PF‐06526290 can both enhance and inhibit conduction through voltage‐gated sodium channels

Background and Purpose Pharmacological agents that either inhibit or enhance flux of ions through voltage‐gated sodium (Nav) channels may provide opportunities for treatment of human health disorders. During studies to characterize agents that modulate Nav1.3 function, we identified a compound that appears to exhibit both enhancement and inhibition of sodium ion conduction that appeared to be dependent on the gating state that the channel was in. The objective of the current study was to determine if these different modulatory effects are mediated by the same or distinct interactions with the channel. Experimental Approach Electrophysiology and site‐directed mutation were used to investigate the effects of PF‐06526290 on Navchannel function. Key Results PF‐06526290 greatly slows inactivation of Navchannels in a subtype‐independent manner. However, upon prolonged depolarization to induce inactivation, PF‐06526290 becomes a Navsubtype‐selective inhibitor. Mutation of the domain 4 voltage sensor modulates inhibition of Nav1.3 or Nav1.7 channels by PF‐06526290 but has no effect on PF‐06526290 mediated slowing of inactivation. Conclusions and Implications These findings suggest that distinct interactions may underlie the two modes of Navchannel modulation by PF‐06526290 and that a single compound can affect sodium channel function in several ways.