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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276635
Title: Subsets of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) inhibitors increase gap junctional intercellular communication in metastatic cancer cell lines independent of SUR expression

Author
item BODENSTINE, THOMAS - Northwestern University
item VAIDYA, KEDAR - University Of Alabama
item ISMAIL, AIMEN - University Of Alabama
item Beck, Benjamin
item DIERS, ANNE - University Of Alabama
item EDMONDS, MICK - University Of Alabama
item KIRSAMMER, GINA - Northwestern University
item LANDAR, AIMEE - University Of Alabama

Submitted to: FEBS Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/14/2011
Publication Date: 11/24/2011
Citation: Bodenstine, T.M., Vaidya, K.S., Ismail, A., Beck, B.H., Diers, A.R., Edmonds, M.D., Kirsammer, G., Landar, A. 2011. Subsets of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) inhibitors increase gap junctional intercellular communication in metastatic cancer cell lines independent of SUR expression. FEBS Letters. 586(1):27-31.

Interpretive Summary: Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a process whereby cells share molecules and nutrients with each other by physical contact through cell membrane pores. In tumor cells, GJIC is often altered, suggesting that this process may be important in the context of cancer. Certain ion channels, termed KATP channels, are important in maintaining the stability of the cell membrane and have been shown to be closely linked to GJIC; however little is known about the precise mechanistic relationship between GJIC and KATP channels. In this study, we report the effects of the treatment of different cancer cell types with inhibitors of KATP channels. When certain component parts of the KATP channels were inhibited, GJIC increased. These findings highlight novel off-target effects of KATP inhibitors and may be of utility in clinical settings in the future.

Technical Abstract: Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a process whereby cells share molecules and nutrients with each other by physical contact through cell membrane pores. In tumor cells, GJIC is often altered, suggesting that this process may be important in the context of cancer. Certain ion channels, termed KATP channels, are important in maintaining the stability of the cell membrane and have been shown to be closely linked to GJIC; however little is known about the precise mechanistic relationship between GJIC and KATP channels. In this study, we report the effects of the treatment of different cancer cell types with inhibitors of KATP channels. When certain component parts of the KATP channels were inhibited, GJIC increased. These findings highlight novel off-target effects of KATP inhibitors and may be of utility in clinical settings in the future.