Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 13, 2025

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
08:11

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

Published on: March 26, 2018

8.6K

Na/K-ATPase: Their role in cell adhesion and migration in cancer

Camila Ignácio da Silva1, Cassiano Felippe Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque2, Bianca Portugal Tavares de Moraes3

  • 1Laboratório de Enzimologia e Sinalização Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil.

Biochimie
|March 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The Na/K-ATPase (NKA) enzyme regulates cell signaling and is crucial in cancer. This study highlights NKA

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Na/K-ATPase (NKA) is a vital p-type transmembrane enzyme essential for ion transport and cellular signaling.
  • NKA dysfunction and altered expression of its subunits (α, β, γ) are implicated in various pathological conditions, including cancer.
  • Cell adhesion, motility, and migration are critical processes affected by NKA, differing significantly between physiological and pathological states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the central role of Na/K-ATPase (NKA) in regulating cell adhesion, motility, and migration specifically within cancer cells.
  • To emphasize the involvement of all NKA subunits in cell adhesion, with a particular focus on the β subunit.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on NKA function in cancer.
  • Analysis of NKA subunit involvement in cell adhesion mechanisms.
  • Examination of NKA's impact on cancer cell motility and migration.

Main Results:

  • NKA plays a critical role in intracellular signaling pathways that influence cell survival, proliferation, and death.
  • Altered NKA function and subunit expression are linked to cancer development and progression.
  • All NKA subunits contribute to cell adhesion, with the β subunit being a key player.

Conclusions:

  • Na/K-ATPase (NKA) is a significant regulator of cell adhesion, motility, and migration in cancer.
  • Targeting NKA or its subunits may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into the specific roles of NKA subunits in cancer is warranted.
Keywords:
CancerCell adhesionMigrationMotilityNa/K-ATPase (NKA)

More Related Videos

In vitro Cell Migration and Invasion Assays09:55

In vitro Cell Migration and Invasion Assays

Published on: June 1, 2014

139.9K
Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress10:57

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Published on: October 13, 2019

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

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,...
2.6K
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
5.1K
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II  is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction....
2.7K
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
5.7K
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.
17.7K
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...
4.0K