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...
| Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Status: | Published version |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universitat de Lleida (UdL) |
| Repository: | Repositori Obert UdL |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:.___________::07c9b6e72a9485b63bb1b82f616dde75 |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42712-8 https://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/470065 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Calcium Glioma Ion channels Oncogenic pathways Proliferation |
| Summary: | 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. |
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