title: A cell-based Rb(+)-flux assay of the Kv1.3 potassium channel.
abstract: The Kv1.3 channels expressed by human T lymphocytes are emerging as important therapeutic targets. Peptides like agitoxin and margatoxin in scorpion venom and some non-peptide small molecules are known to inhibit this channel. Since such blockers cannot be used as drugs, pharma has a need to discover effective blockers. The major limiting factor for such development has been the lack of a reliable high-throughput screening (HTS) technology. A cell-based HTS assay for this target was developed in 96-well format to facilitate screening of many candidates. The assay incorporates rubidium ion as a tracer for potassium ion, which can be analyzed by the atomic absorption spectroscopy. The assay provided a Z' factor of 0.813 with more than a 4.5-fold window of detection. The two known blockers agitoxin and margatoxin gave a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 1.52 and 2 nM, respectively. These values are about five- and 2.8-fold higher than their IC(50) values obtained from patch clamp. Some non-peptide compounds like tamoxifen, nifedipine, and fluoxetine also inhibited the efflux through these channels, whereas astemizole and pimozide (potent human ether-a-go-go-related gene blockers) did not block Kv1.3 activity.
authors.affiliation: Aurora Biomed Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada. gill@aurorabiomed.com
authors.forename: Sikander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Rajwant
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wicks
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012413:Rubidium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D005473:Fluoxetine; D012413:Rubidium