Abstract
Cell migration is a key process in cancer metastasis, allowing malignant cells to spread from the primary tumor to distant organs. At the molecular level, migration is the result of several coordinated events involving mechanical forces and cellular signaling, where the second messenger Ca2+ plays a pivotal role. Therefore, elucidating the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels is key for a complete understanding of the mechanisms controlling cellular migration. In this regard, understanding the function of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, which are fundamental determinants of Ca2+ signaling, is critical to uncovering mechanisms of mechanotransduction during cell migration and, consequently, in pathologies closely linked to it, such as cancer. Here, we review recent studies on the association between TRP channels and migration-related mechanotransduction events, as well as in the involvement of TRP channels in the migration-dependent pathophysiological process of metastasis.
Highlights
Cells are capable of accurately sensing and effectively responding to diverse stimuli in the external environment (Clapham, 2003)
Those cellular responses include proliferation, differentiation, survival, death, and migration (Jaalouk and Lammerding, 2009; Sun et al, 2016). Among these processes cell migration is distinct in that mechanical forces play a central role, in both being sensed and forming the response that is generated by the cells, which promotes the movements needed to carry out a determined physiological function
TRPC5-mediated Ca2+ signals triggered by sphingosine-1-phosphate in vascular smooth muscle cells have been associated with increased cell migration (Xu et al, 2006), whether these effects are dependent on the impact of TRPC5 activity to suppress stress fibers and focal adhesions has not been defined
Summary
Cells are capable of accurately sensing and effectively responding to diverse stimuli in the external environment (Clapham, 2003). There is increasing evidence that TRP channels are key regulators of Ca2+ signaling mediating the mechanotransduction shaping cell migration, and in particular a role for TRP channels in actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and focal adhesions dynamics (Figure 1).
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