Evaluation of a Novel TASK-1 Inhibitor
Omar Ahmed
Co-Presenters: Anthony Contreras, Sofiia Korotka, Patrick Martins, Rebekah Morriello, Lily Dworak, Gianna Kiszka, Chaniay O'Brien
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Biology
Faculty Research Mentor: Thomas Comollo
Abstract:
TASK-1 is a potassium leak channel. The gene that expresses TASK-1 is KCNK3. It also regulates action potentials and resting membrane potential of the cells. Task-1 channels can be found in multiple cell types including neurons, smooth, and muscle cell tissues. Task-1 is a member of the major potassium channel family called two pour potassium (K2P). It has been implicated to upregulate cell apoptosis and has been studied as a way to target cancer cells. TASK-1 inhibitors bind to TASK-1 and prevent the flow of the potassium ions out of the cell. KU124 is a novel TASK-1 inhibitor our research group has found that may have a use as anti-cancer therapy. We are testing KU124 alongside niclosamide, doxapram, and cisplatin using MTT assays of cancer in culture, treating them with KU124, and performing assays to analyze the effect of KU124 on the cancer cells. This study aims to characterize the KU124 potential as a novel drug on cancer.