Voltage-gated K+ channel activity in human prostate cancer cell lines of markedly different metastatic potential: Distinguishing characteristics of PC-3 and LNCaP cells

BACKGROUND: Although ion channels are known to contribute to a variety of basic cellular behaviors involved in the metastatic cascade, their role in metastasis per se has only recently been questioned. The hypothesis tested was whether K(+) channels were different between strongly metastatic PC-3 and weakly metastatic LNCaP human prostate cancer cell lines. METHODS: The whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp recording technique was used to record voltage-gated currents from LNCaP and PC-3 cell lines. The responses to different voltage-clamp protocols, sensitivity to external Ca(2+), and addition of drugs and toxins were explored. RESULTS: Voltage-gated K(+) current density was significantly larger in LNCaP than PC-3 cells. In addition, the K(+) currents in a sub-population of PC-3 cells were Ca(2+)-sensitive. These properties reflected the differential metastatic character of the cells, the PC-3 cells appearing potentially more "excitable". CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer cells of varying metastatic ability can be distinguished by their ion channel characteristics. The possible contribution(s) of K(+) channel activity to development of malignancy needs exploration.