Pathogenic roles of altered calcium channels and transporters in colon tumorogenesis

Abstract

Cytosolic calcium [Ca²⁺]_cyt signaling plays a critical role in the regulation of multiple cellular functions, and Ca²⁺ channels/transporters are important to regulate calcium homeostasis whose abnormality may contribute human tumorogenesis including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this review, we summarized and discussed the current knowledge on pathogenic roles of the altered [Ca²⁺]_cyt and Ca²⁺ channels/transporters like SOCE, TRP channels, SERCA and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers in CRC tumorigenesis and progression. Understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of [Ca²⁺]_cyt on CRC is essential to develop Ca²⁺ channels/transporters as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Targeting Ca²⁺ signaling for cancer therapy has become an emerging research area nowadays, although our knowledge about the roles of Ca²⁺ channels/transporters in tumorigenesis is still in the early stage, we still believe that they will act as novel preventive/therapeutic targets for CRC with potentially extensive clinical significance.

Keywords: Ca(2+) channels; Ca(2+) transporters; Colorectal cancer; Intracellular Ca(2+) signaling.