Previous studies have shown that phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) plays an important role in the metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells. However, the mechanism by which PRL-3 controls the cell cycle of tumor cells remains unknown. In the present study, considering that the K+ channels strictly control cell proliferation, we examined whether K+ channels participate in the proliferation of tumor cells induced by PRL-3. Interestingly, the expression of intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (KCNN4) was upregulated in an NF-κB-dependent manner when PRL-3 was transfected into LoVo cells. Also, we identified two NF-κB binding sites in the promoter region of KCNN4. Use of the specific inhibitor 1-[(2-chlorophenyl) diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34) significantly inhibited the proliferation induced by PRL-3 and blocked the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Meanwhile, the level of phosphorylation of Cdc2 was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, TRAM-34 also inhibited tumor formation of PRL-3 cell xenografts implanted by injection in nude mice. In conclusion, PRL-3 promoted the proliferation of LoVo cells through upregulation of KCNN4 channels which facilitated the G2/M transition.

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