Development of a selective small-molecule inhibitor of Kir1.1, the renal outer medullary potassium channel

Gautam Bhave, Brian A. Chauder, Wen Liu, Eric S. Dawson, Rishin Kadakia, Thuy T. Nguyen, L. Michelle Lewis, Jens Meiler, C. David Weaver, Lisa M. Satlin, Craig W. Lindsley, Jerod S. Denton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

The renal outer medullary potassium (K +) channel, ROMK (Kir1.1), is a putative drug target for a novel class of loop diuretic that would lower blood volume and pressure without causing hypokalemia. However, the lack of selective ROMK inhibitors has hindered efforts to assess its therapeutic potential. In a high-throughput screen for small-molecule modulators of ROMK, we previously identified a potent and moderately selective ROMK antagonist, 7,13-bis(4-nitrobenzyl)-1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane (VU590), that also inhibits Kir7.1. Because ROMK and Kir7.1 are coexpressed in the nephron, VU590 is not a good probe of ROMK function in the kidney. Here we describe the development of the structurally related inhibitor 2,2′-oxybis(methylene) bis(5-nitro-1H-benzo-[d]imidazole) (VU591), which is as potent as VU590 but is selective for ROMK over Kir7.1 and more than 65 other potential off-targets. VU591 seems to block the intracellular pore of the channel. The development of VU591 may enable studies to explore the viability of ROMK as a diuretic target.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)42-50
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular Pharmacology
Volume79
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of a selective small-molecule inhibitor of Kir1.1, the renal outer medullary potassium channel'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this