Researches Toward Potassium Channels on Tumor Progressions

As trans-membrane proteins located in cytoplasm and organelle membrane, potassium (K+) channels are generally divided into four super-families: voltage-gated K+ channels (K-v), Ca2+-activated K+ channels (K-Ca), inwardly rectifying K+ channels (K-ir) and two-pore domain K+ channels (K-2P). Since dysfunctions of K+ channels would induce many diseases, various studies toward their functions in physiologic and pathologic process have been extensively launched. This review focuses on the recent advances of K+ channels in tumor progression, including the brief introduction of K+ channels, the role of K+ channels in tumor cells, the possible mechanism of action at cellular level, and the possible application of K+ channel modulators in cancer chemotherapy.