variably increase cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumour cells. However, the relative contribution of TRPM7 kinase domain activity to cancer as opposed to ion flux through its channel pore remains an area of active discovery. In this review, we describe the specific role of the TRPM7 kinase domain in cancer processes as well as mechanisms of regulation and inhibition of the kinase domain.

TRP Channels Regulation of Rho GTPases in Brain Context and Diseases

Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders are mediated by several pathophysiological mechanisms, including developmental and degenerative abnormalities caused primarily by disturbances in cell migration, structural plasticity of the synapse, and blood-vessel barrier function. In this context, critical pathways involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases are related to structural, scaffolding, and enzymatic activity-bearing proteins, which participate in Ca²⁺- and Ras Homologs (Rho) GTPases-mediated signaling. Rho GTPases are GDP/GTP binding proteins that regulate the cytoskeletal structure, cellular protrusion, and migration. These proteins cycle between GTP-bound (active) and GDP-bound (inactive) states due to their intrinsic GTPase activity and their dynamic regulation by GEFs, GAPs, and GDIs. One of the most important upstream inputs that modulate Rho GTPases activity is Ca²⁺ signaling, positioning ion channels as pivotal molecular entities for Rho GTPases regulation. Multiple non-selective cationic channels belonging to the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family participate in cytoskeletal-dependent processes through Ca²⁺-mediated modulation of Rho GTPases. Moreover, these ion channels have a role in several neuropathological events such as neuronal cell death, brain tumor progression and strokes. Although Rho GTPases-dependent pathways have been extensively studied, how they converge with TRP channels in the development or progression of neuropathologies is poorly understood. Herein, we review recent evidence and insights that link TRP channels activity to downstream Rho GTPase signaling or modulation. Moreover, using the TRIP database, we establish associations between possible mediators of Rho GTPase signaling with TRP ion channels. As such, we propose mechanisms that might explain the TRP-dependent modulation of Rho GTPases as possible pathways participating in the emergence or maintenance of neuropathological conditions.

The transcriptional repressor SNAI2 impairs neuroblastoma differentiation and inhibits response to retinoic acid therapy

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and originates from poorly differentiated neural crest progenitors. High-risk neuroblastoma patients frequently present with metastatic disease at diagnosis. Despite intensive treatment, patients often develop refractory disease characterized by poorly differentiated, therapy resistant cells. Although adjuvant therapy using retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation may increase event-free survival, in the majority of cases response to RA-therapy is inadequate. Consequently, current research aims to identify novel therapeutic targets that enhance the sensitivity to RA and induce neuroblastoma cell differentiation. The similarities between neural crest development and neuroblastoma progression provide an appealing starting point. During neural crest development the EMT-transcription factor SNAI2 plays an important role in neural crest specification as well as neural crest cell migration and survival. Here, we report that CRISPR/Cas9 mediated deletion as well as shRNA mediated knockdown of the EMT-transcription factor SNAI2 promotes cellular differentiation in a variety of neuroblastoma models. By comparing mRNA expression data from independent patient cohorts, we show that a SNAI2 activity-based gene expression signature significantly correlates with event-free survival. Loss of SNAI2 function reduces self-renewal, 3D invasion as well as metastatic spread in vivo, while strongly sensitizing neuroblastoma cells to RA-induced growth inhibition. Together, our data demonstrate that SNAI2 maintains progenitor-like features in neuroblastoma cells while interfering with RA-induced growth inhibition. We propose that targeting gene regulatory circuits, such as those controlling SNAI2 function, may allow reversion of RA-therapy resistant neuroblastoma cells to a more differentiated and therapy responsive phenotype.

Cancer Stem Cells in Neuroblastoma: Expanding the Therapeutic Frontier

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor often diagnosed in childhood. Despite intense efforts to develop a successful treatment, current available therapies are still challenged by high rates of resistance, recurrence and progression, most notably in advanced cases and highly malignant tumors. Emerging evidence proposes that this might be due to a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) found in the bulk of the tumor. Therefore, the development of more targeted therapy is highly dependent on the identification of the molecular signatures and genetic aberrations characteristic to this subpopulation of cells. This review aims at providing an overview of the key molecular players involved in NB CSCs and focuses on the experimental evidence from NB cell lines, patient-derived xenografts and primary tumors. It also provides some novel approaches of targeting multiple drivers governing the stemness of CSCs to achieve better anti-tumor effects than the currently used therapeutic agents.

Calcium channels and cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSC's) have emerged as a key area of investigation due to associations with cancer development and treatment resistance, related to their ability to remain quiescent, self-renew and terminally differentiate. Targeting CSC's in addition to the tumour bulk could ensure complete removal of the cancer, lessening the risk of relapse and improving patient survival. Understanding the mechanisms supporting the functions of CSC's is essential to highlight targets for the development of therapeutic strategies. Changes in intracellular calcium through calcium channel activity is fundamental for integral cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival in a range of cell types, under both normal and pathological conditions. Here in we highlight how calcium channels represent a key mechanism involved in CSC function. It is clear that expression and or function of a number of channels involved in calcium entry and intracellular store release are altered in CSC's. Correlating with aberrant proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation, which in turn promoted cancer progression and treatment resistance. Research outlined has demonstrated that targeting altered calcium channels in CSC populations can reduce their stem properties and induce terminal differentiation, sensitising them to existing cancer treatments. Overall this highlights calcium channels as emerging novel targets for CSC therapies.

TRPM7 residue S1269 mediates cAMP dependence of Ca2+ influx

The nonspecific divalent cation channel TRPM7 (transient receptor potential-melastatin-like 7) is involved in many Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺-dependent cellular processes, including survival, proliferation and migration. TRPM7 expression predicts metastasis and recurrence in breast cancer and several other cancers. In cultured cells, it can induce an invasive phenotype by promoting Ca²⁺-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We previously showed that in neuroblastoma cells that overexpress TRPM7 moderately, stimulation with Ca²⁺-mobilizing agonists leads to a characteristic sustained influx of Ca²⁺. Here we report that sustained influx through TRPM7 is abruptly abrogated by elevating intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Using pharmacological inhibitors and overexpression studies we show that this blockage is mediated by the cAMP effector Protein Kinase A (PKA). Mutational analysis demonstrates that the Serine residue S1269, which is present proximal to the coiled-coil domain within the protein c-terminus, is responsible for sensitivity to cAMP.

Reactive astrocytes in multiple sclerosis impair neuronal outgrowth through TRPM7-mediated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan production

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by inflammation‐mediated demyelination, axonal injury and neurodegeneration. The mechanisms underlying impaired neuronal function are not fully understood, but evidence is accumulating that the presence of the gliotic scar produced by reactive astrocytes play a critical role in these detrimental processes. Here, we identified astrocytic Transient Receptor Potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7), a Ca²⁺‐permeable nonselective cation channel, as a novel player in the formation of a gliotic scar. TRPM7 was found to be highly expressed in reactive astrocytes within well‐characterized MS lesions and upregulated in primary astrocytes under chronic inflammatory conditions. TRPM7 overexpressing astrocytes impaired neuronal outgrowth in vitro by increasing the production of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, a key component of the gliotic scar. These findings indicate that astrocytic TRPM7 is a critical regulator of the formation of a gliotic scar and provide a novel mechanism by which reactive astrocytes affect neuronal outgrowth.

Role of TRPM7 in Cancer: Potential as Molecular Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

The transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) is a ubiquitously expressed ion channel with intrinsic kinase activity. Molecular and electrophysiological analyses of the structure and activity of TRPM7 have revealed functional coupling of its channel and kinase activity. Studies have indicated the important roles of TRPM7 channel-kinase in fundamental cellular processes, physiological responses, and embryonic development. Accumulating evidence has shown that TRPM7 is aberrantly expressed and/or activated in human diseases including cancer. TRPM7 plays a variety of functional roles in cancer cells including survival, cell cycle progression, proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Data from a study using mouse xenograft of human cancer show that TRPM7 is required for tumor growth and metastasis. The aberrant expression of TRPM7 and its genetic mutations/polymorphisms have been identified in various types of carcinoma. Chemical modulators of TRPM7 channel produced inhibition of proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, invadosome formation, and markers of EMT in cancer cells. Taken together, these studies suggest the potential value of exploiting TRPM7 channel-kinase as a molecular biomarker and therapeutic target in human malignancies.

The Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 Channel Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Invasion through the Hsp90α/uPA/MMP2 pathway

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a very poor prognosis. There is an urgent need to better understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate PDAC cell aggressiveness. The transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a nonselective cationic channel that mainly conducts Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. TRPM7 is overexpressed in numerous malignancies including PDAC. In the present study, we used the PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines to specifically assess the role of TRPM7 in cell invasion and matrix metalloproteinase secretion. We show that TRPM7 regulates Mg²⁺ homeostasis and constitutive cation entry in both PDAC cell lines. Moreover, cell invasion is strongly reduced by TRPM7 silencing without affecting the cell viability. Conditioned media were further studied, by gel zymography, to detect matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion in PDAC cells. Our results show that MMP-2, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and heat-shock protein 90α (Hsp90α) secretions are significantly decreased in TRPM7-deficient PDAC cells. Moreover, TRPM7 expression in human PDAC lymph node metastasis is correlated to the channel expression in primary tumor. Taken together, our results show that TRPM7 is involved in PDAC cell invasion through regulation of Hsp90α/uPA/MMP-2 proteolytic axis, confirming that this channel could be a promising biomarker and possibly a target for PDAC metastasis therapy.

The role of extracellular calcium in bone metastasis

This review summarizes the role of extracellular calcium, as found present in the bone tissue, in the process of bone metastasis.

Role of transient receptor potential melastatin type 7 channel in gastric cancer

Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are a family of ion channels, which are responsible for a wide array of cellular functions. In particular, TRP melastatin type (TRPM) 7 is expressed everywhere and permeable to divalent cations such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺. It contains a channel and a kinase domain. Recent studies indicate that activation of TRPM7 plays an important role in the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells. In this review, we describe and discuss the findings of recent studies that have provided novel insights of the relation between TRPM7 and gastric cancer.

Role of TRP ion channels in cancer and tumorigenesis

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are recently identified proteins that form a versatile family of ion channels, the majority of which are calcium permeable and exhibit complex regulatory patterns with sensitivity to multiple environmental factors. While this sensitivity has captured early attention, leading to recognition of TRP channels as environmental and chemical sensors, many later studies concentrated on the regulation of intracellular calcium by TRP channels. Due to mutations, dysregulation of ion channel gating or expression levels, normal spatiotemporal patterns of local Ca(2+) distribution become distorted. This causes deregulation of downstream effectors sensitive to changes in Ca(2+) homeostasis that, in turn, promotes pathophysiological cancer hallmarks, such as enhanced survival, proliferation and invasion. These observations give rise to the appreciation of the important contributions that TRP channels make to many cellular processes controlling cell fate and positioning these channels as important players in cancer regulation. This review discusses the accumulated scientific knowledge focused on TRP channel involvement in regulation of cell fate in various transformed tissues.

Mibefradil represents a new class of benzimidazole TRPM7 channel agonists

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7) is a bi-functional protein comprising an ion channel moiety covalently linked to a protein kinase domain. Currently, the prevailing view is that a decrease in the cytosolic Mg(2+) concentration leads to activation of divalent cation-selective TRPM7 currents. TRPM7 plays a role in immune responses, hypotension, tissue fibrosis, and tumor progression and, therefore, represents a new promising therapeutic target. Because of the dearth of pharmacological tools, our mechanistic understanding of the role of TRPM7 in physiology and pathophysiology still lags behind. Therefore, we have recently carried out a high throughput screen for small-molecule activators of TRPM7. We have characterized the phenanthrene naltriben as a first stimulatory agonist of the TRPM7 channel. Surprisingly, the effect of naltriben on TRPM7 was found to be unaffected by the physiological levels of cytosolic Mg(2+). Here, we demonstrate that mibefradil and NNC 50-0396, two benzimidazole relatives of the TRPM7 inhibitor NS8593, are positive modulators of TRPM7. Using Ca(2+) imaging and the patch-clamp technique, we show that mibefradil activates TRPM7-mediated Ca(2+) entry and whole-cell currents. The response to mibefradil was fast, reversible, and reproducible. In contrast to naltriben, mibefradil efficiently activates TRPM7 currents only at physiological intracellular Mg(2+) concentrations, and its stimulatory effect was fully abrogated by high internal Mg(2+) levels. Consequently, a TRPM7 variant harboring a gain-of-function mutation was insensitive to further mibefradil activation. Finally, we observed that the effect of mibefradil was selective for TRPM7 when various TRP channels were tested. Taken together, mibefradil acts as a Mg(2+)-regulated agonist of the TRPM7 channel and, hence, uncovers a new class of TRPM7 agonists.