High Throughput Screening Identifies a Small Molecule Trafficking Corrector for Long-QT Syndrome Associated KCNQ1 Variants

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) promotes risk for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death in children and young adults. Pathogenic variants in the voltage-gated potassium channel KCNQ1 are the most frequently discovered genetic cause. Most LQTS-associated KCNQ1 variants cause loss-of-function secondary to impaired trafficking of the channel to the plasma membrane. There are currently no therapeutic approaches that address this underlying molecular defect. Using a high throughput screening paradigm, we identified VU0494372, a small molecule that increases total and cell surface expression, and trafficking efficiency of wildtype (WT) KCNQ1 as well as three LQTS-associated variants. Additionally, 16-hour treatment of cells with VU0494372 increased current density for WT KCNQ1 and the LQTS-associated variant V207M. VU0494372 had no impact on KCNQ1 transcription, degradation, or thermal stability. We identified a potential direct interaction site with KCNQ1 at or near the binding site of the KCNQ1 potentiator ML277. Together, these findings demonstrate that small molecules can increase the expression levels and cell surface trafficking of KCNQ1 and introduce a potential new pharmacological approach for treating LQTS.