Biochem/physiol Actions
VU0240551 is a potent, selective KCC2 inhibitor. KCC2 is a potassium-chloride exchanger expressed specifically in neurons. KCC2 functions to lower intracellular chloride concentrations below the electrochemical potential of the cells, thereby increasing the hyperexcitability of the neurons. KCC2 activity enhances GABA and other inhibitory neurotransmission and is implicated in pain processing. VU0240551 was discovered in a high-throughput screen, followed by directed medicinal chemistry. VU0240551 is selective for KCC2 over NKCC1. VU0240551 binds competitively to the K+ site and binds noncompetitively to the Cl- site. VU0240551 is the only small molecule with specificity for a KCC family member. |