Bioelectrical regulation of cell cycle and the planarian model system.
Cell cycle regulation through the manipulation of endogenous membrane potentials offers tremendous opportunities to control cellular processes during tissue repair and cancer formation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which biophysical signals modulate the cell cycle remain underappreciated and poorly understood. Cells in complex organisms generate and maintain a constant voltage gradient across the plasma membrane known as the transmembrane potential. This potential, generated through the combined efforts of various ion transporters, pumps and channels, is known to drive a wide range of cellular processes such as cellular proliferation, migration and tissue regeneration while its deregulation can lead to tumorigenesis. These cellular regulatory events, coordinated by ionic flow, correspond to a new and exciting field termed molecular bioelectricity. We aim to present a brief discussion on the biophysical machinery involving membrane potential and the mechanisms mediating cell cycle progression and cancer transformation. Furthermore, we present the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as a tractable model system for understanding principles behind molecular bioelectricity at both the cellular and organismal level. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane channels and transporters in cancers.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA; Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
Paul G
PG
Barghouth
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA; Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
Manish
M
Thiruvalluvan
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA; Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA; Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA. Electronic address: noviedo2@ucmerced.edu.
Néstor J
NJ
Oviedo
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010932:Planarians / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
D002712:Chlorides; D007473:Ion Channels; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium
Cancer; Cell cycle; Membrane potential; Planarian; Stem cell