HERG K+ channels expression in gastric cancers and analysis of its regulation in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of herg1 gene in tumor tissues from gastric carcinomas and gastric carcinoma cell lines, and study the relationship between HERG K+ channel expressions and tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.MethodsRT-PCR and PCR assays were used to detect the expression of herg1 gene in 64 gastric carcinomas and the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. Blocking the HERG K+ channels was used to evaluate their effects on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.ResultsThe statistically significant expression of herg1 gene was detected in all the gastric cancers and SGC-7901 cells, but not in normal tissues. The HERG K+ channel blocker, E-4031, increased the cell population in G0/G1(P < 0.05) and the number of apoptotic tumor cells(P < 0.05).ConclusionHERG K+ channels were expressed in all gastric carcinomas tested and these channels appear to modulate tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.