Cys-Loop Neuroreceptors: Structure to the Rescue?

Using mutant cycle analysis to elucidate long-range functional coupling in allosteric receptors

Functional coupling of residues that are far apart in space is the quintessential property of allosteric receptors. Data from functional studies of allosteric receptors, such as whole-cell dose-response relations, can be used to determine if mutation to a receptor significantly impacts agonist potency. However, the classification of perturbations as primarily impacting binding or allosteric function is more challenging, often requiring detailed kinetic studies. This protocol describes a simple strategy, derived from mutant cycle analysis, for elucidating long-range functional coupling in allosteric receptors (ELFCAR). Introduction of a gain-of-function reporter mutation, followed by a mutant cycle analysis of the readily measured macroscopic EC(50) values can provide insight into the role of many physically distant targets. This new method should find broad application in determining the functional roles of residues in allosteric receptors.

Strategies and perspectives in ion-channel engineering

Membranes form natural barriers that need to be permeable to diverse matter like ions and substrates. This permeability is controlled by ion-channel proteins, which have attracted great interest for pharmaceutical applications. Ion-channel engineering (ICE) modifies biological ion channels by chemical/biological synthetis means. The goal is to obtain ion channels with modified or novel functionality. Three functional strategies exist. The first is the manipulation of the wider pores with robust β-barrel structures, such as those of α-hemolysin and porins. The second engineering approach focuses on the modification of narrow (mostly α-helical) pores to understand selectivity and modes of action. A third functional approach addresses channel gating by (photo)triggering the biological receptor that controls the channel. Several synthetis strategies have been developed and successfully utilized for the synthetic modification of biological ion-channels: the S-alkylation of specifically introduced Cys, protein semisynthesis by native chemical ligation, protein semisynthesis by protein trans-splicing, as well as nonsense-suppression methods. Structural studies (X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy) are necessary to support the functional studies and to afford predictable engineering. The reprogramming and re-engineering of channels can be used for sensing applications, treatment of channelopathies, chemical neurobiology, and providing novel lead compounds for targeting ion channels.

Contributions of conserved residues at the gating interface of glycine receptors

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are chloride channels that mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmission and are members of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) family. The interface between the ligand binding domain and the transmembrane domain of pLGICs has been proposed to be crucial for channel gating and is lined by a number of charged and aromatic side chains that are highly conserved among different pLGICs. However, little is known about specific interactions between these residues that are likely to be important for gating in α1 GlyRs. Here we use the introduction of cysteine pairs and the in vivo nonsense suppression method to incorporate unnatural amino acids to probe the electrostatic and hydrophobic contributions of five highly conserved side chains near the interface, Glu-53, Phe-145, Asp-148, Phe-187, and Arg-218. Our results suggest a salt bridge between Asp-148 in loop 7 and Arg-218 in the pre-M1 domain that is crucial for channel gating. We further propose that Phe-145 and Phe-187 play important roles in stabilizing this interaction by providing a hydrophobic environment. In contrast to the equivalent residues in loop 2 of other pLGICs, the negative charge at Glu-53 α1 GlyRs is not crucial for normal channel function. These findings help decipher the GlyR gating pathway and show that distinct residue interaction patterns exist in different pLGICs. Furthermore, a salt bridge between Asp-148 and Arg-218 would provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the pathophysiologically relevant hyperekplexia, or startle disease, mutant Arg-218 → Gln.

Molecular basis for class Ib anti-arrhythmic inhibition of cardiac sodium channels

Cardiac sodium channels are established therapeutic targets for the management of inherited and acquired arrhythmias by class I anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs). These drugs share a common target receptor bearing two highly conserved aromatic side chains, and are subdivided by the Vaughan-Williams classification system into classes Ia-c based on their distinct effects on the electrocardiogram. How can these drugs elicit distinct effects on the cardiac action potential by binding to a common receptor? Here we use fluorinated phenylalanine derivatives to test whether the electronegative surface potential of aromatic side chains contributes to inhibition by six class I AADs. Surprisingly, we find that class Ib AADs bind via a strong electrostatic cation-pi interaction, whereas class Ia and Ic AADs rely significantly less on this interaction. Our data shed new light on drug-target interactions underlying the inhibition of cardiac sodium channels by clinically relevant drugs and provide information for the directed design of AADs.

Unique neonicotinoid binding conformations conferring selective receptor interactions

Neonicotinoid agonists selectively act on the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The molecular basis for this specificity is deciphered by comparisons of two acetylcholine binding proteins (AChBPs) with distinct pharmacological profiles that serve as structural homologues for the nAChR subtypes. Aplysia AChBP has high neonicotinoid sensitivity, whereas Lymnaea AChBP has low neonicotinoid sensitivity, pharmacologies reminiscent of insect and vertebrate nAChR subtypes, respectively. The ligand-receptor interactions for these AChBPs were established by chemical and structural neurobiology approaches. Neonicotinoids and nicotinoids bind in a single conformation with Aplysia AChBP, wherein the electronegative nitro or cyano pharmacophore of the neonicotinoid faces in a reversed orientation relative to the cationic nicotinoid functionality. For Lymnaea AChBP, the neonicotinoids have two binding conformations in this vertebrate receptor model, which are completely inverted relative to each other, whereas nicotinoids are nestled in only one conserved conformation. Therefore, the unique binding conformations of nicotinic agonists determine the selective receptor interactions.

A cation-π interaction at a phenylalanine residue in the glycine receptor binding site is conserved for different agonists

Cation-π interactions have been demonstrated to play a major role in agonist-binding in Cys-loop receptors. However, neither the aromatic amino acid contributing to this interaction nor its location is conserved among Cys-loop receptors. Likewise, it is not clear how many different agonists of a given receptor form a cation-π interaction or, if they do, whether it is with the same aromatic amino acid as the major physiological agonist. We demonstrated previously that Phe159 in the glycine receptor (GlyR) α1 subunit forms a strong cation-π interaction with the principal agonist, glycine. In the current study, we investigated whether the lower efficacy agonists of the human GlyR β-alanine and taurine also form cation-π interactions with Phe159. By incorporating a series of unnatural amino acids, we found cation-π interactions between Phe159 and the amino groups of β-alanine and taurine. The strengths of these interactions were significantly weaker than for glycine. Modeling studies suggest that β-alanine and taurine are orientated subtly differently in the binding pocket, with their amino groups further from Phe159 than that of glycine. These data therefore show that similar agonists can have similar but not identical orientations and interactions in the binding pocket and provide a possible explanation for the lower potencies of β-alanine and taurine.

Design and control of acetylcholine receptor conformational change

Allosteric proteins use energy derived from ligand binding to promote a global change in conformation. The "gating" equilibrium constant of acetylcholine receptor-channels (AChRs) is influenced by ligands, mutations, and membrane voltage. We engineered AChRs to have specific values of this constant by combining these perturbations, and then calculated the corresponding values for a reference condition. AChRs were designed to have specific rate and equilibrium constants simply by adding multiple, energetically independent mutations with known effects on gating. Mutations and depolarization (to remove channel block) changed the diliganded gating equilibrium constant only by changing the unliganded gating equilibrium constant (E(0)) and did not alter the energy from ligand binding. All of the tested perturbations were approximately energetically independent. We conclude that naturally occurring mutations mainly adjust E(0) and cause human disease because they generate AChRs that have physiologically inappropriate values of this constant. The results suggest that the energy associated with a structural change of a side chain in the gating isomerization is dissipated locally and is mainly independent of rigid body or normal mode motions of the protein. Gating rate and equilibrium constants are estimated for seven different AChR agonists using a stepwise engineering approach.

Two neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, alpha4beta4 and alpha7, show differential agonist binding modes

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric, neurotransmitter-gated ion channels responsible for rapid excitatory neurotransmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems, resulting in skeletal muscle tone and various cognitive effects in the brain. These complex proteins are activated by the endogenous neurotransmitter ACh as well as by nicotine and structurally related agonists. Activation and modulation of nAChRs has been implicated in the pathology of multiple neurological disorders, and as such, these proteins are established therapeutic targets. Here we use unnatural amino acid mutagenesis to examine the ligand binding mechanisms of two homologous neuronal nAChRs: the α4β4 and α7 receptors. Despite sequence identity among the residues that form the core of the agonist-binding site, we find that the α4β4 and α7 nAChRs employ different agonist-receptor binding interactions in this region. The α4β4 receptor utilizes a strong cation-π interaction to a conserved tryptophan (TrpB) of the receptor for both ACh and nicotine, and nicotine participates in a strong hydrogen bond with a backbone carbonyl contributed by TrpB. Interestingly, we find that the α7 receptor also employs a cation-π interaction for ligand recognition, but the site has moved to a different aromatic amino acid of the agonist-binding site depending on the agonist. ACh participates in a cation-π interaction with TyrA, whereas epibatidine participates in a cation-π interaction with TyrC2.

Enhancement of GABAergic activity: neuropharmacological effects of benzodiazepines and therapeutic use in anesthesiology

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). The type A GABA receptor (GABA(A)R) system is the primary pharmacological target for many drugs used in clinical anesthesia. The α1, β2, and γ2 subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs located in the various parts of CNS are thought to be involved in versatile effects caused by inhaled anesthetics and classic benzodiazepines (BZD), both of which are widely used in clinical anesthesiology. During the past decade, the emergence of tonic inhibitory conductance in extrasynaptic GABA(A)Rs has coincided with evidence showing that these receptors are highly sensitive to the sedatives and hypnotics used in anesthesia. Anesthetic enhancement of tonic GABAergic inhibition seems to be preferentially increased in regions shown to be important in controlling memory, awareness, and sleep. This review focuses on the physiology of the GABA(A)Rs and the pharmacological properties of clinically used BZDs. Although classic BZDs are widely used in anesthesiological practice, there is a constant need for new drugs with more favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects and fewer side effects. New hypnotics are currently developed, and promising results for one of these, the GABA(A)R agonist remimazolam, have recently been published.

Single particle tracking reveals corralling of a transmembrane protein in a double-cushioned lipid bilayer assembly

A predominate question associated with supported bilayer assemblies containing proteins is whether or not the proteins remain active after incorporation. The major cause for concern is that strong interactions with solid supports can render the protein inactive. To address this question, a large transmembrane protein, the serotonin receptor, 5HT(3A), has been incorporated into several supported membrane bilayer assemblies of increasing complexity. The 5HT(3A) receptor has large extracellular domains on both sides of the membrane, which could cause strong interactions. The bilayer assemblies include a simple POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) supported planar bilayer, a “single-cushion” POPC bilayer with a PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) layer between membrane and support, and a “double-cushion” POPC bilayer with both a PEG layer and a layer of BSA (bovine serum albumin). Single-cushion systems are designed to lift the bilayer from the surface, and double-cushion systems are designed to both lift the membrane and passivate the solid support. As in previously reported work, protein mobilities measured by ensemble fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) are quite low, especially in the double-cushion system. But single-particle tracking of fluorescent 5HT(3A) molecules shows that individual proteins in the double-cushion system have quite high local mobilities but are spatially confined within small corralling domains (<r(C)2> 450 nm). Comparisons with the simple POPC membrane and the single-cushion POPC−PEG membrane reveal that BSA both serves to minimize interactions with the solid support and creates the corrals that reduce the long-range (ensemble averaged) mobility of large transmembrane proteins. These results suggest that in double-cushion assemblies proteins with large extra-membrane domains may remain active and unperturbed despite low bulk diffusion constants.

Preparation of translationally competent tRNA by direct chemical acylation

Nonsense codon suppression for unnatural amino acid incorporation requires the preparation of a suppressor aminoacyl-tRNA. Chemical acylation strategies are general but inefficient and arduous. A recent report (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 15848) showed acylation of RNA mediated by lanthanum(III) using amino acid phosphate esters. The successful implementation of this methodology to full-length suppressor tRNA is described, and it is shown that the derived aminoacyl-tRNA is translationally competent in Xenopus oocytes.

Structure-function study of the fourth transmembrane segment of the GABAρ1 receptor

The Cys-loop family of receptors mediates synaptic neurotransmission in the central nervous system of vertebrates. These receptors share several structural characteristics and assemble in the plasma membrane as multimers with fivefold symmetry. Of these, the ionotropic GABA receptors are key players in the pathogenesis of diseases like epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Different experimental approaches have shed some light on the mechanisms behind the function of these receptors; but little is known about their structure at high resolution. Sequence homology with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor predicts that ionotropic GABA receptors possess four transmembrane segments (TM1-4) and that TM2 forms the wall of the ion channel. However, the role of the other three segments is unclear. The GABAρ1 receptor plays a fundamental role in the regulation of neurotransmission along the visual pathway, is highly sensitive to GABA, and exhibits little desensitization. In our recent investigations of the role of TM4 in receptor function, a key residue in this domain (W475) was found to be involved in activation of the receptor. Here we have generated a structural model of the GABAρ1 receptor in silico and assessed its validity by electrophysiologically testing nine amino acid substitutions of W475 and deletions of the neighboring residues (Y474 and S476). The results identify a critical linkage between the ligand-binding domain and the TM4 domain and provide a framework for more detailed structure-function analyses of ionotropic GABA receptors.

The structural basis of function in Cys-loop receptors

Cys-loop receptors are membrane-spanning neurotransmitter-gated ion channels that are responsible for fast excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The best studied members of the Cys-loop family are nACh, 5-HT3, GABAA and glycine receptors. All these receptors share a common structure of five subunits, pseudo-symmetrically arranged to form a rosette with a central ion-conducting pore. Some are cation selective (e.g. nACh and 5-HT3) and some are anion selective (e.g. GABAA and glycine). Each receptor has an extracellular domain (ECD) that contains the ligand-binding sites, a transmembrane domain (TMD) that allows ions to pass across the membrane, and an intracellular domain (ICD) that plays a role in channel conductance and receptor modulation. Cys-loop receptors are the targets for many currently used clinically relevant drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines and anaesthetics). Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these receptors could therefore provide the catalyst for further development in this field, as well as promoting the development of experimental techniques for other areas of neuroscience.In this review, we present our current understanding of Cys-loop receptor structure and function. The ECD has been extensively studied. Research in this area has been stimulated in recent years by the publication of high-resolution structures of nACh receptors and related proteins, which have permitted the creation of many Cys loop receptor homology models of this region. Here, using the 5-HT3 receptor as a typical member of the family, we describe how homology modelling and ligand docking can provide useful but not definitive information about ligand interactions. We briefly consider some of the many Cys-loop receptors modulators. We discuss the current understanding of the structure of the TMD, and how this links to the ECD to allow channel gating, and consider the roles of the ICD, whose structure is poorly understood. We also describe some of the current methods that are beginning to reveal the differences between different receptor states, and may ultimately show structural details of transitions between them.

Substituent effects in cation/pi interactions and electrostatic potentials above the centers of substituted benzenes are due primarily to through-space effects of the substituents

Substituent effects in cation/pi interactions have been examined using the M05-2X DFT functional and CCSD(T) paired with triple-zeta-quality basis sets. In contrast to popular, intuitive models, trends in substituent effects are explained primarily in terms of direct through-space interactions with the substituents. While there is some scatter in the data, which is attributed to pi polarization, the trend in substituent effects in cation/pi interactions is captured by an additive model in which the substituent is isolated from the aryl ring. Similarly, changes in the electrostatic potential at a point above the center of a substituted benzene arise largely from through-space effects of the substituents; pi polarization is not the dominant underlying cause.

Nicotinic pharmacophore: the pyridine N of nicotine and carbonyl of acetylcholine hydrogen bond across a subunit interface to a backbone NH

Pharmacophore models for nicotinic agonists have been proposed for four decades. Central to these models is the presence of a cationic nitrogen and a hydrogen bond acceptor. It is now well-established that the cationic center makes an important cation-pi interaction to a conserved tryptophan, but the donor to the proposed hydrogen bond acceptor has been more challenging to identify. A structure of nicotine bound to the acetylcholine binding protein predicted that the binding partner of the pharmacophore's second component was a water molecule, which also hydrogen bonds to the backbone of the complementary subunit of the receptors. Here we use unnatural amino acid mutagenesis coupled with agonist analogs to examine whether such a hydrogen bond is functionally significant in the alpha4beta2 neuronal nAChR, the receptor most associated with nicotine addiction. We find evidence for the hydrogen bond with the agonists nicotine, acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, and epibatidine. These data represent a completed nicotinic pharmacophore and offer insight into the design of new therapeutic agents that selectively target these receptors.

Molecular bases of cyclodextrin adapter interactions with engineered protein nanopores

Engineered protein pores have several potential applications in biotechnology: as sensor elements in stochastic detection and ultrarapid DNA sequencing, as nanoreactors to observe single-molecule chemistry, and in the construction of nano- and micro-devices. One important class of pores contains molecular adapters, which provide internal binding sites for small molecules. Mutants of the alpha-hemolysin (alphaHL) pore that bind the adapter beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) approximately 10(4) times more tightly than the wild type have been obtained. We now use single-channel electrical recording, protein engineering including unnatural amino acid mutagenesis, and high-resolution x-ray crystallography to provide definitive structural information on these engineered protein nanopores in unparalleled detail.

Relative substituent position on the strength of pi-pi stacking interactions

It was observed that the relative position of the arene substituents have a profound influence on the strength of pi-pi stacking in the 9-benzyl substituted triptycene system. A new series of model compounds (3a-i) capable of revealing quantitatively pi-pi stacking interactions was studied. This series of compounds (3a-i) has an ortho substituted methyl group in one of the two interacting arenes and the syn/anti ratios were determined and compared to a series previously studied compounds (4a-i) that have a para methyl group on the corresponding arene. A greater than 50% increase in the strength of pi-pi stacking interactions was observed with the methyl group in the ortho position comparing to that in the para position. No difference in pi-pi stacking interactions was observed when the other aromatic ring was a pentafluorobenzoate group.

Phospholipase C activity affinity purifies with the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate fast synaptic transmission by fluxing ions across the membrane in response to neurotransmitter binding. We show here that during affinity purification of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo, phosphatidic acid, but not other anionic or zwitterionic phospholipids, is hydrolyzed to diacylglycerol. The phospholipase C activity elutes with the acetylcholine receptor and is inhibited by a lipid phosphate phosphohydrolase inhibitor, sodium vanadate, but not a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase inhibitor, N-ethylmaleimide. Further, the hydrolysis product of phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, enhances the functional capabilities of the acetylcholine receptor in the presence of anionic lipids. We conclude that a phospholipase C activity, which appears to be specific for phosphatidic acid, is associated with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The acetylcholine receptor may directly or indirectly influence lipid metabolism in a manner that enhances its own function.

RDL receptors

RDL receptors are invertebrate members of the Cys-loop family of ligand-gated ion channels. They are GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-activated chloride-selective receptors that are closely related to their vertebrate orthologues, the GABA(A) receptors, as well as other Cys-loop receptors such as the ionotropic glycine, nicotinic acetylcholine and 5-HT(3) receptors. RDL receptors are widely expressed throughout the insect CNS (central nervous system) and are important in inhibitory neurotransmission. They are therefore a major insecticidal target site.

What single-channel analysis tells us of the activation mechanism of ligand-gated channels: the case of the glycine receptor

Glycine receptors are, in several ways, the member of the nicotinic superfamily that is best-suited for single-channel recording. That means that they are ideal for testing ideas about how activation proceeds in a ligand-gated ion channel from the binding of the agonist to the opening of the channel. This review describes the quantitative characterization by single-channel analysis of a novel activation mechanism for the glycine receptor. The favourable properties of the glycine receptor allowed the first detection of a conformation change that follows the binding of the agonist but precedes the opening of the channel. We used the term 'flipping' to describe this pre-opening conformational change. The 'flipped' state has a binding affinity higher than the resting state, but lower than the open state. This increased affinity presumably reflects a structural change near the agonist binding site, possibly the 'capping' of the C-loop. The significance of the 'flip' activation mechanism goes beyond understanding the behaviour and the structure-function relation of glycine channels, as this mechanism can be applied also to other members of the superfamily, such as the muscle nicotinic receptor. The 'flip' mechanism has thrown light on the question of why partial agonists are not efficacious at keeping the channel open, a question that is fundamental to rational drug design. In both muscle nicotinic and glycine receptors, partial agonists are as good as full agonists at opening the channel once flipping has occurred, but are not as effective as full agonists in eliciting this early conformational change.

[(3)H]Epibatidine photolabels non-equivalent amino acids in the agonist binding site of Torpedo and alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, such as epibatidine and its molecular derivatives, are potential therapeutic agents for a variety of neurological disorders. In order to identify determinants for subtype-selective agonist binding, it is important to determine whether an agonist binds in a common orientation in different nAChR subtypes. To compare the mode of binding of epibatidine in a muscle and a neuronal nAChR, we photolabeled Torpedo alpha(2)betagammadelta and expressed human alpha4beta2 nAChRs with [(3)H]epibatidine and identified by Edman degradation the photolabeled amino acids. Irradiation at 254 nm resulted in photolabeling of alphaTyr(198) in agonist binding site Segment C of the principal (+) face in both alpha subunits and of gammaLeu(109) and gammaTyr(117) in Segment E of the complementary (-) face, with no labeling detected in the delta subunit. For affinity-purified alpha4beta2 nAChRs, [(3)H]epibatidine photolabeled alpha4Tyr(195) (equivalent to Torpedo alphaTyr(190)) in Segment C as well as beta2Val(111) and beta2Ser(113) in Segment E (equivalent to Torpedo gammaLeu(109) and gammaTyr(111), respectively). Consideration of the location of the photolabeled amino acids in homology models of the nAChRs based upon the acetylcholine-binding protein structure and the results of ligand docking simulations suggests that epibatidine binds in a single preferred orientation within the alpha-gamma transmitter binding site, whereas it binds in two distinct orientations in the alpha4beta2 nAChR.

Nicotinic agonist binding site mapped by methionine- and tyrosine-scanning coupled with azidochloropyridinyl photoaffinity labeling

Agonists activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) include potential therapeutic agents and also toxicants such as epibatidine and neonicotinoid insecticides with a chloropyridinyl substituent. Nicotinic agonist interactions with mollusk (Aplysia californica) acetylcholine binding protein, a soluble surrogate of the nAChR extracellular domain, are precisely defined by scanning with 17 methionine and tyrosine mutants within the binding site by photoaffinity labeling with 5-azido-6-chloropyridin-3-yl probes that have similar affinities to their nonazido counterparts. Methionine and tyrosine are the only residues found derivatized, and their reactivity exquisitely depends on the direction of the azido moiety and its apposition to the reactive amino acid side chains.

Probing the role of the cation-pi interaction in the binding sites of GPCRs using unnatural amino acids

We describe a general application of the nonsense suppression methodology for unnatural amino acid incorporation to probe drug-receptor interactions in functional G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), evaluating the binding sites of both the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and the D2 dopamine receptor. Receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and activation of a G protein-coupled, inward-rectifying K(+) channel (GIRK) provided, after optimization of conditions, a quantitative readout of receptor function. A number of aromatic amino acids thought to be near the agonist-binding site were evaluated. Incorporation of a series of fluorinated tryptophan derivatives at W6.48 of the D2 receptor establishes a cation-pi interaction between the agonist dopamine and W6.48, suggesting a reorientation of W6.48 on agonist binding, consistent with proposed "rotamer switch" models. Interestingly, no comparable cation-pi interaction was found at the aligning residue in the M2 receptor.

Long-range coupling in an allosteric receptor revealed by mutant cycle analysis

The functional coupling of residues that are far apart in space is the quintessential property of allosteric proteins. For example, in Cys-loop receptors, the gating of an intrinsic ion channel is allosterically regulated by the binding of small molecule neurotransmitters 50-60 A from the channel gate. Some residues near the binding site must have as their primary function the communication of the binding event to the gating region. These gating pathway residues are essential to function, but their identification and characterization can be challenging. This work introduces a simple strategy, derived from mutant cycle analysis, for identifying gating pathway residues using macroscopic measurements alone. In the exemplar Cys-loop receptor, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a well-characterized reporter mutation (betaL9'S) known to impact gating, was combined with mutations of target residues in the ligand-binding domain hypothesized or previously found to be functionally significant. A mutant cycle analysis of the macroscopic EC(50) measurements can then provide insights into the role of the target residue. This new method, elucidating long-range functional coupling in allosteric receptors, can be applied to several reporter mutations in a wide variety of receptors to identify previously characterized and novel mutations that impact the gating pathway. We support our interpretation of macroscopic data with single-channel studies. Elucidating long-range functional coupling in allosteric receptors should be broadly applicable to determining functional roles of residues in allosteric receptors.

Glutamine 57 at the complementary binding site face is a key determinant of morantel selectivity for {alpha}7 nicotinic receptors

Nicotinic receptors (AChRs) play key roles in synaptic transmission. We explored activation of neuronal α7 and mammalian muscle AChRs by morantel and oxantel. Our results revealed a novel action of morantel as a high efficacy and more potent agonist than ACh of α7 receptors. The EC₅₀ for activation by morantel of both α7 and α7-5HT_3A receptors is 7-fold lower than that determined for ACh. The minimum morantel concentration required to activate α7-5HT_3A channels is 6-fold lower than that of ACh, and activation episodes are more prolonged than in the presence of ACh. By contrast, oxantel is a weak agonist of α7 and α7-5HT_3A, and both drugs are very low efficacy agonists of muscle AChRs. The replacement of Gln⁵⁷ in α7 by glycine, which is found in the equivalent position of the muscle AChR, decreases the efficacy for activation and turns morantel into a partial agonist. The reverse mutation in the muscle AChR (ϵG57Q) increases 7-fold the efficacy of morantel. The mutations do not affect activation by ACh or oxantel, indicating that this position is selective for morantel. In silico studies show that the tetrahydropyrimidinyl group, common to both drugs, is close to Trp¹⁴⁹ of the principal face of the binding site, whereas the other cyclic group is proximal to Gln⁵⁷ of the complementary face in morantel but not in oxantel. Thus, position 57 at the complementary face is a key determinant of the high selectivity of morantel for α7. These results provide new information for further progress in drug design.

Nicotine binding to brain receptors requires a strong cation-pi interaction

Nicotine addiction begins with high-affinity binding of nicotine to acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in the brain. The end result is over 4,000,000 smoking-related deaths annually worldwide and the largest source of preventable mortality in developed countries. Stress reduction, pleasure, improved cognition, and other CNS effects are strongly associated with smoking. But, if nicotine activated ACh receptors found in muscle as potently as it does brain receptors, smoking would cause intolerable and perhaps fatal muscle contractions. Despite extensive pharmacological, functional, and structural studies of ACh receptors, the basis for the differential action of nicotine on brain vs. muscle ACh receptors has not been determined. Here we show that at the α4β2 brain receptors thought to underlie nicotine addiction, the high affinity of nicotine is the result of a strong cation-п interaction to a specific aromatic amino acid of the receptor, TrpB. In contrast, the low affinity of nicotine at the muscle-type receptor is largely due to the fact that this key interaction is absent, even though the immediate binding site residues, including the key TrpB, are identical in the brain and muscle receptors. At the same time a hydrogen bond from nicotine to the backbone carbonyl of TrpB is enhanced in the neuronal receptor relative to the muscle-type. A point mutation near TrpB that differentiates α4β2 and muscle-type receptors appears to influence the shape of the binding site, allowing nicotine to interact more strongly with TrpB in the neuronal receptor. ACh receptors are established therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, smoking cessation, pain, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, autism, and depression1. Along with solving a chemical mystery in nicotine addiction, our results provide guidance for efforts to develop drugs that target specific types of nicotinic receptors.

Molecular recognition of neonicotinoid insecticides: the determinants of life or death

Until the mid-20th century, pest insect control in agriculture relied on largely inorganic and botanical insecticides, which were inadequate. Then, the remarkable insecticidal properties of several organochlorines, organophosphates, methylcarbamates, and pyrethroids were discovered, leading to an arsenal of synthetic organics. The effectiveness of these insecticides, however, diminished over time due to the emergence of resistant insect strains with less sensitive molecular targets in their nervous systems. This created a critical need for a new type of neuroactive insecticide with a different yet highly sensitive target. Nicotine in tobacco extract was for centuries the best available agent to prevent sucking insects from damaging crops, although this alkaloid was hazardous to people and not very effective. The search for unusual structures and optimization revealed a new class of potent insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, which are similar to nicotine in their structure and action as agonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Fortunately, neonicotinoids are much more toxic to insects than mammals due in large part to differences in their binding site interactions at the corresponding nAChRs. This Account discusses the progress that has been made in defining the structural basis of neonicotinoid and nicotinoid potency and selectivity. The findings are based on comparisons of two acetylcholine binding proteins (AChBPs) with distinct pharmacological profiles that serve as structural surrogates for the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the nAChRs. Saltwater mollusk (Aplysia californica) AChBP has high neonicotinoid sensitivity, whereas freshwater snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) AChBP has low neonicotinoid and high nicotinoid sensitivities, pharmacologies reminiscent of insect and vertebrate nAChR subtypes, respectively. The ligand-receptor interactions for these AChBPs were established by photoaffinity labeling and X-ray crystallography. Both azidopyridinyl neonicotinoid and nicotinoid photoprobes bind in a single conformation with Aplysia AChBP; this is consistent with high-resolution crystal structures. Surprisingly, though, the electronegative nitro or cyano moiety of the neonicotinoid faced in a reversed orientation relative to the cationic nicotinoid functionality. For the Lymnaea AChBP, the azidoneonicotinoid probes modified two distinct and distant sites, while the azidonicotinoid probes, surprisingly, derivatized only one point. This meant that the neonicotinoids have two bound conformations in the vertebrate receptor model, which are completely inverted relative to each other, whereas nicotinoids appear buried in only one conserved conformation. Therefore, the unique binding conformations of nicotinic agonists in these insect and vertebrate receptor homologues define the basis for molecular recognition of neonicotinoid insecticides as the determinants of life or death.

Bioorthogonal chemistry: fishing for selectivity in a sea of functionality

The study of biomolecules in their native environments is a challenging task because of the vast complexity of cellular systems. Technologies developed in the last few years for the selective modification of biological species in living systems have yielded new insights into cellular processes. Key to these new techniques are bioorthogonal chemical reactions, whose components must react rapidly and selectively with each other under physiological conditions in the presence of the plethora of functionality necessary to sustain life. Herein we describe the bioorthogonal chemical reactions developed to date and how they can be used to study biomolecules.

Use of calculated cation-pi binding energies to predict relative strengths of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists

Agonists and antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) are used to treat nicotine addiction, neuromuscular disorders, and neurological diseases. In designing small molecule therapeutics with the nAChR as a target, it is useful to identify chemical parameters that correlate with ability to activate the receptor. Previous studies have shown that cation-pi interactions at the transmitter binding sites of the nAChR are important for receptor activation by strong agonists such as acetylcholine. We hypothesized that a calculated estimate of cation-pi binding ability could be used to predict the efficiency for channel opening (i.e., the gating efficiency) associated with activation of the acetylcholine receptor by a series of structurally related organic cations. We demonstrate that the calculated cation-pi energy is strongly correlated with gating efficiency but only weakly correlated with closed-state binding affinity. Our results suggest that cation-pi interactions contribute significantly to the open-state affinity of these cations and that the calculated cation-pi energy will be a useful parameter for designing nAChR agonists and antagonists.