Tetrodotoxin suppresses morphological enhancement of the metastatic MAT-LyLu rat prostate cancer cell line

Cell Tissue Res. 1999 Mar;295(3):505-12. doi: 10.1007/s004410051256.

Abstract

Voltage-gated Na+ channels are expressed by highly metastatic MAT-LyLu cells, but not by poorly metastatic AT-2 cells, derived from the rodent Dunning model of prostatic cancer. We have investigated the possible involvement of these channels in the morphological development of the cells. Incubation of both the MAT-LyLu and the AT-2 cell line for 24 h with the Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX) at 6 microM altered the morphology only of the MAT-LyLu cell line. TTX produced significant decreases in: (a) cell process length and (b) field diameter, and increases in (c) cell body diameter and (d) process thickness. Importantly, 6 microM TTX had no significant effects on proliferation rates or cellular toxicity. The results suggest that Na+ channel activity plays a significant role in determining the morphological development of MAT-LyLu cells in such a way as to enhance their metastatic potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Rats
  • Sodium Channel Blockers*
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Tetrodotoxin