Identification of synergistic combinations of F508del cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited, life-threatening disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an ABC transporter-class protein and ion channel that transports ions across epithelial cell membranes. The most common mutation leads to the deletion of a single phenylalanine, and the resulting protein, F508del-CFTR, shows reduced trafficking to the membrane and defective channel gating. The ideal therapeutic approach would address both of these defects and restore channel function at the same time. We describe here the application of a combination high-throughput screening to search for synergistic modulators of F508del-CFTR. With the adapted Fischer rat thyroid-yellow fluorescent protein halide flux assay to the combination high-throughput screening platform, we identified many interesting single agents as CFTR modulators from a library of approved drugs and mechanistic probe compounds, and combinations that synergistically modulate F508del-CFTR channel function in Fischer rat thyroid cells, demonstrating the potential for combination therapeutics to address the defects that cause CF.
Zalicus, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Stephen
S
Lin
Jinliang
J
Sui
Shakira
S
Cotard
Brenda
B
Fung
Jennifer
J
Andersen
Ping
P
Zhu
Najib
N
El Messadi
Joseph
J
Lehar
Margaret
M
Lee
Jane
J
Staunton
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D017384:Sequence Deletion
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator