Structure-activity relationship studies of four novel 4-aminopyridine K+ channel blockers

Sci Rep. 2020 Jan 9;10(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56245-w.

Abstract

4-Aminopyridine (4AP) is a specific blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels (KV1 family) clinically approved for the symptomatic treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It has recently been shown that [18F]3F4AP, a radiofluorinated analog of 4AP, also binds to KV1 channels and can be used as a PET tracer for the detection of demyelinated lesions in rodent models of MS. Here, we investigate four novel 4AP derivatives containing methyl (-CH3), methoxy (-OCH3) as well as trifluoromethyl (-CF3) in the 2 and 3 position as potential candidates for PET imaging and/or therapy. We characterized the physicochemical properties of these compounds (basicity and lipophilicity) and analyzed their ability to block Shaker K+ channel under different voltage and pH conditions. Our results demonstrate that three of the four derivatives are able to block voltage-gated potassium channels. Specifically, 3-methyl-4-aminopyridine (3Me4AP) was found to be approximately 7-fold more potent than 4AP and 3F4AP; 3-methoxy- and 3-trifluoromethyl-4-aminopyridine (3MeO4AP and 3CF34AP) were found to be about 3- to 4-fold less potent than 4AP; and 2-trifluoromethyl-4-AP (2CF34AP) was found to be about 60-fold less active. These results suggest that these novel derivatives are potential candidates for therapy and imaging.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 4-Aminopyridine / metabolism
  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / chemistry
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / chemistry
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / genetics
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenopus laevis / growth & development

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • 4-Aminopyridine