The inward rectifier current inhibitor PA-6 terminates atrial fibrillation and does not cause ventricular arrhythmias in goat and dog models.

Background And Purpose: The density of the inward rectifier current (I ) increases in atrial fibrillation (AF), shortening effective refractory period and thus promoting atrial re-entry. The synthetic compound pentamidine analogue 6 (PA-6) is a selective and potent I inhibitor. We tested PA-6 for anti-AF efficacy and potential proarrhythmia, using established models in large animals.

Functional analysis and transcriptional output of the Göttingen minipig genome.

Background: In the past decade the Göttingen minipig has gained increasing recognition as animal model in pharmaceutical and safety research because it recapitulates many aspects of human physiology and metabolism. Genome-based comparison of drug targets together with quantitative tissue expression analysis allows rational prediction of pharmacology and cross-reactivity of human drugs in animal models thereby improving drug attrition which is an important challenge in the process of drug development.

Results: Here we present a new chromosome level based version of the Göttingen minipig genome together with a comparative transcriptional analysis of tissues with pharmaceutical relevance as basis for translational research.