Increasing evidence points to the role of membrane transport in the regulation of cell cycle, differentiation and other aspects of cell physiology that shape the multistep tumor progression, such as resistance to apoptosis and cell invasiveness. Ion channels and other transporter proteins can regulate these ...
Increasing evidence points to the role of membrane transport in the regulation of cell cycle, differentiation and other aspects of cell physiology that shape the multistep tumor progression, such as resistance to apoptosis and cell invasiveness. Ion channels and other transporter proteins can regulate these mechanisms in many ways, by controlling membrane potential, calcium fluxes, intra and extracellular pH, the release of growth factors, interaction with the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton, and so forth. Some of these actions may occur through non-conductive mechanisms, such as conformational coupling with other membrane proteins (e.g. growth factor receptors or integrins) or intrinsic enzyme activity. Other transporters exert their effects in the intracellular membrane systems, e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and other organelles.
This Research Topic aims at collecting papers on all of the manifold aspects of this growing field. Hence, we will consider experimental papers, essays and reviews concerning the function of membrane transporters in cell cycle, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion/migration, the metastatic process, the transition from stem cell to cancer cell and angiogenesis. Use of ion channels and other transporters as possible diagnostic tools or therapeutic targets will also be considered.
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.