A small molecule CFTR potentiator restores ATP‐dependent channel gating to the cystic fibrosis mutant G551D‐CFTR

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiators are small molecules developed to treat the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). They interact directly with CFTR Cl(−) channels at the plasma membrane to enhance channel gating. Here, we investigate the action of a new CFTR potentiator, CP‐628006 with a distinct chemical structure. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Using electrophysiological assays with CFTR‐expressing heterologous cells and CF patient‐derived human bronchial epithelial (hBE) cells, we compared the effects of CP‐628006 with the marketed CFTR potentiator ivacaftor. KEY RESULTS: CP‐628006 efficaciously potentiated CFTR function in epithelia from cultured hBE cells. Its effects on the predominant CFTR variant F508del‐CFTR were larger than those with the gating variant G551D‐CFTR. In excised inside‐out membrane patches, CP‐628006 potentiated wild‐type, F508del‐CFTR, and G551D‐CFTR by increasing the frequency and duration of channel openings. CP‐628006 increased the affinity and efficacy of F508del‐CFTR gating by ATP. In these respects, CP‐628006 behaved like ivacaftor. CP‐628006 also demonstrated notable differences with ivacaftor. Its potency and efficacy were lower than those of ivacaftor. CP‐628006 conferred ATP‐dependent gating on G551D‐CFTR, whereas the action of ivacaftor was ATP‐independent. For G551D‐CFTR, but not F508del‐CFTR, the action of CP‐628006 plus ivacaftor was greater than ivacaftor alone. CP‐628006 delayed, but did not prevent, the deactivation of F508del‐CFTR at the plasma membrane, whereas ivacaftor accentuated F508del‐CFTR deactivation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: CP‐628006 has distinct effects compared to ivacaftor, suggesting a different mechanism of CFTR potentiation. The emergence of CFTR potentiators with diverse modes of action makes therapy with combinations of potentiators a possibility.