Identification of small-molecule ion channel modulators in C. elegans channelopathy models

Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 26;9(1):3941. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06514-5.

Abstract

Ion channels are important therapeutic targets, but the discovery of ion channel drugs remains challenging due to a lack of assays that allow high-throughput screening in the physiological context. Here we report C. elegans phenotype-based methods for screening ion channel drugs. Expression of modified human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channels in C. elegans results in egg-laying and locomotive defects, which offer indicators for screening small-molecule channel modulators. Screening in worms expressing hERGA561V, which carries a trafficking-defective mutation A561V known to associate with long-QT syndrome, identifies two functional correctors Prostratin and ingenol-3,20-dibenzoate. These compounds activate PKCε signaling and consequently phosphorylate S606 at the pore region of the channel to promote hERGA561V trafficking to the plasma membrane. Importantly, the compounds correct electrophysiological abnormalities in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes bearing a heterozygous CRISPR/Cas9-edited hERGA561V. Thus, we have developed an in vivo high-throughput method for screening compounds that have therapeutic potential in treating channelopathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Channelopathies / drug therapy
  • Channelopathies / genetics*
  • Channelopathies / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology
  • Diterpenes / therapeutic use
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / genetics*
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Phorbol Esters / pharmacology
  • Phorbol Esters / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology
  • Triterpenes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Diterpenes
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
  • Phorbol Esters
  • Triterpenes
  • alphitolic acid
  • ingenol dibenzoate
  • prostratin
  • Protein Kinase C