Molecular mechanisms of TRP regulation in tumor growth and metastasis

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels modulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, consequently affecting both cell death and proliferation. It is not, therefore, surprising that the membrane expression of some TRP channels is altered during tumor growth and metastasis. These variations in channel abundance are due to TRP regulation on the transcriptional, translational, and targeting levels. This article mainly reviews the transcriptional mechanisms modulating TRP expression during tumorigenesis, involving hormones, growth factors, and alternative splicing.