The role of aquaporin-5 in cancer cell migration: A potential active participant.
Emerging data identifies the water channel aquaporin-5 as a major player in multiple cancers. Over-expression of aquaporin-5 has been associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis, suggesting that aquaporin-5 may enhance cancer cell migration. This review aims to highlight the current knowledge and hypothesis regarding downstream signaling partners of aquaporin-5 in relation to cancer cell migration. The molecular mechanisms that link aquaporin-5 to cell migration are not completely understood. Aquaporin-5 may promote cell movement by increasing water uptake into the front of the cell allowing local swelling. Aquaporin-5 may also activate extracellular-regulated kinases, increasing proliferation and potentially stimulating the migration machinery. Thus, further studies are warranted to identify the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways. This will reveal whether aquaporin-5 and downstream effectors could be targets for developing new cancer therapeutics.
Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
Helene H
HH
Jensen
Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
Frédéric H
FH
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Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
Jennifer S
JS
Koffman
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu 41944, Republic of Korea.
Tae-Hwan
TH
Kwon
Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: nejsum@clin.au.dk.
Lene N
LN
Nejsum
D000818:Animals; D051402:Aquaporin 5 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D021381:Protein Transport; D015398:Signal Transduction
D051402:Aquaporin 5
AQP5; Aquaporin-5; Cancer cell migration; Metastasis