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Bhatt M, Gauthier-Manuel L, Lazzarin E, Zerlotti R, Ziegler C, Bazzone A, Stockner T, Bossi E. A comparative review on the well-studied GAT1 and the understudied BGT-1 in the brain. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1145973. [PMID: 37123280 PMCID: PMC10137170 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1145973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Its homeostasis is maintained by neuronal and glial GABA transporters (GATs). The four GATs identified in humans are GAT1 (SLC6A1), GAT2 (SLC6A13), GAT3 (SLC6A11), and betaine/GABA transporter-1 BGT-1 (SLC6A12) which are all members of the solute carrier 6 (SLC6) family of sodium-dependent transporters. While GAT1 has been investigated extensively, the other GABA transporters are less studied and their role in CNS is not clearly defined. Altered GABAergic neurotransmission is involved in different diseases, but the importance of the different transporters remained understudied and limits drug targeting. In this review, the well-studied GABA transporter GAT1 is compared with the less-studied BGT-1 with the aim to leverage the knowledge on GAT1 to shed new light on the open questions concerning BGT-1. The most recent knowledge on transporter structure, functions, expression, and localization is discussed along with their specific role as drug targets for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. We review and discuss data on the binding sites for Na+, Cl-, substrates, and inhibitors by building on the recent cryo-EM structure of GAT1 to highlight specific molecular determinants of transporter functions. The role of the two proteins in GABA homeostasis is investigated by looking at the transport coupling mechanism, as well as structural and kinetic transport models. Furthermore, we review information on selective inhibitors together with the pharmacophore hypothesis of transporter substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manan Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Centre for Neuroscience—University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Laure Gauthier-Manuel
- Department of Biophysics II/Structural Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Erika Lazzarin
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstr, Vienna
| | - Rocco Zerlotti
- Department of Biophysics II/Structural Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Ziegler
- Department of Biophysics II/Structural Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Stockner
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstr, Vienna
- *Correspondence: Thomas Stockner, ; Elena Bossi,
| | - Elena Bossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Centre for Neuroscience—University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- *Correspondence: Thomas Stockner, ; Elena Bossi,
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2
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Castagna M, Cinquetti R, Verri T, Vacca F, Giovanola M, Barca A, Romanazzi T, Roseti C, Galli A, Bossi E. The Lepidopteran KAAT1 and CAATCH1: Orthologs to Understand Structure-Function Relationships in Mammalian SLC6 Transporters. Neurochem Res 2021; 47:111-126. [PMID: 34304372 PMCID: PMC8310414 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03410-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To the SLC6 family belong 20 human transporters that utilize the sodium electrochemical gradient to move biogenic amines, osmolytes, amino acids and related compounds into cells. They are classified into two functional groups, the Neurotransmitter transporters (NTT) and Nutrient amino acid transporters (NAT). Here we summarize how since their first cloning in 1998, the insect (Lepidopteran) Orthologs of the SLC6 family transporters have represented very important tools for investigating functional–structural relationships, mechanism of transport, ion and pH dependence and substate interaction of the mammalian (and human) counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Castagna
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Cinquetti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Tiziano Verri
- Laboratory of Applied Physiology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesca Vacca
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovanola
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134, Milan, Italy
| | - Amilcare Barca
- Laboratory of Applied Physiology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Tiziana Romanazzi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Cristina Roseti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.,Research Centre for Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Galli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bossi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy. .,Research Centre for Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
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Zhao C, Caplan DA, Noskov SY. Evaluations of the Absolute and Relative Free Energies for Antidepressant Binding to the Amino Acid Membrane Transporter LeuT with Free Energy Simulations. J Chem Theory Comput 2015; 6:1900-14. [PMID: 26615849 DOI: 10.1021/ct9006597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The binding of ligands to protein receptors with high affinity and specificity is central to many cellular processes. The quest for the development of computational models capable of accurately evaluating binding affinity remains one of the main goals of modern computational biophysics. In this work, free energy perturbation/molecular dynamics simulations were used to evaluate absolute and relative binding affinity for three different antidepressants to a sodium-dependent membrane transporter, LeuT, a bacterial homologue of human serotonin and dopamine transporters. Dysfunction of these membrane transporters in mammals has been implicated in multiple diseases of the nervous system, including bipolar disorder and depression. Furthermore, these proteins are key targets for antidepressants including fluoxetine (aka Prozac) and tricyclic antidepressants known to block transport activity. In addition to being clinically relevant, this system, where multiple crystal structures are readily available, represents an ideal testing ground for methods used to study the molecular mechanisms of ligand binding to membrane proteins. We discuss possible pitfalls and different levels of approximation required to evaluate binding affinity, such as the dependence of the computed affinities on the strength of constraints and the sensitivity of the computed affinities to the particular partial charges derived from restrained electrostatic potential fitting of quantum mechanics electrostatic potential. Finally, we compare the effects of different constraint schemes on the absolute and relative binding affinities obtained from free energy simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfeng Zhao
- Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, BI558, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 and Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David A Caplan
- Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, BI558, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 and Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sergei Yu Noskov
- Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, BI558, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 and Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Jurik A, Zdrazil B, Holy M, Stockner T, Sitte HH, Ecker GF. A binding mode hypothesis of tiagabine confirms liothyronine effect on γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 (GAT1). J Med Chem 2015; 58:2149-58. [PMID: 25679268 PMCID: PMC4360375 DOI: 10.1021/jm5015428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Elevating
GABA levels in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting its reuptake
carrier GAT1 is an established approach for the treatment of CNS disorders
like epilepsy. With the increasing availability of crystal structures
of transmembrane transporters, structure-based approaches to elucidate
the molecular basis of ligand–transporter interaction also
become feasible. Experimental data guided docking of derivatives of
the GAT1 inhibitor tiagabine into a protein homology model of GAT1
allowed derivation of a common binding mode for this class of inhibitors
that is able to account for the distinct structure–activity
relationship pattern of the data set. Translating essential binding
features into a pharmacophore model followed by in silico screening
of the DrugBank identified liothyronine as a drug potentially exerting
a similar effect on GAT1. Experimental testing further confirmed the
GAT1 inhibiting properties of this thyroid hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Jurik
- University of Vienna , Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Division of Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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A steered molecular dynamics study of binding and translocation processes in the GABA transporter. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39360. [PMID: 22737235 PMCID: PMC3380839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The entire substrate translocation pathway in the human GABA transporter (GAT-1) was explored for the endogenous substrate GABA and the anti-convulsive drug tiagabine. Following a steered molecular dynamics (SMD) approach, in which a harmonic restraining potential is applied to the ligand, dissociation and re-association of ligands were simulated revealing events leading to substrate (GABA) translocation and inhibitor (tiagabine) mechanism of action. We succeeded in turning the transporter from the outward facing occluded to the open-to-out conformation, and also to reorient the transporter to the open-to-in conformation. The simulations are validated by literature data and provide a substrate pathway fingerprint in terms of which, how, and in which sequence specific residues are interacted with. They reveal the essential functional roles of specific residues, e.g. the role of charged residues in the extracellular vestibule including two lysines (K76 (TM1) and K448 (TM10)) and a TM6-triad (D281, E283, and D287) in attracting and relocating substrates towards the secondary/interim substrate-binding site (S2). Likewise, E101 is highlighted as essential for the relocation of the substrate from the primary substrate-binding site (S1) towards the cytoplasm.
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Inhibitory action of antidepressants on mouse Betaine/GABA transporter (BGT1) heterologously expressed in cell cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:2578-2589. [PMID: 22489112 PMCID: PMC3317675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13032578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Revised: 01/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Betaine/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter (BGT1, SLC6A12) is a member of the Na+- and Cl−-dependent neurotransmitter transporter gene family with a homology to the GABA transporters (GATs), GAT1 (SLC6A1), GAT2 (SLC6A13) and GAT3 (SLC6A11) (HUGO nomenclature). Since antidepressants have been reported to inhibit GABA uptake, we examined those effects on mouse BGT1 (mBGT1) in comparison with other mouse GAT (mGAT) subtypes in the heterologously expressed cell cultures. All antidepressants tested here inhibited the [3H]GABA uptake through mBGT1 and mGATs in a rank order of potency with mBGT1 > mGAT1-3. Kinetic analyses for maprotilline, mianserine and trimipramine revealed that they inhibited mBGT1 and mGAT1 noncompetitively, except that mianserine competitively inhibited mBGT1. These results provided a clue to investigate the structure-function relationship of mBGT1 using antidepressants as a tool, leading to the identification of potential candidates for selective and specific inhibitors of mBGT1.
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Nyola A, Karpowich NK, Zhen J, Marden J, Reith ME, Wang DN. Substrate and drug binding sites in LeuT. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2010; 20:415-22. [PMID: 20739005 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
LeuT is a member of the neurotransmitter/sodium symporter family, which includes the neuronal transporters for serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The original crystal structure of LeuT shows a primary leucine-binding site at the center of the protein. LeuT is inhibited by different classes of antidepressants that act as potent inhibitors of the serotonin transporter. The newly determined crystal structures of LeuT-antidepressant complexes provide opportunities to probe drug binding in the serotonin transporter, of which the exact position remains controversial. Structure of a LeuT-tryptophan complex shows an overlapping binding site with the primary substrate site. A secondary substrate binding site was recently identified, where the binding of a leucine triggers the cytoplasmic release of the primary substrate. This two binding site model presents opportunities for a better understanding of drug binding and the mechanism of inhibition for mammalian transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeeta Nyola
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, and Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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