1
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Wang YJ, Seibert H, Ahn LY, Schaffer AE, Mu TW. Pharmacological chaperones restore proteostasis of epilepsy-associated GABA A receptor variants. Pharmacol Res 2024; 208:107356. [PMID: 39216838 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in genetic diagnosis identified variants in genes encoding GABAA receptors as causative for genetic epilepsy. Here, we selected eight disease-associated variants in the α1 subunit of GABAA receptors causing mild to severe clinical phenotypes and showed that they are loss of function, mainly by reducing the folding and surface trafficking of the α1 protein. Furthermore, we sought client protein-specific pharmacological chaperones to restore the function of pathogenic receptors. Applications of positive allosteric modulators, including Hispidulin and TP003, increase the functional surface expression of the α1 variants. Mechanism of action study demonstrated that they enhance the folding, assembly, and trafficking and reduce the degradation of GABAA variants without activating the unfolded protein response in HEK293T cells and human iPSC-derived neurons. Since these compounds cross the blood-brain barrier, such a pharmacological chaperoning strategy holds great promise to treat genetic epilepsy in a GABAA receptor-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Juan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Hailey Seibert
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Lucie Y Ahn
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ashleigh E Schaffer
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ting-Wei Mu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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2
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Kan C, Ullah A, Dang S, Xue H. Modular Structure and Polymerization Status of GABA A Receptors Illustrated with EM Analysis and AlphaFold2 Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:10142. [PMID: 39337627 PMCID: PMC11432007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms251810142] [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: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Type-A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors are channel proteins crucial to mediating neuronal balance in the central nervous system (CNS). The structure of GABAA receptors allows for multiple binding sites and is key to drug development. Yet the formation mechanism of the receptor's distinctive pentameric structure is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of three predominant subunits of the human GABAA receptor in the formation of protein pentamers. Through purifying and refolding the protein fragments of the GABAA receptor α1, β2, and γ2 subunits, the particle structures were visualised with negative staining electron microscopy (EM). To aid the analysis, AlphaFold2 was used to compare the structures. Results show that α1 and β2 subunit fragments successfully formed homo-oligomers, particularly homopentameric structures, while the predominant heteropentameric GABAA receptor was also replicated through the combination of the three subunits. However, homopentameric structures were not observed with the γ2 subunit proteins. A comparison of the AlphaFold2 predictions and the previously obtained cryo-EM structures presents new insights into the subunits' modular structure and polymerization status. By performing experimental and computational studies, a deeper understanding of the complex structure of GABAA receptors is provided. Hopefully, this study can pave the way to developing novel therapeutics for neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hong Xue
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; (C.K.); (A.U.); (S.D.)
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3
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Chen ZW, Chintala SM, Bracamontes J, Sugasawa Y, Pierce SR, Varga BR, Smith EH, Edge CJ, Franks NP, Cheng WW, Akk G, Evers AS. Three classes of propofol binding sites on GABA A receptors. J Biol Chem 2024:107778. [PMID: 39270821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and sedative that acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Several potential propofol binding sites that may mediate this effect have been identified using propofol-analogue photoaffinity labeling. o-PD labels β-H267, a pore-lining residue, whereas AziPm labels residues β-M286, β-M227 and α-I239 in the two membrane-facing interfaces (β(+)/α(-) and α(+)/β(-)) between α and β subunits. This study used photoaffinity labeling of α1β3 GABAA receptors to reconcile the apparently conflicting results obtained with AziPm and o-PD labeling, focusing on whether β3-H267 identifies specific propofol binding site(s). The results show that propofol, but not AziPm protects β3-H267 from labeling by o-PD, whereas both propofol and o-PD protect against AziPm labeling of β3-M286, β3-M227 and α1I239. These data indicate that there are three distinct classes of propofol binding sites, with AziPm binding to two of the classes and o-PD to all three. Analysis of binding stoichiometry using native mass spectrometry in β3 homomeric receptors, demonstrated a minimum of five AziPm labeled residues and three o-PD labeled residues per pentamer, suggesting that there are two distinct propofol binding sites per β-subunit. The native MS data, coupled with photolabeling performed in the presence of zinc, indicate that the binding site(s) identified by o-PD are adjacent to, but not within the channel pore, since the pore at the 17' H267 residue can accommodate only one propofol molecule. These data validate the existence of three classes of specific propofol binding sites on α1β3 GABAA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - John Bracamontes
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yusuke Sugasawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Spencer R Pierce
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Balazs R Varga
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Edward H Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Nicholas P Franks
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Wayland Wl Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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4
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Liu F, Li T, Gong H, Tian F, Bai Y, Wang H, Yang C, Li Y, Guo F, Liu S, Chen Q. Structural insights into the molecular effects of the anthelmintics monepantel and betaine on the Caenorhabditis elegans acetylcholine receptor ACR-23. EMBO J 2024; 43:3787-3806. [PMID: 39009676 PMCID: PMC11377560 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00165-7] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthelmintics are drugs used for controlling pathogenic helminths in animals and plants. The natural compound betaine and the recently developed synthetic compound monepantel are both anthelmintics that target the acetylcholine receptor ACR-23 and its homologs in nematodes. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of ACR-23 in apo, betaine-bound, and betaine- and monepantel-bound states. We show that ACR-23 forms a homo-pentameric channel, similar to some other pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). While betaine molecules are bound to the classical neurotransmitter sites in the inter-subunit interfaces in the extracellular domain, monepantel molecules are bound to allosteric sites formed in the inter-subunit interfaces in the transmembrane domain of the receptor. Although the pore remains closed in betaine-bound state, monepantel binding results in an open channel by wedging into the cleft between the transmembrane domains of two neighboring subunits, which causes dilation of the ion conduction pore. By combining structural analyses with site-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiology and in vivo locomotion assays, we provide insights into the mechanism of action of the anthelmintics monepantel and betaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglian Liu
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201204, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huihui Gong
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Fei Tian
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yan Bai
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Haowei Wang
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Chonglin Yang
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Fei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Sheng Liu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518026, China.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518038, China.
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Center for Life Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
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5
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Cecchini M, Corringer PJ, Changeux JP. The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Its Pentameric Homologs: Toward an Allosteric Mechanism of Signal Transduction at the Atomic Level. Annu Rev Biochem 2024; 93:339-366. [PMID: 38346274 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-030122-033116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor has served, since its biochemical identification in the 1970s, as a model of an allosteric ligand-gated ion channel mediating signal transition at the synapse. In recent years, the application of X-ray crystallography and high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, together with molecular dynamic simulations of nicotinic receptors and homologs, have opened a new era in the understanding of channel gating by the neurotransmitter. They reveal, at atomic resolution, the diversity and flexibility of the multiple ligand-binding sites, including recently discovered allosteric modulatory sites distinct from the neurotransmitter orthosteric site, and the conformational dynamics of the activation process as a molecular switch linking these multiple sites. The model emerging from these studies paves the way for a new pharmacology based, first, upon the occurrence of an original mode of indirect allosteric modulation, distinct from a steric competition for a single and rigid binding site, and second, the design of drugs that specifically interact with privileged conformations of the receptor such as agonists, antagonists, and desensitizers. Research on nicotinic receptors is still at the forefront of understanding the mode of action of drugs on the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cecchini
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7177, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Corringer
- Channel Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Changeux
- Department of Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France;
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6
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Hajak G, Vetter C, Wehling M. Neurexan Prescription Is Associated with Lower Risk of Sleep Disorder Recurrence and Depression Prevalence as Compared to Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepines: A Retrospective Database Analysis in Germany. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1413. [PMID: 39057556 PMCID: PMC11276089 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12141413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Real-world evidence on the association between natural medicinal products and the recurrence of sleep disorders is currently limited, particularly when compared to the evidence reported for prescription hypnotics. In a retrospective cohort analysis, we investigated patients with sleep disorders prescribed either the natural medicinal product Neurexan (Nx4), benzodiazepines, or nonbenzodiazepines (Z-drugs) using the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database, which encompasses electronic medical records nationwide in Germany. A 1:1 matching procedure based on age, sex, prevalent depression, anxiety or adjustment disorder, and the number of medical consultations in the past 12 months resulted in four cohorts: patients prescribed Nx4 were matched with those prescribed Z-drugs (two cohorts with 8594 matched patients each), and another cohort of patients prescribed Nx4 were matched with those prescribed benzodiazepines (7779 matched pairs). Results from multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models demonstrated that Nx4 was associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrent sleep disorder diagnosis within 30-365 days after prescription compared to both Z-drugs (HR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.60-0.70, p < 0.001) and benzodiazepines (HR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.79-0.93, p < 0.001). Additionally, Nx4 was associated with a lower prevalence of depression compared to Z-drugs (HR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.83-0.98, p = 0.020) and benzodiazepines (HR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.82-0.97, p = 0.009). These findings suggest an association between Nx4 and improved sleep and mental health outcomes. However, due to inherent limitations in the study design, the causality of this relationship cannot be stated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Hajak
- Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Sozialstiftung Social Foundation Bamberg, Teaching Hospital of the University of Erlangen, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
| | - Céline Vetter
- IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. KG, 60549 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wehling
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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7
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Wang YJ, Di XJ, Zhang PP, Chen X, Williams MP, Han DY, Nashmi R, Henderson BJ, Moss FJ, Mu TW. Hsp47 promotes biogenesis of multi-subunit neuroreceptors in the endoplasmic reticulum. eLife 2024; 13:e84798. [PMID: 38963323 PMCID: PMC11257679 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84798] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) deficiency is an important contributing factor to neurological and metabolic diseases. However, how the proteostasis network orchestrates the folding and assembly of multi-subunit membrane proteins is poorly understood. Previous proteomics studies identified Hsp47 (Gene: SERPINH1), a heat shock protein in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, as the most enriched interacting chaperone for gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Here, we show that Hsp47 enhances the functional surface expression of GABAA receptors in rat neurons and human HEK293T cells. Furthermore, molecular mechanism study demonstrates that Hsp47 acts after BiP (Gene: HSPA5) and preferentially binds the folded conformation of GABAA receptors without inducing the unfolded protein response in HEK293T cells. Therefore, Hsp47 promotes the subunit-subunit interaction, the receptor assembly process, and the anterograde trafficking of GABAA receptors. Overexpressing Hsp47 is sufficient to correct the surface expression and function of epilepsy-associated GABAA receptor variants in HEK293T cells. Hsp47 also promotes the surface trafficking of other Cys-loop receptors, including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and serotonin type 3 receptors in HEK293T cells. Therefore, in addition to its known function as a collagen chaperone, this work establishes that Hsp47 plays a critical and general role in the maturation of multi-subunit Cys-loop neuroreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Juan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Xiao-Jing Di
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Pei-Pei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Marnie P Williams
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Dong-Yun Han
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Raad Nashmi
- Department of Biology, University of VictoriaVictoriaCanada
| | - Brandon J Henderson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall UniversityHuntingtonUnited States
| | - Fraser J Moss
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Ting-Wei Mu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
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8
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Yu L, Zhu X, Peng K, Qin H, Yang K, Cai F, Hu J, Zhang Y. Propofol Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behaviors Associated with Pain by Inhibiting the Hyperactivity of PVN CRH Neurons via GABA A Receptor β3 Subunits. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309059. [PMID: 38639389 PMCID: PMC11267288 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Pain, a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, causes substantial clinical, social, and economic burdens. Emerging evidence suggests that propofol, the most commonly used general anesthetic, may regulate psychological disorders; however, its role in pain-associated anxiety is not yet described. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a single dose of propofol (100 mg kg-1) in alleviating pain-associated anxiety and examines the underlying neural mechanisms. In acute and chronic pain models, propofol decreased anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests. Propofol also reduced the serum levels of stress-related hormones including corticosterone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and norepinephrine. Fiber photometry recordings indicated that the calcium signaling activity of CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVNCRH) is reduced after propofol treatment. Interestingly, artificially activating PVNCRH neurons through chemogenetics interfered with the anxiety-reducing effects of propofol. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that propofol decreases the activity of PVNCRH neurons by increasing spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Further, reducing the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor β3 (GABAAβ3) subunits in PVNCRH neurons diminished the anxiety-relieving effects of propofol. In conclusion, this study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale to treat pain-associated anxiety-like behaviors using a single dose of propofol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Xiaona Zhu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kang Peng
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Huimin Qin
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kexin Yang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Fang Cai
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ji Hu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
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9
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Mortensen M, Bright DP, Fagotti J, Dorovykh V, Cerna B, Smart TG. Forty Years Searching for Neurosteroid Binding Sites on GABA A Receptors. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00257-4. [PMID: 38852898 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain inhibition is a vital process for controlling and sculpting the excitability of the central nervous system in healthy individuals. This level of control is provided over several timescales and involves the neurotransmitter GABA acting at inhibitory synapses to: rapidly inhibit neurons by activating the GABAA receptor; over a slower timescale, to tonically activate extrasynaptic GABAA receptors to provide a low level of background inhibition; and finally, to activate G-protein coupled GABAB receptors to control transmitter release by inhibiting presynaptic Ca2+ channels whilst providing postsynaptic inhibition via K+ channel activation. From this plethora of roles for GABA and its receptors, the GABAA receptor isoform is of major interest due to its dynamic functional plasticity, which in part, is due to being targeted by modulatory brain neurosteroids derived from sex and stress hormones. This family of neurosteroids can, depending on their structure, potentiate, activate and also inhibit the activity of GABAA receptors to affect brain inhibition. This review tracks the methods that have been deployed in probing GABAA receptors, and charts the sterling efforts made by several groups to locate the key neurosteroid binding sites that affect these important receptors. Increasing our knowledge of these binding sites will greatly facilitate our understanding of the physiological roles of neurosteroids and will help to advance their use as novel therapeutics to combat debilitating brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mortensen
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Damian P Bright
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Juliane Fagotti
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Dorovykh
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Barbora Cerna
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor G Smart
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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10
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Liu M, Cao B, Wei JW, Gong B. Redesigning a S-nitrosylated pyruvate-dependent GABA transaminase 1 to generate high-malate and saline-alkali-tolerant tomato. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:2148-2162. [PMID: 38501546 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Although saline-alkali stress can improve tomato quality, the detailed molecular processes that balance stress tolerance and quality are not well-understood. Our research links nitric oxide (NO) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with the control of root malate exudation and fruit malate storage, mediated by aluminium-activated malate transporter 9/14 (SlALMT9/14). By modifying a specific S-nitrosylated site on pyruvate-dependent GABA transaminase 1 (SlGABA-TP1), we have found a way to enhance both plant's saline-alkali tolerance and fruit quality. Under saline-alkali stress, NO levels vary in tomato roots and fruits. High NO in roots leads to S-nitrosylation of SlGABA-TP1/2/3 at Cys316/258/316, reducing their activity and increasing GABA. This GABA then reduces malate exudation from roots and affects saline-alkali tolerance by interacting with SlALMT14. In fruits, a moderate NO level boosts SlGABA-TP1 expression and GABA breakdown, easing GABA's block on SlALMT9 and increasing malate storage. Mutants of SlGABA-TP1C316S that do not undergo S-nitrosylation maintain high activity, supporting malate movement in both roots and fruits under stress. This study suggests targeting SlGABA-TP1Cys316 in tomato breeding could significantly improve plant's saline-alkali tolerance and fruit quality, offering a promising strategy for agricultural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Liu
- College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Bili Cao
- College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
| | - Jin-Wei Wei
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Biao Gong
- College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
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11
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Topchiy I, Mohbat J, Folorunso OO, Wang ZZ, Lazcano-Etchebarne C, Engin E. GABA system as the cause and effect in early development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105651. [PMID: 38579901 PMCID: PMC11081854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105651] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain and through its actions on GABAARs, it protects against excitotoxicity and seizure activity, ensures temporal fidelity of neurotransmission, and regulates concerted rhythmic activity of neuronal populations. In the developing brain, the development of GABAergic neurons precedes that of glutamatergic neurons and the GABA system serves as a guide and framework for the development of other brain systems. Despite this early start, the maturation of the GABA system also continues well into the early postnatal period. In this review, we organize evidence around two scenarios based on the essential and protracted nature of GABA system development: 1) disruptions in the development of the GABA system can lead to large scale disruptions in other developmental processes (i.e., GABA as the cause), 2) protracted maturation of this system makes it vulnerable to the effects of developmental insults (i.e., GABA as the effect). While ample evidence supports the importance of GABA/GABAAR system in both scenarios, large gaps in existing knowledge prevent strong mechanistic conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Topchiy
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Julie Mohbat
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Oluwarotimi O Folorunso
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ziyi Zephyr Wang
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Elif Engin
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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12
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Marques LDS, Rocha YMD, Nascimento GAD, Santos SAAR, Vieira NCG, Moura LFWG, Alves DR, Silva WMBD, de Morais SM, de Oliveira KA, da Silva LMR, Sousa KKOD, Vieira-Neto AE, Coutinho HDM, Campos AR, Magalhães FEA. Potential of the Blue Calm® food supplement in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Neurochem Int 2024; 175:105706. [PMID: 38423391 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by a set of behavioral, cognitive, nutritional, and physiological phenomena derived from the uncontrolled use of alcoholic beverages. There are cases in which AUD is associated with anxiety disorder, and when untreated, it requires careful pharmacotherapy. Blue Calm® (BC) is a food supplement indicated to aid restorative sleep, which has traces of medicinal plant extracts, as well as myo-inositol, magnesium bisglycinate, taurine, and L-tryptophan as its main chemical constituents. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of the BC in the treatment alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety in adult zebrafish (aZF). Initially, BC was submitted to antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. Subsequently, the aZF (n = 6/group) were treated with BC (0.1 or 1 or 10 mg/mL; 20 μL; p.o.), and the sedative effect and acute toxicity (96 h) were evaluated. Then, the anxiolytic-like effect and the possible GABAergic mechanism were analyzed through the Light & Dark Test. Finally, BC action was evaluated for treating alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety in aZF. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interaction of the major chemical constituents of BC with the GABAA receptor. BC showed antioxidant potential, a sedative effect, was not toxic, and all doses of BC had an anxiolytic-like effect and showed potential for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety in aZF. In addition to the anxiolytic action, the main chemical constituents of BC were confirmed in the molecular docking, thus suggesting that BC is an anxiolytic that modulates the GABAergic system and has pharmacological potential for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzia Débora S Marques
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Saúde (PPGNS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Campus Do Itaperi, CEP 60.741-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Yatagan M da Rocha
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Saúde (PPGNS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Campus Do Itaperi, CEP 60.741-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A do Nascimento
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Saúde (PPGNS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Campus Do Itaperi, CEP 60.741-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Sacha Aubrey A R Santos
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Natália Chaves G Vieira
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Luiz Francisco Wemmenson G Moura
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Daniela R Alves
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Naturais (PPGCS), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia (CCT), Laboratório de Análises Cromatográficas e Espectroscópicas (LACES), Campus do Itaperi, CEP 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Wildson Max B da Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Naturais (PPGCS), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia (CCT), Laboratório de Análises Cromatográficas e Espectroscópicas (LACES), Campus do Itaperi, CEP 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Selene Maia de Morais
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Naturais (PPGCS), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia (CCT), Laboratório de Análises Cromatográficas e Espectroscópicas (LACES), Campus do Itaperi, CEP 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Keciany A de Oliveira
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Saúde (PPGNS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Campus Do Itaperi, CEP 60.741-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Larissa Morais R da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Tecnologia de Alimentos (PPGCTA), Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos (LMA), Campos do Pici, CEP 60.356.000, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Kalina Kelma O de Sousa
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Laboratório de Bioprospecção de Produtos Naturais e Biotecnologia (LBPNB), Campus CECITEC, CEP 60.660-000, Tauá, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Antonio Eufrásio Vieira-Neto
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
- Universidade Regional do Cariri - URCA, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química Biológica (PPGQB), Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular (LMBM), CEP 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Adriana Rolim Campos
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Ernani Alves Magalhães
- Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição e Saúde (PPGNS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Campus Do Itaperi, CEP 60.741-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Universidade de Fortaleza, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (PPGCM), Núcleo de Biologia Experimental (NUBEX), CEP 60.811-650, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Laboratório de Bioprospecção de Produtos Naturais e Biotecnologia (LBPNB), Campus CECITEC, CEP 60.660-000, Tauá, Ceará, Brazil.
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13
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Bharambe N, Li Z, Seiferth D, Balakrishna AM, Biggin PC, Basak S. Cryo-EM structures of prokaryotic ligand-gated ion channel GLIC provide insights into gating in a lipid environment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2967. [PMID: 38580666 PMCID: PMC10997623 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47370-w] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
GLIC, a proton-activated prokaryotic ligand-gated ion channel, served as a model system for understanding the eukaryotic counterparts due to their structural and functional similarities. Despite extensive studies conducted on GLIC, the molecular mechanism of channel gating in the lipid environment requires further investigation. Here, we present the cryo-EM structures of nanodisc-reconstituted GLIC at neutral and acidic pH in the resolution range of 2.6 - 3.4 Å. In our apo state at pH 7.5, the extracellular domain (ECD) displays conformational variations compared to the existing apo structures. At pH 4.0, three distinct conformational states (C1, C2 and O states) are identified. The protonated structures exhibit a compacted and counter-clockwise rotated ECD compared with our apo state. A gradual widening of the pore in the TMD is observed upon reducing the pH, with the widest pore in O state, accompanied by several layers of water pentagons. The pore radius and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that the O state represents an open conductive state. We also observe state-dependent interactions between several lipids and proteins that may be involved in the regulation of channel gating. Our results provide comprehensive insights into the importance of lipids impact on gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Bharambe
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Zhuowen Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - David Seiferth
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Philip C Biggin
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sandip Basak
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.
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14
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Tateiwa H, Evers AS. Neurosteroids and their potential as a safer class of general anesthetics. J Anesth 2024; 38:261-274. [PMID: 38252143 PMCID: PMC10954990 DOI: 10.1007/s00540-023-03291-4] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Neurosteroids (NS) are a class of steroids that are synthesized within the central nervous system (CNS). Various NS can either enhance or inhibit CNS excitability and they play important biological roles in brain development, brain function and as mediators of mood. One class of NS, 3α-hydroxy-pregnane steroids such as allopregnanolone (AlloP) or pregnanolone (Preg), inhibits neuronal excitability; these endogenous NS and their analogues have been therapeutically applied as anti-depressants, anti-epileptics and general anesthetics. While NS have many favorable properties as anesthetics (e.g. rapid onset, rapid recovery, minimal cardiorespiratory depression, neuroprotection), they are not currently in clinical use, largely due to problems with formulation. Recent advances in understanding NS mechanisms of action and improved formulations have rekindled interest in development of NS as sedatives and anesthetics. In this review, the synthesis of NS, and their mechanism of action will be reviewed with specific emphasis on their binding sites and actions on γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. The potential advantages of NS analogues as sedative and anesthetic agents will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Tateiwa
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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15
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Moisan GJ, Kamath N, Apgar S, Schwehr M, Vedmurthy P, Conner O, Hayes K, Toro CP. Alternative Splicing and Nonsense-Mediated Decay of a Zebrafish GABA Receptor Subunit Transcript. Zebrafish 2024; 21:198-205. [PMID: 37751193 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The superfamily of Cys-loop ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors includes those that detect GABA, glutamate, glycine, and acetylcholine. There is ample evidence that many Cys-loop receptor subunit genes include alternatively spliced exons. In this study, we report a novel example of alternative splicing (AS): we show that the 68-bp exon 3 in the zebrafish gabrr2b gene-which codes for the ρ2b GABAAR subunit-is an alternative cassette exon. Skipping of gabrr2b exon 3 results in a downstream frame shift and a premature termination codon (PTC). We provide evidence in larval zebrafish that transcripts containing the PTC are subject to degradation through nonsense-mediated decay. We also compile reports of AS of homologous exons in other Cys-loop receptor genes in multiple species. Our data add to a large body of research demonstrating that exon 3 in Cys-loop receptor genes is a conserved site for AS, the effects of which can vary from novel splice-isoform generation to downregulation of gene expression through transcript degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia J Moisan
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Nitika Kamath
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Shannon Apgar
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Megan Schwehr
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Pooja Vedmurthy
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Olivya Conner
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Kyler Hayes
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Cecilia Phillips Toro
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
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16
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Obiol DJ, Amundarain MJ, Zamarreño F, Vietri A, Antollini SS, Costabel MD. Oleic Acid Could Act as a Channel Blocker in the Inhibition of nAChR: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2398-2411. [PMID: 38445598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The activation of the muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) produces the opening of the channel, with the consequent increase in the permeability of cations, triggering an excitatory signal. Free fatty acids (FFA) are known to modulate the activity of the receptor as noncompetitive antagonists, acting at the membrane-AChR interface. We present molecular dynamics simulations of a model of nAChR in a desensitized closed state embedded in a lipid bilayer in which distinct membrane phospholipids were replaced by two different monounsaturated FFA that differ in the position of a double bond. This allowed us to detect and describe that the cis-18:1ω-9 FFA were located at the interface between the transmembrane segments of α2 and γ subunits diffused into the channel lumen with the consequent potential ability to block the channel to the passage of ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego J Obiol
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET, Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1253, B8000CPB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María J Amundarain
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET, Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1253, B8000CPB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry III, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Fernando Zamarreño
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET, Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1253, B8000CPB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Agustín Vietri
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET, Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1253, B8000CPB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Silvia S Antollini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca CONICET-UNS, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Marcelo D Costabel
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET, Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1253, B8000CPB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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17
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Zheng X, Liu G, Ozoe Y, Ju XL. Mechanistic insights into the selectivity of bicyclophosphorothionate antagonists for housefly versus rat GABA receptors. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:1382-1399. [PMID: 37926485 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (GABARs) are validated targets of insecticides. Bicyclophosphorothionates are a group of insecticidal compounds that act as noncompetitive antagonists of GABARs. We previously reported that the analogs exhibit various degrees of selectivity for housefly versus rat GABARs, depending on substitutions at the 3- and 4-positions. We here sought to elucidate the unsolved mechanisms of the receptor selectivity using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics approaches. RESULTS Three-dimensional (3D)-QSAR studies using Topomer comparative molecular field analysis quantitatively demonstrated how the introduction of a small alkyl group at the 3-position of bicyclophosphorothionates contributes to the housefly versus rat GABAR selectivity. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the selective action, bicyclophosphorothionates were docked into housefly Resistance to dieldrin (RDL) GABAR and rat α1β2γ2 GABAR homology models built using the published 3D-structures of human GABARs as templates. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the 2'Ala and 6'Thr residues of the RDL subunit within the channel are the key amino acids for binding to the housefly GABARs, whereas the 2'Ser residue of γ2 subunit plays a crucial role in binding to rat GABARs. CONCLUSION We revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying the selective antagonistic action of bicyclophosphorothionates on housefly versus rat GABARs. The information presented should help design and develop novel, safe GABAR-targeting insecticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiao Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Genyan Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yoshihisa Ozoe
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan
| | - Xiu-Lian Ju
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
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18
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Tsai YX, Chang NE, Reuter K, Chang HT, Yang TJ, von Bülow S, Sehrawat V, Zerrouki N, Tuffery M, Gecht M, Grothaus IL, Colombi Ciacchi L, Wang YS, Hsu MF, Khoo KH, Hummer G, Hsu STD, Hanus C, Sikora M. Rapid simulation of glycoprotein structures by grafting and steric exclusion of glycan conformer libraries. Cell 2024; 187:1296-1311.e26. [PMID: 38428397 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Most membrane proteins are modified by covalent addition of complex sugars through N- and O-glycosylation. Unlike proteins, glycans do not typically adopt specific secondary structures and remain very mobile, shielding potentially large fractions of protein surface. High glycan conformational freedom hinders complete structural elucidation of glycoproteins. Computer simulations may be used to model glycosylated proteins but require hundreds of thousands of computing hours on supercomputers, thus limiting routine use. Here, we describe GlycoSHIELD, a reductionist method that can be implemented on personal computers to graft realistic ensembles of glycan conformers onto static protein structures in minutes. Using molecular dynamics simulation, small-angle X-ray scattering, cryoelectron microscopy, and mass spectrometry, we show that this open-access toolkit provides enhanced models of glycoprotein structures. Focusing on N-cadherin, human coronavirus spike proteins, and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, we show that GlycoSHIELD can shed light on the impact of glycans on the conformation and activity of complex glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xi Tsai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ning-En Chang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Klaus Reuter
- Max Planck Computing and Data Facility, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Hao-Ting Chang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Jing Yang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Sören von Bülow
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vidhi Sehrawat
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
| | - Noémie Zerrouki
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, Inserm UMR1266, Université Paris-Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Tuffery
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, Inserm UMR1266, Université Paris-Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Michael Gecht
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Isabell Louise Grothaus
- Hybrid Materials Interfaces Group, Faculty of Production Engineering, Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science and MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Lucio Colombi Ciacchi
- Hybrid Materials Interfaces Group, Faculty of Production Engineering, Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science and MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Yong-Sheng Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Min-Feng Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kay-Hooi Khoo
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Shang-Te Danny Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM(2)), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
| | - Cyril Hanus
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, Inserm UMR1266, Université Paris-Cité, 75014 Paris, France; GHU Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
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19
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Burke SM, Avstrikova M, Noviello CM, Mukhtasimova N, Changeux JP, Thakur GA, Sine SM, Cecchini M, Hibbs RE. Structural mechanisms of α7 nicotinic receptor allosteric modulation and activation. Cell 2024; 187:1160-1176.e21. [PMID: 38382524 PMCID: PMC10950261 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.032] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel that plays an important role in cholinergic signaling throughout the nervous system. Its unique physiological characteristics and implications in neurological disorders and inflammation make it a promising but challenging therapeutic target. Positive allosteric modulators overcome limitations of traditional α7 agonists, but their potentiation mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we present high-resolution structures of α7-modulator complexes, revealing partially overlapping binding sites but varying conformational states. Structure-guided functional and computational tests suggest that differences in modulator activity arise from the stable rotation of a channel gating residue out of the pore. We extend the study using a time-resolved cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) approach to reveal asymmetric state transitions for this homomeric channel and also find that a modulator with allosteric agonist activity exploits a distinct channel-gating mechanism. These results define mechanisms of α7 allosteric modulation and activation with implications across the pentameric receptor superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Burke
- Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mariia Avstrikova
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67081 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Colleen M Noviello
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nuriya Mukhtasimova
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Changeux
- Neuroscience Department, Institut Pasteur, Collège de France, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ganesh A Thakur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven M Sine
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67081 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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20
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Son L, Kost V, Maiorov V, Sukhov D, Arkhangelskaya P, Ivanov I, Kudryavtsev D, Siniavin A, Utkin Y, Kasheverov I. Efficient Expression in Leishmania tarentolae (LEXSY) of the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S-Protein and the Acetylcholine-Binding Protein from Lymnaea stagnalis. Molecules 2024; 29:943. [PMID: 38474455 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania tarentolae (LEXSY) system is an inexpensive and effective expression approach for various research and medical purposes. The stated advantages of this system are the possibility of obtaining the soluble product in the cytoplasm, a high probability of correct protein folding with a full range of post-translational modifications (including uniform glycosylation), and the possibility of expressing multi-subunit proteins. In this paper, a LEXSY expression system has been employed for obtaining the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike-protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the homopentameric acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP) from Lymnaea stagnalis. RBD is actively used to obtain antibodies against the virus and in various scientific studies on the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of the virus with host cell targets. AChBP represents an excellent structural model of the ligand-binding extracellular domain of all subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Both products were obtained in a soluble glycosylated form, and their structural and functional characteristics were compared with those previously described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Son
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kost
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valery Maiorov
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Sukhov
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina Arkhangelskaya
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Ivanov
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Kudryavtsev
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei Siniavin
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri Utkin
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Kasheverov
- Department of Molecular Bases of Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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21
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Jyoti MA, Shah MS, Uddin MN, Hossain MK, Han A, Geng P, Islam MN, Mamun AA. Anti-oxidant and neuro-modulatory effects of bioactive Byttneria pilosa leaf extract in swiss albino mice using behavioral models. Front Chem 2024; 12:1341308. [PMID: 38389724 PMCID: PMC10881790 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1341308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Byttneria pilosa, a flowering plant from the Malvaceae family traditionally used to treat ailments such as boils and scabies, is here investigated for its potential health benefits. The study focused on evaluating its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in vitro, as well as the in vivo anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of the methanol extract of B. pilosa leaf (MEBP). The study employed various assays to evaluate antioxidant activity, including 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power capacity, and quantification of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of MEBP. Additionally, anxiolytic and antidepressant activities were evaluated through four tests: elevated plus-maze test (EPMT), light-dark box test (LDBT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Antidiabetic effect was determined using α-amylase inhibition assay. Docking analysis was performed using BIOVIA and Schrödinger Maestro (v11.1), and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/toxicity (ADME/T) properties of bioactive substances were investigated using a web-based technique. MEBP exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power capacity assays, with a dose-dependent response. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents measured were 70 ± 1.53 mg and 22.33 ± 1.20 mg, respectively. MEBP demonstrated significant effects in α-amylase inhibition comparable to acarbose. In behavioral tests, MEBP dose-dependently altered time spent in open arms/light box and closed arms/dark box, indicating anxiolytic effects. Moreover, MEBP significantly reduced immobility duration in FST and TST, suggesting antidepressant properties. Molecular docking analysis revealed favorable interactions between beta-sitosterol and specific targets, suggesting the potential mediation of anxiolytic and antidiabetic effects. Overall, MEBP exhibits notable anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, along with moderate antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mifta Ahmed Jyoti
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shahin Shah
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Najim Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Life and Earth Science, Jagannath University, Dhaka,Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Kamrul Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Aixia Han
- Central Laboratory of The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peiwu Geng
- Central Laboratory of The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mohammad Nazmul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Mamun
- Central Laboratory of The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
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22
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Condeminas M, Macias MJ. Overcoming challenges in structural biology with integrative approaches and nanobody-derived technologies. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 84:102764. [PMID: 38215529 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
A full understanding of protein structure is key to unraveling how these systems work, how mutations affect their function, and discovering new hotspots for drug discovery. Research tackling this field began with the analysis of globular proteins. In recent years, as technology has improved, research efforts have broadened their focus to include the study of multidomain proteins and the analysis of conformational variability, flexibility, and dynamic systems. Here, we have selected five recent examples that integrate complementary structural methods to provide insight into the behavior of modular, flexible, and transient contacts. We also describe the structural application of domains derived from single-chain antibodies, which are instrumental in overcoming the size limitation of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) studies. As these methods are continuously developed, they will lead to the interrogation of more complex systems, revealing how large signaling and transcriptional machines are assembled in the context of health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Condeminas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (MELIS-UPF), Carrer del Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Maria J Macias
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain.
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23
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Sweeney A, Mulvaney T, Maiorca M, Topf M. ChemEM: Flexible Docking of Small Molecules in Cryo-EM Structures. J Med Chem 2024; 67:199-212. [PMID: 38157562 PMCID: PMC10788898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), through resolution advancements, has become pivotal in structure-based drug discovery. However, most cryo-EM structures are solved at 3-4 Å resolution, posing challenges for small-molecule docking and structure-based virtual screening due to issues in the precise positioning of ligands and the surrounding side chains. We present ChemEM, a software package that employs cryo-EM data for the accurate docking of one or multiple ligands in a protein-binding site. Validated against a highly curated benchmark of high- and medium-resolution cryo-EM structures and the corresponding high-resolution controls, ChemEM displayed impressive performance, accurately placing ligands in all but one case, often surpassing cryo-EM PDB-deposited solutions. Even without including the cryo-EM density, the ChemEM scoring function outperformed the well-established AutoDock Vina score. Using ChemEM, we illustrate that valuable information can be extracted from maps at medium resolution and underline the utility of cryo-EM structures for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sweeney
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg 20251, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg
Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg 20246, Germany
| | - Thomas Mulvaney
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg 20251, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg
Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg 20246, Germany
| | - Mauro Maiorca
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg 20251, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Hamburg
Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg 20246, Germany
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24
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Hernandez CC, Hu N, Shen W, Macdonald RL. Epileptic Encephalopathy GABRB Structural Variants Share Common Gating and Trafficking Defects. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1790. [PMID: 38136660 PMCID: PMC10741827 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121790] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in the GABRB gene, which encodes the β subunit of the GABAA receptor, have been implicated in various epileptic encephalopathies and related neurodevelopmental disorders such as Dravet syndrome and Angelman syndrome. These conditions are often associated with early-onset seizures, developmental regression, and cognitive impairments. The severity and specific features of these encephalopathies can differ based on the nature of the genetic variant and its impact on GABAA receptor function. These variants can lead to dysfunction in GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition, resulting in an imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition that contributes to the development of seizures. Here, 13 de novo EE-associated GABRB variants, occurring as missense mutations, were analyzed to determine their impact on protein stability and flexibility, channel function, and receptor biogenesis. Our results showed that all mutations studied significantly impact the protein structure, altering protein stability, flexibility, and function to varying degrees. Variants mapped to the GABA-binding domain, coupling zone, and pore domain significantly impact the protein structure, modifying the β+/α- interface of the receptor and altering channel activation and receptor trafficking. Our study proposes that the extent of loss or gain of GABAA receptor function can be elucidated by identifying the specific structural domain impacted by mutation and assessing the variability in receptor structural dynamics. This paves the way for future studies to explore and uncover links between the incidence of a variant in the receptor topology and the severity of the related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciria C. Hernandez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ningning Hu
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (N.H.); (W.S.); (R.L.M.)
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (N.H.); (W.S.); (R.L.M.)
| | - Robert L. Macdonald
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (N.H.); (W.S.); (R.L.M.)
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25
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McMullan G, Naydenova K, Mihaylov D, Yamashita K, Peet MJ, Wilson H, Dickerson JL, Chen S, Cannone G, Lee Y, Hutchings KA, Gittins O, Sobhy MA, Wells T, El-Gomati MM, Dalby J, Meffert M, Schulze-Briese C, Henderson R, Russo CJ. Structure determination by cryoEM at 100 keV. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312905120. [PMID: 38011573 PMCID: PMC10710074 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312905120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Electron cryomicroscopy can, in principle, determine the structures of most biological molecules but is currently limited by access, specimen preparation difficulties, and cost. We describe a purpose-built instrument operating at 100 keV-including advances in electron optics, detection, and processing-that makes structure determination fast and simple at a fraction of current costs. The instrument attains its theoretical performance limits, allowing atomic resolution imaging of gold test specimens and biological molecular structure determination in hours. We demonstrate its capabilities by determining the structures of eleven different specimens, ranging in size from 140 kDa to 2 MDa, using a fraction of the data normally required. CryoEM with a microscope designed specifically for high-efficiency, on-the-spot imaging of biological molecules will expand structural biology to a wide range of previously intractable problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg McMullan
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Katerina Naydenova
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Mihaylov
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Keitaro Yamashita
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew J. Peet
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Hugh Wilson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua L. Dickerson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Shaoxia Chen
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Cannone
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Lee
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A. Hutchings
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Gittins
- Newcastle University, Newcastle upon TyneNE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed A. Sobhy
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Torquil Wells
- York Probe Sources Ltd., YorkYO26 6QU, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jason Dalby
- JEOL U.K. Ltd., Welwyn Garden CityAL7 1LT, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Richard Henderson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Russo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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26
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Kasaragod VB, Malinauskas T, Wahid AA, Lengyel J, Knoflach F, Hardwick SW, Jones CF, Chen WN, Lucas X, El Omari K, Chirgadze DY, Aricescu AR, Cecere G, Hernandez MC, Miller PS. The molecular basis of drug selectivity for α5 subunit-containing GABA A receptors. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1936-1946. [PMID: 37903907 PMCID: PMC10716045 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01133-1] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
α5 subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors represent a promising drug target for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Altered expression and function contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Dup15q and Angelman syndromes, developmental epilepsy and autism. Effective drug action without side effects is dependent on both α5-subtype selectivity and the strength of the positive or negative allosteric modulation (PAM or NAM). Here we solve structures of drugs bound to the α5 subunit. These define the molecular basis of binding and α5 selectivity of the β-carboline, methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), type II benzodiazepine NAMs, and a series of isoxazole NAMs and PAMs. For the isoxazole series, each molecule appears as an 'upper' and 'lower' moiety in the pocket. Structural data and radioligand binding data reveal a positional displacement of the upper moiety containing the isoxazole between the NAMs and PAMs. Using a hybrid molecule we directly measure the functional contribution of the upper moiety to NAM versus PAM activity. Overall, these structures provide a framework by which to understand distinct modulator binding modes and their basis of α5-subtype selectivity, appreciate structure-activity relationships, and empower future structure-based drug design campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Babu Kasaragod
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tomas Malinauskas
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ayla A Wahid
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Judith Lengyel
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederic Knoflach
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steven W Hardwick
- CryoEM Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Wan-Na Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xavier Lucas
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kamel El Omari
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Dimitri Y Chirgadze
- CryoEM Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Radu Aricescu
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giuseppe Cecere
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria-Clemencia Hernandez
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Paul S Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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27
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Wang YJ, Vu GH, Mu TW. Pathogenicity Prediction of GABA A Receptor Missense Variants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.14.567135. [PMID: 38014242 PMCID: PMC10680766 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Variants in the genes encoding the subunits of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptors are associated with epilepsy. To date, over 1000 clinical variants have been identified in these genes. However, the majority of these variants lack functional studies and their clinical significance is uncertain although accumulating evidence indicates that proteostasis deficiency is the major disease-causing mechanism for GABA A receptor variants. Here, we apply two state-of-the-art modeling tools, namely AlphaMissense, which uses an artificial intelligence-based approach based on AlphaFold structures, and Rhapsody, which integrates sequence evolution and known structure-based data, to predict the pathogenicity of saturating missense variants in genes that encode the major subunits of GABA A receptors in the central nervous system, including GABRA1 , GABRB2 , GABRB3 , and GABRG2 . Our results demonstrate that the predicted pathogenicity correlates well between AlphaMissense and Rhapsody although AlphaMissense tends to generate higher pathogenic probability. Furthermore, almost all annotated pathogenic variants in the ClinVar clinical database are successfully identified from the prediction, whereas uncertain variants from ClinVar partially due to the lack of experimental data are differentiated into different pathogenicity groups. The pathogenicity prediction of GABA A receptor missense variants provides a resource to the community as well as guidance for future experimental and clinical investigations.
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28
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Cowgill J, Fan C, Haloi N, Tobiasson V, Zhuang Y, Howard RJ, Lindahl E. Structure and dynamics of differential ligand binding in the human ρ-type GABA A receptor. Neuron 2023; 111:3450-3464.e5. [PMID: 37659407 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) drives critical inhibitory processes in and beyond the nervous system, partly via ionotropic type-A receptors (GABAARs). Pharmacological properties of ρ-type GABAARs are particularly distinctive, yet the structural basis for their specialization remains unclear. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of a lipid-embedded human ρ1 GABAAR, including a partial intracellular domain, under apo, inhibited, and desensitized conditions. An apparent resting state, determined first in the absence of modulators, was recapitulated with the specific inhibitor (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methylphosphinic acid and blocker picrotoxin and provided a rationale for bicuculline insensitivity. Comparative structures, mutant recordings, and molecular simulations with and without GABA further explained the sensitized but slower activation of ρ1 relative to canonical subtypes. Combining GABA with picrotoxin also captured an apparent uncoupled intermediate state. This work reveals structural mechanisms of gating and modulation with applications to ρ-specific pharmaceutical design and to our biophysical understanding of ligand-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Cowgill
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Chen Fan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Nandan Haloi
- Department of Applied Physics, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Victor Tobiasson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Yuxuan Zhuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Rebecca J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden; Department of Applied Physics, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 17121 Solna, Sweden.
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29
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Raisch T, Raunser S. The modes of action of ion-channel-targeting neurotoxic insecticides: lessons from structural biology. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1411-1427. [PMID: 37845413 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Insecticides are indispensable tools for plant protection in modern agriculture. Despite having highly heterogeneous structures, many neurotoxic insecticides use similar principles to inhibit or deregulate neuronal ion channels. Insecticides targeting pentameric ligand-gated channels are structural mimetics of neurotransmitters or manipulate and deregulate the proteins. Those binding to (pseudo-)tetrameric voltage-gated(-like) channels, on the other hand, are natural or synthetic compounds that directly block the ion-conducting pore or prevent conformational changes in the transmembrane domain necessary for opening and closing the pore. The use of a limited number of inhibition mechanisms can be problematic when resistances arise and become more widespread. Therefore, there is a rising interest in the development of insecticides with novel mechanisms that evade resistance and are pest-insect-specific. During the last decade, most known insecticide targets, many with bound compounds, have been structurally characterized, bringing the rational design of novel classes of agrochemicals within closer reach than ever before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Raisch
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
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Mohamad FH, Mohamad Jamali MA, Che Has AT. Structure-function Studies of GABA (A) Receptors and Related computer-aided Studies. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:804-817. [PMID: 37750966 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02158-3] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA (A) receptor) is a membrane protein activated by the neurotransmitter GABA. Structurally, this major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the human central nervous system is a pentamer that can be built from a selection of 19 subunits consisting of α(1,2,3,4,5 or 6), β (1,2 or 3), γ (1,2 or 3), ρ (1,2 or 3), and δ, π, θ, and ε. This creates several possible pentameric arrangements, which also influence the pharmacological and physiological properties of the receptor. The complexity and heterogeneity of the receptors are further increased by the addition of short and long splice variants in several subunits and the existence of multiple allosteric binding sites and expansive ligands that can bind to the receptors. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the receptors is required to gain novel insights into the consequences of receptor dysfunction and subsequent drug development studies. Notably, advancements in computational-aided studies have facilitated the elucidation of residual interactions and exploring energy binding, which may otherwise be challenging to investigate. In this review, we aim to summarize the current understanding of the structure and function of GABA (A) receptors obtained from advancements in computational-aided applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatin H Mohamad
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Arif Mohamad Jamali
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Arslan A. Pathogenic variants of human GABRA1 gene associated with epilepsy: A computational approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20218. [PMID: 37809401 PMCID: PMC10559982 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical for brain development, neurodevelopmental and network disorders, the GABRA1 gene encodes for the α1 subunit, an abundantly and developmentally expressed subunit of heteropentameric gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs) mediating primary inhibition in the brain. Mutations of the GABAAR subunit genes including GABRA1 gene are associated with epilepsy, a group of syndromes, characterized by unprovoked seizures and diagnosed by integrative approach, that involves genetic testing. Despite the diagnostic use of genetic testing, a large fraction of the GABAAR subunit gene variants including the variants of GABRA1 gene is not known in terms of their molecular consequence, a challenge for precision and personalized medicine. Addressing this, one hundred thirty-seven GABRA1 gene variants of unknown clinical significance have been extracted from the ClinVar database and computationally analyzed for pathogenicity. Eight variants (L49H, P59L, W97R, D99G, G152S, V270G, T294R, P305L) are predicted as pathogenic and mapped to the α1 subunit's extracellular domain (ECD), transmembrane domains (TMDs) and extracellular linker. This is followed by the integration with relevant data for cellular pathology and severity of the epilepsy syndromes retrieved from the literature. Our results suggest that the pathogenic variants in the ECD of GABRA1 (L49H, P59L, W97R, D99G, G152S) will probably manifest decreased surface expression and reduced current with mild epilepsy phenotypes while V270G, T294R in the TMDs and P305L in the linker between the second and the third TMDs will likely cause reduced cell current with severe epilepsy phenotypes. The results presented in this study provides insights for clinical genetics and wet lab experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Arslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Yang S, Li B, Tang J, Peng H, Pu C, Zhao C, Xu H. Structural optimization based on 4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazoline scaffold for improved insecticidal activities. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 195:105533. [PMID: 37666607 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The long-term and irrational application of insecticides has increased the rate of development of pest resistance and caused numerous environmental issues. To address these problems, our previous work reported that 4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazoline (DPQ) is a class of gelled heterocyclic compounds that act on insect γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAR). DPQ scaffold has no cross-resistance to existing insecticides, so the development of this scaffold is an interesting task for integrated pest management. In the present study, a novel series of 4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines (DPQs) were designed and synthesized based on pyraquinil, a highly insecticidal compound discovered in our previous work. Insecticidal activities of the target compounds against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) were evaluated. Compounds 6 and 12 showed the best insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella (P. xylostella) (LC50 = 1.49 and 0.97 mg/L), better than pyraquinil (LC50 = 1.76 mg/L), indoxacarb and fipronil (LC50 = 1.80 mg/L). Meanwhile, compound 12 showed slow toxicity to Solenopsis invicta Buren (S. invicta), with a 5 d mortality rate of 98.89% at 0.5 mg/L that is similar to fipronil. Moreover, Electrophysiological studies against the PxRDL1 GABAR heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicated that compound 12 could act as a potent GABA receptor antagonist (2 μΜ, inhibition rate, 68.25%). Molecular docking results showed that Ser285 (chain A) and Thr289 (chain D) of P. xylostella GABAR participated in hydrogen bonding interactions with compound 12, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested the importance of pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazoline core in potency. This systematic study provides valuable clues for the development of DPQ scaffold in the field of agrochemicals, and compound 12 can be further developed as an insecticide and bait candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Benjie Li
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahong Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxiang Peng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunmei Pu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hanhong Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.
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Soyka M, Wild I, Caulet B, Leontiou C, Lugoboni F, Hajak G. Long-term use of benzodiazepines in chronic insomnia: a European perspective. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1212028. [PMID: 37599882 PMCID: PMC10433200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1212028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic insomnia occurs in ~10% of the general population and has numerous negative health effects. The recommended first line treatment of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia is not widely available for patients in Europe, so pharmacotherapies such as benzodiazepine receptor agonist agents (benzodiazepines and Z-drugs) are commonly used. However, their use is only recommended for ≤4 weeks due to unproven long-term efficacy in treatment of chronic insomnia, and the risk of tolerance, and the potential for dependence and misuse. In Europe, recommendations limiting the use of benzodiazepines (lowest dose and shortest duration) in chronic insomnia are not always followed, likely due to the lack of approved effective alternative therapies. Here we present a recent pilot survey of the pharmacological treatment landscape in chronic insomnia in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and physicians' attitude toward treatment. The results suggest that benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are the most widely used treatments in chronic insomnia and are being used for longer than their recommended duration. Country variations in prescription rates were observed. Due to the known association between long-term benzodiazepine use and potential for developing dependence, further analysis of the literature was performed on the use and misuse of benzodiazepines. The results show that long-term use of benzodiazepines is associated with multiple consequences of treatment, including dependence, but also that previous use of benzodiazepines may increase the risk of opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Soyka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Imane Wild
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Allschwil, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Fabio Lugoboni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Göran Hajak
- University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Social Foundation Bamberg, Teaching Hospital of the University of Erlangen, Bamberg, Germany
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Chen GL, Li J, Zhang J, Zeng B. To Be or Not to Be an Ion Channel: Cryo-EM Structures Have a Say. Cells 2023; 12:1870. [PMID: 37508534 PMCID: PMC10378246 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ion channels are the second largest class of drug targets after G protein-coupled receptors. In addition to well-recognized ones like voltage-gated Na/K/Ca channels in the heart and neurons, novel ion channels are continuously discovered in both excitable and non-excitable cells and demonstrated to play important roles in many physiological processes and diseases such as developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. However, in the field of ion channel discovery, there are an unignorable number of published studies that are unsolid and misleading. Despite being the gold standard of a functional assay for ion channels, electrophysiological recordings are often accompanied by electrical noise, leak conductance, and background currents of the membrane system. These unwanted signals, if not treated properly, lead to the mischaracterization of proteins with seemingly unusual ion-conducting properties. In the recent ten years, the technical revolution of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has greatly advanced our understanding of the structures and gating mechanisms of various ion channels and also raised concerns about the pore-forming ability of some previously identified channel proteins. In this review, we summarize cryo-EM findings on ion channels with molecular identities recognized or disputed in recent ten years and discuss current knowledge of proposed channel proteins awaiting cryo-EM analyses. We also present a classification of ion channels according to their architectures and evolutionary relationships and discuss the possibility and strategy of identifying more ion channels by analyzing structures of transmembrane proteins of unknown function. We propose that cross-validation by electrophysiological and structural analyses should be essentially required for determining molecular identities of novel ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Lan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jian Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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35
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Yu X, Gao Z, Gao M, Qiao M. Bibliometric Analysis on GABA-A Receptors Research Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer. J Pain Res 2023; 16:2101-2114. [PMID: 37361426 PMCID: PMC10289248 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s409380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background GABA-A receptors are the primary mediators of brain inhibitory neurotransmission. In the past years, many studies focused on this channel to decipher the pathogenesis of related diseases but lacked bibliometric analysis research. This study aims to explore the research status and identify the research trends of GABA-A receptor channels. Methods Publications related to GABA-A receptor channels were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection from 2012 to 2022. After screening, the VOSviewer 1.6.18 and Citespace 5.8 R3 were used for bibliometric analysis from journals, countries, institutions, authors, co-cited references and keywords. Results We included 12,124 publications in the field of GABA-A receptor channels for analysis. The data shows that although there was a slight decrease in annual publications from 2012 to 2021, it remained at a relatively high level. Most publications were in the domain of neuroscience. Additionally, the United States was the most prolific country, followed by China. Univ Toronto was the most productive institution, and James M Cook led essential findings in this field. Furthermore, brain activation, GABAAR subunits expression, modulation mechanism in pain and anxiety behaviors and GABA and dopamine were paid attention to by researchers. And top research frontiers were molecular docking, autoimmune encephalitic series, obesity, sex difference, diagnosis and management, EEG and KCC2. Conclusion Taken together, academic attention on GABA-A receptor channels was never neglected since 2012. Our analysis identified key information, such as core countries, institutions and authors in this field. Molecular docking, autoimmune encephalitic series, obesity, sex difference, diagnosis and management, EEG and KCC2 will be the future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingzhou Gao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingqi Qiao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
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Sun H, Wang S, Lu M, Tinberg CE, Alba BM. Protein production from HEK293 cell line-derived stable pools with high protein quality and quantity to support discovery research. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285971. [PMID: 37267316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based therapeutics and recombinant protein reagents are often produced in mammalian expression systems, which provide human-like post-translational modifications. Among the available mammalian cell lines used for recombinant protein expression, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived suspension cells are generally utilized because they are easy to culture and tend to produce proteins in high yield. However, some proteins purified from CHO cell overexpression suffer from clipping and display undesired non-human post translational modifications (PTMs). In addition, CHO cell lines are often not suitable for producing proteins with many glycosylation motifs for structural biology studies, as N-linked glycosylation of proteins poses challenges for structure determination by X-ray crystallography. Hence, alternative and complementary cell lines are required to address these issues. Here, we present a robust method for expressing proteins in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293)-derived stable pools, leading to recombinant protein products with much less clipped species compared to those expressed in CHO cells and with higher yield compared to those expressed in transiently-transfected HEK293 cells. Importantly, the stable pool generation protocol is also applicable to HEK293S GnTI- (N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I-negative) and Expi293F GnTI- suspension cells, facilitating production of high yields of proteins with less complex glycans for use in structural biology projects. Compared to HEK293S GnTI- stable pools, Expi293F GnTI- stable pools consistently produce proteins with similar or higher expression levels. HEK293-derived stable pools can lead to a significant cost reduction and greatly promote the production of high-quality proteins for diverse research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Sun
- Biologic Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Songyu Wang
- Biologic Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mei Lu
- Biologic Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Christine E Tinberg
- Biologic Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Benjamin M Alba
- Biologic Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Wang YJ, Seibert H, Ahn LY, Schaffer AE, Mu TW. Pharmacological chaperones restore proteostasis of epilepsy-associated GABA A receptor variants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537383. [PMID: 37131660 PMCID: PMC10153171 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in genetic diagnosis identified variants in genes encoding GABAA receptors as causative for genetic epilepsy. Here, we selected eight disease-associated variants in the α 1 subunit of GABAA receptors causing mild to severe clinical phenotypes and showed that they are loss of function, mainly by reducing the folding and surface trafficking of the α 1 protein. Furthermore, we sought client protein-specific pharmacological chaperones to restore the function of pathogenic receptors. Applications of positive allosteric modulators, including Hispidulin and TP003, increase the functional surface expression of the α 1 variants. Mechanism of action study demonstrated that they enhance the folding and assembly and reduce the degradation of GABAA variants without activating the unfolded protein response in HEK293T cells and human iPSC-derived neurons. Since these compounds cross the blood-brain barrier, such a pharmacological chaperoning strategy holds great promise to treat genetic epilepsy in a GABAA receptor-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Juan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Hailey Seibert
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Lucie Y. Ahn
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Ashleigh E. Schaffer
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Ting-Wei Mu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Millán C, McCoy AJ, Terwilliger TC, Read RJ. Likelihood-based docking of models into cryo-EM maps. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:281-289. [PMID: 36920336 PMCID: PMC10071562 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323001602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimized docking of models into cryo-EM maps requires exploiting an understanding of the signal expected in the data to minimize the calculation time while maintaining sufficient signal. The likelihood-based rotation function used in crystallography can be employed to establish plausible orientations in a docking search. A phased likelihood translation function yields scores for the placement and rigid-body refinement of oriented models. Optimized strategies for choices of the resolution of data from the cryo-EM maps to use in the calculations and the size of search volumes are based on expected log-likelihood-gain scores computed in advance of the search calculation. Tests demonstrate that the new procedure is fast, robust and effective at placing models into even challenging cryo-EM maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Millán
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Airlie J. McCoy
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas C. Terwilliger
- New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 100 Entrada Drive, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
| | - Randy J. Read
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
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Gc JB, Szlenk CT, Diyaolu A, Obi P, Wei H, Shi X, Gibson KM, Natesan S, Roullet JB. Allosteric modulation of α1β3γ2 GABA A receptors by farnesol through the neurosteroid sites. Biophys J 2023; 122:849-867. [PMID: 36721367 PMCID: PMC10027449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammalian cells, all-trans farnesol, a 15-carbon isoprenol, is a product of the mevalonate pathway. It is the natural substrate of alcohol dehydrogenase and a substrate for CYP2E1, two enzymes implicated in ethanol metabolism. Studies have shown that farnesol is present in the human brain and inhibits voltage-gated Ca2+ channels at much lower concentrations than ethanol. Here we show that farnesol modulates the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs), some of which also mediate the sedative activity of ethanol. Electrophysiology experiments performed in HEK cells expressing human α1β3γ2 or α6β3γ2 GABAARs revealed that farnesol increased chloride currents through positive allosteric modulation of these receptors and showed dependence on both the alcoholic functional group of farnesol and the length of the alkyl chain for activity. In silico studies using long-timescale unbiased all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the human α1β3γ2 GABAA receptors revealed that farnesol modulates the channel by directly binding to the transmembrane neurosteroid-binding site, after partitioning into the surrounding membrane and reaching the receptor by lateral diffusion. Channel activation by farnesol was further characterized by several structural and dynamic variables, such as global twisting of the receptor's extracellular domain, tilting of the transmembrane M2 helices, radius, cross-sectional area, hydration status, and electrostatic potential of the channel pore. Our results expand the pharmacological activities of farnesol to yet another class of ion channels implicated in neurotransmission, thus providing a novel path for understanding and treatment of diseases involving GABAA receptor dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeevan B Gc
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Christopher T Szlenk
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Ayobami Diyaolu
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Peter Obi
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Haiyang Wei
- Eurofins Panlabs, Inc., St. Charles, Missouri
| | - Xutong Shi
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - K Michael Gibson
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Senthil Natesan
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington.
| | - Jean-Baptiste Roullet
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington.
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Ku T, Liu Y, Xie Y, Hu J, Hou Y, Tan X, Ning X, Li G, Sang N. Tebuconazole mediates cognitive impairment via the microbe-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in mice. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107821. [PMID: 36827814 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tebuconazole, one of the most widely used triazole fungicides, is reported to potentially pose a risk of inducing neurological disorders in human beings. Considering the increasing exposure, whether it could influence cognitive function remains to be elucidated. Herein, we used a mouse model to evaluate the potential cognitive risks and possible mechanisms from the continuous edible application of tebuconazole at low concentrations. Our study revealed that tebuconazole deteriorated spatial learning and memory and downregulated the expression of glutamate receptor subunits. Importantly, metagenomic analysis indicated that tebuconazole not only led to significant shifts in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota but also changed intestinal homeostasis. Specifically, after exposure, tebuconazole circulated in the bloodstream and largely entered the gut-brain axis for disruption, including disturbing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, interrelated neurotransmitters and systemic immune factors. Moreover, pretreatment with probiotics improved immune factor expression and restored the deterioration of synaptic function and spatial learning and memory. The current study provides novel insights concerning perturbations of the gut microbiome and its functions as a potential new mechanism by which tebuconazole exposes cognitive function-related human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ku
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Jindong Hu
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Yanwen Hou
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Xin Tan
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Xia Ning
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Guangke Li
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
| | - Nan Sang
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
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41
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Löscher W. Is the antiparasitic drug ivermectin a suitable candidate for the treatment of epilepsy? Epilepsia 2023; 64:553-566. [PMID: 36645121 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
There are only a few drugs that can seriously lay claim to the title of "wonder drug," and ivermectin, the world's first endectocide and forerunner of a completely new class of antiparasitic agents, is among them. Ivermectin, a mixture of two macrolytic lactone derivatives (avermectin B1a and B1b in a ratio of 80:20), exerts its highly potent antiparasitic effect by activating the glutamate-gated chloride channel, which is absent in vertebrate species. However, in mammals, ivermectin activates several other Cys-loop receptors, including the inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid type A and glycine receptors and the excitatory nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of brain neurons. Based on these effects on vertebrate receptors, ivermectin has recently been proposed to constitute a multifaceted wonder drug for various novel neurological indications, including alcohol use disorders, motor neuron diseases, and epilepsy. This review critically discusses the preclinical and clinical evidence of antiseizure effects of ivermectin and provides several arguments supporting that ivermectin is not a suitable candidate drug for the treatment of epilepsy. First, ivermectin penetrates the mammalian brain poorly, so it does not exert any pharmacological effects via mammalian ligand-gated ion channels in the brain unless it is used at high, potentially toxic doses or the blood-brain barrier is functionally impaired. Second, ivermectin is not selective but activates numerous inhibitory and excitatory receptors. Third, the preclinical evidence for antiseizure effects of ivermectin is equivocal, and at least in part, median effective doses in seizure models are in the range of the median lethal dose. Fourth, the only robust clinical evidence of antiseizure effects stems from the treatment of patients with onchocerciasis, in which the reduction of seizures is due to a reduction in microfilaria densities but not a direct antiseizure effect of ivermectin. We hope that this critical analysis of available data will avert the unjustified hype associated with the recent use of ivermectin to control COVID-19 from recurring in neurological diseases such as epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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42
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Hernandez CC, Shen Y, Hu N, Shen W, Narayanan V, Ramsey K, He W, Zou L, Macdonald RL. GABRG2 Variants Associated with Febrile Seizures. Biomolecules 2023; 13:414. [PMID: 36979350 PMCID: PMC10046037 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common form of epilepsy in children between six months and five years of age. FS is a self-limited type of fever-related seizure. However, complicated prolonged FS can lead to complex partial epilepsy. We found that among the GABAA receptor subunit (GABR) genes, most variants associated with FS are harbored in the γ2 subunit (GABRG2). Here, we characterized the effects of eight variants in the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit on receptor biogenesis and channel function. Two-thirds of the GABRG2 variants followed the expected autosomal dominant inheritance in FS and occurred as missense and nonsense variants. The remaining one-third appeared as de novo in the affected probands and occurred only as missense variants. The loss of GABAA receptor function and dominant negative effect on GABAA receptor biogenesis likely caused the FS phenotype. In general, variants in the GABRG2 result in a broad spectrum of phenotypic severity, ranging from asymptomatic, FS, genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), and Dravet syndrome individuals. The data presented here support the link between FS, epilepsy, and GABRG2 variants, shedding light on the relationship between the variant topological occurrence and disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciria C. Hernandez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yanwen Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Ningning Hu
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Vinodh Narayanan
- Center for Rare Childhood Disorders, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Keri Ramsey
- Center for Rare Childhood Disorders, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Wen He
- Department of Pediatrics, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Liping Zou
- Department of Pediatrics, Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100010, China
| | - Robert L. Macdonald
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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43
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In silico studies, X-ray diffraction analysis and biological investigation of fluorinated pyrrolylated-chalcones in zebrafish epilepsy models. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13685. [PMID: 36852036 PMCID: PMC9958447 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is the third most common known brain disease worldwide. Several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are available to improve seizure control. However, the associated side effects limit their practical use and highlight the ongoing search for safer and effective AEDs. Eighteen newly designed fluorine-containing pyrrolylated chalcones were extensively studied in silico, synthesized, structurally analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and biologically and toxicologically tested as potential new AEDs in zebrafish epilepsy in vivo models. The results predicted that 3-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (compound 8) had a good drug-like profile with binding affinity to γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type-A (GABAA, -8.0 kcal/mol). This predicted active compound 8 was effective in reducing convulsive behaviour in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced larvae and hyperactive movements in zc4h2 knockout (KO) zebrafish, experimentally. Moreover, no cardiotoxic effect of compound 8 was observed in zebrafish. Overall, pyrrolylated chalcones could serve as alternative AEDs and warrant further in-depth pharmacological studies to uncover their mechanism of action.
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44
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Menzikov SA, Zaichenko DM, Moskovtsev AA, Morozov SG, Kubatiev AA. Zinc Inhibits the GABA AR/ATPase during Postnatal Rat Development: The Role of Cysteine Residue. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032764. [PMID: 36769085 PMCID: PMC9917249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc ions (Zn2+) are concentrated in various brain regions and can act as a neuromodulator, targeting a wide spectrum of postsynaptic receptors and enzymes. Zn2+ inhibits the GABAARs, and its potency is profoundly affected by the subunit composition and neuronal developmental stage. Although the extracellular amino acid residues of the receptor's hetero-oligomeric structure are preferred for Zn2+ binding, there are intracellular sites that, in principle, could coordinate its potency. However, their role in modulating the receptor function during postembryonic development remains unclear. The GABAAR possesses an intracellular ATPase that enables the energy-dependent anion transport via a pore. Here, we propose a mechanistic and molecular basis for the inhibition of intracellular GABAAR/ATPase function by Zn2+ in neonatal and adult rats. The enzymes within the scope of GABAAR performance as Cl-ATPase and then as Cl-, HCO3-ATPase form during the first week of postnatal rat development. In addition, we have shown that the Cl-ATPase form belongs to the β1 subunit, whereas the β3 subunit preferably possesses the Cl-, HCO3-ATPase activity. We demonstrated that a Zn2+ with variable efficacy inhibits the GABAAR as well as the ATPase activities of immature or mature neurons. Using fluorescence recording in the cortical synaptoneurosomes (SNs), we showed a competitive association between Zn2+ and NEM in parallel changes both in the ATPase activity and the GABAAR-mediated Cl- and HCO3- fluxes. Finally, by site-directed mutagenesis, we identified in the M3 domain of β subunits the cysteine residue (C313) that is essential for the manifestation of Zn2+ potency.
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45
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Sirakanyan SN, Spinelli D, Petrou A, Geronikaki A, Kartsev VG, Hakobyan EK, Yegoryan HA, Zuppiroli L, Zuppiroli R, Ayvazyan AG, Paronikyan RG, Arakelyan TA, Hovakimyan AA. New Bicyclic Pyridine-Based Hybrids Linked to the 1,2,3-Triazole Unit: Synthesis via Click Reaction and Evaluation of Neurotropic Activity and Molecular Docking. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28030921. [PMID: 36770592 PMCID: PMC9920413 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28030921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of new original bicyclic pyridine-based hybrids linked to the 1,2,3-triazole unit was described via a click reaction. The anticonvulsant activity and some psychotropic properties of the new compounds were evaluated. The biological assays demonstrated that some of the studied compounds showed high anticonvulsant and psychotropic properties. The five most active compounds (7a, d, g, j, and m) contain a pyrano [3,4-c]pyridine cycle with a methyl group in the pyridine ring in their structures. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were performed, and their results are in agreement with experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samvel N. Sirakanyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
- Correspondence: (S.N.S.); (D.S.); Tel.: +374-9132-1599 (S.N.S.); +39-34-8773-3265 (D.S.)
| | - Domenico Spinelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica G. Ciamician, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.N.S.); (D.S.); Tel.: +374-9132-1599 (S.N.S.); +39-34-8773-3265 (D.S.)
| | - Anthi Petrou
- School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athina Geronikaki
- School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Elmira K. Hakobyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Hasmik A. Yegoryan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Luca Zuppiroli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry ‘Toso Montanari’, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zuppiroli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry ‘Toso Montanari’, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Armen G. Ayvazyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Molecule Structure Research Centre, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Ruzanna G. Paronikyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Tatevik A. Arakelyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Anush A. Hovakimyan
- Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia, Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of A.L.Mnjoyan, Ave. Azatutyan 26, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
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46
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Tolu-Bolaji OO, Sojinu SO, Okedere AP, Ajani OO. A review on the chemistry and pharmacological properties of benzodiazepine motifs in drug design. ARAB JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/25765299.2022.2117677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka O. Tolu-Bolaji
- Department of Chemistry, College of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Samuel O. Sojinu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Adebola P. Okedere
- Department of Chemistry, College of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O. Ajani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
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47
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Hadiatullah H, Zhang Y, Samurkas A, Xie Y, Sundarraj R, Zuilhof H, Qiao J, Yuchi Z. Recent progress in the structural study of ion channels as insecticide targets. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1522-1551. [PMID: 35575601 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels, many expressed in insect neural and muscular systems, have drawn huge attention as primary targets of insecticides. With the recent technical breakthroughs in structural biology, especially in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), many new high-resolution structures of ion channel targets, apo or in complex with insecticides, have been solved, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of action of the insecticides and resistance mutations. These structures also provide accurate templates for structure-based insecticide screening and rational design. This review summarizes the recent progress in the structural studies of 5 ion channel families: the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, and the ligand-gated chloride channel (LGCC). We address the selectivity of the channel-targeting insecticides by examining the conservation of key coordinating residues revealed by the structures. The possible resistance mechanisms are proposed based on the locations of the identified resistance mutations on the 3D structures of the target channels and their impacts on the binding of insecticides. Finally, we discuss how to develop "green" insecticides with a novel mode of action based on these high-resolution structures to overcome the resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadiatullah Hadiatullah
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongliang Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Arthur Samurkas
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yunxuan Xie
- Department of Environmental Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rajamanikandan Sundarraj
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Zuilhof
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiguang Yuchi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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48
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Qian J, Zheng L, Zhao Y, Zhao M. Stability, Bioavailability, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Casein-Derived Peptide YPVEPF with a Sleep-Enhancing Effect. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:14947-14958. [PMID: 36383434 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c05024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
YPVEPF (Tyr-Pro-Val-Glu-Pro-Phe) is an outstanding sleep-enhancing peptide derived from casein. This study aimed to evaluate the bioavailability of YPVEPF in vitro and in vivo and to explore its structure-activity relationship through a sleep test and cheminformatics. Our results showed that YPVEPF was unstable against gastrointestinal enzymes and almost totally degraded to YPVEP in vitro. However, the pharmaco-kinetics results in vivo showed that the Cmax of YPVEPF was 10.38 ± 4.01 ng/mL at 5 min, and YPVEPF could be detected in the stomach, intestine, and brain at 12.89 ± 0.55, 10.26 ± 0.23, and 2.47 ± 0.55 ng/g, respectively. The main metabolites including YPVEP, YP, PVEPF, and PVEP were identified. We first explored whether the fragment YPVEP also had a strong sleep-enhancing effect, and the sleep-enhancing effects of PVEPF and PVEP (lacking a Tyr residue) significantly decreased compared with those of YPVEPF and YPVEP. Moreover, molecular docking and quantum calculations revealed that the N-terminus Tyr played a dominant role in YPVEPF and YPVEP. They had distinctive self-folding structures and varying electron-withdrawing properties of the groups at the N terminus, allowing different binding modes and electron/proton transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Qian
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Lin Zheng
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Yijun Zhao
- Guangdong Huapeptides Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhaoqing526000, China
| | - Mouming Zhao
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou510640, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Shaoshan Nan Road No. 498, Changsha410004, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Huapeptides Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhaoqing526000, China
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49
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Characterization of adjacent charged residues near the agonist binding site of the nematode UNC-49 GABA receptor. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 252:111521. [PMID: 36100173 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The UNC-49 receptor is a Cys-loop GABA receptor that is unique to the nematode phylum. The receptor differs from mammalian GABA receptors both in amino acid sequence and pharmacology which highlights its potential as a novel anthelmintic target. Sequence differences within and near the various ligand-binding loops of the nematode receptor suggest that there could be structural differences compared to mammalian receptors that result in different pharmacological and functional features. Here we investigated three residues in the UNC-49 receptor from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus: K181, E183, and T230. Analysis of these residues was conducted via site-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiology, MD simulations, and mutant cycling analysis. In the UNC-49 receptor, E183 lies in close proximity to K181 where together they appear to play a role in GABA sensitivity and pharmacology, possibly interacting via an ionic bond. While the introduction of single alanine residues at each position separately had a negative impact on GABA EC50, the double alanine mutant (K181A/E183A) exhibited wildtype-level GABA EC50 and some differences in pharmacology. Overall, this study has revealed a potentially novel role for these two residues in nematode UNC-49 GABA receptors that could aid in understanding their function.
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50
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Cerdan AH, Peverini L, Changeux JP, Corringer PJ, Cecchini M. Lateral fenestrations in the extracellular domain of the glycine receptor contribute to the main chloride permeation pathway. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadc9340. [PMID: 36240268 PMCID: PMC9565810 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adc9340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are ligand-gated ion channels mediating signal transduction at chemical synapses. Since the early patch-clamp electrophysiology studies, the details of the ion permeation mechanism have remained elusive. Here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations of a zebrafish GlyR-α1 model devoid of the intracellular domain with mutagenesis and single-channel electrophysiology of the full-length human GlyR-α1. We show that lateral fenestrations between subunits in the extracellular domain provide the main translocation pathway for chloride ions to enter/exit a central water-filled vestibule at the entrance of the transmembrane channel. In addition, we provide evidence that these fenestrations are at the origin of current rectification in known anomalous mutants and design de novo two inward-rectifying channels by introducing mutations within them. These results demonstrate the central role of lateral fenestrations on synaptic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien H. Cerdan
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Laurie Peverini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Changeux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
- Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Collège de France, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Corringer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, UMR7177, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France
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