Tamoxifen inhibition of kv7.2/kv7.3 channels

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 24;8(9):e76085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076085. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

KCNQ genes encode five Kv7 K(+) channel subunits (Kv7.1-Kv7.5). Four of these (Kv7.2-Kv7.5) are expressed in the nervous system. Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 are the principal molecular components of the slow voltage-gated M-channel, which regulates neuronal excitability. In this study, we demonstrate that tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist used in the treatment of breast cancer, inhibits Kv7.2/Kv7.3 currents heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells. Current inhibition by tamoxifen was voltage independent but concentration-dependent. The IC50 for current inhibition was 1.68 ± 0.44 µM. The voltage-dependent activation of the channel was not modified. Tamoxifen inhibited Kv7.2 homomeric channels with a higher potency (IC50 = 0.74 ± 0.16 µM). The mutation Kv7.2 R463E increases phosphatidylinositol- 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) - channel interaction and diminished dramatically the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen compared with that for wild type Kv7.2. Conversely, the mutation Kv7.2 R463Q, which decreases PIP2 -channel interaction, increased tamoxifen potency. Similar results were obtained on the heteromeric Kv7.2 R463Q/Kv7.3 and Kv7.2 R463E/Kv7.3 channels, compared to Kv7.2/Kv7.3 WT. Overexpression of type 2A PI(4)P5-kinase (PIP5K 2A) significantly reduced tamoxifen inhibition of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 and Kv7.2 R463Q channels. Our results suggest that tamoxifen inhibited Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels by interfering with PIP2-channel interaction because of its documented interaction with PIP2 and the similar effect of tamoxifen on various PIP2 sensitive channels.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • KCNQ2 Potassium Channel / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • KCNQ2 Potassium Channel / genetics
  • KCNQ2 Potassium Channel / metabolism*
  • KCNQ3 Potassium Channel / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • KCNQ3 Potassium Channel / metabolism*
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate / metabolism
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology*

Substances

  • KCNQ2 Potassium Channel
  • KCNQ3 Potassium Channel
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate
  • Tamoxifen
  • PIP4K2A protein, human
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)