Abstract
Cell viability and motility are critical for cancer progression. Among a plethora of mechanisms that regulate these phenotypes, the balance of water and monovalent metal cations plays a pivotal role in the dynamics of focal contacts and cytoskeletal rearrangements at the cells leading edge. Furthermore, cell survival requires the optimal concentration of water and solutes. This balance is largely maintained by aquaporins (AQPs), a family of 13 small integral plasma membrane proteins whose major function is the transport of water and small solutes across the plasma membrane. We review the recent knowledge about the role of AQPs in cell migration, survival, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis with the focus on therapeutic possibilities to prevent these clinically unfavourable events. The review discusses the inhibition of AQP expression and/or AQP-mediated water influx by acetazolamide, cyclophosphamide, topiramate, thiopental, phenobarbital and propofol. Down-regulation of water transport by these drugs affects cancer cell migration and metastasis. We conclude that AQPs can be considered a point where the mechanisms of survival and motility converge. Therapeutic targeting of AQPs may thus be advantageous for blocking the mechanism common for a number of key cancer phenotypes.
Keywords: Aquaporins, water transport, cancer, cell death, motility, metastasis
Current Drug Targets
Title: The Water Channels, New Druggable Targets to Combat Cancer Cell Survival,Invasiveness and Metastasis
Volume: 8 Issue: 10
Author(s): Elena Monzani, Alexander A. Shtil and Caterina A.M. La Porta
Affiliation:
Keywords: Aquaporins, water transport, cancer, cell death, motility, metastasis
Abstract: Cell viability and motility are critical for cancer progression. Among a plethora of mechanisms that regulate these phenotypes, the balance of water and monovalent metal cations plays a pivotal role in the dynamics of focal contacts and cytoskeletal rearrangements at the cells leading edge. Furthermore, cell survival requires the optimal concentration of water and solutes. This balance is largely maintained by aquaporins (AQPs), a family of 13 small integral plasma membrane proteins whose major function is the transport of water and small solutes across the plasma membrane. We review the recent knowledge about the role of AQPs in cell migration, survival, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis with the focus on therapeutic possibilities to prevent these clinically unfavourable events. The review discusses the inhibition of AQP expression and/or AQP-mediated water influx by acetazolamide, cyclophosphamide, topiramate, thiopental, phenobarbital and propofol. Down-regulation of water transport by these drugs affects cancer cell migration and metastasis. We conclude that AQPs can be considered a point where the mechanisms of survival and motility converge. Therapeutic targeting of AQPs may thus be advantageous for blocking the mechanism common for a number of key cancer phenotypes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Monzani Elena, Shtil A. Alexander and La Porta A.M. Caterina, The Water Channels, New Druggable Targets to Combat Cancer Cell Survival,Invasiveness and Metastasis, Current Drug Targets 2007; 8 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945007782151342
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945007782151342 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Dextran-based Nanocarriers for Delivery of Bioactives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Psoriasin, A Multifunctional Player in Different Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Effects of Polysaccharides from Selenium-enriched Pyracantha fortuneana on Mice Liver Injury
Medicinal Chemistry Role of Nitric Oxide in Motor Control: Implications for Parkinsons Disease Pathophysiology and Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design Development and Uses of Offline and Web-Searchable Metabolism Databases - The Case of Benzo[a]pyrene
Current Drug Metabolism Molecular Mechanisms of Biological Activity of Oleanolic Acid - A Source of Inspiration for A New Drugs Design
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans, Tumour Progression and the Cancer Stem Cell Niche
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Combined Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Cerebral Frontal Lobe Tissue Identified RNA Metabolism Dysregulation as One Potential Pathogenic Mechanism in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)
Current Neurovascular Research Salidroside - Can it be a Multifunctional Drug?
Current Drug Metabolism Moving Beyond VEGF for Anti-angiogenesis Strategies in Gynecologic Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances and Strategies in Tumor Vasculature Targeted Nano-Drug Delivery Systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Application of Natural Products in Cancer Therapy by Targeting Apoptosis Pathways
Current Drug Metabolism Strategies for Preparing Different Types of Lipid Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles in Targeted Tumor Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Oxidative Stress, Redox Signaling and Cancer Chemoresistance: Putting Together the Pieces of the Puzzle
Current Medicinal Chemistry Specific Targeting of Engineered Nanoparticles to Activated Macrophages
Current Nanoscience The mTOR Signaling Network: Insights from Its Role During Embryonic Development
Current Medicinal Chemistry Polymer Drug Conjugates: Recent Advancements in Various Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances and Developments in Treatment Strategies Against Pancreatic Cancer
Current Clinical Pharmacology Fabrication of Poly Hydroxybutyrate-Polyethylene Glycol-Folic Acid Nanoparticles Loaded by Paclitaxel
Current Drug Delivery Glucosidase II and MRH-Domain Containing Proteins in the Secretory Pathway
Current Protein & Peptide Science