loading page

Statin-activation of RyR1 is a class effect but separable from HMG-CoA reductase inhibition
  • +1
  • Chris Lindsay,
  • Maria Musgaard,
  • Angela Russell,
  • Rebecca Sitsapesan
Chris Lindsay
University of Oxford

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Maria Musgaard
OMass Therapeutics Ltd
Author Profile
Angela Russell
University of Oxford
Author Profile
Rebecca Sitsapesan
University of Oxford
Author Profile

Abstract

Background and purpose Statins, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, are mainstay treatment for hypercholesterolemia. However, muscle pain and weakness prevent many patients from benefiting from their cardioprotective effects. We previously demonstrated that simvastatin activates skeletal ryanodine receptors (RyR1), an effect that could be important in initiating myopathy. We therefore investigated if RyR1 activation is a standard property of commonly-prescribed statins. Using a range of structurally-diverse statin analogues we examined structural features associated with RyR1 activation, aiming to identify statins lacking this property. Experimental Approach Compounds were screened for RyR1 activity utilising [3H]ryanodine binding. Mechanistic insight into RyR1 activity was studied by incorporating RyR1 channels from sheep, mouse or rabbit skeletal muscle into bilayers. Key Results All UK-prescribed statins activated RyR1 at nanomolar concentrations. Cerivastatin, withdrawn from the market due to life-threatening muscle-related side effects, was more effective than currently-prescribed statins and possessed the unique ability to open RyR1 channels independently of cytosolic Ca2+. We synthesised the statin pharmacophore and it did not activate RyR1. We also identified five analogues retaining potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibition that inhibited RyR1 and four analogues that lacked the ability to activate RyR1. Conclusion and Implications That cervistatin activates RyR1 most strongly supports the hypothesis that RyR1 activation is implicated in statin-induced myopathy. Demonstrating that statin-regulation of RyR1 and HMG-CoA reductase are separable effects allows the role of RyR1 in statin-induced myopathy to be further elucidated by the tool compounds identified, thus paving the way for the development of effective cardioprotective statins with improved patient tolerance.
13 Jul 2021Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
13 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
13 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
26 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Oct 20211st Revision Received
06 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
06 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 Feb 20222nd Revision Received
10 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
10 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
16 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
20 Apr 20223rd Revision Received
21 Apr 2022Submission Checks Completed
21 Apr 2022Assigned to Editor
26 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
15 Jun 2022Published in British Journal of Pharmacology. 10.1111/bph.15893