Pro-tumoral Ca signaling is dependent on Slowpoke and Ca-α1T channels in Drosophila melanogaster glioma

Ion channel-mediated cytosolic Ca oscillations play a crucial role in promoting glioblastoma growth. Here, we have studied the expression and functional roles of prospective oncogenic targets Slowpoke and Ca-α1T channels in a Drosophila melanogaster glioma model. While their mammalian orthologs have...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alza, Lía, Montes-Labrador, Patricia, Megías, Diego, Casali, Andreu, Casas-Tintó, Sergio, Herreros Danés, Judit, Cantí Nicolás, Carles
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:.___________::07c9b6e72a9485b63bb1b82f616dde75
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42712-8
https://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/470065
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Calcium
Glioma
Ion channels
Oncogenic pathways
Proliferation
Descripción
Sumario:Ion channel-mediated cytosolic Ca oscillations play a crucial role in promoting glioblastoma growth. Here, we have studied the expression and functional roles of prospective oncogenic targets Slowpoke and Ca-α1T channels in a Drosophila melanogaster glioma model. While their mammalian orthologs have shown to be relevant for glioblastoma cell viability in vitro, there is no data available about their oncogenic function in a complex in vivo environment. Using RNAis against Slowpoke and Ca-α1T specifically expressed in glial cells, we show that both channels contribute to magnify Ca activity and ensuing Ca-dependent pro-tumoral pathways, glial cell proliferation and membrane extension. However, only the knockdown of Slowpoke extends the lifespan of glioma-bearing individuals and reverses glioma-induced neurodegeneration, suggesting its functional association with other Ca channels in addition to Ca-α1T. Furthermore, RNAseq transcriptomic analysis reveals that Slowpoke regulates excitatory neurotransmission, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma.