Selective and direct inhibition of TRPC3 channels underlies biological activities of a pyrazole compound

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 31;106(13):5400-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0808793106. Epub 2009 Mar 16.

Abstract

Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels control influxes of Ca(2+) and other cations that induce diverse cellular processes upon stimulation of plasma membrane receptors coupled to phospholipase C (PLC). Invention of subtype-specific inhibitors for TRPCs is crucial for distinction of respective TRPC channels that play particular physiological roles in native systems. Here, we identify a pyrazole compound (Pyr3), which selectively inhibits TRPC3 channels. Structure-function relationship studies of pyrazole compounds showed that the trichloroacrylic amide group is important for the TRPC3 selectivity of Pyr3. Electrophysiological and photoaffinity labeling experiments reveal a direct action of Pyr3 on the TRPC3 protein. In DT40 B lymphocytes, Pyr3 potently eliminated the Ca(2+) influx-dependent PLC translocation to the plasma membrane and late oscillatory phase of B cell receptor-induced Ca(2+) response. Moreover, Pyr3 attenuated activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells, a Ca(2+)-dependent transcription factor, and hypertrophic growth in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, and in vivo pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice. These findings on important roles of native TRPC3 channels are strikingly consistent with previous genetic studies. Thus, the TRPC3-selective inhibitor Pyr3 is a powerful tool to study in vivo function of TRPC3, suggesting a pharmaceutical potential of Pyr3 in treatments of TRPC3-related diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amides
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Hypertrophy / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / drug effects
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • TRPC Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Type C Phospholipases / drug effects
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

  • Amides
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Pyrazoles
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC3 cation channel
  • pyrazole
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Calcium