Background and PurposeSmall conductance calcium‐activated potassium (KCa2.x) channels have a widely accepted canonical function in regulating cellular excitability. In this study, we address a potential non‐canonical function of KCa2.x channels in breast cancer cell survival, using in vitro models.Experimental ApproachThe expression of all KCa2.x channel isoforms was initially probed using RT‐PCR, Western blotting and microarray analysis in five widely studied breast cancer cell lines. In order to assess the effect of pharmacological blockade and siRNA‐mediated knockdown of KCa2.x channels on these cell lines, we utilized MTS proliferation assays and also followed the corresponding expression of apoptotic markers.Key ResultsAll of the breast cancer cell lines, regardless of their lineage or endocrine responsiveness, were highly sensitive to KCa2.x channel blockade. UCL1684 caused cytotoxicity, with LD50 values in the low nanomolar range, in all cell lines. The role of KCa2.x channels was confirmed using pharmacological inhibition and siRNA‐mediated knockdown. This reduced cell viability and also reduced expression of Bcl‐2 but increased expression of active caspase‐7 and caspase‐9. Complementary to these results, a variety of cell lines can be protected from apoptosis induced by staurosporine using the KCa2.x channel activator CyPPA.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn addition to a well‐established role for KCa2.x channels in migration, blockade of these channels was potently cytotoxic in breast cancer cell lines, pointing to modulation of KCa2.x channels as a potential therapeutic approach to breast cancer.
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