Primary Aldosteronism: Small Molecule Antagonists of Mutant KCNJ5 Potassium Channels

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Sanas Mir-Bashiri - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • Martina Tetti - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), University of Turin (Autor:in)
  • Dennis Fröbel - , Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Yingxian Pang - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • Yuhong Yang - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Nanjing Medical University (Autor:in)
  • Dunja Reiss - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • Jonas Bibus - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • Mirko Peitzsch - , Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Graeme Eisenhofer - , Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Nicole Bechmann - , Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Martin Reincke - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • Tracy Ann Williams - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: – Mutations in the KCNJ5 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 5) gene, encoding an inwardly rectifying potassium channel, can drive aldosterone overproduction in a subset of aldosterone-producing adenomas and in familial hyperaldosteronism type III. Our objective was to identify small molecule compounds that specifically antagonize mutant KCNJ5 channels. METHODS: – Virtual screening of over 6 million small molecules identified compounds that putatively bind to KCNJ5 channels. The effect of 108 of these candidates was evaluated in vitro in human adrenocortical cells (HAC15) with inducible expression of wild-type or mutated forms of KCNJ5. Assessment encompassed cell viability, flow cytometry, gene expression, and adrenal steroid quantification via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: – Compounds antagonizing mutated KCNJ5 function were identified by evaluating their ability to rescue adrenal cell death induced by overexpression of mutant KCNJ5. A spiroquinoline compound, referred to as compound 81 (C81), effectively rescued cell death induced by KCNJ5 L168R in both monolayer and spheroid HAC15 cell cultures. C81 treatment caused a 69% to 85% reduction in CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) mRNA levels induced by KCNJ5 L168R, G151R, or T158A expression, compared with untreated cells. C81 also reduced aldosterone secretion by 65% in cells expressing KCNJ5 L168R and decreased 18-oxocortisol and 18-hydroxycortisol production by 78% and 90%, respectively. However, C81 had no significant effect on steroid secretion in cells overexpressing wild-type KCNJ5. CONCLUSIONS: – C81 shows potential as a small molecule antagonist to specifically target pathological aldosterone secretion in familial hyperaldosteronism type III or KCNJ5-mutated aldosterone-producing adenomas. These findings suggest new avenues for genotype-based primary aldosteronism diagnostics and targeted treatments, contributing to personalized patient care.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
FachzeitschriftHypertension
PublikationsstatusElektronische Veröffentlichung vor Drucklegung - 20 Nov. 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 41263073
ORCID /0000-0002-6932-333X/work/203072175

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • adenoma, adrenocorticotropic hormone, aldosterone, familial hyperaldosteronism, potassium channels, inwardly rectifying