Ion channel modulators: more diversity than previously thought

in Chembiochem : A European Journal of Chemical Biology (2011), 12(12), 1808-1812

Ion channel function can be modified in various ways. For example, numerous studies have shown that currents through voltage-gated ion channels are affected by pore block or modification of voltage ... [more ▼]

Ion channel function can be modified in various ways. For example, numerous studies have shown that currents through voltage-gated ion channels are affected by pore block or modification of voltage-dependence of activation/inactivation. Recent experiments performed on various ion channels show that allosteric modulation is an important mechanism to affect channel function. For instance, in KCa2 (formerly SK) channels, the prototypic “blocker” apamin prevents conduction by an allosteric mechanism, while TRPV1 channels are prevented from closing by a tarantula toxin, DkTx, through an interaction with residues located away from the selectivity filter. The recent evidence therefore suggests that, in several ion channels, the region around the outer mouth of the pore is rich in binding sites which may be exploited therapeutically. These discoveries also suggest that the pharmacological vocabulary should be adapted to define these various actions. [less ▲]

Tight binding of the antitumor drug ditercalinium to quadruplex DNA

in Chembiochem : A European Journal of Chemical Biology (2002), 3(12), 1235-1241

The structural selectivity of the DNA-binding antitumor drug ditercalinium was investigated by competition dialysis with a series of nineteen different DNA substrates. The 7H-pyridocarbazole dimer was ... [more ▼]

The structural selectivity of the DNA-binding antitumor drug ditercalinium was investigated by competition dialysis with a series of nineteen different DNA substrates. The 7H-pyridocarbazole dimer was found to bind to double stranded DNA with a preference for GC rich species but can in addition form stable complex with triplex and quadruplex structures. The preferential interaction of the drug with four-stranded DNA structures was independantly confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry and a detailed analysis of the binding reaction was performed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrospray. The BIAcore SPR study showed that the kinetic parameters for the interaction of ditercalinium with the human telomeric quadruplex sequence are comparable to those measured with a duplex sequence. Slow association and dissociation were observed with both the quadruplex and duplex structures. The newly discovered preferential binding of ditercalinium to the antiparallel quadruplex sequence d(AG(3)[T(2)AG(3)](3)) provides new perspective for the design of drugs that can bind to human telomeres. [less ▲]