TY - JOUR AB - The targeting of membrane proteins that are activated in cancer stem cells (CSCs) represents one of the key recent strategies in cancer therapy. The present study analyzed ion channel expression profiles and functions in pancreatic CSCs (PCSCs). Cells strongly expressing aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1) were isolated from the human pancreatic PK59 cell line using fluorescence‑activated cell sorting, and PCSCs were identified based on tumorsphere formation. Microarray analysis was performed to investigate the gene expression profiles in PCSCs. ALDH1A1 messenger RNA levels were higher in PCSCs compared with non‑PCSCs. PCSCs were resistant to 5‑fluorouracil and capable of redifferentiation. The results of the microarray analysis revealed that gene expression related to ion channels, including voltage‑gated potassium channels (Kv), was upregulated in PCSCs compared with non‑PCSCs. 4‑Aminopyridine (4‑AP), a potent Kv inhibitor, exhibited greater cytotoxicity in PCSCs compared with non‑PCSCs. In a xenograft model in nude mice, tumor volumes were significantly lower in mice inoculated with PK59 cells pre‑treated with 4‑AP compared with those in mice injected with non‑treated cells. The present results identified a role of Kv in the persistence of PCSCs and suggested that the Kv inhibitor 4‑AP may have potential as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic carcinoma. AD - Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602‑8566, Japan AU - Shiozaki,Atsushi AU - Konishi,Tomoki AU - Kosuga,Toshiyuki AU - Kudou,Michihiro AU - Kurashima,Kento AU - Inoue,Hiroyuki AU - Shoda,Katsutoshi AU - Arita,Tomohiro AU - Konishi,Hirotaka AU - Morimura,Ryo AU - Komatsu,Shuhei AU - Ikoma,Hisashi AU - Toma,Atsushi AU - Kubota,Takeshi AU - Fujiwara,Hitoshi AU - Okamoto,Kazuma AU - Otsuji,Eigo DA - 2021/10/01 DO - 10.3892/ijo.2021.5256 IS - 4 JO - Int J Oncol KW - pancreatic carcinoma cancer stem cell voltage‑gated potassium channel 4‑aminopyridine ALDH1A1 PY - 2021 SN - 1019-6439 1791-2423 SP - 76 ST - Roles of voltage‑gated potassium channels in the maintenance of pancreatic cancer stem cells T2 - International Journal of Oncology TI - Roles of voltage‑gated potassium channels in the maintenance of pancreatic cancer stem cells UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5256 VL - 59 ER -