NS-11021 Modulates Cancer-Associated Processes Independently of BK Channels in Melanoma and Pancreatic Duct Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Potassium channels permit the selective passage of K(+) ions across the cell me brane and are important for setting the membrane potential and for the transmission of electrical signals in all cells. Ca(2+) activated K(+) channels provide a means to couple intracellular calcium signaling to changes of the membrane potential. Among these, the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel, known as BK, has been proposed to be involved in several cancer-associated processes. In the present work, we tested various BK channel activators for anti-cancer effects in melanoma and pancreatic duct carcinoma cell lines. Only one of the activators (NS-11021) had effects on cancer-associated processes. However, the compound, as a side-effect, also increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration independently of BK channel activation. Overall, we conclude that the activation of the BK channel by itself is not sufficient to produce beneficial anti-cancer effects. ABSTRACT: Potassium channels have emerged as regulators of carcinogenesis, thus introducing possible new therapeutic strategies in the fight against cancer. In particular, the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel, often referred to as BK channel, is involved in several cancer-associated processes. Here, we investigated the effects of different BK activators, NS-11021, NS-19504, and BMS-191011, in IGR39 (primary melanoma cell line) and Panc-1 (primary pancreatic duct carcinoma cell line), highly expressing the channel, and in IGR37 (metastatic melanoma cell line) that barely express BK. Our data showed that NS-11021 and NS-19504 potently activated BK channels in IGR39 and Panc-1 cells, while no effect on channel activation was detected in IGR37 cells. On the contrary, BK channel activator BMS-191011 was less effective. However, only NS-11021 showed significant effects in cancer-associated processes, such as cell survival, migration, and proliferation in these cancer cell lines. Moreover, NS-11021 led to an increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, independent of BK channel activation, thus complicating any interpretation of its role in the regulation of cancer-associated mechanisms. Overall, we conclude that the activation of the BK channel by itself is not sufficient to produce beneficial anti-cancer effects in the melanoma and PDAC cell lines examined. Importantly, our results raise an alarm flag regarding the use of presumably specific BK channel openers as anti-cancer agents.