Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are transmembrane proteins which function as gates that control the flux of ions across the cell membrane. They are key ion channels for action potentials in excitable tissues and have important physiological functions. Abnormal function of VGSCs will lead to dysfunction of the body and trigger a variety of diseases. Various studies have demonstrated the participation of VGSCs in the progression of different tumors, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and others, linking VGSC to the invasive capacity of tumor cells. However, it is still unclear whether the VGSC regulate the malignant biological behavior of tumors. Therefore, this paper systematically addresses the latest research progress on VGSCs subunits and tumors and the underlying mechanisms, and it summarizes the potential of VGSCs subunits to serve as potential targets for tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Highlights
Ion channels including Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), are hydrophilic protein microchannels traversing the semi-permeable cell membranes regulating intracellular ion concentrations, facilitating signaling pathways, and influencing cell behavior
This study showed for the first time the functional and distinct expression of specific VGSCs human cervical cancer cells, suggesting that the VGSCs potentially could be used as a marker for diagnosis or treatment prognosis of human cervical cancer
This study suggests that the up-regulated expression of Nav1.6 in cervical cancer could be useful as a new marker for the metastatic behavior of this tumor
Summary
Ion channels including VGSC, are hydrophilic protein microchannels traversing the semi-permeable cell membranes regulating intracellular ion concentrations, facilitating signaling pathways, and influencing cell behavior. After activation with LPS this sodium channel regulates phagocytosis and endosomal pH causing acidification via sodium efflux. These molecules are present in cancer cells from e.g., colon, breast, prostate, and non-small cell lung cancer. In these transformed cells they are involved in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis [5,6,7,8,9]. This contribution of VGSC to cancer malignancy and to the resistance of tumors to chemotherapy drugs has become the focus of research. The specific underlying mechanisms of Na+ channels affecting these changes in cancer cells are still unclear and need to be explored further
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