Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of perifosine-a third generation alkylphospholipid analog with anti-tumor properties-on the activity of Kv2.1 channels.
Methods: The whole-cell patch clamp technique was applied to follow the modulatory effect of perifosine on Kv2.1 channels expressed in HEK293 cells.
Results: Obtained data provide evidence that perifosine application decreases the whole cell Kv2.1 currents in a concentration-independent manner. Perifosine induces a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of Kv2.1 channels inactivation without altering the voltage dependence of channels activation. The kinetics of Kv2.1 closed-state inactivation was accelerated by perifosine, with no significant effects on the recovery rate from inactivation.
Conclusions: Taken together, these results show that perifosine modified the Kv2.1 inactivation gating resulting in a decrease of the current amplitude. These data will help to elucidate the mechanism of action of this promising anti-cancer drug on ion channels and their possible implications.
Keywords: Alkylphospholipid; Kv2.1; Perifosine; Potassium channels.
Copyright © 2015 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.