Analogs of ShK toxin and their uses in selective inhibition of Kv1.3 potassium channels

US8080523B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Christine Beeton · Pearland, US
• George K. Chandy · Laguna Beach, US
• Michael W. Pennington · Fontana, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 20, 2011
• Expiry date: May 30, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N15/149
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Analogs of ShK toxin and methods for using such ShK analogs. The ShK analogs generally comprise ShK toxin attached to a chemical entity (e.g. an atom, molecule, group, residue, compound, moiety, etc.) that has an anionic charge. In some embodiments the chemical entity attached to the ShK toxin may comprise an amino acid residue. The ShK analogs may be administered to human or non-human animal subjects to cause inhibition of potassium channels or to otherwise treat diseases or disorders. In some embodiments, the chemical entity to which the ShK toxin is attached may be chosen to provide selective inhibition of certain potassium channels (e.g., Kv1.3 channels) over other potassium channels (e.g., Kv1.1 channels). In come embodiments, the chemical entity to which the ShK toxin is attached may include a fluorophore, thereby providing a fluorophore tagged ShK analog. Such fluorophore tagged ShK analogs may be used in flow cytometry alone, or in conjunction with class II tetramers that can detect autoreactive cells.