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Aberrant expression of potassium (K+) channels contributes to cancer cell proliferation and in certain circumstances channel blockade has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation. Two pore potassium (K2P) channels are the most recently identified group of K+ channels. K2P channels have been found to play a role in several cancers including prostate and breast cancer. We investigated the K2P channels TREK-1, TREK-2 and TASK-3, in ovarian cancer and normal ovaries and described the effect of channel blockade on cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis. Immunofluorescence confirmed expression in the cell lines (n=3) normal ovaries (n=4) and ovarian cancer (n=4). Western blotting quantified channel expression in normal ovaries (n=6) and cancer (n=22). There appeared to be a significant increase in expression of TREK-1 (P=O.0019) and TASK-3 (P=O.0047) in cancer when compared to normal ovaries. Immunohistochemistry further established expression in ovarian cancer (TREK-1 and -2, n=69) and normal ovaries (n=9) and in the TMA (TASK-3 n=230). Increased TASK-3 immunostaining conferred a significant survival advantage (P=O.001). There was a significant (P |
