Su-Hyun Jo

H1 antihistamine drug promethazine directly blocks hERG K+ channel

Promethazine is a phenothiazine derivative with antihistaminic (H(1)), sedative, antiemetic, anticholinergic, and antimotion sickness properties that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. Since block of cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels is one of the leading causes of acquired long QT syndrome, we investigated the acute effects of promethazine on hERG channels to determine the electrophysiological basis for its proarrhythmic potential. Promethazine increased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD(90)) in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 0.73microM when action potentials were elicited under current clamp in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. We examined the effects of promethazine on the hERG channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp and patch-clamp techniques. Promethazine induced a concentration-dependent decrease of the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The IC(50) of promethazine dependent hERG block in Xenopus oocytes decreased progressively relative to the degree of depolarization. The IC(50) for the promethazine-induced block of the hERG currents in HEK293 cells at 36 degrees C was 1.46microM at +20mV. Promethazine affected the channels in the activated and inactivated states but not in the closed states. The S6 domain mutations, Y652A and F656A partially attenuated (Y652A) or abolished (F656A) the hERG current block. These results suggest that promethazine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects during the clinical administration of promethazine.

Clomipramine block of the hERG K+ channel: accessibility to F656 and Y652.

Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. Since blockade of cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels is an important cause of acquired long QT syndrome, we investigated the acute effects of clomipramine on hERG channels to determine the electrophysiological basis for its proarrhythmic potential. We examined the effects of clomipramine on the hERG channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp and patch-clamp techniques. Clomipramine induced a concentration-dependent decrease in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The IC50 for clomipramine needed to block the hERG current in Xenopus oocytes decreased progressively relative to the degree of depolarization. The fractional electrical distance was estimated to be delta=0.83. The IC50 for the clomipramine-induced blockade of the hERG currents in HEK293 cells at 36 degrees C was 0.13 microM at +20 mV. Clomipramine affected the channels in the activated and inactivated states but not in the closed states. The clomipramine-induced blockade of hERG was found to be use-dependent, exhibiting a more rapid onset and a greater steady-state block at the higher frequencies of activation. The S6 domain mutations, Y652A and F656A partially attenuated (Y652A) or abolished (F656A) the hERG-current blockade. These results suggest that clomipramine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects during the clinical administration of clomipramine.

Ginsenoside Rg3 decelerates hERG K+ channel deactivation through Ser631 residue interaction

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) cardiac K(+) channels are one of the representative pharmacological targets for development of drugs against cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia. Panax ginseng has been known to have cardio-protective effects. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of how ginsenosides, the active ingredients in Panax ginseng, interact with hERG K(+) channel proteins. In the present study, we first examined the effects of various ginsenosides on hERG K(+) channel activity by expressing human α subunits in Xenopus oocytes. Among them ginsenoside Rg(3) (Rg(3)) most potently enhanced outward I(hERG) and peak I(tail). Rg(3) induced a large persistent deactivating-tail current (I(deactivating-tail)) and profoundly decelerated deactivating current decay in both concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The EC(50) for steady-state I(hERG), peak I(tail), and persistent I(deactivating-tail) was 0.41±0.05, 0.61±0.11, and 0.36±0.04μM, respectively. Rg(3) actions were blocked by bepridil, a hERG K(+) channel antagonist. Site-directed mutation of S631, which is located at the channel pore entryway, to S631C in hERG K(+) channel abolished Rg(3) actions on hERG K(+) channels. These results indicate that S631 residue of hERG K(+) channel plays an important role in Rg(3)-mediated induction of a persistent I(deactivating-tail) and in a deceleration of hERG K(+) channel deactivation.

Block of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) K+ channel by the antidepressant desipramine.

Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. Since blockade of cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels is an important cause of acquired long QT syndrome, we investigated the acute effects of desipramine on hERG channels to determine the electrophysiological basis for its pro-arrhythmic potential. We examined the effects of desipramine on the hERG channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp techniques. Desipramine-induced concentration-dependent decreases in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The IC(50) for desipramine needed to block the hERG current in Xenopus oocytes decreased progressively relative to the degree of depolarization. Desipramine affected the channels in the activated and inactivated states but not in the closed states. The S6 domain mutations, Tyr-652 located in the S6 domain of the hERG channel reduced the potency of the channel block by desipramine more than a mutation of Phe-656 in the same region. These results suggest that desipramine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects during the clinical administration of desipramine.

The Ca2+ channel inhibitor efonidipine decreases voltage-dependent K+ channel activity in rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells

The effect of efonidipine, a commercially available antihypertensive drug and Ca(2+) channel inhibitor, on voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) channels was studied in freshly isolated rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The amplitude of Kv current was decreased by application of efonidipine in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 of 0.26μM and a Hill coefficient of 0.91, which suggests 1:1 binding stoichiometry. Efonidipine did not affect voltage-dependent activation of the Kv channel, but shifted the inactivation curve by -8.87mV. The inhibitory effect of efonidipine was not significantly changed by depletion of extracellular Ca(2+) or intracellular ATP, which indicated no involvement of the Ca(2+) channel or intracellular protein kinase-dependent cascades. We conclude that efonidipine dose-dependently inhibits Kv current in a phosphorylation- and Ca(2+) channel-independent manner.

Effects of the histamine H1 receptor antagonist hydroxyzine on hERG K+ channels and cardiac action potential duration

Aim:To investigate the effects of hydroxyzine on human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels to determine the electrolphysiological basis for its proarrhythmic effects.Methods:hERG channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells, and the effects of hydroxyzine on the channels were examined using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. The effects of hydroxyzine on action potential duration were examined in guinea pig ventricular myocytes using current clamp.Results:Hydroxyzine (0.2 and 2 μmol/L) significantly increased the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) in both concentration- and time-dependent manners. Hydroxyzine (0.03–3 μmol/L) blocked both the steady-state and tail hERG currents. The block was voltage-dependent, and the values of IC50 for blocking the steady-state and tail currents at +20 mV was 0.18±0.02 μmol/L and 0.16±0.01 μmol/L, respectively, in HEK293 cells. Hydroxyzine (5 μmol/L) affected both the activated and the inactivated states of the channels, but not the closed state. The S6 domain mutation Y652A attenuated the blocking of hERG current by ∼6-fold.Conclusion:The results suggest that hydroxyzine could block hERG channels and prolong APD. The tyrosine at position 652 in the channel may be responsible for the proarrhythmic effects of hydroxyzine.

The inhibitory effect of Ca2+-activated K+ channel activator, BMS on L-type Ca2+ channels in rat ventricular myocytes.

AIMS We investigated the effects of BMS-204352 (BMS), a big-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel activator, on L-type Ca(2+) channels. MAIN METHODS Electrophysiological recordings were performed in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Whole-cell configuration was used. KEY FINDINGS BMS caused inhibition of the Ca(2+) current in a dose-dependent manner, with K(d) of 6.00 ± 0.67 μM and a Hill coefficient of 1.33 ± 0.18. BMS did not affect the steady-state activation of L-type Ca(2+) channels. However, for those in steady-state inactivation, BMS shifted the half-maximal potential (V(1/2)) by -11 mV, but the slope value (k) was not altered. Iberiotoxin, inhibitor of membrane BK(Ca) channels and paxilline, inhibitor of mitochondrial BK(Ca) channel did not affect the inhibitory effect of BMS on L-type Ca(2+) channels. Pretreatment with inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and protein kinase G (PKG) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of BMS on L-type Ca(2+) current. The presence of a selective β-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol did not affect the inhibitory effect of BMS on L-type Ca(2+) current. Based on these results, we concluded that the inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels by BMS is independent of the inhibition of BK(Ca) channels or intracellular signaling pathways. SIGNIFICANCE It is important to take BMS-204352 (BMS) effects on L-type Ca(2+) channels into consideration when using BMS as a BK(Ca) channel activator or therapeutic target in ventricular myocytes.

Protriptyline block of the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) K+ channel

Protriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant for psychiatric disorders, can induce prolonged QT, torsades de pointes, and sudden death. We studied the effects of protriptyline on human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells. Protriptyline induced a concentration-dependent decrease in current amplitudes at the end of the voltage steps and HERG tail currents. The IC(50) for protriptyline block of HERG current in Xenopus oocytes progressively decreased relative to the degree of depolarization, from 142.0 microM at -40 mV to 91.7 microM at 0 mV to 52.9 microM at +40 mV. The voltage dependence of the block could be fit with a monoexponential function, and the fractional electrical distance was estimated to be delta=0.93. The IC(50) for the protriptyline-induced blockade of HERG currents in HEK293 cells at 36 degrees C was 1.18 microM at +20 mV. Protriptyline affected channels in the activated and inactivated states, but not in the closed states. HERG blockade by protriptyline was use-dependent, exhibiting a more rapid onset and a greater steady-state block at higher frequencies of activation. Our findings suggest that inhibition of HERG currents may contribute to the arrhythmogenic side effects of protriptyline.

PKA regulates calcineurin function through the phosphorylation of RCAN1: Identification of a novel phosphorylation site

Calcineurin is a calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase that has been implicated in T cell activation through the induction of nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT). We have previously suggested that endogenous regulator of calcineurin (RCAN1, also known as DSCR1) is targeted by protein kinase A (PKA) for the control of calcineurin activity. In the present study, we characterized the PKA-mediated phosphorylation site in RCAN1 by mass spectrometric analysis and revealed that PKA directly phosphorylated RCAN1 at the Ser 93. PKA-induced phosphorylation and the increase in the half-life of the RCAN1 protein were prevented by the substitution of Ser 93 with Ala (S93A). Furthermore, the PKA-mediated phosphorylation of RCAN1 at Ser 93 potentiated the inhibition of calcineurin-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression by RCAN1. Our results suggest the presence of a novel phosphorylation site in RCAN1 and that its phosphorylation influences calcineurin-dependent inflammatory target gene expression.

Block of hERG K+ channel and prolongation of action potential duration by fluphenazine at submicromolar concentration.

Fluphenazine is a potent antipsychotic drug that can increase action potential duration and induce QT prolongation in several animal models and in humans. As the block of cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels is one of the leading causes of acquired long QT syndrome, we investigated the acute effects of fluphenazine on hERG channels to determine the electrophysiological basis for its proarrhythmic potential. Fluphenazine at concentrations of 0.1-1.0 μM increased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90) and action potential duration at 50% of repolarization (APD50) in 5 min when action potentials were elicited under current-clamp conditions in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. We examined the effects of fluphenazine on hERG channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp and patch-clamp techniques. The IC50 for the fluphenazine-induced block of hERG currents in HEK293 cells at 36 °C was 0.102 μM at +20 mV. Fluphenazine-induced a concentration-dependent decrease of the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The fluphenazine-dependent hERG block in Xenopus oocytes increased progressively relative to the degree of depolarization. Fluphenazine affected the channels in the activated and inactivated states but not in the closed states, and the S6 domain mutation from tyrosine to alanine at amino acid 652 (Y652A) attenuated the hERG current block. These results suggest that the antipsychotic drug fluphenazine is a potent blocker of hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the drug-induced arrhythmogenic side effects.