T-type calcium channel blockers inhibit autophagy and promote apoptosis of malignant melanoma cells.
We have recently reported that human melanoma cells express a variety of voltage-gated calcium (Ca(2+) ) channel types, including low-voltage-activated T-type channels that play a significant role in melanoma cell cycle progression. Here, we challenged melanoma metastatic cells with T-type channel blockers of clinical use and found a dual effect on cell viability: (i) a reduction in the proliferation rate, through a halt in the progression to the G1 -S phase; and (ii) a promotion of cell death that was partially dependent on the activation of caspases. An in-depth analysis of the death process showed that the apoptotic pathway is preceded by endoplasmic reticulum stress and the subsequent inhibition of the basal macroautophagy which is active in these cells. The effects of pharmacological blockers on Ca(2+) homeostasis, autophagy, and cell death were mimicked by T-type channel gene silencing. These results provide the basis for a new pharmacological and/or gene silencing approach toward tackling melanoma metastasis.
UdL-IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain.
Arindam
A
Das
Charumathi
C
Pushparaj
Judit
J
Herreros
Mireia
M
Nager
Ramon
R
Vilella
Manuel
M
Portero
Reinald
R
Pamplona
Xavier
X
Matias-Guiu
Rosa M
RM
Martí
Carles
C
Cantí
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response / Q000187:drug effects; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D020169:Caspases
Melanoma; T-type Ca2+ channels; apoptosis; macroautophagy; unfolded protein response