Voltage-gated K+ Channel, Kv 3.3 Is involved in hemin-induced K562 differentiation

Abstract

Voltage-gated K+ (K-v) channels are well known to be involved in cell proliferation. However, even though cell proliferation is closely related to cell differentiation, the relationship between K-v channels and cell differentiation remains poorly investigated. This study demonstrates that K(v)3.3 is involved in K562 cell erythroid differentiation. Down-regulation of K(v)3.3 using siRNA-K(v)3.3 increased hemin-induced K562 erythroid differentiation through decreased activation of signal molecules such as p38, cAMP response element-binding protein, and c-fos. Down-regulation of K(v)3.3 also enhanced cell adhesion by increasing integrin beta 3 and this effect was amplified when the cells were cultured with fibronectin. The K-v channels, or at least K(v)3.3, appear to be associated with cell differentiation; therefore, understanding the mechanisms of K-v channel regulation of cell differentiation would provide important information regarding vital cellular processes.