TY - JOUR T1 - Meclofenamic Acid and Diclofenac, Novel Templates of KCNQ2/Q3 Potassium Channel Openers, Depress Cortical Neuron Activity and Exhibit Anticonvulsant Properties JF - Molecular Pharmacology JO - Mol Pharmacol SP - 1053 LP - 1066 DO - 10.1124/mol.104.007112 VL - 67 IS - 4 AU - Asher Peretz AU - Nurit Degani AU - Rachel Nachman AU - Yael Uziyel AU - Gilad Gibor AU - Doron Shabat AU - Bernard Attali Y1 - 2005/04/01 UR - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/67/4/1053.abstract N2 - The voltage-dependent M-type potassium current (M-current) plays a major role in controlling brain excitability by stabilizing the membrane potential and acting as a brake for neuronal firing. The KCNQ2/Q3 heteromeric channel complex was identified as the molecular correlate of the M-current. Furthermore, the KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channel α subunits are mutated in families with benign familial neonatal convulsions, a neonatal form of epilepsy. Enhancement of KCNQ2/Q3 potassium currents may provide an important target for antiepileptic drug development. Here, we show that meclofenamic acid (meclofenamate) and diclofenac, two related molecules previously used as anti-inflammatory drugs, act as novel KCNQ2/Q3 channel openers. Extracellular application of meclofenamate (EC50 = 25 μM) and diclofenac (EC50 = 2.6 μM) resulted in the activation of KCNQ2/Q3 K+ currents, heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Both openers activated KCNQ2/Q3 channels by causing a hyperpolarizing shift of the voltage activation curve (-23 and -15 mV, respectively) and by markedly slowing the deactivation kinetics. The effects of the drugs were stronger on KCNQ2 than on KCNQ3 channel α subunits. In contrast, they did not enhance KCNQ1 K+ currents. Both openers increased KCNQ2/Q3 current amplitude at physiologically relevant potentials and led to hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential. In cultured cortical neurons, meclofenamate and diclofenac enhanced the M-current and reduced evoked and spontaneous action potentials, whereas in vivo diclofenac exhibited an anticonvulsant activity (ED50 = 43 mg/kg). These compounds potentially constitute novel drug templates for the treatment of neuronal hyperexcitability including epilepsy, migraine, or neuropathic pain. ER -