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Maldonado-Hernández R, Quesada O, González-Feliciano JA, Baerga-Ortiz A, Lasalde-Dominicci JA. Identification of the native Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor's glycan composition after a multi-step sequential purification method using MALDI-ToF MS. Proteomics 2024; 24:e2300151. [PMID: 37904306 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202300151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
The Cys-loop pentameric ligand-gated ion channels comprise a dynamic group of proteins that have been extensively studied for decades, yielding a wealth of findings at both the structural and functional levels. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is no exception, as it is part of this large protein family involved in proper organismal function. Our efforts have successfully produced a highly pure nAChR in detergent complex (nAChR-DC), enabling more robust studies to be conducted on it, including beginning to experiment with high-throughput crystallization. Our homogeneous product has been identified and extensively characterized with 100% identity using Nano Lc MS/MS and MALDI ToF/ToF for each nAChR subunit. Additionally, the N-linked glycans in the Torpedo californica-nAChR (Tc-nAChR) subunits have been identified. To study this, the Tc-nAChR subunits were digested with PNGase F and the released glycans were analyzed by MALDI-ToF. The MS results showed the presence of high-mannose N-glycan in all native Tc-nAChR subunits. Specifically, the oligommanose population Man8-9GlcNac2 with peaks at m/z 1742 and 1904 ([M + Na]+ ions) were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado-Hernández
- Department of Biology, Ponce Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico, USA
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Orestes Quesada
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Physical Sciences, Río Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | | | - Abel Baerga-Ortiz
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Clinical Bioreagent Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - José A Lasalde-Dominicci
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Clinical Bioreagent Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Biology, Río Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
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Brockmöller S, Seeger T, Worek F, Rothmiller S. Recombinant cellular model system for human muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α1 2β1δε. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:1013-1025. [PMID: 38006565 PMCID: PMC10746606 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01395-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α12β1δε (nAChR) is a complex transmembrane receptor needed for drug screening for disorders like congenital myasthenic syndromes and multiple pterygium syndrome. Until today, most models are still using the nAChR from Torpedo californica electric ray. A simple reproducible cellular system expressing functional human muscle-type nAChR is still missing. This study addressed this issue and further tested the hypothesis that different chaperones, both biological and chemical, and posttranslational modification supporting substances as well as hypothermic incubation are able to increase the nAChR yield. Therefore, Gibson cloning was used to generate transfer plasmids carrying the sequence of nAChR or chosen biological chaperones to support the nAChR folding in the cellular host. Viral transduction was used for stable integration of these transgenes in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO). Proteins were detected with Western blot, in-cell and on-cell Western, and the function of the receptor with voltage clamp analysis. We show that the internalization of nAChR into plasma membranes was sufficient for detection and function. Additional transgenic overexpression of biological chaperones did result in a reduced nAChR expression. Chemical chaperones, posttranslational modification supporting substances, and hypothermic conditions are well-suited supporting applications to increase the protein levels of different subunits. This study presents a stable and functional cell line that expresses human muscle-type nAChR and yields can be further increased using the chemical chaperone nicotine without affecting cell viability. The simplified access to this model system should enable numerous applications beyond drug development. Graphical abstract created with http://biorender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Seeger
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Rothmiller
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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Barrantes FJ. Structure and function meet at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-lipid interface. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106729. [PMID: 36931540 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a transmembrane protein that mediates fast intercellular communication in response to the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is the best characterized and archetypal molecule in the superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). As a typical transmembrane macromolecule, it interacts extensively with its vicinal lipid microenvironment. Experimental evidence provides a wealth of information on receptor-lipid crosstalk: the nAChR exerts influence on its immediate membrane environment and conversely, the lipid moiety modulates ligand binding, affinity state transitions and gating of ion translocation functions of the receptor protein. Recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies have unveiled the occurrence of sites for phospholipids and cholesterol on the lipid-exposed regions of neuronal and electroplax nAChRs, confirming early spectroscopic and affinity labeling studies demonstrating the close contact of lipid molecules with the receptor transmembrane segments. This new data provides structural support to the postulated "lipid sensor" ability displayed by the outer ring of M4 transmembrane domains and their modulatory role on nAChR function, as we postulated a decade ago. Borrowing from the best characterized nAChR, the electroplax (muscle-type) receptor, and exploiting new structural information on the neuronal nAChR, it is now possible to achieve an improved depiction of these sites. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis, single-channel electrophysiology, and molecular dynamics studies, the new structural information delivers a more comprehensive portrayal of these lipid-sensitive loci, providing mechanistic explanations for their ability to modulate nAChR properties and raising the possibility of targetting them in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) - Argentine Scientific & Technol. Research Council (CONICET), Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, C1107AAZ Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Korona D, Dirnberger B, Giachello CNG, Queiroz RML, Popovic R, Müller KH, Minde DP, Deery MJ, Johnson G, Firth LC, Earley FG, Russell S, Lilley KS. Drosophila nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits and their native interactions with insecticidal peptide toxins. eLife 2022; 11:74322. [PMID: 35575460 PMCID: PMC9110030 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that represent a target for insecticides. Peptide neurotoxins are known to block nAChRs by binding to their target subunits, however, a better understanding of this mechanism is needed for effective insecticide design. To facilitate the analysis of nAChRs we used a CRISPR/Cas9 strategy to generate null alleles for all ten nAChR subunit genes in a common genetic background. We studied interactions of nAChR subunits with peptide neurotoxins by larval injections and styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) pull-down assays. For the null alleles, we determined the effects of α-Bungarotoxin (α-Btx) and ω-Hexatoxin-Hv1a (Hv1a) administration, identifying potential receptor subunits implicated in the binding of these toxins. We employed pull-down assays to confirm α-Btx interactions with the Drosophila α5 (Dα5), Dα6, Dα7 subunits. Finally, we report the localisation of fluorescent tagged endogenous Dα6 during Drosophila CNS development. Taken together, this study elucidates native Drosophila nAChR subunit interactions with insecticidal peptide toxins and provides a resource for the in vivo analysis of insect nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Korona
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Benedict Dirnberger
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo N G Giachello
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Rayner M L Queiroz
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rebeka Popovic
- MRC Toxicology Unit, Gleeson Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Karin H Müller
- Cambridge Advanced Imaging Centre, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience/Anatomy Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David-Paul Minde
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Deery
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Glynnis Johnson
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy C Firth
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Fergus G Earley
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Russell
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Pursuing High-Resolution Structures of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Lessons Learned from Five Decades. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195753. [PMID: 34641297 PMCID: PMC8510392 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been extensively studied to understand their function, as well as the consequence of alterations leading to disease states. Importantly, these receptors represent pharmacological targets to treat a number of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Nevertheless, their therapeutic value has been limited by the absence of high-resolution structures that allow for the design of more specific and effective drugs. This article offers a comprehensive review of five decades of research pursuing high-resolution structures of nAChRs. We provide a historical perspective, from initial structural studies to the most recent X-ray and cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) nAChR structures. We also discuss the most relevant structural features that emerged from these studies, as well as perspectives in the field.
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Maldonado-Hernández R, Quesada O, Lasalde-Dominicci JA. Biophysical characterization dataset of native nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in lipid-like detergent complexes. Data Brief 2020; 32:106230. [PMID: 32939382 PMCID: PMC7479489 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
For a long time, traditional purification and extraction methods for the native Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in lipid-like detergent complex (nAChR-DC) have compromised its purity, functionality and X-ray structural studies possibility. The dataset presented in this article provide a characterization of the Torpedo californica nAChR-DC purified using a sequential purification processes developed in our laboratory [1]. This purification takes in consideration all of the physicochemical and functional requirements stablished by several researchers for the past three decades for the nAChR. These requirements were addressed in order to preserve the stability and functionality of nAChR-DC while ensuring the highest degree of protein purity. We focused on the effect of cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) supplementation on nAChR conformational changes during the purification process. Data from the size exclusion chromatography of the nAChR-DC supplemented with CHS in concentrations ranging from 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.2 mM and 0.5 mM consistently demonstrated that 0.5 mM CHS affects receptor stability via disassemble of the pentameric oligomer. However, 0.2 mM CHS produced negligible nAChR-DC subunit disruption. The purified nAChR-DC has been characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), in order to assess its stability. The CD data was recorded in the wavelength range of 190-250 nm, showed that CHS induce a ⍺-helix to β-sheet transition of the nAChR-DC. The nAChR-LFC-16 delipidation with Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin decreased the percentage of α-helix and increased the β-sheet antiparallel secondary structure and levels the percentage of turns to that of the nAChR-DC without CHS treatment. Additionally, the stability of the nAChR-DC supplemented with CHS and incorporated into lipid cubic phase (LCP) was monitored for a period of 30 days by means of FRAP. The LCP-FRAP data allowed to establish possible optimal crystallization conditions for the development of crystals from purified nAChR-conjugated to α-Bungarotoxin, Alexa Fluor ™ 488 (α-BTX) in order to obtain a high-resolution atomic structure by X-ray diffraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado-Hernández
- Department of the Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Orestes Quesada
- Department of Physical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - José A Lasalde-Dominicci
- Department of the Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus
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