Key result
IonWorks HT assay achieves >0.9 correlation with conventional patch clamp for generating KCNQ2/3 enhancer EC50s.
Why the study?
Enhancers of KCNQ channels are effective in chronic pain models, but a medium-throughput electrophysiological assay for discovering novel enhancers was needed.
Effect estimate: R2 > 0.9
The IonWorks HT platform provides a highly predictive medium-throughput electrophysiological assay for discovering novel KCNQ2/3 channel enhancers.
Enables medium-throughput KCNQ2/3 enhancer screening; leaves open in vivo and clinical validation.
Enhancers of KCNQ channels are known to be effective in chronic pain models. To discover novel enhancers of KCNQ channels, the authors developed a medium-throughput electrophysiological assay by using the IonWorks platform. Screening of 20 CHO-K1 clones stably expressing KCNQ2/3 was performed on the IonWorks HT until the best clone (judged from seal rate, current level, and stability) was obtained. The KCNQ2/3 current amplitude in the cells was found to increase from 60 +/- 15 pA to 473 +/- 80 pA (at -10 mV), and the expression rate was increased by 56% when the cells were incubated at 27 degrees C overnight. The clone used for compound screening had a seal rate of greater than 90% and an overall success rate of greater than 70%. The voltage step protocol (hold cells at -80 mV and depolarize to -10 mV for 1 s) was designed to provide moderate current but still allow for pharmacological current enhancement. EC(50)s were generated from 8-point concentration-response curves with a control compound on each plate using compounds that were also tested with conventional patch clamp. The authors found that there was a very good correlation (R(2) > 0.9) between the 2 assays, thus demonstrating the highly predictive nature of the IonWorks assay.
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Jow et al. (2007) studied this question. IonWorks HT electrophysiological assay vs. Conventional patch clamp was evaluated on Correlation of EC50s between IonWorks assay and conventional patch clamp (R2 > 0.9). The IonWorks HT electrophysiological assay demonstrated a very good correlation (R2 > 0.9) with conventional patch clamp for generating EC50s of KCNQ2/3 channel enhancers.
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