Human connexin channel specificity of classical and new gap junction inhibitors

J Biomol Screen. 2012 Dec;17(10):1339-47. doi: 10.1177/1087057112452594. Epub 2012 Jul 10.

Abstract

Connexins are transmembrane proteins involved in gap junction intercellular communication. They present cell- and tissue-specific expression, with own electric and metabolic coupling specificities. These proteins are involved in numerous physiological processes in the brain and among them neuronal synchronization and trafficking of glucose. Such proteins are also described as being misregulated in various pathologies in the central nervous system. Thus, connexin blockers have been proposed as pharmacological tools to dissect these implications. However, such approaches lack accurate characterization of known inhibitors toward gap junction isoform specificity. In addition, those compounds are limited to few chemical classes and exhibit other activities, for example, an anti-inflammatory effect. The aims of this study were to evaluate the selectivity of described inhibitors and to enrich this pharmacopeia by new chemical classes. In this study, we present the specificity of published inhibitors toward several connexin isoforms expressed in the brain. Furthermore, after a screening of compounds using cellular models, we identified seven new inhibitors, with high functional reversibility and different relative selectivity toward isoforms. They constitute new chemical classes of connexin modulators completing those previously described. These new inhibitors might also provide new insights in understanding numerous pathophysiological processes involving gap junctions.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Connexins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Connexins / genetics
  • Connexins / metabolism
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Gap Junctions / drug effects*
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Rats
  • Small Molecule Libraries

Substances

  • Connexins
  • Small Molecule Libraries