Voltage-Gated K+ Channel Inhibitor 4-Aminopyridine Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Affects Anti-Proliferative Activities of Cell Cycle-Specific Drugs in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Articles

Voltage-Gated K+ Channel Inhibitor 4-Aminopyridine Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Affects Anti-Proliferative Activities of Cell Cycle-Specific Drugs in Human Breast Cancer Cells [iCBBE 2015]
Author(s)
Qin Ru
ABSTRACT
Evidence is growing that potassium channels play important roles in the development and growth of human cancer, including human breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of 4-aminopyridine, an inhibitor of voltage-gated potassium channels, on the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, with an attempt to know whether pre-arresting tumor cells at a certain phase could affect anti-proliferative activities of cell cycle-specific drugs, and found that 4-aminopyridine significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. 4-aminopyridine also significantly blocked the cell cycle in G1 phase at 1 mmol/l, and induced mainly S phase arrest at 5 and 10 mmol/l. Further studies exhibited strong synergistic action between 4-aminopyridine (5 mmol/l) and S phase-specific drug 5-FU, and antagonistic action between 4-aminopyridine (5 mmol/l) and G2/M phase- specific drug paclitaxel, indicating that cell cycle parameters should be considered in the combination therapy involving cell cycle-specific agents.
KEYWORDS
Voltage-Gated K+ Channel, 4-Aminopyridine, Anti-Proliferative Activities, Cell Cycle-Specific Drugs, Human Breast Cancer Cells
References