The long term goal of our research is to develop effective inhibitors for inward-rectifier K+ channels and use them as molecular probes to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of these ion channels. We have recently identified tertiapin, a honeybee toxin, as a nanomolar-affinity protein-inhibitor for some inward-rectifier K+ channels. Tertiapin, whose structure is known, inhibits the channels by binding to the external vestibule of the K+ conduction pore.
In Aim 1 A, we will first use tertiapin as a probe to explore the molecular architecture of the outer pore in inward-rectifier K+ channels. By identifying the pairing relation between channel and toxin residues with thermodynamic mutant cycle analysis, we will be able to assign each channel residue pairing with a toxin residue to a location in space with respect to the toxin structure, and thus to delineate the architecture of the outer pore. We will then in Aim 1B examine the mechanism underlying the specificity of channel-toxin interactions. With this knowledge we will design inhibitors with higher channel specificity (Aim 2A), and will also employ phage display, a type of very powerful combinatorial peptide technology, to select specific channel-inhibiting peptides from random peptide libraries (Aim 2B). The proposed fundamental studies also have important medical implications. Inward-rectifier K+ channels are significant both physiologically and pathophysiologically and represent important pharmacological targets. The inhibitors that we develop will be powerful tools both for investigating the physiology and/or pathophysiology of the channels and for developing drugs that specifically target these channels.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM061929-03
Application #
6636513
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-3 (01))
Program Officer
Shapiro, Bert I
Project Start
2001-04-01
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$275,790
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Ramu, Yajamana; Xu, Yanping; Lu, Zhe (2008) Engineered specific and high-affinity inhibitor for a subtype of inward-rectifier K+ channels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:10774-8
Xu, Yanping; Lu, Zhe (2004) Characterization of inward-rectifier K+ channel inhibition by antiarrhythmic piperazine. Biochemistry 43:15577-83
Lu, Zhe (2004) Mechanism of rectification in inward-rectifier K+ channels. Annu Rev Physiol 66:103-29
Lu, Zhe; Klem, Angela M; Ramu, Yajamana (2002) Coupling between voltage sensors and activation gate in voltage-gated K+ channels. J Gen Physiol 120:663-76