Methods for designing specific ion channel blockers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of designing an ion channel blocker for an ion channel which includes providing an ion channel having an external vestibule portion and raising an antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand specific to the external vestibule portion of the ion channel, where the antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand inhibits ion transport through the ion channel. The present invention further relates to a method of inhibiting ion transport through an ion channel, a method for screening a drug for effectiveness as an ion channel blocker, and an antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand.

1 . An antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand which inhibits ion transport of an ion channel by binding to an external vestibule portion of the ion channel.  
     
     
         2 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 1 , wherein the ion channel is a potassium channel, a sodium channel, a calcium channel, or a chloride channel.  
     
     
         3 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 2 , wherein the ion channel is a mammalian ion channel.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 3 , wherein the ion channel is from an excitable cell.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 2 , wherein the ion channel is a Kv ion channel.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody, binding portion, probe, or ligand according to  claim 6 , wherein the ion channel is a Kv1.2, Kv1.3, or Kv3.1 ion channel.  
     
     
         8 . The antibody according to  claim 7 , wherein the external vestibule portion has a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or SEQ ID NO:4.