Oncogenic potential of EAG K+ channels

We have investigated the possible implication of the cell cycle-regulated K + channel ether a go-go (EAG) in cell proliferation and transformation. We show that transfection of EAG into mammalian cells confers a transformed ph enotype. In addition, human EAG mRNA is defected in several somatic cancer cell lines, despite being preferentially expressed in brain among normal ti ssues, Inhibition of EAG expression in several of these cancer cell lines c auses a significant reduction of cell proliferation. Moreover, the expressi on of EAG favours tumour progression when transfected cells are injected in to immune-depressed mice. These data provide evidence for the oncogenic pot ential of EAG.