The Effects of Inhibition of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) Channels on Calcium Signals in and Migration of Glioma Cells

Gliomas are a type of brain tumor derived from glial cells, which outnumber neurons and support neuronal activity. Glioma cells have been extensively investigated to understand mechanisms by which they proliferate and migrate; glioma cells utilize ion channels found on the cell surface to shrink and facilitate easier migration; it is believed that successful glioma cell migration is dependent on a non-selective cation channel known as a transient receptor potential canonical channel (TRPC). It is therefore hypothesized that inhibition of the TRPC channel, via pharmacology or shRNA-mediated suppression of the TRPC gene, will decrease cellular migration. Immunocytochemistry first determined the presence of TRPC1 on the glioma cell surface, and Transwell migration assays with the glycoprotein victronectin were then used to determine if pharmacological inhibition and inducible shRNA constructs decrease migration of glioma cells. Twodimensional microscopy was also used to track the basal rates of migration of glioma cells with the shRNA knockdown of TRPC1. Finally, spinning disk microscopy was used determine if Ca signals in glioma cells are decreased with pharmacological inhibition of the TRPC channels. The proposed research on the TRPC channels in glioma cells will give more insight into more specific chemotherapeutic practices in patients suffering from gliomas.