Alteration of the transcriptional profile of human embryonic kidney cells by transient overexpression of mouse TRPM7 channels.

Background: TRPM7 is a cation channel containing a functional kinase domain. The functional activity of TRPM7 is essential for cell viability and growth, and its expression is up-regulated in certain pathological conditions, such as ischemia.

Methods: In order to assess the effects of TRPM7 activity on cellular gene expression, inducible HEK293 cell-lines harboring the wild-type mouse TRPM7 and a mutant lacking the kinase domain were established. The wild-type and the non-functional TRPM7 channels were induced transiently and the comparative changes in cellular transcription were investigated.

Results: From the genome-scale analysis using a human genome expression microarray, we identified 951 genes altered in transcription significantly and specifically by the expression of the functional TRPM7 channel.

Conclusion: By analyzing the genes differentially expressed by TRPM7, we were able to provide potential target proteins and to delineate the cellular pathways affected by the channel function.