Open Access

hERG1 is involved in the pathophysiological process and inhibited by berberine in SKOV3 cells

  • Authors:
    • Duo Zhi
    • Kun Zhou
    • Dahai Yu
    • Xiaofan Fan
    • Juan Zhang
    • Xiang Li
    • Mei Dong
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 17, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2019.10263
  • Pages: 5653-5661
  • Copyright: © Zhi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The human ether‑a‑go‑go‑related potassium channel 1 (hERG1) is a functional component of the voltage‑gated Kv11.1 potassium channel, which is commonly described as a crucial factor in the tumorigenesis of a variety of tumors. Ovarian cancer is one of the most severe types of cancer, with an extremely poor prognosis. Advances have been made in recent years; however, drug resistance and tumor recurrence remain critical issues underlying satisfactory treatment outcomes. Therefore, more effective antitumor agents with low levels of drug resistance for ovarian cancer treatment are urgently required in clinical practice. In the present study, hERG1 mRNA expression in ovarian tumor tissues and cell lines were measured by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of hERG1 protein. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay and Transwell assay. A tumor xenograft assay was used to determine the growth of tumors in vivo. It was demonstrated that the expression levels of hERG1 were significantly elevated in ovarian cancer tissues and expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines, particularly in SKOV3 cells. Abnormal hERG1 expression was significantly associated with the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer. In addition, berberine (BBR) may be used as a potential drug in the treatment of ovarian cancer, possibly due to its inhibitory effects on the hERG1 channels. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that hERG1 may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of ovarian cancer and provided novel insights into the mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of BBR in ovarian cancer.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June-2019
Volume 17 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Zhi D, Zhou K, Yu D, Fan X, Zhang J, Li X and Dong M: hERG1 is involved in the pathophysiological process and inhibited by berberine in SKOV3 cells. Oncol Lett 17: 5653-5661, 2019
APA
Zhi, D., Zhou, K., Yu, D., Fan, X., Zhang, J., Li, X., & Dong, M. (2019). hERG1 is involved in the pathophysiological process and inhibited by berberine in SKOV3 cells. Oncology Letters, 17, 5653-5661. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2019.10263
MLA
Zhi, D., Zhou, K., Yu, D., Fan, X., Zhang, J., Li, X., Dong, M."hERG1 is involved in the pathophysiological process and inhibited by berberine in SKOV3 cells". Oncology Letters 17.6 (2019): 5653-5661.
Chicago
Zhi, D., Zhou, K., Yu, D., Fan, X., Zhang, J., Li, X., Dong, M."hERG1 is involved in the pathophysiological process and inhibited by berberine in SKOV3 cells". Oncology Letters 17, no. 6 (2019): 5653-5661. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2019.10263