COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING ANALOGS OF SHK FOR SELECTIVE INHIBITION OF HV1.3 POTASSIUM CHANNELS

摘要

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., KvL3 channels) over other potassium channels (e.g., Kvl.l channels). In some embodiments, the chemical entity to which the ShK toxin is attached may include a fluorophore, thereby providing 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 auto reactive cells.