Voltage Gated Proton Channel Expression and Function in Breast Cancer Cells

Immunohistochemical evidence for voltage gated proton channels (hHV1) was recently reported in breast cancer cells, but not healthy breast tissue. Higher levels of hHV1 expression were correlated with advanced stages of the disease, worse prognosis, and decreased survival [Wang et al, 2012, J.Biol.Chem. 287:13877]. However, its function and mechanism of action have yet to be elucidated. Here, we examine a number of breast cancer cell lines for expression of hHV1 and explored the consequences of hHV1 genetic knockout.