Activation of G551D-CFTR by Bicyclooctane Compounds Is cAMP-dependent and Exhibits Low Sensitivity to Thiazolidinone CFTR Inhibitor CFTRinh-172

The G551D-CFTR mutation causing cystic fibrosis (CF) results from a missense mutation at codon 551(G551D) in the gene encoding of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The G551D mutation in CFTR results in a reduced functional channel but G551D-CFTR is appropriately inserted in the apical membrane. In previous studies we discovered a class of high-affinity bicyclooctane (BCO)G551D-CFTR activators(G551DBCOs) with Kd down to 1μmol/L. In this study, we analyzed the pharmacological activation of G551D-CFTR by the G551DBcos by means of short circuit current analysis and cell-based fluorescence quenching assay. The G551DBCOs-induced G551D-CFTR activation is cAMP-dependent and is less sensitive to thiazolidinone CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh-172. These data suggest that (1) the phosphorylation of G551D-CFTR by protein kinase A is required for the activation by G551DBcos; (2) G551DBCos and CFTRinh-172 may act at the same site on the G551D-CFTR molecule.