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Biomedical subjects

M R Shen

Publications and source records attributed to M R Shen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human cervical cancer cells use Ca2+ signalling, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and MAP kinase in regulatory volume decrease.

1. This study was aimed at identifying the signalling pathways involved in the activation of volume-regulatory mechanisms of human cervical cancer cells. 2. Osmotic swelling of human cervical cancer cells induced a substantial increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) by the activation of Ca2+ entry across the cell membrane, as well as Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. This Ca2+ signalling was critical for the normal regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response. 3. The activation of swelling-activated ion and taurine transport was significantly inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and tyrphostin AG 1478) and potentiated by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor Na3VO4. However, the Src family of tyrosine kinases was not involved in regulation of the swelling-activated Cl- channel. 4. Cell swelling triggered mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades leading to the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2) and p38 kinase. The volume-responsive ERK1/ERK2 signalling pathway linked with the activation of K+ and Cl- channels, and taurine transport. However, the volume-regulatory mechanism was independent of the activation of p38 MAP kinase. 5. The phosphorylated ERK1/ERK2 expression following a hypotonic shock was up-regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and down-regulated by PKC inhibitor staurosporine. The response of ERK activation to hypotonicity also required Ca2+ entry and depended on tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated/ERK-activating kinase (MEK) activity. 6. Considering the results overall, osmotic swelling promotes the activation of tyrosine kinase and ERK1/ERK2 and raises intracellular Ca2+, all of which play a crucial role in the volume-regulatory mechanism of human cervical cancer cells.

Calcium Signaling↗

The KCl cotransporter isoform KCC3 can play an important role in cell growth regulation.

The KCl cotransporter (KCC) plays a significant role in the ionic and osmotic homeostasis of many cell types. Four KCC isoforms have been cloned. KCC1 and KCC4 activity is osmolality-sensitive and involved in volume regulation. KCC2, a neuronal-specific isoform, can lower intracellular Cl(-) and is critical for inhibitory GABA responses in the mature central nervous system. KCC3, initially cloned from vascular endothelial cells, is widely but not universally distributed and has an unknown physiological significance. Here we show a tight link between the expression and activity of KCC3 and cell growth by a NIH/3T3 fibroblast expression system. KCC3 activity is sensitive to [(dihydroindenyl)oxy] alkanoic acid (DIOA) and N-ethylmaleimide and is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Osmotic swelling does not activate KCC3, and the process of regulatory volume decrease is refractory to DIOA, indicating that KCC3 is not involved in volume regulation. KCC3 expression enhances cell proliferation, and this growth advantage can be abolished by the inhibition of KCC3 by DIOA. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting measurements and Western blot analysis show DIOA caused a significant reduction of the cell fraction in proliferative phase and a change in phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and cdc2, suggesting that KCC3 activity is important for cell cycle progression. Insulin-like growth factor-1 up-regulates KCC3 expression and stimulates cell growth. Tumor necrotic factor-alpha down-regulates KCC3 expression and causes growth arrest. These data indicate that KCC3 is an important KCC isoform that may be involved in cell proliferation.

3T3 Cells↗

Swelling-activated taurine and K+ transport in human cervical cancer cells: association with cell cycle progression.

The aim of this study was to investigate swelling-activated taurine and K+ transport in human cervical cancer cells under various culture conditions, testing the hypothesis that the progression of cell cycle was accompanied by differential activities of swelling-activated transport pathways. Aphidicolin, an inhibitor of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, was used to synchronize the cell cycle. The distribution of cell cycle stage was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Hypotonicity activated taurine efflux, which was sensitive to tamoxifen and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB). Cell swelling also induced both Cl- -dependent and -independent K+ (86Rb+) efflux, presumably mediated by KCl cotransport (KCC) and Ca2+ -activated K+ channels, respectively. Cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 was accompanied by a remarkable decrease in the rate constant for swelling-activated taurine efflux, from 0.20+/-0.007 to 0.026+/-0.002 min(-1) (n=6). The activity of swelling-activated taurine efflux recovered progressively on re-entry into the cell cycle. After removal of aphidicolin and culture with 10% fetal calf serum for 10 h, the rate constant increased significantly from 0.026+/-0.002 to 0.093+/-0.002 min(-1) (n=6). After 24 h release from aphidicolin, the efflux rate constant had increased further to 0.195+/-0.006 min(-1) (n=6), a value not significantly different from that in normally proliferating cells. The differential activities of swelling-activated taurine transport matched well with our previous study showing a volume-sensitive anion channel associated with cell cycle progression. In contrast to the differential activities of swelling-activated taurine transport, swelling-activated K+ (86Rb+) transport was independent of the progression of cell cycle. Most importantly, pharmacological blockade of swelling-activated taurine efflux by tamoxifen or NPPB caused proliferating cervical cancer cells to arrest in G0/G1, suggesting that the activity of this efflux was associated with G1/S checkpoint progression. This study provides new and important information on the functional significance of swelling-activated transport system in the regulation of cell cycle clock of human cervical cancer cells.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Differential expression of volume-regulated anion channels during cell cycle progression of human cervical cancer cells.

This study investigated the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) of human cervical cancer SiHa cells under various culture conditions, testing the hypothesis that the progression of the cell cycle is accompanied by differential expression of VRAC activity. Exponentially growing SiHa cells expressed VRACs, as indicated by the presence of large outwardly rectifying currents activated by hypotonic stress with the anion permeability sequence I- > Br- > Cl-. VRACs were potently inhibited by tamoxifen with an IC50 of 4.6 [mu]M. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) experiments showed that 59 +/- 0.5, 5 +/- 0.5 and 36 +/- 1.1% of unsynchronized, exponentially growing cervical cancer SiHa cells were in G0/G1, S and G2/M stage, respectively. Treatment with aphidicolin (5 [mu]M) arrested 88 +/- 1.4% of cells at the G0/G1 stage. Arrest of cell growth in the G0/G1 phase was accompanied by a significant decrease of VRAC activity. The normalized hypotonicity-induced current decreased from 48 +/- 5.2 pA pF-1 at +100 mV in unsynchronized cells to 15 +/- 2.6 pA pF-1 at +100 mV in aphidicolin-treated cells. After removal of aphidicolin, culturing in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum triggered a rapid re-entry into the cell cycle and a concomitant recovery of VRAC density. Pharmacological blockade of VRACs by tamoxifen or NPPB caused proliferating cervical cancer cells to arrest in the G0/G1 stage, suggesting that activity of this channel is critical for G1/S checkpoint progression. This study provides new information on the functional significance of VRACs in the cell cycle clock of human cervical cancer cells.

Cell Cycle↗

Volume-sensitive KCI cotransport associated with human cervical carcinogenesis.

This study investigates the volume-sensitive KCI cotransporter (KCC) in various types of human cervical epithelial cell, testing the hypothesis that cervical malignancy is accompanied by differential expression of volume-sensitive KCC. Normal human cervical epithelial cells have KCCs which are quiescent in normal physiological conditions and are relatively refractory to hypotonic stress. By contrast, cervical cancer cells have KCCs which are also nearly quiescent in normal physiological conditions but high transport rates are observed in response to hypotonic challenge. Using isoform-specific primers, mRNA transcripts of KCC1, KCC3 and KCC4 were identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in several types of cervical cell, and confirmed by digestion with specific restriction endonucleases. By semiquantitative RT-PCR with beta-actin as the internal standard, the results indicate that cervical carcinogenesis is accompanied by the up-regulation of mRNA transcripts in KCC1, KCC3 and KCC4. [(Dihydroindenyl)oxy] alkanoic acid (DIOA), a KCC inhibitor, blocked both the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) process and volume-sensitive 86Rb+ efflux from cervical cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The volume-sensitive 86Rb+ efflux from cervical cancer cells was also blocked by two protein phosphatase inhibitors, calyculin A and okadaic acid, with IC50 values of 0.8 and 6 nM, respectively. Conversely, protein kinase inhibitors, chelerythrine and staurosporine, increased Cl- dependent 86Rb+ efflux. NEM (1 mM) led to a fivefold stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux which was totally Cl- dependent in cervical cancer cells. Hypotonicity could not stimulate any further 86Rb+ efflux after NEM treatment. These results indicate that the volume-sensitive KCC in cervical cancer cells plays a significant role in volume regulation and that the activities are modulated by a phosphorylation cascade. Taken together with our previous studies, we suggest the volume-regulatory ion channels and the co-transport systems work synergistically for volume regulation in human cervical cancer cells.

Carrier Proteins↗

Purification, characterization, and crystallization of the distal BRCT domain of the human XRCC1 DNA repair protein.

The XRCC1 DNA repair protein contains two regions of approximately 100 amino acids each that share homology with the BRCT (BRCA1 carboxyl terminus) domain superfamily. These two regions of XRCC1 have been shown to interact independently with DNA ligase III and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase as part of a mechanism involved in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. To understand how these BRCT regions specify protein-protein interactions and contribute to DNA repair function, we have overexpressed and purified the distal BRCT domain of XRCC1 with the goal of structure determination. The cDNA encoding this BRCT region (X1BRCTb) was inserted into the pET29 bacterial expression vector; the polypeptide was expressed in mostly soluble form and then purified by anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Crystallization screening with the purified material resulted in the formation of large bipyramidal crystals. Crystals formed within several hours at room temperature from salt solutions of ammonium sulfate. Crystals diffract to approximately 2.85 A and were found to be in space group P4(1)2(1)2 (or its enantiomorph P4(3)2(1)2) with unit cell dimensions a = 100.43 A, c = 105.62 A. Crystals of similar character have also been obtained after incorporation of selenomethionine during expression of the protein. Efforts are now under way to determine the molecular structure of the X1BRCTb domain. These studies are likely to give insight into the interaction between XRCC1 and DNA ligase III and into general structural features of BRCT domains that exist in many other proteins.

Base Sequence↗

Modulation of volume-sensitive Cl - channels and cell volume by actin filaments and microtubules in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells.

Hypotonicity activates volume-sensitive Cl- currents, which are implicated in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) responses and transport of taurine in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells. In this study, the role of cytoskeleton in the regulation of volume-sensitive Cl- channels and RVD responses in HT-3 cells was studied. Cells were incubated with various compounds, which depolymerized or polymerized cytoskeletal elements, i.e. actin filaments and microtubules. The hypotonicity-induced changes in Cl- conductance and in cell volume were measured by whole-cell voltage clamping and cell size monitoring, respectively. Our results show that in HT-3 cells hypotonicity activated an outward rectified Cl- current that was abrogated by Cl- channel blockers. Cytochalasin B, an actin-depolymerizing compound, induced a substantial increase in Cl- conductance under isotonic condition and potentiated the expression of Cl- currents in hypotonic stress. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly inhibited the cytochalasin B-induced activation of Cl- conductance under isotonic condition. On the other hand, treatment with cytochalasin B significantly prolonged the RVD responses. Phalloidin, a stabilizer of actin polymerization, did not change the basal currents under isotonic condition, but completely abolished the increase in whole-cell Cl- conductance elicited by hypotonicity and retarded the cell volume recovery. Colchicine, a microtubule-assembly inhibitor, had no effect on either basal Cl- conductance or volume-sensitive Cl- current and was unable to inhibit the RVD responses. Taxol, a microtubule-stabilizing compound, did not alter the basal Cl- conductance, but inhibited the activation of volume-sensitive Cl- channels as well as the process of RVD in a dose-dependent manner. These data support the notion that functional integrity of actin filaments and microtubules plays critical roles in maintaining the RVD responses and activation of Cl- channels in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells.

Actins↗

Involvement of PKC-alpha in regulatory volume decrease responses and activation of volume-sensitive chloride channels in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells.

1. The present study was carried out to identify the specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoform involved in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) responses, and to investigate the signal transduction pathways underlying the activation of volume-sensitive chloride channels in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells. The role of Ca2+ in RVD and in the activation of chloride currents was also studied. 2. The time course of RVDs was prolonged by microinjection of PKC-alpha antibody but not by PKC-beta or PKC-gamma antibody, and also by exposure to Ca2+-free medium, in particular when combined with microinjection of EDTA. Immunofluorescence staining showed that hypotonic superfusion evoked the translocation of PKC-alpha to the cell membrane, whereas PKC-beta or PKC-gamma remained unaffected. The translocation of PKC-alpha was observed a few minutes after hypotonic stress, reaching peak intensity at 30 min, and returned to the cytoplasm 60 min after hypotonic exposure. Western blot analyses showed an increased PKC-alpha level in terms of intensity and phosphorylation in the cell membrane, while neither PKC-beta nor PKC-gamma was activated upon hyposmotic challenge. 3. Whole-cell patch-clamp studies demonstrated that neomycin and PKC blockers such as staurosporine and H7 inhibited volume-sensitive chloride currents. The inhibitory effect of neomycin on chloride currents can be reversed by the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA). Moreover, the PKC inhibitor and PKC-alpha antibody, but not PKC-beta or PKC-gamma antibody, significantly attenuated the chloride currents. The activation of volume-sensitive chloride currents were insensitive to the changes of intracellular Ca2+ but required the presence of extracellular Ca2+. 4. Our results suggest the involvement of PKC-alpha and extracellular Ca2+ in RVD responses and the activation of volume-sensitive chloride channels in HT-3 cells.

Blotting, Western↗

Mutations in hamster single-strand break repair gene XRCC1 causing defective DNA repair.

The molecular basis for the DNA repair dysfunction observed in mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines of X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) is unknown and the exact role of the XRCC1 protein remains unclear. To help clarify the role of the XRCC1 gene we analyzed four mutant cell lines of this complementation group and a revertant cell line for XRCC1 protein content and for sequence alterations in the XRCC1 coding region. Immunoblot analysis of cellular extracts indicated that each of four mutant lines was lacking XRCC1 protein, whereas the repair-proficient revertant line derived from one of these mutants contained a normal level of XRCC1. Although each of these cell lines expressed XRCC1 mRNA, we found in all cases a distinct point mutation resulting in crucial alterations in the encoded XRCC1 protein sequence of 633 amino acids. Two of the mutations cause non-conservative amino acid changes, Glu102-->Lys and Cys390-->Tyr, at positions that are invariant among hamster, mouse and human XRCC1 sequences and are located in putative functional domains. A third debilitating mutation disrupts RNA splicing, generating multiple transcripts of different length that contain deletions spanning a region of >100 amino acids in the midsection of the XRCC1 coding sequence. A fourth mutation results in a termination codon that shortens the open reading frame to 220 amino acids, however, in the revertant cell line a further mutation in the same codon, Stop221-->Leu, permits translation of a full-length functional variant protein. These mutational data indicate the importance of the putative functional regions in XRCC1, such as the BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) domain found in common with BRCA1 and other DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint proteins, and also regions necessary for interaction with DNA polymerase beta and DNA ligase III.

Alternative Splicing↗

Nonconservative amino acid substitution variants exist at polymorphic frequency in DNA repair genes in healthy humans.

The removal or repair of DNA damage has a key role in protecting the genome of the cell from the insults of cancer-causing agents. This was originally demonstrated in individuals with the rare genetic disease xeroderma pigmentosum, the paradigm of cancer genes, and subsequently in the relationship between mismatch repair and colon cancer. Recent reports suggest that individuals with less dramatic reductions in the capacity to repair DNA damage are observed at polymorphic frequency in the population; these individuals have an increased susceptibility to breast, lung, and skin cancer. We report initial results from a study to estimate the extent of DNA sequence variation among individuals in genes encoding proteins of the DNA repair pathways. Nine different amino acid substitution variants have been identified in resequencing of the exons of three nucleotide excision repair genes (ERCC1, XPD, and XPF), a gene involved in double-strand break repair/recombination genes (XRCC3), and a gene functioning in base excision repair and the repair of radiation-induced damage (XRCCI). The frequencies for the nine different variant alleles range from 0.04 to 0.45 in a group of 12 healthy individuals; the average allele frequency is 0.17. The potential that this variation, and especially the six nonconservative amino acid substitutions occurring at residues that are identical in human and mouse, may cause reductions in DNA repair capacity or the fidelity of DNA repair is intriguing; the role of the variants as cancer risk factors or susceptibility alleles remains to be addressed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential osmosensing signalling pathways and G-protein involvement in human cervical cells with different tumour potential.

Previous studies show that the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in human cervical cells with different tumour potential may be mediated by different ion channels. The signalling events involved in regulating these channel activities are not clear. To screen the possible mechanisms involved in cell volume regulation in these cells, we examine intracellular mechanisms and second messengers listed as follows: phospholipase C (PLC), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), tyrosine kinase (TK), protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA), and cAMP. The involvement of G-protein was also studied. Our results showed that PLC signalling with downstream activation of PKC was involved in the cell volume regulation of cervical cancer cells. On the other hand, different PKC isoforms that were not related to upstream PLC regulation were involved in the RVD of human papillomavirus (HPV)-immortalised and normal cervical epithelia. Furthermore, GTP-gamma S facilitated the process of RVD in cervical cancer cells, while pertussis toxin retarded this process. In contrast, neither GTP-gamma S nor pertussis toxin showed effect on the RVD responses of HPV-immortalised and normal cervical cells.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

XRCC2 and XRCC3, new human Rad51-family members, promote chromosome stability and protect against DNA cross-links and other damages.

The phenotypically similar hamster mutants irs1 and irs1SF exhibit high spontaneous chromosome instability and broad-spectrum mutagen sensitivity, including extreme sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents. The human XRCC2 and XRCC3 genes, which functionally complement irs1 and irs1SF, respectively, were previously mapped in somatic cell hybrids. Characterization of these genes and sequence alignments reveal that XRCC2 and XRCC3 are members of an emerging family of Rad51-related proteins that likely participate in homologous recombination to maintain chromosome stability and repair DNA damage. XRCC3 is shown to interact directly with HsRad51, and like Rad55 and Rad57 in yeast, may cooperate with HsRad51 during recombinational repair. Analysis of the XRCC2 mutation in irs1 implies that XRCC2's function is not essential for viability in cultured hamster cells.

Animals↗

BC1 RNA, the transcript from a master gene for ID element amplification, is able to prime its own reverse transcription.

ID elements are short interspersed elements (SINEs) found in high copy number in many rodent genomes. BC1 RNA, an ID-related transcript, is derived from the single copy BC1 RNA gene. The BC1 RNA gene has been shown to be a master gene for ID element amplification in rodent genomes. ID elements are dispersed through a process termed retroposition. The retroposition process involves a number of potential regulatory steps. These regulatory steps may include transcription in the appropriate tissue, transcript stability, priming of the RNA transcript for reverse transcription and integration. This study focuses on priming of the RNA transcript for reverse transcription. BC1 RNA gene transcripts are shown to be able to prime their own reverse transcription in an efficient intramolecular and site-specific fashion. This self-priming ability is a consequence of the secondary structure of the 3'-unique region. The observation that a gene actively amplified throughout rodent evolution makes a RNA capable of efficient self-primed reverse transcription strongly suggests that self-priming is at least one feature establishing the BC1 RNA gene as a master gene for amplification of ID elements.

Animals↗

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of single umbilical artery.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the reliability of prenatal sonography and the usefulness of the umbilical vein and artery diameter ratio, transverse umbilical artery diameter, and systolic-diastolic ratio in detecting single umbilical artery (SUA). METHODS: In 24 of 6,970 fetuses, SUA was detected using prenatal sonography and confirmed at birth. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Four fetuses had major malformations, and 1 had a minor anomaly. Thirteen fetuses with SUA underwent chromosomal analysis, and only 2 had abnormal karyotypes. Most of the SUA fetuses had a normal systolic-diastolic ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective study determined that the prognosis of SUA fetuses is good when there is no concurrent anatomic or chromosomal abnormality. Although some reports claim that the transverse umbilical artery diameter or the ratio between umbilical vein and artery diameters can predict SUA, we found no significant improvement in the recognition of SUA using these parameters.

Adult↗

Volume-activated taurine transport is differentially activated in human cervical cancer HT-3 cells but not in human papillomavirus-immortalized Z183A and normal cervical epithelial cells.

1. Previous studies demonstrate that volume-sensitive chloride currents are distinctly activated in cervical cancer cells, but not in human papillomavirus (HPV)-immortalized and normal cervical cells. In the present study, the Na(+)-independent volume-activated transport of taurine in three cervical cell types was investigated. 2. Osmotic swelling of cervical cancer HT-3 cells suspended in Na(+)-free hypotonic medium led to increased membrane uptake of taurine. This taurine uptake was effectively blocked by various Cl- channel blockers with a similar potency in blocking volume-sensitive Cl- channels: 1,9-dideoxyforskolin > 5-nitro-2-(3-phenyl-propylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) > 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanastilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (SITS) > 4,4'-diisothio-cyanatostilbene-2,2-disulphonic acid (DIDS) > furosemide. The taurine influx was also abolished by pertussis toxin. In contrast, Na(+)-independent volume-activated taurine transport was not significantly activated in HPV-immortalized Z183A cells and in normal cervical cells. 3. Exposure of HT-3 cells to hypotonic medium also resulted in a marked increase in taurine efflux. The volume-activated taurine efflux was osmolarity dependent and the pattern of pharmacological inhibition by Cl- channel blockers was indistinguishable from that for taurine uptake. 4. These results suggest that volume-sensitive Cl- channels in HT-3 cells can mediate the transport of amino acids. In addition, the pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein is linked with the activation of this transport mechanism.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Volume-sensitive chloride channels in the primary culture cells of human cervical carcinoma.

Previous study shows volume-sensitive chloride currents are induced by hypotonicity in human cervical cancer cell lines, but not in normal cervical epithelium. To ascertain whether the preferential activation of these channels in cancer cell lines could be similarly and directly detected in cervical cancer tissues, we studied volume-sensitive chloride channels on the primary culture cells of invasive cervical carcinoma using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The process of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) was also studied using electronic cell sizing to measure cell volume. Results demonstrate that, in these cultured cells, RVD was mediated in part by chloride loss through the volume-sensitive Cl- channels. A small background current with a slope conductance of 0.32 +/- 0.07 nS/pF at +30 mV (n=60 cells from 10 different samples) was observed. Hypotonicity induced a fast activating and outward rectifying current which was reversed at about 0 mV, and the slope conductance at +30 mV was increased by 10-fold to 3.62 +/- 0.62 nS/pF. These effects were readily reversed by returning the cells to isotonic medium. Moreover, DIDS, NPPB, and 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, reversibly abolished the volume-sensitive Cl- currents. The EC50 required for the inhibitory effect of DIDS, NPPB and 1,9-dideoxyforskolin was 150, 120, and 50 microM, respectively. Volume-sensitive Cl- channels were ubiquitously expressed in cultured cells from 10 samples of different cancer stages, histopathologic types, and state of HPV DNA positivity. Interestingly, similar outward rectifying chloride currents were activated by intracellular 300 microM GTP gamma S. It is proposed that this Cl- conductance may play an important role leading to RVD in human cervical cancer.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Volume-sensitive chloride channels associated with human cervical carcinogenesis.

Previous controversy has risen from the purported equivalence of the volume-sensitive chloride channels with P-glycoprotein. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between expression of volume-sensitive Cl- channels and the process of malignant transformation of cervical epithelial cells. We studied the activations of volume-sensitive and cAMP-mediated chloride currents in various human cervical squamous cells that were representative of different stages of cervical carcinogenesis, i.e., normal cervical epithelium, low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The volume-sensitive chloride channels, however, were significantly activated only in the four cervical cancer cell lines, primary culture cells of carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer of the cervix. The expression of volume-sensitive chloride currents was independent of the state of human papillomavirus positivity. When these cells were exposed to hypotonic shock, the cells swelled, and outward rectified chloride currents were observed. These effects were readily reversed by returning the cells to isotonic medium. In addition, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, and verapamil reversibly abolished the volume-sensitive Cl- currents. In contrast, none of the cells from normal cervices and human papillomavirus-immortalized cell lines, the in vitro equivalent of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, developed substantial chloride currents on exposure to hypotonicity. cAMP-mediated chloride currents were ubiquitously activated in all cervical squamous cells, regardless of the stages of carcinogenesis. This is the first report suggesting an in vivo association between the development of volume-sensitive chloride currents and human carcinogenesis.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗