The ENaC/degenerin ion channel superfamily includes the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and acid sensitive ionic channel (ASIC). ENaC is a multimeric ion channel formed by heteromultimeric membrane glycoproteins, which participate in a multitude of biological processes by mediating the transport of sodium (Na(+)) across epithelial tissues such as the kidney, lungs, bladder, and gut. Aberrant ENaC functions contribute to several human disease states including pseudohypoaldosteronism, Liddle syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and salt-sensitive hypertension. Increasing evidence suggests that ion channels not only regulate ion homeostasis and electric signaling in excitable cells but also play important roles in cancer cell behaviors such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. Indeed, ENaCs/ASICs had been reported to be associated with cancer characteristics. Given their cell surface localization and pharmacology, pharmacological strategies to target ENaC/ASIC family members may be promising cancer therapeutics.
BioMed research international. 2016 Jun 15 [Epub]
Siguang Xu, Cui Liu, Yana Ma, Hong-Long Ji, Xiumin Li
Institute of Lung and Molecular Therapy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; Center for Cancer Research, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China., Center for Cancer Research, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China., Institute of Lung and Molecular Therapy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China., Institute of Lung and Molecular Therapy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA; Texas Lung Injury Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA., Center for Cancer Research, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China.