The mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor Ru265 increases neuronal excitability and reduces neurotransmission via off-target effects

Background and Purpose

Excitotoxicity due to mitochondrial calcium (Ca²⁺) overloading can trigger neuronal cell death in a variety of pathologies. Inhibiting the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) has been proposed as a therapeutic avenue to prevent calcium overloading. Ru265 (ClRu(NH₃)₄(μ-N)Ru(NH₃)₄Cl]Cl₃) is a cell-permeable inhibitor of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) with nanomolar affinity. Ru265 reduces sensorimotor deficits and neuronal death in models of ischemic stroke. However, the therapeutic use of Ru265 is limited by the induction of seizure-like behaviours.

Experimental Approach

We examined the effect of Ru265 on synaptic and neuronal function in acute brain slices and hippocampal neuron cultures derived from mice, in control and where MCU expression was genetically abrogated.

Key Results

Ru265 decreased evoked responses from calyx terminals and induced spontaneous action potential firing of both the terminal and postsynaptic principal cell. Recordings of presynaptic Ca²⁺ currents suggested that Ru265 blocks the P/Q type channel, confirmed by the inhibition of currents in cells exogenously expressing the P/Q type channel. Measurements of presynaptic K⁺ currents further revealed that Ru265 blocked a KCNQ current, leading to increased membrane excitability, underlying spontaneous spiking. Ca²⁺ imaging of hippocampal neurons showed that Ru265 increased synchronized, high-amplitude events, recapitulating seizure-like activity seen in vivo. Importantly, MCU ablation did not suppress Ru265-induced increases in neuronal activity and seizures.

Conclusions and Implications

Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the pro-convulsant effects of Ru265 and suggest counter screening assays based on the measurement of P/Q and KCNQ channel currents to identify safe MCU inhibitors.