Voltage-Gated K(+) Channel, K(v)3.3 Is Involved in Hemin-Induced K562 Differentiation

Voltage-gated K(+) (K(v)) channels are well known to be involved in cell proliferation. However, even though cell proliferation is closely related to cell differentiation, the relationship between K(v) channels and cell differentiation remains poorly investigated. This study demonstrates that K(v)3.3 is involved in K562 cell erythroid differentiation. Down-regulation of K(v)3.3 using siRNA-K(v)3.3 increased hemin-induced K562 erythroid differentiation through decreased activation of signal molecules such as p38, cAMP response element-binding protein, and c-fos. Down-regulation of K(v)3.3 also enhanced cell adhesion by increasing integrin β3 and this effect was amplified when the cells were cultured with fibronectin. The K(v) channels, or at least K(v)3.3, appear to be associated with cell differentiation; therefore, understanding the mechanisms of K(v) channel regulation of cell differentiation would provide important information regarding vital cellular processes.