TRP proteins and cancer.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in western countries. It is therefore of fundamental importance to improve the treatment of patients with malignant tumors. This goal can only be achieved if we get closer insight in the various mechanisms leading to tumor formation. Significant progress in the understanding of carcinogenesis has been made during the last couple of years. Ion channels contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation which has initially been shown for K+ channels. Meanwhile, other ion channels such as Cl-, Na+ and Ca2+ channels seem to influence cellular function like growth, migration and invasion. In addition, cation channels of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily are implicated in cancer formation. Most recent data concerning TRP vanilloid (TRPV) type 6, TRP melastatin (TRPM) type 1 and 8 channels and their relevance for common human cancer types will be highlighted in this review. Furthermore, TRP channel structure and function will be discussed in the light of their possible importance as prognostic markers and targets for drug discovery.
Bödding
Matthias
M
Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität des Saarlandes, D-66421 Homburg, Germany. matthias.boedding@uniklinikum-saarland.de
D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D015220:Calcium Channels; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels; C492059:TRPM1 protein, human; C425966:TRPM8 protein, human; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C492239:TRPV5 protein, human; C422827:TRPV6 protein, human