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The role of potassium channels in the proliferation and migration of endometrial adenocarcinoma HEC1-A cells

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Abstract

Background

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries. Potassium channels, which have many types, are suggested to play a major role in cancer progression. However, their role in endometrial cancer has not been fully investigated. We aimed to demonstrate whether the ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker glibenclamide, voltage-sensitive potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine, non-selective (voltage-sensitive and calcium-activated) potassium channels blocker tetraethylammonium and potassium chloride (KCl) have any effect on the proliferation and migration of HEC1-A cells.

Methods and results

Proliferation and migration were evaluated by real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence system) and wound healing assays, respectively. Proliferation was reduced by glibenclamide (0.1 and 0.2 mM, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), 4-aminopyridine (10 and 20 mM, P < 0.001) and tetraethylammonium (10 and 20 mM, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). However, KCl did not change the proliferation. Migration was reduced by glibenclamide (0.01, 0.1 and 0.2 mM, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and 4-aminopyridine (10 and 20 mM, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Tetraethylammonium did not change migration. However, KCl reduced it (10, 25 and 50 mM, P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Both proliferation and migration were reduced by glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine. However, tetraethylammonium only reduced proliferation and KCl only reduced migration.

Conclusions

Potassium channels have an important role in HEC1-A cell proliferation and migration and potassium channel blockers needs to be further investigated for their therapeutic effect in endometrial cancer.

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Funding

This study was funded by Mersin University Scientific Research Projects Center (Grant Number: 2018-2-TP2-3023).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mersin, Campus Çiftlikköy, 33343, Mersin, Turkey

    Emel Erdem Kış, R. Nalan Tiftik, Khairat Al Hennawi & İsmail Ün

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  1. Emel Erdem Kış
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  2. R. Nalan Tiftik
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  3. Khairat Al Hennawi
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  4. İsmail Ün
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Contributions

IU, EEK, RNT conceived and designed research. EEK, RNT, KAH, IU conducted experiments. IU, EEK analyzed data. KAH and IU wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to İsmail Ün.

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Erdem Kış, E., Tiftik, R.N., Al Hennawi, K. et al. The role of potassium channels in the proliferation and migration of endometrial adenocarcinoma HEC1-A cells. Mol Biol Rep 49, 7447–7454 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07546-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07546-3

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