Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
Volume-regulated anion channel as a novel cancer therapeutic target
Rong Xu1, Xiaoming Wang2, Changhong Shi3
1Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China; Department of Geriatrics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
Abstract:
Volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) is ubiquitously expressed in vertebrate cells and in various types of cancer cells. Leucine-rich repeat containing 8A (LRRC8A) and its four homologous family members (LRRC8B-E) assemble into heterogeneous VRAC complexes of ~800 kDa. The main components of VRAC, LRRC8A and LRRC8D have been implicated in the proliferation, migration, death, and multidrug resistance of cancer cells through their involvement in various signal pathways. This review summarizes recent findings concerning the involvement of VRAC in cancer development and progression, including the molecular structure, function, and regulation of VRAC and its roles in various cancers, and highlights the remaining challenges in the field. Our aim is to evaluate the potential of VRAC as a therapeutic target for cancer therapies and to discuss the major problems to be solved.
More Related Videos
08:54Monitoring Leucine-Rich Repeat Containing 8 Channel (LRRC8/VRAC) Activity Using Sensitized-Emission Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (SE-FRET)
Published on: August 9, 2024
08:55Transarterial Administration of Oncolytic Viruses for Locoregional Therapy of Orthotopic HCC in Rats
Published on: April 15, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Abnormal Proliferation
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...