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Chang CWT, Poudyal N, Verdugo DA, Peña F, Stehberg J, Retamal MA. KI04 an Aminoglycosides-Derived Molecule Acts as an Inhibitor of Human Connexin46 Hemichannels Expressed in HeLa Cells. Biomolecules 2023; 13:411. [PMID: 36979346 PMCID: PMC10046693 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Connexins (Cxs) are proteins that help cells to communicate with the extracellular media and with the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. Despite their importance in several human physiological and pathological conditions, their pharmacology is very poor. In the last decade, some molecules derived from aminoglycosides have been developed as inhibitors of Cxs hemichannels. However, these studies have been performed in E. coli, which is a very simple model. Therefore, our main goal is to test whether these molecules have similar effects in mammalian cells. METHODS We transfected HeLa cells with the human Cx46tGFP and characterized the effect of a kanamycin-derived molecule (KI04) on Cx46 hemichannel activity by time-lapse recordings, changes in phosphorylation by Western blot, localization by epifluorescence, and possible binding sites by molecular dynamics (MD). RESULTS We observed that kanamycin and KI04 were the most potent inhibitors of Cx46 hemichannels among several aminoglycosides, presenting an IC50 close to 10 μM. The inhibitory effect was not associated with changes in Cx46 electrophoretic mobility or its intracellular localization. Interestingly, 5 mM DTT did not reverse KI04 inhibition, but the KI04 effect completely disappeared after washing out KI04 from the recording media. MD analysis revealed two putative binding sites of KI04 in the Cx46 hemichannel. RESULTS These results demonstrate that KI04 could be used as a Cx46 inhibitor and could help to develop future selective Cx46 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei T. Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0300, USA
| | - Naveena Poudyal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0300, USA
| | - Daniel A. Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Francisca Peña
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Jimmy Stehberg
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Mauricio A. Retamal
- Center for Membrane Protein Research, Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6551, USA
- Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610496, Chile
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2
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Takemoto JY, Altenberg GA, Poudyal N, Subedi YP, Chang CWT. Amphiphilic aminoglycosides: Modifications that revive old natural product antibiotics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1000199. [PMID: 36212866 PMCID: PMC9537547 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1000199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Widely-used Streptomyces-derived antibacterial aminoglycosides have encountered challenges because of antibiotic resistance and toxicity. Today, they are largely relegated to medicinal topical applications. However, chemical modification to amphiphilic aminoglycosides can revive their efficacy against bacterial pathogens and expand their targets to other pathogenic microbes and disorders associated with hyperactive connexin hemichannels. For example, amphiphilic versions of neomycin and neamine are not subject to resistance and have expanded antibacterial spectra, and amphiphilic kanamycins are effective antifungals and have promising therapeutic uses as connexin hemichannel inhibitors. With further research and discoveries aimed at improved formulations and delivery, amphiphilic aminoglycosides may achieve new horizons in pharmacopeia and agriculture for Streptomyces aminoglycosides beyond just serving as topical antibacterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Y. Takemoto
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Guillermo A. Altenberg
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Naveena Poudyal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Yagya P. Subedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Cheng-Wei T. Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Cheng-Wei T. Chang,
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3
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The Bioactive Phenolic Agents Diaryl Ether CVB2-61 and Diarylheptanoid CVB4-57 as Connexin Hemichannel Blockers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101173. [PMID: 36297285 PMCID: PMC9611528 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation mediators enhance the activity of connexin (Cx) hemichannels, especially in the epithelial and endothelial tissues. As potential release routes for injury signals, such as (oligo)nucleotides, Cx hemichannels may contribute to long-lasting inflammation. Specific inhibition of Cx hemichannels may therefore be a mode of prevention and treatment of long-lasting, chronic sterile inflammation. The activity of Cx hemichannels was analysed in N2A and HeLa cells transfected with human Cx26 and Cx46 as well as in Calu-3 cells, using dye uptake as functional assay. Moreover, the possible impacts of the bioactive phenolic agents CVB2-61 and CVB4-57 on the barrier function of epithelial cells was analysed using Calu-3 cells. Both agents inhibited the dye uptake in N2A cells expressing Cx26 (>5 µM) and Cx46 (>20 µM). In Calu-3 cells, CVB2-61 and CVB4-57 reversibly inhibited the dye uptake at concentrations as low as 5 µM, without affecting the gap junction communication and barrier function, even at concentrations of 20 µM. While CVB2-61 or CVB4-57 maintained a reduced dye uptake in Calu-3 cells, an enhancement of the dye uptake in response to the stimulation of adenosine signalling was still observed after removal of the agents. The report shows that CVB2-61 and CVB4-57 reversibly block Cx hemichannels. Deciphering the mechanisms of the interactions of these agents with Cx hemichannels could allow further development of phenolic compounds to target Cx hemichannels for better and safer treatment of pathologies that involve Cx hemichannels.
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Retamal MA, Fernandez-Olivares A, Stehberg J. Over-activated hemichannels: A possible therapeutic target for human diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166232. [PMID: 34363932 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In our body, all the cells are constantly sharing chemical and electrical information with other cells. This intercellular communication allows them to respond in a concerted way to changes in the extracellular milieu. Connexins are transmembrane proteins that have the particularity of forming two types of channels; hemichannels and gap junction channels. Under normal conditions, hemichannels allow the controlled release of signaling molecules to the extracellular milieu. However, under certain pathological conditions, over-activated hemichannels can induce and/or exacerbate symptoms. In the last decade, great efforts have been put into developing new tools that can modulate these over-activated hemichannels. Small molecules, antibodies and mimetic peptides have shown a potential for the treatment of human diseases. In this review, we summarize recent findings in the field of hemichannel modulation via specific tools, and how these tools could improve patient outcome in certain pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio A Retamal
- Universidad del Desarrollo, Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Santiago, Chile; Universidad del Desarrollo, Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | - Jimmy Stehberg
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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5
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Güiza J, Arriagada J, Rodríguez L, Gutiérrez C, Duarte Y, Sáez JC, Vega JL. Anti-parasitic drugs modulate the non-selective channels formed by connexins or pannexins. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166188. [PMID: 34102257 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The proteins connexins, innexins, and pannexins are the subunits of non-selective channels present in the cell membrane in vertebrates (connexins and pannexins) and invertebrates (innexins). These channels allow the transfer of ions and molecules across the cell membrane or, and in many cases, between the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. These channels participate in various physiological processes, particularly under pathophysiological conditions, such as bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Interestingly, some anti-parasitic drugs also block connexin- or pannexin-formed channels. Their effects on host channels permeable to molecules that favor parasitic infection can further explain the anti-parasitic effects of some of these compounds. In this review, the effects of drugs with known anti-parasitic activity that modulate non-selective channels formed by connexins or pannexins are discussed. Previous studies that have reported the presence of these proteins in worms, ectoparasites, and protozoa that cause parasitic infections have also been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Güiza
- Laboratory of Gap Junction and Parasitic Diseases (GaPaL), Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Javiera Arriagada
- Laboratory of Gap Junction and Parasitic Diseases (GaPaL), Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Luis Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Gap Junction and Parasitic Diseases (GaPaL), Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Camila Gutiérrez
- Laboratory of Gap Junction and Parasitic Diseases (GaPaL), Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Yorley Duarte
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Av. República 330, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - Juan C Sáez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - José L Vega
- Laboratory of Gap Junction and Parasitic Diseases (GaPaL), Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile.
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Van Campenhout R, Gomes AR, De Groof TW, Muyldermans S, Devoogdt N, Vinken M. Mechanisms Underlying Connexin Hemichannel Activation in Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073503. [PMID: 33800706 PMCID: PMC8036530 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels mediate intercellular and extracellular communication, respectively. While gap junctions are seen as the “good guys” by controlling homeostasis, connexin hemichannels are considered as the “bad guys”, as their activation is associated with the onset and dissemination of disease. Open connexin hemichannels indeed mediate the transport of messengers between the cytosol and extracellular environment and, by doing so, fuel inflammation and cell death in a plethora of diseases. The present mini-review discusses the mechanisms involved in the activation of connexin hemichannels during pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raf Van Campenhout
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Timo W.M. De Groof
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (T.W.M.D.G.); (N.D.)
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (T.W.M.D.G.); (N.D.)
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (R.V.C.); (A.R.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-4774587
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7
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Natha CM, Vemulapalli V, Fiori MC, Chang CWT, Altenberg GA. Connexin hemichannel inhibitors with a focus on aminoglycosides. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166115. [PMID: 33711451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Connexins are membrane proteins involved directly in cell-to-cell communication through the formation of gap-junctional channels. These channels result from the head-to-head docking of two hemichannels, one from each of two adjacent cells. Undocked hemichannels are also present at the plasma membrane where they mediate the efflux of molecules that participate in autocrine and paracrine signaling, but abnormal increase in hemichannel activity can lead to cell damage in disorders such as cardiac infarct, stroke, deafness, cataracts, and skin diseases. For this reason, connexin hemichannels have emerged as a valid therapeutic target. Know small molecule hemichannel inhibitors are not ideal leads for the development of better drugs for clinical use because they are not specific and/or have toxic effects. Newer inhibitors are more selective and include connexin mimetic peptides, anti-connexin antibodies and drugs that reduce connexin expression such as antisense oligonucleotides. Re-purposed drugs and their derivatives are also promising because of the significant experience with their clinical use. Among these, aminoglycoside antibiotics have been identified as inhibitors of connexin hemichannels that do not inhibit gap-junctional channels. In this review, we discuss connexin hemichannels and their inhibitors, with a focus on aminoglycoside antibiotics and derivatives of kanamycin A that inhibit connexin hemichannels, but do not have antibiotic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M Natha
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Varun Vemulapalli
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Mariana C Fiori
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Cheng-Wei T Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Guillermo A Altenberg
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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8
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Advances in the development of connexin hemichannel inhibitors selective toward Cx43. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:379-392. [PMID: 33399487 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap-junction channels formed by two connexin hemichannels play diverse and pivotal roles in intercellular communication and regulation. Normally hemichannels at the plasma membrane participate in autocrine and paracrine signaling, but abnormal increase in their activity can lead or contribute to various diseases. Selective inhibitors toward connexin hemichannels are of great interest. Among more than 20 identified isoforms of connexins, connexin 43 (Cx43) attracts the most interest due to its prevalence and link to cell damage in many disorders or diseases. Traditional antibacterial kanamycin decorated with hydrophobic groups yields amphiphilic kanamycins that show low cytotoxicity and prominent inhibitory effect against Cx43. This review focuses on the development of amphiphilic kanamycins as connexin hemichannel inhibitors and their future perspective.
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9
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Subedi YP, Kjellgren A, Roberts P, Montgomery H, Thackeray N, Fiori MC, Altenberg GA, Chang CWT. Amphiphilic aminoglycosides with increased selectivity for inhibition of connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 203:112602. [PMID: 32679454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gap junction channels formed by the association of connexin hemichannels play a crucial role in intercellular communication. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is expressed in a variety of tissues and organs, including heart and brain, and abnormal sustained opening of undocked "free" hemichannels contributes to the cell damage in cardiac infarcts and stroke. Selective inhibitors of Cx43 hemichannels for clinical use are then desirable. Here, we synthesized and tested new aminoglycosides for their connexin inhibitory activity towards Cx26 and Cx43 hemichannels. The lead compounds displayed enhanced Cx43/Cx26 selectivity for hemichannel inhibition when compared to the parent kanamycin A and other commercially available aminoglycosides. These lead compounds are not cytotoxic to mammalian cells and show promise for the treatment of ischemic damage of the heart, brain, and kidneys. We identified a new compound as a promising lead based on its good selectivity for Cx43 hemichannels inhibition and the simplicity and affordability of its production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagya P Subedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-0300, USA
| | - Abbey Kjellgren
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, And Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6551, USA
| | - Paul Roberts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-0300, USA
| | - Heath Montgomery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-0300, USA
| | - Noah Thackeray
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-0300, USA
| | - Mariana C Fiori
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, And Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6551, USA
| | - Guillermo A Altenberg
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, And Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6551, USA
| | - Cheng-Wei T Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-0300, USA.
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Fiori MC, Cuello LG, Altenberg GA. A Simple Assay to Evaluate the Function of Human Connexin Hemichannels Expressed in Escherichia coli that Can Be Used for Drug Discovery and Mutant Analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 87:e68. [PMID: 31756040 DOI: 10.1002/cpph.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Abnormally increased activity of connexin hemichannels contributes to cell damage in many disorders, including deafness, stroke, and cardiac infarct, and therefore hemichannels constitute a potentially important therapeutic target. Unfortunately, the available hemichannel inhibitors are not specific and most are toxic. The absence of a simple and cost-effective screening assay has made the discovery of hemichannel inhibitors difficult. Here, we present an optimized assay where human connexins are expressed in genetically modified Escherichia coli cells deficient in potassium uptake (LB2003 cells). These cells cannot grow in low-potassium medium, and hemichannel function is assayed by the reversion of the no-growth phenotype. Since functional hemichannels are permeable to potassium, they allow for its uptake and cell growth. The simple reading of bacterial growth in low-potassium medium distinguishes functional hemichannels (growth) from those inhibited (no growth). This assay is simple, robust, inexpensive, and reliable, and is easily scaled to high-throughput multiwell platforms. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of competent LB2003 cells resistant to kanamycin Basic Protocol 2: Growth complementation assay Support Protocol: Evaluation of cytotoxic effects of potential connexin hemichannel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana C Fiori
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Luis G Cuello
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Guillermo A Altenberg
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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11
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AlFindee MN, Subedi YP, Fiori MC, Krishnan S, Kjellgren A, Altenberg GA, Chang CWT. Inhibition of Connexin Hemichannels by New Amphiphilic Aminoglycosides without Antibiotic Activity. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:697-701. [PMID: 30034603 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins hemichannels (HCs) from adjacent cells form gap junctional channels that mediate cell-to-cell communication. Abnormal opening of "free" undocked HCs can produce cell damage and participate in the mechanism of disorders such as cardiac infarct, stroke, deafness, skin diseases, and cataracts. Therefore, inhibitors of connexin HCs have great pharmacological potential. Antibiotic aminoglycosides (AGs) have been recently identified as connexin HC inhibitors, but their antibiotic effect is an issue for the treatment of disorders where infections do not play a role. Herein, we synthesized and tested several amphiphilic AGs without antibiotic effect for their inhibition against connexin HCs, using a newly developed cell-based bacterial growth complementation assay. Several leads with superior potency than the parent compound, kanamycin A, were identified. Unlike traditional AGs, these amphiphilic AGs are not bactericidal and are not toxic to mammalian cells, making them better than traditional AGs as HC inhibitors for clinical use and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madher N. AlFindee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-0300, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Basra, Basra, Iraq
| | - Yagya P. Subedi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-0300, United States
| | - Mariana C. Fiori
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430-6551, United States
| | - Srinivasan Krishnan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430-6551, United States
| | - Abbey Kjellgren
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430-6551, United States
- Honors College, McClellan Hall, Box 41017, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1017, United States
| | - Guillermo A. Altenberg
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, and Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430-6551, United States
| | - Cheng-Wei T. Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-0300, United States
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