Overexpression of the cation-permeable channel TRPM8 in prostate cancers might represent a novel opportunity for their treatment. Inhibitors of TRPM8 reduce the growth of prostate cancer cells.
We have used two recently described and highly specific blockers, AMTB and JNJ41876666, and RNAi to determine the relevance of TRPM8 expression in the proliferation of non-tumor and tumor cells. Inhibition of the expression or function of the channel reduces proliferation rates and proliferative fraction in all tumor cells tested, but not of non-tumor prostate cells. We observed no consistent acceleration of growth after stimulation of the channel with menthol or icilin, indicating that basal TRPM8 expression is enough to sustain growth of prostate cancer cells.
Written by:
Valero ML, Mello de Queiroz F, Stühmer W, Viana F, Pardo LA. Are you the author?
Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Max-Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
Reference: PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51825
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051825
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23251635
