Human astrocytoma cells express a unique voltage-dependent chloride current not found in normal glial cells, which may be a target for growth control.
Unique anion currents may offer a selective astrocytoma target; animal data leave open human relevance and growth effects.
Human astrocytoma cells were studied using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Voltage-dependent outwardly-rectifying anion currents were identified in primary cultures of six freshly resected human brain tumors and in seven established anaplastic astrocytoma/glioblastoma cell lines (U251MG, CH235MG, U373MG, U105MG, D54MG, SK-MG-1, and STTG1). Anion currents were not observed in normal, non-neoplastic glial cells, nor in human tumor-derived cells of non-glial origin (melanoma, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma). Currents activated at potentials > 50 mV and showed large transients upon termination of voltage steps. Currents reversed at the predicted equilibrium potential for chloride ions and could also be recorded when Cl- was replaced by F-, Br- or I-. Currents were inhibited by the Cl- channel blockers chlorotoxin, DIDS, and DNDS. These Cl- currents may play a role in the growth control of astrocytoma cells.
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Ullrich et al. (1996) studied this question.
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