Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration
10:43

Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration

Published on: May 19, 2016

7.1K

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 channel contributes to migration of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer

Christian Holzmann1, Sven Kappel1,2, Tatiana Kilch1,2

  • 1Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.

Oncotarget
|October 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channels elevate sodium influx, reducing calcium entry in prostate cancer. Targeting TRPM4 may offer a new therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer by inhibiting migration.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Impaired calcium (Ca2+) signaling is a hallmark of prostate cancer, promoting proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis.
  • Sodium (Na+) influx through the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel can decrease Ca2+ influx via store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE).
  • TRPM4 gene expression is elevated in prostate cancer patients and identified as a cancer driver in androgen-insensitive prostate cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate TRPM4 protein expression in prostate cancer tissues and cells.
  • To determine the role of TRPM4 in regulating SOCE and cell migration in prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • TRPM4 protein levels were assessed in prostate cancer tissue samples and cell lines.
  • TRPM4-mediated Na+ currents were measured in primary human prostate epithelial cells (hPEC) and prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, PC3).
  • Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to target TRPM4, and its effects on SOCE, proliferation, and migration were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Elevated TRPM4 protein levels were observed in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancer tissues compared to healthy tissue.
  • TRPM4 mediated significant Na+ currents in hPEC, DU145, and PC3 cells.
  • TRPM4 knockdown using siRNA significantly increased SOCE in hPEC and DU145 cells.
  • Knockdown of TRPM4 reduced the migration of DU145 and PC3 cells, but did not affect proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • TRPM4 acts as a regulator of SOCE in prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells.
  • TRPM4 plays a role in prostate cancer cell migration.
  • TRPM4 represents a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Ca2+ signalingcancer driver genecell migrationprostate cancertransient receptor potential melastatin 4 channel (TRPM4)

More Related Videos

Utilizing Custom-designed Galvanotaxis Chambers to Study Directional Migration of Prostate Cells08:45

Utilizing Custom-designed Galvanotaxis Chambers to Study Directional Migration of Prostate Cells

Published on: December 7, 2014

9.7K
MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR qPCR08:30

MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR qPCR

Published on: May 16, 2012

25.2K

Related Concept Videos

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration01:21

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration

Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon...
6.2K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
3.5K
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
4.1K
Cell Migration01:09

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
19.2K
Thermosensation01:43

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
35.5K