Potassium channel activity controls breast cancer metastasis by affecting β-catenin signaling

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Feb 21;10(3):180. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1429-0.

Abstract

Potassium ion channels are critical in the regulation of cell motility. The acquisition of cell motility is an essential parameter of cancer metastasis. However, the role of K+ channels in cancer metastasis has been poorly studied. High expression of the hG1 gene, which encodes for Kv11.1 channel associates with good prognosis in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer (BC). We evaluated the efficacy of the Kv11.1 activator NS1643 in arresting metastasis in a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) mouse model. NS1643 significantly reduces the metastatic spread of breast tumors in vivo by inhibiting cell motility, reprogramming epithelial-mesenchymal transition via attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and suppressing cancer cell stemness. Our findings provide important information regarding the clinical relevance of potassium ion channel expression in breast tumors and the mechanisms by which potassium channel activity can modulate tumor biology. Findings suggest that Kv11.1 activators may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of metastatic estrogen receptor-negative BC. Ion channels are critical factor for cell motility but little is known about their role in metastasis. Stimulation of the Kv11.1 channel suppress the metastatic phenotype in TNBC. This work could represent a paradigm-shifting approach to reducing mortality by targeting a pathway that is central to the development of metastases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cresols / pharmacology
  • Cresols / therapeutic use
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel / genetics
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel / metabolism*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology
  • Phenylurea Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cresols
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • beta Catenin
  • 1,3-bis(2-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)urea