title: Inhibition of HERG1 K+ channel protein expression decreases cell proliferation of human small cell lung cancer cells.
abstract: HERG (human ether-à-go-go-related gene) K(+) currents fulfill important ionic functions in cardiac and other excitable cells. In addition, HERG channels influence cell growth and migration in various types of tumor cells. The mechanisms underlying these functions are still not resolved. Here, we investigated the role of HERG channels for cell growth in a cell line (SW2) derived from small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a malignant variant of lung cancer. The two HERG1 isoforms (HERG1a, HERG1b) as well as HERG2 and HERG3 are expressed in SW2 cells. Inhibition of HERG currents by acute or sustained application of E-4031, a specific ERG channel blocker, depolarized SW2 cells by 10-15 mV. This result indicated that HERG K(+) conductance contributes considerably to the maintenance of the resting potential of about -45 mV. Blockage of HERG channels by E-4031 for up to 72 h did not affect cell proliferation. In contrast, siRNA-induced inhibition of HERG1 protein expression decreased cell proliferation by about 50%. Reduction of HERG1 protein expression was confirmed by Western blots. HERG current was almost absent in SW2 cells transfected with siRNA against HERG1. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in three other SCLC cell lines (OH1, OH3, H82), suggesting that the HERG1 channel protein is involved in SCLC cell growth, whereas the ion-conducting function of HERG1 seems not to be important for cell growth.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Zelluläre und Integrative Physiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Glassmeier
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hempel
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wulfsen
authors.forename: Christiane K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Jürgen R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C496884:KCNH1 protein, human; D010880:Piperidines; D011725:Pyridines; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C063968:E 4031
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