ERK is required for survival of granule cells in the dentate gyrus

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents, among which the fenamate analogues play important roles in regulating intracellular Ca2+ transient and ion channels. However, the effect of NSAIDs on TRPC4 and TRPC5 is still unknown. To understand the structure–activity of fenamate analogues on TRPC channels, we have synthesized a series of fenamate analogues and investigated their effects on TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels.Human TRPC4 and TRPC5 cDNAs in tetracycline-regulated vectors were transfected into HEK293 T-REx cells. The whole cell current and Ca2+ movement were recorded by patch clamp and calcium imaging, respectively.Flufenamic acid (FFA), mefenamic acid (MFA), niflumic acid (NFA) and diclofenac sodium (DFS) showed inhibition on TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels in a concentration-dependent manner. The potency was FFA > MFA > NFA > DFS. Modification of 2-phenylamino ring by substitution of the trifluoromethyl group in FFA with F, CH3, OCH3, OCH2CH3, COOH, and NO2 led to the changes in their channel blocking activity. However, 2-(2′-methoxy-5′-methylphenyl)aminobenzoic acid stimulated TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. Selective COX1-3 inhibitors (aspirin, celecoxib, acetaminophen, and indomethacin) had no effect on the channels. Longer perfusion (>5 min) with FFA (100 μM) and MFA (100 μM) caused a potentiation of TRPC4 and TRPC5 currents after their initial blocking effects that appeared to be partially mediated by the mitochondrial Ca2+ release.Our results suggest that fenamate analogues are direct modulators of TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. The substitution pattern and conformation of the 2-phenylamino ring could alter their blocking activity, which is important for understanding fenamate pharmacology and new drug development targeting the TRPC channels.