[Inhibitory effects of tetraethylammonium on proliferation and voltage-gated potassium channels in human cervical carcinoma cell line SiHa]

Abstract

Background & objective: Various potassium channels are known to be involved in proliferation of many malignant cell lines. This study was to explore the role of voltage-gated potassium channels in proliferation of human cervical carcinoma cells through observing the effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) on proliferation and outward potassium currents in human cervical carcinoma cell line SiHa.

Methods: SiHa cells were treated with TEA. The effect of TEA on proliferation of SiHa cells was assessed by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry with Hoechst 33258 staining. The outward potassium currents were recorded by patch clamp technique.

Results: TEA inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells in dose-and time-dependent manners, and induced cell apoptosis. The cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase after treatment with TEA. Exposure of SiHa cells to 10 mmol/L TEA reduced the peak outward potassium currents significantly from (260+/-12) pA to (58+/-6) pA (P<0.01).

Conclusions: Voltage-gated potassium channels play an important role in regulating proliferation of cervical carcinoma SiHa cells. Blocking voltage-gated potassium channels could inhibit proliferation of SiHa cells.