L-364,373

L-364,373 (R-L3) enantiomers have opposite modulating effects on IKs in mammalian ventricular myocytes.[Pubmed:23889560]

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Aug;91(8):586-92.

Activators of the slow delayed rectifier K(+) current (IKs) have been suggested as promising tools for suppressing ventricular arrhythmias due to prolongation of repolarization. Recently, L-364,373 (R-L3) was nominated to activate IKs in myocytes from several species; however, in some studies, it failed to activate IKs. One later study suggested opposite modulating effects from the R-L3 enantiomers as a possible explanation for this discrepancy. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of the RL-3 enantiomers on IKs in ventricular mammalian myocytes, by applying standard microelectrode and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques at 37 degrees C. We synthesized 2 substances, ZS_1270B (right) and ZS_1271B (left), the 2 enantiomers of R-L3. In rabbit myocytes, ZS_1270B enhanced the IKs tail current by approximately 30%, whereas ZS_1271B reduced IKs tails by 45%. In guinea pig right ventricular preparations, ZS_1270B shortened APD90 (action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization) by 12%, whereas ZS_1271B lengthened it by approximately 15%. We concluded that R-L3 enantiomers in the same concentration range indeed have opposite modulating effects on IKs, which may explain why the racemic drug R-L3 previously failed to activate IKs. ZS_1270B is a potent IKs activator, therefore, this substance is appropriate to test whether IKs activators are ideal tools to suppress ventricular arrhythmias originating from prolongation of action potentials.

L-364,373 fails to activate the slow delayed rectifier K+ current in canine ventricular cardiomyocytes.[Pubmed:16544107]

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;373(1):85-9.

Activators of the slow delayed rectifier K+ current (I(Ks)) are promising tools to suppress ventricular arrhythmias originating from prolongation of action potentials. A recently synthesized compound, L-364,373, was shown to activate I(Ks) in ventricular cells isolated from guinea pigs and rabbits. Due to the interspecies differences known to exist in the properties of the delayed rectifier K+ currents, the effect of L-364,373 on I(Ks) was studied and compared with that of another I(Ks) activator mefenamic acid in canine ventricular myocytes. Mefenamic acid (100 microM) significantly increased the amplitude of the fully activated I(Ks) current, as well as the I(Ks) current tails, by shifting the voltage dependence of its activation towards negative voltages and increased the time constant for deactivation. In contrast, L-364,373, up to concentrations of 3 microM, failed to augment I(Ks) at any membrane potential studied, but slightly increased the time constant of deactivation. It is concluded that human studies are required to evaluate the therapeutically beneficial effects of I(Ks) activators. Rodent cardiac tissues are not suitable for this purpose.

Rb+ efflux through functional activation of cardiac KCNQ1/minK channels by the benzodiazepine R-L3 (L-364,373).[Pubmed:16945016]

Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2006 Aug;4(4):443-50.

The slow delayed rectifier K+ current, Iks, encoded by KCNQ1 (KvLQT1)/KCNE1 (mink) genes, contributes to cardiac action potential repolarization and determines the heartbeat rate. Mutations in either KCNQ1 or KCNE1 that reduce Iks cause long-QT syndrome (LQTS), a disorder of ventricular repolarization that results in cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. A well-recognized potential treatment for LQTS caused by reduction of Iks is to enhance functional activation of cardiac KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels. In the present study, we generated a stable Chinese hamster ovary cell line that expresses KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels confirmed by electrophysiology. Using a pharmacological tool compound R-L3 (L-364,373 [(3-R)-1,3-dihydro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol- 3-ylmethyl)-1-methyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one]), which activates KCNQ1/mink channels, we then developed and validated a non-radioactive rubidium (Rb+) efflux assay that directly measures the functional activity of KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Our results show that the validated Rb+ efflux assay can be used for screening of KCNQ1/KCNE1 openers that potentially treat LQTS in both inherited and acquired forms. In addition, the assay also can be used for evaluation of possible long-QT liability during cardiac selectivity of new chemical entities.

Pharmacological dissection of K(v)7.1 channels in systemic and pulmonary arteries.[Pubmed:22251082]

Br J Pharmacol. 2012 Jun;166(4):1377-87.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the functional impact of KCNQ1-encoded voltage-dependent potassium channels (K(v)7.1) in the vasculature. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Mesenteric arteries, intrapulmonary arteries and thoracic aortae were isolated from adult rats. K(v)7.1 channel expression was established by fluorescence immunocytochemistry. Wire myography determined functionality of these channels in response to selective blockers and activators. Xenopus oocytes expressing K(v)7.1 channels were used to assess the effectiveness of selective K(v)7.1 channel blockers. KEY RESULTS: K(v)7.1 channels were identified in arterial myocytes by immunocytochemistry. K(v)7.1 blockers HMR1556, L-768,673 (10 microM) and JNJ39490282 (JNJ282; 1 microM) had no contractile effects in arteries, whereas the pan-K(v)7 channel blocker linopirdine (10 microM) evoked robust contractions. Application of two compounds purported to activate K(v)7.1 channels, L-364 373 (R-L3) and mefenamic acid, relaxed mesenteric arteries preconstricted by methoxamine. These responses were reversed by HMR1556 or L-768,673 but not JNJ282. Similar effects were observed in the thoracic aorta and intrapulmonary arteries. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In contrast to previous assumptions, K(v)7.1 channels expressed in arterial myocytes are functional ion channels. Although these channels do not appear to contribute to resting vascular tone, K(v)7.1 activators were effective vasorelaxants.

Pharmacological activation of normal and arrhythmia-associated mutant KCNQ1 potassium channels.[Pubmed:14576198]

Circ Res. 2003 Nov 14;93(10):941-7.

KCNQ1 alpha-subunits coassemble with KCNE1 beta-subunits to form channels that conduct the slow delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) important for repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Mutations in KCNQ1 reduce IKs and cause long-QT syndrome, a disorder of ventricular repolarization that predisposes affected individuals to arrhythmia and sudden death. Current therapy for long-QT syndrome is inadequate. R-L3 is a benzodiazepine that activates IKs and has the potential to provide gene-specific therapy. In the present study, we characterize the molecular determinants of R-L3 interaction with KCNQ1 channels, use computer modeling to propose a mechanism for drug-induced changes in channel gating, and determine its effect on several long-QT syndrome-associated mutant KCNQ1 channels heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Scanning mutagenesis combined with voltage-clamp analysis indicated that R-L3 interacts with specific residues located in the 5th and 6th transmembrane domains of KCNQ1 subunits. Most KCNQ1 mutant channels responded to R-L3 similarly to wild-type channels, but one mutant channel (G306R) was insensitive to R-L3 possibly because it disrupted a key component of the drug-binding site.