Assessing K+ ions and K+ channel functions in cancer cell metabolism using fluorescent biosensors

Cancer represents a leading cause of death worldwide. Hence, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms causing and propelling the disease is of utmost importance. Several cancer entities are associated with altered K+ channel expression which is frequently decisive for malignancy and disease outcome. The impact of such oncogenic K+ channels on cell patho-/physiology and homeostasis and their roles in different subcellular compartments is, however, far from being understood. A refined method to simultaneously investigate metabolic and ionic signaling events on the level of individual cells and their organelles represent genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors, that allow a high-resolution investigation of compartmentalized metabolite or ion dynamics in a non-invasive manner. This feature of these probes makes them versatile tools to visualize and understand subcellular consequences of aberrant K+ channel expression and activity in K+ channel related cancer research.

Automated summary

Cancer is a major cause of death globally, and understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the disease is crucial. Altered K+ channel expression is frequently associated with various types of cancer, impacting malignancy and disease outcomes. However, the precise roles of oncogenic K+ channels in cell physiology, homeostasis, and subcellular compartments are not well understood. Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors provide a non-invasive approach to simultaneously investigate metabolic and ionic signaling in individual cells and organelles, allowing for a high-resolution study of compartmentalized metabolite or ion dynamics. These versatile tools have been used to visualize and understand the subcellular consequences of aberrant K+ channel expression and activity in K+ channel-related cancer research.