Gliomas are primary brain tumors that arise from differentiated glial cells through a poorly understood process of malignant transformation. Brain tumors display a complex biology because of their remarkable degree of antigenic heterogeneity, variable mutations in their genome, and their propensity for invasion into normal brain tissue. In studying gliomas obtained from patients that were diagnosed with tumors of varying degrees of malignancy, we observed the expression of a voltage-independent, amiloride-inhibitable, inward Na+ conductance that was not present in normal human glial cells or in low-grade tumors. We hypothesize that high-grade glioma cells show functional up-regulation of this characteristic Na + conductance. Glioma cell migration, cell proliferation, and cell volume regulation are all compromised if this conductance pathway is blocked with amiloride or by a peptide isolated from a spider venom. Thus, the channel membrane proteins that underlie this conductance are potentially unique, therapeutic targets. The research proposed in this application has one objective of characterizing thoroughly the ability of one subunit (ASIC2) of this amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance pathway to traffic through the cellular biosynthetic pathway. In addition, we hypothesize that this same subunit (ASIC2) is transcriptionally regulated. Thus, in malignant brain tumors, ASIC2 either is not expressed or is retained intracellularly. There are two Specific Aims: 1) to test the hypothesis that lack of plasma membrane expression of ASIC2 in a subset of high-grade tumor cells is a consequence of endoplasmic reticulum retention due to channel misfolding; and 2) to test the hypothesis that in the majority of high-grade gliomas ASIC2 gene expression is transcriptionally regulated by factors specific to the brain tumor microenvironment. We anticipate that this work will provide new fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of amiloride-sensitive Na + channels in brain tumors. Moreover, this work will provide important clues as to the role of these channels in the pathogenesis and life cycle of glioma cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA101952-02
Application #
6785872
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-4 (01))
Program Officer
Perry, Mary Ellen
Project Start
2003-08-06
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2004-08-01
Budget End
2005-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$322,625
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
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