NaV1.5 Na⁺ channels allosterically regulate the NHE-1 exchanger and promote the activity of breast cancer cell invadopodia

J Cell Sci. 2013 Nov 1;126(Pt 21):4835-42. doi: 10.1242/jcs.123901. Epub 2013 Jul 31.

Abstract

The degradation of the extracellular matrix by cancer cells represents an essential step in metastatic progression and this is performed by cancer cell structures called invadopodia. NaV1.5 (also known as SCN5A) Na(+) channels are overexpressed in breast cancer tumours and are associated with metastatic occurrence. It has been previously shown that NaV1.5 activity enhances breast cancer cell invasiveness through perimembrane acidification and subsequent degradation of the extracellular matrix by cysteine cathepsins. Here, we show that NaV1.5 colocalises with Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 1 (NHE-1) and caveolin-1 at the sites of matrix remodelling in invadopodia of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. NHE-1, NaV1.5 and caveolin-1 co-immunoprecipitated, which indicates a close association between these proteins. We found that the expression of NaV1.5 was responsible for the allosteric modulation of NHE-1, rendering it more active at the intracellular pH range of 6.4-7; thus, it potentially extrudes more protons into the extracellular space. Furthermore, NaV1.5 expression increased Src kinase activity and the phosphorylation (Y421) of the actin-nucleation-promoting factor cortactin, modified F-actin polymerisation and promoted the acquisition of an invasive morphology in these cells. Taken together, our study suggests that NaV1.5 is a central regulator of invadopodia formation and activity in breast cancer cells.

Keywords: Cancer cell invasiveness; Caveolae; Invadopodia; Na+/H+ exchanger type 1; SCN5A; Voltage-gated Na+ channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Caveolin 1 / genetics
  • Caveolin 1 / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Surface Extensions / genetics
  • Cell Surface Extensions / metabolism*
  • Cortactin / genetics
  • Cortactin / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / genetics
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / genetics
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caveolin 1
  • Cortactin
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • SCN5A protein, human
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • growth factor-activatable Na-H exchanger NHE-1