Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv7.2

Title: Synthesis and Evaluation of Potent KCNQ2/3-Specific Channel Activators.

Authors: Manoj Kumar, Nicholas Reed, Ruiting Liu, Elias Aizenman, Peter Wipf, Thanos Tzounopoulos

Journal, date & volume: Mol. Pharmacol., 2016 Jun , 89, 667-77

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27005699

Abstract
KQT-like subfamily (KCNQ) channels are voltage-gated, noninactivating potassium ion channels, and their down-regulation has been implicated in several hyperexcitability-related disorders, including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Activators of these channels reduce the excitability of central and peripheral neurons, and, as such, have therapeutic utility. Here, we synthetically modified several moieties of the KCNQ2-5 channel activator retigabine, an anticonvulsant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. By introducing a CF3-group at the 4-position of the benzylamine moiety, combined with a fluorine atom at the 3-position of the aniline ring, we generated Ethyl (2-amino-3-fluoro-4-((4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)amino)phenyl)carbamate (RL648_81), a new KCNQ2/3-specific activator that is >15 times more potent and also more selective than retigabine. We suggest that RL648_81 is a promising clinical candidate for treating or preventing neurologic disorders associated with neuronal hyperexcitability.