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Newly identified structurally disparate modulators of osmosensitive taurine efflux inhibit cell cycle progression

Mark J Belsey1, Steven J Culliford, Richard M Morley

  • 1School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, BS8 1TD Bristol, UK.

Insights

Certain antidepressants and estrogen receptor modulators inhibit cell cycle progression by blocking the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte/anion channel, specifically impacting taurine efflux. This finding suggests a direct link between this channel

Area of Science:

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The volume-sensitive organic osmolyte/anion channel (VSOAC) plays a role in cellular homeostasis.
  • Cell cycle progression is a fundamental biological process.
  • Certain antidepressants and estrogen receptor modulators are known to affect cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of VSOAC activation in cell cycle progression.
  • To determine if inhibition of VSOAC affects cell cycle progression.
  • To identify specific compounds that inhibit VSOAC and impact cell cycle.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analysis for cell cycle assessment.
  • Measured [14C]-taurine efflux to quantify VSOAC activity.
  • Tested a panel of H1 antagonists, tricyclic antidepressants, and estrogen receptor modulators for cytotoxicity and VSOAC inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Five compounds (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, amitriptyline, imipramine, mianserin) specifically inhibited osmosensitive taurine efflux without cytotoxicity.
  • These compounds demonstrated IC50 values in the micromolar range for taurine efflux inhibition.
  • Application of these inhibitors led to a significant ~10% increase in G0/1 cell cycle arrest.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibition of the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte/anion channel specifically blocks cell cycle progression.
  • A strong correlation exists between osmosensitive taurine efflux and cell cycle progression.
  • This study identifies key compounds that modulate VSOAC activity and cell cycle dynamics.

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