Abstract:

Objective To investigate the role of voltage-gated potassium channel in the human skin squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods MTT assay was performed to detect the effect of different concentrations of tetraethylammonium （TEA） on the proliferation of cultured A431 cells and HaCaT cells. Besides, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was conducted to detect the expression of HERG channel protein in A431 cells, HaCaT cells and normal human skin tissue. Results TEA inhibited the proliferation of A431 cells and HaCaT cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treated with TEA （≥10 mmol/L） for 24 or more hours, the proliferation of A431 cells and HaCaT cells was obviously suppressed. A significant difference was observed in the average concentration of HERG channel protein between A431 cells, HaCaT cells and normal human skin tissue（49.7114 ± 3.55696 pg/ml, 35.7471 ± 4.14696 pg/ml, 36.8857 ± 3.47810 pg/ml, all P < 0.05）. Conclusions The block of voltage-gated potassium channel could inhibit the proliferation of A431 cells and HaCaT cells, and the expression of voltage-gated potassium channel seems to be higher in human skin squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Key words: HERG