Epac-Inhibitors: Facts and Artefacts

cAMP is a universal second messenger. Its signalling is mediated by protein kinase A, Epac and certain types of ion channels in mammalians. cAMP signalling is involved in many physiological processes ranging from vision to the control of insulin secretion, pacemaker activity and gene transcription and therefore selective pharmacological interference is of medical interest. Whereas selective inhibitors of PKA and selective activators of Epac are well established, no inhibitors of Epac were available until recently. Here the action of four of the novel Epac inhibitors was analysed by biophysical means. ESI-05 is confirmed as a selective inhibitor of Epac2. No direct action of Brefeldin A on Epac could be demonstrated. ESI-09 and HJC0197 were found to act as chemicals with general protein denaturing properties and do not act on Epac selectively.