| abstract |
Described is a constitutive inward Na + currents found in a variety of human cancers. The constitutive inward Na + current plays a role in increased cellular proliferation, cellular migration and volume regulation. The inward current is mediated, at least in part, by AISC-containing Na + channels. In addition, an inhibitor of the inward current, the PcTX1 peptide, is described. Also provided are methods for screening compounds to inhibit the inward Na + current, methods for screening for tumors expressing the inward Na + current and methods for treating tumors expressing the inward Na + current. |