High-throughput screening against protein:protein interaction interfaces reveals anti-cancer therapeutics as potent modulators of the voltage-gated Na+ channel complex

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 15;9(1):16890. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53110-8.

Abstract

Multiple voltage-gated Na+ (Nav) channelopathies can be ascribed to subtle changes in the Nav macromolecular complex. Fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) is a functionally relevant component of the Nav1.6 channel complex, a causative link to spinocerebellar ataxia 27 (SCA27) and an emerging risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, how this protein:channel complex is regulated in the cell is still poorly understood. To search for key cellular pathways upstream of the FGF14:Nav1.6 complex, we have developed, miniaturized and optimized an in-cell assay in 384-well plates by stably reconstituting the FGF14:Nav1.6 complex using the split-luciferase complementation assay. We then conducted a high-throughput screening (HTS) of 267 FDA-approved compounds targeting known mediators of cellular signaling. Of the 65 hits initially detected, 24 were excluded based on counter-screening and cellular toxicity. Based on target analysis, potency and dose-response relationships, 5 compounds were subsequently repurchased for validation and confirmed as hits. Among those, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lestaurtinib was highest ranked, exhibiting submicromolar inhibition of FGF14:Nav1.6 assembly. While providing evidence for a robust in-cell HTS platform that can be adapted to search for any channelopathy-associated regulatory proteins, these results lay the potential groundwork for repurposing cancer drugs for neuropsychopharmacology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / agonists
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / chemistry
  • HEK293 Cells
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods*
  • Humans
  • Multiprotein Complexes / agonists
  • Multiprotein Complexes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • NAV1.6 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / drug effects
  • NAV1.6 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Maps / physiology*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists / isolation & purification*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists / pharmacology
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers / isolation & purification*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / drug effects*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • NAV1.6 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
  • fibroblast growth factor 14
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors