Identification of a calcium channel modulator using a high throughput yeast two-hybrid screen

Nat Biotechnol. 1998 Oct;16(10):946-50. doi: 10.1038/nbt1098-946.

Abstract

The interaction of the N-type calcium channel beta3 subunit with the alpha1B subunit alters the activation/inactivation kinetics and the maximal conductance of the channel. The defined protein-protein interaction of the human alpha1B and beta3 subunits provides a target for small-molecule modulation of N-type channel activity. We describe a high throughput screen based on a counterselection yeast two-hybrid assay, which was used to identify small molecules that disrupt alpha1B-beta3 subunit interactions and inhibit N-type calcium channel activity. These small molecules may be a new class of calcium channel antagonists with therapeutic potential.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects*
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Humans
  • Norepinephrine / pharmacology
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • omega-Conotoxins*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Peptides
  • omega-Conotoxins
  • ziconotide
  • Norepinephrine