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Kaiser J, Gertzen CGW, Bernauer T, Nitsche V, Höfner G, Niessen KV, Seeger T, Paintner FF, Wanner KT, Steinritz D, Worek F, Gohlke H. Identification of ligands binding to MB327-PAM-1, a binding pocket relevant for resensitization of nAChRs. Toxicol Lett 2024:S0378-4274(24)00105-X. [PMID: 38768836 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.05.013] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can be induced by overstimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) caused by an insufficient degradation of ACh after poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs). Currently, there is no generally applicable treatment for OPC poisoning that directly targets the desensitized nAChR. The bispyridinium compound MB327, an allosteric modulator of nAChR, has been shown to act as a resensitizer of nAChRs, indicating that drugs binding directly to nAChRs can have beneficial effects after OPC poisoning. However, MB327 also acts as an inhibitor of nAChRs at higher concentrations and can thus not be used for OPC poisoning treatment. Consequently, novel, more potent resensitizers are required. To successfully design novel ligands, the knowledge of the binding site is of utmost importance. Recently, we performed in silico studies to identify a new potential binding site of MB327, MB327-PAM-1, for which a more affine ligand, UNC0646, has been described. In this work, we performed ligand-based screening approaches to identify novel analogs of UNC0646 to help further understand the structure-affinity relationship of this compound class. Furthermore, we used structure-based screenings and identified compounds representing four new chemotypes binding to MB327-PAM-1. One of these compounds, cycloguanil, is the active metabolite of the antimalaria drug proguanil and shows a higher affinity towards MB327-PAM-1 than MB327. Furthermore, cycloguanil can reestablish the muscle force in soman-inhibited rat muscles. These results can act as a starting point to develop more potent resensitizers of nAChR and to close the gap in the treatment after OPC poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesko Kaiser
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph G W Gertzen
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tamara Bernauer
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Valentin Nitsche
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Georg Höfner
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Karin V Niessen
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, München, Germany
| | - Thomas Seeger
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, München, Germany
| | - Franz F Paintner
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Klaus T Wanner
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, München, Germany
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, München, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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2
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Santis GD, Okura Y, Hirata K, Ishiuchi SI, Fujii M, Xantheas SS. Affinity of Nicotinoids to a Model Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (nAChR) Binding Pocket in the Human Brain. J Phys Chem B 2024. [PMID: 38696590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The binding affinity of nicotinoids to the binding residues of the α4β2 variant of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) was identified as a strong predictor of the nicotinoid's addictive character. Using ab initio calculations for model binding pockets of increasing size composed of 3, 6, and 14 amino acids (3AA, 6AA, and 14AA) that are derived from the crystal structure, the differences in binding affinity of 6 nicotinoids, namely, nicotine (NIC), nornicotine (NOR), anabasine (ANB), anatabine (ANT), myosmine (MYO), and cotinine (COT) were correlated to their previously reported doses required for increases in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds, a metric for their addictive function. By employing the many-body decomposition, the differences in the binding affinities of the various nicotinoids could be attributed mainly to the proton exchange energy between the pyridine and non-pyridine rings of the nicotinoids and the interactions between them and a handful of proximal amino acids, namely Trp156, Trpβ57, Tyr100, and Tyr204. Interactions between the guest nicotinoid and the amino acids of the binding pocket were found to be mainly classical in nature, except for those between the nicotinoid and Trp156. The larger pockets were found to model binding structures more accurately and predicted the addictive character of all nicotinoids, while smaller models, which are more computationally feasible, would only predict the addictive character of nicotinoids that are similar to nicotine. The present study identifies the binding affinity of the guest nicotinoid to the host binding pocket as a strong descriptor of the nicotinoid's addiction potential, and as such it can be employed as a fast-screening technique for the potential addiction of nicotine analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett D Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Yuika Okura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Intitute of Technology; 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152855, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hirata
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Intitute of Technology; 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152855, Japan
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ishiuchi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Intitute of Technology; 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152855, Japan
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Masaaki Fujii
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
- Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Sotiris S Xantheas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Advanced Computing, Mathematics and Data Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, MS K1-83, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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3
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Appiani R, Viscarra F, Biggin PC, Bermudez I, Giraudo A, Pallavicini M, Bolchi C. Selective Potentiation of the (α4) 3(β2) 2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Response by NS9283 Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1501-1514. [PMID: 38511291 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00797] [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: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
NS9283, 3-(3-pyridyl)-5-(3-cyanophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole, is a selective positive allosteric modulator of (α4)3(β2)2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It has good subtype selective therapeutic potential afforded by its specific binding to the unique α4-α4 subunit interface present in the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR. However, there is currently a lack of structure activity relationship (SAR) studies aimed at developing a class of congeners endowed with the same profile of activity that can help consolidate the druggability of the α4-α4 subunit interface. In this study, new NS9283 analogues were designed, synthesized, and characterized for their ability to selectively potentiate the ACh activity at heterologous (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs vs nAChR subtypes (α4)2(β2)3, α5α4β2, and α7. With few exceptions, all the NS9283 analogues exerted positive modulation of the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR ACh-evoked responses. Above all, those modified at the 3-cyanophenyl moiety by replacement with 3-nitrophenyl (4), 4-cyanophenyl (10), and N-formyl-4-piperidinyl (20) showed the same efficacy as NS9283, although with lower potency. Molecular dynamics simulations of NS9283 and some selected analogues highlighted consistency between potentiation activity and pose of the ligand inside the α4-α4 site with the main interaction being with the complementary (-) side and induction of a significant conformational change of the Trp156 residue in the principal (+) side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Appiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Franco Viscarra
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Philip C Biggin
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Giraudo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Marco Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bolchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
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Bourne Y, Sulzenbacher G, Chabaud L, Aráoz R, Radić Z, Conrod S, Taylor P, Guillou C, Molgó J, Marchot P. The Cyclic Imine Core Common to the Marine Macrocyclic Toxins Is Sufficient to Dictate Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonism. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:149. [PMID: 38667766 PMCID: PMC11050823 DOI: 10.3390/md22040149] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrocyclic imine phycotoxins are an emerging class of chemical compounds associated with harmful algal blooms and shellfish toxicity. Earlier binding and electrophysiology experiments on nAChR subtypes and their soluble AChBP surrogates evidenced common trends for substantial antagonism, binding affinities, and receptor-subtype selectivity. Earlier, complementary crystal structures of AChBP complexes showed that common determinants within the binding nest at each subunit interface confer high-affinity toxin binding, while distinctive determinants from the flexible loop C, and either capping the nest or extending toward peripheral subsites, dictate broad versus narrow receptor subtype selectivity. From these data, small spiroimine enantiomers mimicking the functional core motif of phycotoxins were chemically synthesized and characterized. Voltage-clamp analyses involving three nAChR subtypes revealed preserved antagonism for both enantiomers, despite lower subtype specificity and binding affinities associated with faster reversibility compared with their macrocyclic relatives. Binding and structural analyses involving two AChBPs pointed to modest affinities and positional variability of the spiroimines, along with a range of AChBP loop-C conformations denoting a prevalence of antagonistic properties. These data highlight the major contribution of the spiroimine core to binding within the nAChR nest and confirm the need for an extended interaction network as established by the macrocyclic toxins to define high affinities and marked subtype specificity. This study identifies a minimal set of functional pharmacophores and binding determinants as templates for designing new antagonists targeting disease-associated nAChR subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Bourne
- Lab “Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques” (AFMB), Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Faculté des Sciences Campus Luminy, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France; (Y.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Gerlind Sulzenbacher
- Lab “Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques” (AFMB), Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Faculté des Sciences Campus Luminy, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France; (Y.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Laurent Chabaud
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles (ICSN), Univ Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (L.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Rómulo Aráoz
- Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour la Santé (SIMoS) EMR CNRS 9004, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frédéric Joliot, CEA, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (R.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Zoran Radić
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0751, USA; (Z.R.); (P.T.)
| | - Sandrine Conrod
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, 13344 Marseille, France;
| | - Palmer Taylor
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0751, USA; (Z.R.); (P.T.)
| | - Catherine Guillou
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles (ICSN), Univ Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (L.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Jordi Molgó
- Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour la Santé (SIMoS) EMR CNRS 9004, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frédéric Joliot, CEA, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (R.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Pascale Marchot
- Lab “Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques” (AFMB), Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Faculté des Sciences Campus Luminy, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France; (Y.B.); (G.S.)
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, 13344 Marseille, France;
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5
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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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Antollini SS, Barrantes FJ. Carlos Gutiérrez-Merino: Synergy of Theory and Experimentation in Biological Membrane Research. Molecules 2024; 29:820. [PMID: 38398572 PMCID: PMC10893188 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040820] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Professor Carlos Gutiérrez-Merino, a prominent scientist working in the complex realm of biological membranes, has made significant theoretical and experimental contributions to the field. Contemporaneous with the development of the fluid-mosaic model of Singer and Nicolson, the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach has become an invaluable tool for studying molecular interactions in membranes, providing structural insights on a scale of 1-10 nm and remaining important alongside evolving perspectives on membrane structures. In the last few decades, Gutiérrez-Merino's work has covered multiple facets in the field of FRET, with his contributions producing significant advances in quantitative membrane biology. His more recent experimental work expanded the ground concepts of FRET to high-resolution cell imaging. Commencing in the late 1980s, a series of collaborations between Gutiérrez-Merino and the authors involved research visits and joint investigations focused on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and its relation to membrane lipids, fostering a lasting friendship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia S. Antollini
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (CONICET-UNS), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina;
| | - Francisco J. Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, BIOMED UCA-CONICET, Buenos Aires C1107AAZ, Argentina
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Okura Y, Santis GD, Hirata K, Melissas VS, Ishiuchi SI, Fujii M, Xantheas SS. Switching of Protonation Sites in Hydrated Nicotine via a Grotthuss Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:3023-3030. [PMID: 38261007 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The switching of the protonation sites in hydrated nicotine, probed by experimental infrared (IR) spectroscopy and theoretical ab initio calculations, is facilitated via a Grotthuss instead of a bimolecular proton transfer (vehicle) mechanism at the experimental temperature (T = 130 K) as unambiguously confirmed by experiments with deuterated water. In contrast, the bimolecular vehicle mechanism is preferred at higher temperatures (T = 300 K) as determined by theory. The Grotthuss mechanism for the concerted proton transfer results in the production of nicotine's bioactive and addictive pyrrolidine-protonated (Pyrro-H+) protomer with just 5 water molecules. Theoretical analysis suggests that the concerted proton transfer occurs via hydrogen-bonded bridges consisting of a 3 water molecule "core" that connects the pyridine protonated (Pyri-H+) with the pyrrolidine-protonated (Pyrro-H+) protomers. Additional water molecules attached as acceptors to the hydrogen-bonded "core" bridge result in lowering the reaction barrier of the concerted proton transfer down to less than 6 kcal/mol, which is consistent with the experimental observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuika Okura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Garrett D Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Keisuke Hirata
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | | | - Shun-Ichi Ishiuchi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Masaaki Fujii
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Sotiris S Xantheas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
- Advanced Computing, Mathematics and Data Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999, MS K1-83, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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8
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Gotti C, Clementi F, Zoli M. Auxiliary protein and chaperone regulation of neuronal nicotinic receptor subtype expression and function. Pharmacol Res 2024; 200:107067. [PMID: 38218358 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107067] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a family of pentameric, ligand-gated ion channels that are located on the surface of neurons and non-neuronal cells and have multiple physiological and pathophysiological functions. In order to reach the cell surface, many nAChR subtypes require the help of chaperone and/or auxiliary/accessory proteins for their assembly, trafficking, pharmacological modulation, and normal functioning in vivo. The use of powerful genome-wide cDNA screening has led to the identification and characterisation of the molecules and mechanisms that participate in the assembly and trafficking of receptor subtypes, including chaperone and auxiliary or accessory proteins. The aim of this review is to describe the latest findings concerning nAChR chaperones and auxiliary proteins and pharmacological chaperones, and how some of them control receptor biogenesis or regulate channel activation and pharmacology. Some auxiliary proteins are subtype selective, some regulate various subtypes, and some not only modulate nAChRs but also target other receptors and signalling pathways. We also discuss how changes in auxiliary proteins may be involved in nAChR dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Gotti
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.
| | - Francesco Clementi
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (CfNN), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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9
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Wu X, Hone AJ, Huang YH, Clark RJ, McIntosh JM, Kaas Q, Craik DJ. Computational Design of α-Conotoxins to Target Specific Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302909. [PMID: 37910861 PMCID: PMC10872529 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302909] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are drug targets for neurological diseases and disorders, but selective targeting of the large number of nAChR subtypes is challenging. Marine cone snail α-conotoxins are potent blockers of nAChRs and some have been engineered to achieve subtype selectivity. This engineering effort would benefit from rapid computational methods able to predict mutational energies, but current approaches typically require high-resolution experimental structures, which are not widely available for α-conotoxin complexes. Herein, five mutational energy prediction methods were benchmarked using crystallographic and mutational data on two acetylcholine binding protein/α-conotoxin systems. Molecular models were developed for six nAChR subtypes in complex with five α-conotoxins that were studied through 150 substitutions. The best method was a combination of FoldX and molecular dynamics simulations, resulting in a predictive Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.68 (85 % accuracy). Novel α-conotoxin mutants designed using this method were successfully validated by experimental assay with improved pharmaceutical properties. This work paves the way for the rapid design of subtype-specific nAChR ligands and potentially accelerated drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosa Wu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Arik J Hone
- School of Biological Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
- MIRECC, George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- School of Biological Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
- George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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10
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Schene ME, Infield DT, Ahern CA. Expression and purification of fluorinated proteins from mammalian suspension culture. Methods Enzymol 2024; 696:341-354. [PMID: 38658087 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.01.004] [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: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The site-specific encoding of noncanonical amino acids allows for the introduction of rationalized chemistry into a target protein. Of the methods that enable this technology, evolved tRNA and synthetase pairs offer the potential for expanded protein production and purification. Such an approach combines the versatility of solid-phase peptide synthesis with the scalable features of recombinant protein production. We describe the large scale production and purification of eukaryotic proteins bearing fluorinated phenylalanine in mammalian suspension cell preparations. Downstream applications of this approach include scalable recombinant protein preparation for ligand binding assays with small molecules and ligands, protein structure determination, and protein stability assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E Schene
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Daniel T Infield
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Christopher A Ahern
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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11
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Barrantes FJ. Modulation of a rapid neurotransmitter receptor-ion channel by membrane lipids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1328875. [PMID: 38274273 PMCID: PMC10808158 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1328875] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane lipids modulate the proteins embedded in the bilayer matrix by two non-exclusive mechanisms: direct or indirect. The latter comprise those effects mediated by the physicochemical state of the membrane bilayer, whereas direct modulation entails the more specific regulatory effects transduced via recognition sites on the target membrane protein. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the paradigm member of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) superfamily of rapid neurotransmitter receptors, is modulated by both mechanisms. Reciprocally, the nAChR protein exerts influence on its surrounding interstitial lipids. Folding, conformational equilibria, ligand binding, ion permeation, topography, and diffusion of the nAChR are modulated by membrane lipids. The knowledge gained from biophysical studies of this prototypic membrane protein can be applied to other neurotransmitter receptors and most other integral membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Barrantes
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Catholic University of Argentina (UCA)–National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Maldonado-Hernández R, Quesada O, González-Feliciano JA, Baerga-Ortiz A, Lasalde-Dominicci JA. Identification of the native Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor's glycan composition after a multi-step sequential purification method using MALDI-ToF MS. Proteomics 2024; 24:e2300151. [PMID: 37904306 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202300151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
The Cys-loop pentameric ligand-gated ion channels comprise a dynamic group of proteins that have been extensively studied for decades, yielding a wealth of findings at both the structural and functional levels. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is no exception, as it is part of this large protein family involved in proper organismal function. Our efforts have successfully produced a highly pure nAChR in detergent complex (nAChR-DC), enabling more robust studies to be conducted on it, including beginning to experiment with high-throughput crystallization. Our homogeneous product has been identified and extensively characterized with 100% identity using Nano Lc MS/MS and MALDI ToF/ToF for each nAChR subunit. Additionally, the N-linked glycans in the Torpedo californica-nAChR (Tc-nAChR) subunits have been identified. To study this, the Tc-nAChR subunits were digested with PNGase F and the released glycans were analyzed by MALDI-ToF. The MS results showed the presence of high-mannose N-glycan in all native Tc-nAChR subunits. Specifically, the oligommanose population Man8-9GlcNac2 with peaks at m/z 1742 and 1904 ([M + Na]+ ions) were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado-Hernández
- Department of Biology, Ponce Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico, USA
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Orestes Quesada
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Physical Sciences, Río Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | | | - Abel Baerga-Ortiz
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Clinical Bioreagent Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - José A Lasalde-Dominicci
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Clinical Bioreagent Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Department of Biology, Río Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
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13
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Singh K, Ngo A, Keerthisinghe OV, Patel KK, Liang C, Mukherjee J. Synthesis and Evaluation of Compound Targeting α7 and β2 Subunits in Nicotinic Acetylcholinergic Receptor. Molecules 2023; 28:8128. [PMID: 38138615 PMCID: PMC10745926 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248128] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are involved in various central nervous system functions and have also been implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. The heteromeric α4β2* and homomeric α7 are two major nAChR subtypes which have been studied in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET). Our comparative autoradiographic studies of the two receptor types in the mouse and rat brains show major differences in the thalamus (α4β2* >> α7), hippocampus (α7 >> α4β2*), and subiculum (α4β2* >> α7). A relatively newer heteromeric α7β2 nAChR subtype has been identified in the brain which may have a greater role in neurodegeneration. We report the development of KS7 (3-(2-(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)-5-(1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane)pyridine) which incorporates structural features of Nifzetidine (high affinity for α4β2* nAChR) and ASEM (high affinity for α7 nAChR) in an effort to target α7 and β2 subunits in α7β2 nAChR. KS7 exhibited higher affinities (IC50 = 50 to 172 nM) for [3H]cytisine radiolabeled sites and weaker affinities (IC50 = 10 μM) for [125I]-α-bungarotoxin radiolabeled rat brain sites in several brain regions. The weaker affinity of KS7 to α7 nAChR may suggest lack of binding at the α7 subunit of α7β2 nAChR. A radiolabeled derivative of KS7 may be required to identify any specific binding to brain regions suggested to contain α7β2 nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jogeshwar Mukherjee
- Preclinical Imaging, Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (K.S.); (A.N.); (O.V.K.); (K.K.P.); (C.L.)
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14
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Pan C, Liu J, Gao Y, Yang M, Hu H, Liu C, Qian M, Yuan HY, Yang S, Zheng MH, Wang L. Hepatocyte CHRNA4 mediates the MASH-promotive effects of immune cell-produced acetylcholine and smoking exposure in mice and humans. Cell Metab 2023; 35:2231-2249.e7. [PMID: 38056431 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.018] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a leading risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we report that CHRNA4, a subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), is an accelerator of MASH progression. CHRNA4 also mediates the MASH-promotive effects induced by smoking. Chrna4 was expressed specifically in hepatocytes and exhibited increased levels in mice and patients with MASH. Elevated CHRNA4 levels were positively correlated with MASH severity. We further revealed that during MASH development, acetylcholine released from immune cells or nicotine derived from smoking functioned as an agonist to activate hepatocyte-intrinsic CHRNA4, inducing calcium influx and activation of inflammatory signaling. The communication between immune cells and hepatocytes via the acetylcholine-CHRNA4 axis led to the production of a variety of cytokines, eliciting inflammation in liver and promoting the pathogenesis of MASH. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of CHRNA4 protected mice from diet-induced MASH. Targeting CHRNA4 might be a promising strategy for MASH therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyue Pan
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiang Su 211198, China
| | - Jun Liu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiang Su 211198, China
| | - Yingsheng Gao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiang Su 211198, China
| | - Maohui Yang
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiang Su 211198, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Minyi Qian
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiang Su 211198, China
| | - Hai-Yang Yuan
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China
| | - Song Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Jingshun East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, China.
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Lirui Wang
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
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15
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Fricska DI, Mesoy SM, Lummis SCR. The MA Helix Is Important for Receptor Assembly and Function in the α4β2 nACh Receptor. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:891. [PMID: 38132895 PMCID: PMC10744633 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13120891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems of vertebrates and modulate many aspects of human health and disease. Recent structural and computational data indicate that cation-selective pLGICs contain a long helical extension (MA) of one of the transmembrane helices. The MA helix has been shown to affect both the membrane expression of, and ion conductance levels through, these pLGICs. Here we probe the functional effects of 68 mutations in the MA region of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), using a voltage-sensitive membrane dye and radioligand binding to measure receptor function and expression/assembly. We found seven alanine mutations in a stretch of the MA helix that prevent correct receptor folding and/or assembly, as evidenced by the lack of both function and ligand binding. A further two alanine mutations resulted in receptors that were capable of binding ligand but showed no functional response, and we propose that, in these mutants, ligand binding is insufficient to trigger channel opening. The data clarify the effect of the MA helix, and as the effects of some of our mutations in the α4β2 nAChR differ from the effects of equivalent mutations in other cation-selective pLGICs, we suggest that residues in the MA helix may play subtly different roles in different receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah C. R. Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK; (D.I.F.); (S.M.M.)
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16
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Thasweer AM, Renuka Devi P, Thirunavukkarasu V. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies of α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with tobacco smoke constituents nicotine, NNK and NNN. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:8462-8471. [PMID: 36270967 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2135022] [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: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Smoking constitutes a major global health problem. As it triggers various health hazards including cancers, cardiac and pulmonary illness, it is imperative to understand the mechanism of action of various smoke constituents on our cellular processes. Various in vitro studies have compiled the affinity of cigarette smoke constituents on various nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). But the nature of the intermolecular interactions contributing to this affinity and the key amino acids in the receptor active sites involved in this are not investigated so far. Here, we are examining the interaction of α7nAChR and α4β2nAChR on nicotine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N-nitrosornicotine (NNN), the physiologically significant constituents in smoke, through molecular docking and dynamics simulations study. The docking of α4β2nAChR structure with the ligands nicotine, NNK and NNN yielded docking scores of -41.45 kcal/mol, -59.28 kcal/mol and -54.60 kcal/mol, respectively, and that of α7nAChR receptor molecule with the ligands yielded docking scores of -59.54 kcal/mol, -71.06 kcal/mol and -70.86 kcal/mol, respectively. The study showed that NNK exhibited the highest affinity with the ligands which was confirmed by dynamics simulation. But higher stability of interactions as surmised from Molecular dynamics simulations was found for nicotine with α4β2nAChR and NNN with α7nAChR. The findings validate the in vitro studies comparing the affinities of these compounds. The study will be useful in formulating effective nAChR agonists to treat neurological disorders and antagonists for smoke deaddiction and improve health standards.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Thasweer
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University Regional Campus, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Renuka Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University Regional Campus, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Velusamy Thirunavukkarasu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
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17
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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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18
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Prevost MS, Barilone N, Dejean de la Bâtie G, Pons S, Ayme G, England P, Gielen M, Bontems F, Pehau-Arnaudet G, Maskos U, Lafaye P, Corringer PJ. An original potentiating mechanism revealed by the cryo-EM structures of the human α7 nicotinic receptor in complex with nanobodies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5964. [PMID: 37749098 PMCID: PMC10520083 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41734-4] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human α7 nicotinic receptor is a pentameric channel mediating cellular and neuronal communication. It has attracted considerable interest in designing ligands for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. To develop a novel class of α7 ligands, we recently generated two nanobodies named E3 and C4, acting as positive allosteric modulator and silent allosteric ligand, respectively. Here, we solved the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the nanobody-receptor complexes. E3 and C4 bind to a common epitope involving two subunits at the apex of the receptor. They form by themselves a symmetric pentameric assembly that extends the extracellular domain. Unlike C4, the binding of E3 drives an agonist-bound conformation of the extracellular domain in the absence of an orthosteric agonist, and mutational analysis shows a key contribution of an N-linked sugar moiety in mediating E3 potentiation. The nanobody E3, by remotely controlling the global allosteric conformation of the receptor, implements an original mechanism of regulation that opens new avenues for drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie S Prevost
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Nathalie Barilone
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Pons
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems Unit, Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Ayme
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France
| | - Patrick England
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Molecular Biophysics Platform, Paris, France
| | - Marc Gielen
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - François Bontems
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3569, Structural Virology Unit, Paris, France
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gérard Pehau-Arnaudet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Ultrastructural Bioimaging Core Facility, Paris, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems Unit, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Lafaye
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3528, Antibody Engineering Platform, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Corringer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 3571, Channel-Receptors Unit, Paris, France.
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19
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Zhou L, Dau V, Jensen AA. Discovery of a Novel Class of Benzimidazole-Based Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Modulators: Positive and Negative Modulation Arising from Overlapping Allosteric Sites. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12586-12601. [PMID: 37650525 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01185] [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: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Here, we present the discovery of a novel class of benzimidazole-based allosteric modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The modulators were developed based on a compound (1) exhibiting positive modulatory activity at α4β2 nAChR in a compound library screening by functional characterization of 100 analogues of 1 at nAChRs. Two distinct series of positive and negative allosteric modulators (PAMs and NAMs, respectively) comprising benzimidazole as a shared structural moiety emerged from this SAR study. The PAMs mediated weak modulation of α4β2 and α6β2β3, whereas the NAMs exhibited essentially equipotent inhibition of α4β2, α6β2β3, α6β4β3, and α3β4 nAChRs, with analogue 9j [2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1,3-dimethyl-1-H-benzo[d]imidazole-3-ium] displaying high-nanomolar and low-micromolar IC50 values at the β2- and β4-containing receptor subtypes, respectively. We propose that the PAMs and NAMs act through overlapping sites in the nAChR, and these findings thus underline the heterogenous modes of modulation that can arise from a shared allosteric site in the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libin Zhou
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Vidan Dau
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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20
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Christie LA, Brice NL, Rowland A, Dickson L, Anand R, Teall M, Doyle KJ, Narayana L, Mitchell C, Harvey JRM, Mulligan V, Dawson LA, Cragg SJ, Carlton M, Bürli RW. Discovery of CVN417, a Novel Brain-Penetrant α6-Containing Nicotinic Receptor Antagonist for the Modulation of Motor Dysfunction. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11718-11731. [PMID: 37651656 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00630] [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] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunit RNA expression is relatively restricted to midbrain regions and is located presynaptically on dopaminergic neurons projecting to the striatum. This subunit modulates dopamine neurotransmission and may have therapeutic potential in movement disorders. We aimed to develop potent and selective α6-containing nAChR antagonists to explore modulation of dopamine release and regulation of motor function in vivo. High-throughput screening (HTS) identified novel α6-containing nAChR antagonists and led to the development of CVN417. This molecule blocks α6-containing nAChR activity in recombinant cells and reduces firing frequency of noradrenergic neurons in the rodent locus coeruleus. CVN417 modulated phasic dopaminergic neurotransmission in an impulse-dependent manner. In a rodent model of resting tremor, CVN417 attenuated this behavioral phenotype. These data suggest that selective antagonism of α6-containing nAChR, with molecules such as CVN417, may have therapeutic utility in treating the movement dysfunctions observed in conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa A Christie
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola L Brice
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Rowland
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Dickson
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Rishi Anand
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Teall
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J Doyle
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Lakshminarayana Narayana
- Aragen Lifesciences Limited, Plot #284A (part), Bommasandra-Jigani Link Road Industrial Area, Bengaluru 562106, India
| | - Christine Mitchell
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jenna R M Harvey
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Mulligan
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Lee A Dawson
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie J Cragg
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Carlton
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
- Takeda Cambridge Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
| | - Roland W Bürli
- Cerevance Limited, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, United Kingdom
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21
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Tsetlin V, Shelukhina I, Kozlov S, Kasheverov I. Fifty Years of Animal Toxin Research at the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13884. [PMID: 37762187 PMCID: PMC10530976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813884] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review covers briefly the work carried out at our institute (IBCh), in many cases in collaboration with other Russian and foreign laboratories, for the last 50 years. It discusses the discoveries and studies of various animal toxins, including protein and peptide neurotoxins acting on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and on other ion channels. Among the achievements are the determination of the primary structures of the α-bungarotoxin-like three-finger toxins (TFTs), covalently bound dimeric TFTs, glycosylated cytotoxin, inhibitory cystine knot toxins (ICK), modular ICKs, and such giant molecules as latrotoxins and peptide neurotoxins from the snake, as well as from other animal venoms. For a number of toxins, spatial structures were determined, mostly by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Using this method in combination with molecular modeling, the molecular mechanisms of the interactions of several toxins with lipid membranes were established. In more detail are presented the results of recent years, among which are the discovery of α-bungarotoxin analogs distinguishing the two binding sites in the muscle-type nAChR, long-chain α-neurotoxins interacting with α9α10 nAChRs and with GABA-A receptors, and the strong antiviral effects of dimeric phospholipases A2. A summary of the toxins obtained from arthropod venoms includes only highly cited works describing the molecules' success story, which is associated with IBCh. In marine animals, versatile toxins in terms of structure and molecular targets were discovered, and careful work on α-conotoxins differing in specificity for individual nAChR subtypes gave information about their binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Tsetlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.); (I.K.)
| | - Irina Shelukhina
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.); (I.K.)
| | - Sergey Kozlov
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Igor Kasheverov
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.); (I.K.)
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22
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Xu P, Zhang P, Zhu X, Wu Y, Harvey PJ, Kaas Q, Zhangsun D, Craik DJ, Luo S. Structure-Activity Relationships of Alanine Scan Mutants αO-Conotoxins GeXIVA[1,2] and GeXIVA[1,4]. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37464764 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
αO-Conotoxin GeXIVA is a selective α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) inhibitor displaying two disulfide bonds that can form three isomers. The bead (GeXIVA[1,2]) and ribbon (GeXIVA[1,4]) isomers possess the highest activity on rat and human α9α10 nAChRs. However, the molecular mechanism by which they inhibit the α9α10 nAChR is unknown. Here, an alanine scan of GeXIVA was used to elucidate key interactions between the peptides and the α9α10 nAChR. The majority of GeXIVA[1,2] analogues preserved affinity at α9α10 nAChR, but [R17A]GeXIVA[1,2] enhanced selectivity on the α9α10 nAChR. The I23A replacement of GeXIVA[1,4] increased activity at both rat and human α9α10 nAChRs by 10-fold. Surprisingly, these results do not support the molecular model of an interaction in the orthosteric binding site proposed previously, but rather may involve allosteric coupling with the voltage-sensitive domain of the α9α10 nAChR. These results could help to guide further development of GeXIVA analogues as analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Xu
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Panpan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhu
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yong Wu
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Dongting Zhangsun
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sulan Luo
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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23
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Do HQ, Jansen M. Binding motif for RIC-3 chaperon protein in serotonin type 3A receptors. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:e202213305. [PMID: 37026993 PMCID: PMC10083716 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213305] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptors belong to the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) that are therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. Due to structural conservation and significant sequence similarities of pLGICs' extracellular and transmembrane domains, clinical trials for drug candidates targeting these two domains have been hampered by off-subunit modulation. With the present study, we explore the interaction interface of the 5-HT3A subunit intracellular domain (ICD) with the resistance to inhibitors of choline esterase (RIC-3) protein. Previously, we have shown that RIC-3 interacts with the L1-MX segment of the ICD fused to maltose-binding protein. In the present study, synthetic L1-MX-based peptides and Ala-scanning identify positions W347, R349, and L353 as critical for binding to RIC-3. Complementary studies using full-length 5-HT3A subunits confirm that the identified Ala substitutions reduce the RIC-3-mediated modulation of functional surface expression. Additionally, we find and characterize a duplication of the binding motif, DWLR…VLDR, present in both the MX-helix and the transition between the ICD MA-helix and transmembrane segment M4. Analogous Ala substitutions at W447, R449, and L454 disrupt MAM4-peptide RIC-3 interactions and reduce modulation of functional surface expression. In summary, we identify the binding motif for RIC-3 in 5-HT3A subunits at two locations in the ICD, one in the MX-helix and one at the MAM4-helix transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Quynh Do
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Michaela Jansen
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics and Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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24
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Pechlivanidou M, Ninou E, Karagiorgou K, Tsantila A, Mantegazza R, Francesca A, Furlan R, Dudeck L, Steiner J, Tzartos J, Tzartos S. Autoimmunity to Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Pharmacol Res 2023; 192:106790. [PMID: 37164280 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in many and diverse cell types, participating in various functions of cells, tissues and systems. In this review, we focus on the autoimmunity against neuronal nAChRs, the specific autoantibodies and their mechanisms of pathological action in selected autoimmune diseases. We summarize the current relevant knowledge from human diseases as well as from experimental models of autoimmune neurological disorders related to antibodies against neuronal nAChR subunits. Despite the well-studied high immunogenicity of the muscle nAChRs where autoantibodies are the main pathogen of myasthenia gravis, autoimmunity to neuronal nAChRs seems infrequent, except for the autoantibodies to the ganglionic receptor, the α3 subunit containing nAChR (α3-nAChR), which are detected and are likely pathogenic in Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy (AAG). We describe the detection, presence and function of these antibodies and especially the recent development of a cell-based assay (CBA) which, contrary to until recently available assays, is highly specific for AAG. Rare reports of autoantibodies to the other neuronal nAChR subtypes include a few cases of antibodies to α7 and/or α4β2 nAChRs in Rasmussen encephalitis, schizophrenia, autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis, and in some myasthenia gravis patients with concurrent CNS symptoms. Neuronal-type nAChRs are also present in several non-excitable tissues, however the presence and possible role of antibodies against them needs further verification. It is likely that the future development of more sensitive and disease-specific assays would reveal that neuronal nAChR autoantibodies are much more frequent and may explain the mechanisms of some seronegative autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katerina Karagiorgou
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Andreetta Francesca
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaello Furlan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Leon Dudeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health DZPG, Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health C-I-R-C, Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
| | - John Tzartos
- 2(nd) Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Socrates Tzartos
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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25
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Quesada O, González-Nieves JE, Colón J, Maldonado-Hernández R, González-Freire C, Acevedo-Cintrón J, Rosado-Millán ID, Lasalde-Dominicci JA. Assessment of Purity, Functionality, Stability, and Lipid Composition of Cyclofos-nAChR-Detergent Complexes from Torpedo californica Using Lipid Matrix and Macroscopic Electrophysiology. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:271-285. [PMID: 37140614 PMCID: PMC10157581 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-023-00285-x] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to find detergents that can maintain the functionality and stability of the Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (Tc-nAChR). We examined the functionality, stability, and purity analysis of affinity-purified Tc-nAChR solubilized in detergents from the Cyclofos (CF) family [cyclofoscholine 4 (CF-4), cyclofoscholine 6 (CF-6), and cyclofloscholine 7 (CF-7)]. The functionality of the CF-Tc-nAChR-detergent complex (DC) was evaluated using the Two Electrode Voltage Clamp (TEVC) method. To assess stability, we used the florescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) in Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) methodology. We also performed a lipidomic analysis using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) to evaluate the lipid composition of the CF-Tc-nAChR-DCs. The CF-4-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed a robust macroscopic current (- 200 ± 60 nA); however, the CF-6-Tc-nAChR-DC and CF-7-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed significant reductions in the macroscopic currents. The CF-6-Tc-nAChR and CF-4-Tc-nAChR displayed higher fractional florescence recovery. Addition of cholesterol produced a mild enhancement of the mobile fraction on the CF-6-Tc-nAChR. The lipidomic analysis revealed that the CF-7-Tc-nAChR-DC displayed substantial delipidation, consistent with the lack of stability and functional response of this complex. Although the CF-6-nAChR-DC complex retained the largest amount of lipids, it showed a loss of six lipid species [SM(d16:1/18:0); PC(18:2/14:1); PC(14:0/18:1); PC(16:0/18:1); PC(20:5/20:4), and PC(20:4/20:5)] that are present in the CF-4-nAChR-DC. Overall, the CF-4-nAChR displayed robust functionality, significant stability, and the best purity among the three CF detergents; therefore, CF-4 is a suitable candidate to prepare Tc-nAChR crystals for structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestes Quesada
- Department of Physical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
- Molecular Science Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA.
| | | | - José Colón
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
- Molecular Science Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Rafael Maldonado-Hernández
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce Campus, Ponce, PR, USA
- Molecular Science Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Carol González-Freire
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Jesús Acevedo-Cintrón
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Irvin D Rosado-Millán
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - José A Lasalde-Dominicci
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA.
- Molecular Science Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA.
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
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26
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Terry AV, Jones K, Bertrand D. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106764. [PMID: 37044234 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are widely distributed both pre- and post-synaptically in the mammalian brain. By modulating cation flux across cell membranes, neuronal nAChRs regulate neuronal excitability and the release of a variety of neurotransmitters to influence multiple physiologic and behavioral processes including synaptic plasticity, motor function, attention, learning and memory. Abnormalities of neuronal nAChRs have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurologic disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Tourette´s syndrome, as well as psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. The potential role of nAChRs in a particular illness may be indicated by alterations in the expression of nAChRs in relevant brain regions, genetic variability in the genes encoding for nAChR subunit proteins, and/or clinical or preclinical observations where specific ligands showed a therapeutic effect. Over the past 25 years, extensive preclinical and some early clinical evidence suggested that ligands at nAChRs might have therapeutic potential for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. However, to date the only approved indications for nAChR ligands are smoking cessation and the treatment of dry eye disease. It has been argued that progress in nAChR drug discovery has been limited by translational gaps between the preclinical models and the human disease as well as unresolved questions regarding the pharmacological goal (i.e., agonism, antagonism or receptor desensitization) depending on the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912.
| | - Keri Jones
- Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912
| | - Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222 Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland
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27
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Barrantes FJ. Structure and function meet at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-lipid interface. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106729. [PMID: 36931540 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a transmembrane protein that mediates fast intercellular communication in response to the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is the best characterized and archetypal molecule in the superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). As a typical transmembrane macromolecule, it interacts extensively with its vicinal lipid microenvironment. Experimental evidence provides a wealth of information on receptor-lipid crosstalk: the nAChR exerts influence on its immediate membrane environment and conversely, the lipid moiety modulates ligand binding, affinity state transitions and gating of ion translocation functions of the receptor protein. Recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies have unveiled the occurrence of sites for phospholipids and cholesterol on the lipid-exposed regions of neuronal and electroplax nAChRs, confirming early spectroscopic and affinity labeling studies demonstrating the close contact of lipid molecules with the receptor transmembrane segments. This new data provides structural support to the postulated "lipid sensor" ability displayed by the outer ring of M4 transmembrane domains and their modulatory role on nAChR function, as we postulated a decade ago. Borrowing from the best characterized nAChR, the electroplax (muscle-type) receptor, and exploiting new structural information on the neuronal nAChR, it is now possible to achieve an improved depiction of these sites. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis, single-channel electrophysiology, and molecular dynamics studies, the new structural information delivers a more comprehensive portrayal of these lipid-sensitive loci, providing mechanistic explanations for their ability to modulate nAChR properties and raising the possibility of targetting them in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) - Argentine Scientific & Technol. Research Council (CONICET), Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, C1107AAZ Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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28
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Elgoyhen AB. The α9α10 acetylcholine receptor: a non-neuronal nicotinic receptor. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106735. [PMID: 36931539 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Within the superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, cholinergic nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) were classically identified to mediate synaptic transmission in the nervous system and the neuromuscular junction. The α9 and α10 nAChR subunits were the last ones to be identified. Surprisingly, they do not fall into the dichotomic neuronal/muscle classification of nAChRs. They assemble into heteropentamers with a well-established function as canonical ion channels in inner ear hair cells, where they mediate central nervous system control of auditory and vestibular sensory processing. The present review includes expression, pharmacological, structure-function, molecular evolution and pathophysiological studies, that define receptors composed from α9 and α10 subunits as distant and distinct members within the nAChR family. Thus, although α9 and α10 were initially included within the neuronal subdivision of nAChR subunits, they form a distinct clade within the phylogeny of nAChRs. Following the classification of nAChR subunits based on their main synaptic site of action, α9 and α10 should receive a name in their own right.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Elgoyhen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
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29
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Becchetti A, Grandi LC, Cerina M, Amadeo A. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and epilepsy. Pharmacol Res 2023; 189:106698. [PMID: 36796465 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in understanding the causes of epilepsy, especially the genetic, comprehending the biological mechanisms that lead to the epileptic phenotype remains difficult. A paradigmatic case is constituted by the epilepsies caused by altered neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which exert complex physiological functions in mature as well as developing brain. The ascending cholinergic projections exert potent control of forebrain excitability, and wide evidence implicates nAChR dysregulation as both cause and effect of epileptiform activity. First, tonic-clonic seizures are triggered by administration of high doses of nicotinic agonists, whereas non-convulsive doses have kindling effects. Second, sleep-related epilepsy can be caused by mutations on genes encoding nAChR subunits widely expressed in the forebrain (CHRNA4, CHRNB2, CHRNA2). Third, in animal models of acquired epilepsy, complex time-dependent alterations in cholinergic innervation are observed following repeated seizures. Heteromeric nAChRs are central players in epileptogenesis. Evidence is wide for autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (ADSHE). Studies of ADSHE-linked nAChR subunits in expression systems suggest that the epileptogenic process is promoted by overactive receptors. Investigation in animal models of ADSHE indicates that expression of mutant nAChRs can lead to lifelong hyperexcitability by altering i) the function of GABAergic populations in the mature neocortex and thalamus, ii) synaptic architecture during synaptogenesis. Understanding the balance of the epileptogenic effects in adult and developing networks is essential to plan rational therapy at different ages. Combining this knowledge with a deeper understanding of the functional and pharmacological properties of individual mutations will advance precision and personalized medicine in nAChR-dependent epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Becchetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Laura Clara Grandi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Marta Cerina
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, and NeuroMI (Milan Center of Neuroscience), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy.
| | - Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy.
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30
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Chrestia JF, Turani O, Araujo NR, Hernando G, Esandi MDC, Bouzat C. Regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by post-translational modifications. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106712. [PMID: 36863428 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) comprise a family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels widely distributed in the central and peripheric nervous system and in non-neuronal cells. nAChRs are involved in chemical synapses and are key actors in vital physiological processes throughout the animal kingdom. They mediate skeletal muscle contraction, autonomic responses, contribute to cognitive processes, and regulate behaviors. Dysregulation of nAChRs is associated with neurological, neurodegenerative, inflammatory and motor disorders. In spite of the great advances in the elucidation of nAChR structure and function, our knowledge about the impact of post-translational modifications (PTMs) on nAChR functional activity and cholinergic signaling has lagged behind. PTMs occur at different steps of protein life cycle, modulating in time and space protein folding, localization, function, and protein-protein interactions, and allow fine-tuned responses to changes in the environment. A large body of evidence demonstrates that PTMs regulate all levels of nAChR life cycle, with key roles in receptor expression, membrane stability and function. However, our knowledge is still limited, restricted to a few PTMs, and many important aspects remain largely unknown. There is thus a long way to go to decipher the association of aberrant PTMs with disorders of cholinergic signaling and to target PTM regulation for novel therapeutic interventions. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of what is known about how different PTMs regulate nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Facundo Chrestia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Ornella Turani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Noelia Rodriguez Araujo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Guillermina Hernando
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - María Del Carmen Esandi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
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31
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Rodarte JV, Baehr C, Hicks D, Liban TL, Weidle C, Rupert PB, Jahan R, Wall A, McGuire AT, Strong RK, Runyon S, Pravetoni M, Pancera M. Structures of drug-specific monoclonal antibodies bound to opioids and nicotine reveal a common mode of binding. Structure 2023; 31:20-32.e5. [PMID: 36513069 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.11.008] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Opioid-related fatal overdoses have reached epidemic proportions. Because existing treatments for opioid use disorders offer limited long-term protection, accelerating the development of newer approaches is critical. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an emerging treatment strategy that targets and sequesters selected opioids in the bloodstream, reducing drug distribution across the blood-brain barrier, thus preventing or reversing opioid toxicity. We previously identified a series of murine mAbs with high affinity and selectivity for oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, and nicotine. To determine their binding mechanism, we used X-ray crystallography to solve the structures of mAbs bound to their respective targets, to 2.2 Å resolution or higher. Structural analysis showed a critical convergent hydrogen bonding mode that is dependent on a glutamic acid residue in the mAbs' heavy chain and a tertiary amine of the ligand. Characterizing drug-mAb complexes represents a significant step toward rational antibody engineering and future manufacturing activities to support clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justas V Rodarte
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carly Baehr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dustin Hicks
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Tyler L Liban
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Connor Weidle
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter B Rupert
- Basic Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rajwana Jahan
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Abigail Wall
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew T McGuire
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Roland K Strong
- Basic Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott Runyon
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marco Pravetoni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for Medication Development for Substance Use Disorders and Overdose, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Marie Pancera
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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32
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Zhao M, Ma Y, Xin J, Cao C, Wang J. Detection of differential selection pressure and functional-specific sites in subunits of vertebrate neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13161-13170. [PMID: 34596010 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1982772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are made of subunits evolved from a common ancestor. Despite the similarity in their sequences and structures, the properties of these subunits vary significantly. Thus, identifying the evolution features and function-related sites specific to each subunit is essential for understanding the characteristics of the subunits and the receptors assembled by them. In this study, we examined the sequence features of the nine neuronal nAChRs subunits from representative vertebrate species. Analysis revealed that all the subunits were subject to strong purifying selection in evolution, and each was under a unique pattern of selection pressures. At the same time, the functional constraints were not uniform within each subunit, with different domains in the molecule being subject to different selection pressures. We also detected potential positive selection events in the subunits or subunit clusters, and identified the sites might be associated with the function specificity of each subunit. Furthermore, positive selection at some domains might contribute to the diversity of subunit function; for example, the β9 strand might be related to the agonist specificity of α subunit in heteromeric receptor and β4-β5 linker could be involved in Ca2+ permeability. Subunits α7, α4 and β2 subunits possess a strong adaptability in vertebrates. Our results highlighted the importance of tracking functional differentiation in protein sequence underlying functional properties of nAChRs. In summary, our work may provide clues on understanding the diversity and the function specificity of the nAChR subunits, as well as the receptors co-assembled by them.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuequn Ma
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juncai Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Changying Cao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ju Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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33
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Batista VS, Gonçalves AM, Nascimento-Júnior NM. Pharmacophore Mapping Combined with dbCICA Reveal New Structural Features for the Development of Novel Ligands Targeting α4β2 and α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238236. [PMID: 36500328 PMCID: PMC9735964 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the ligand-gated ion channel (GLIC) group, presenting a crucial role in several biological processes and neuronal disorders. The α4β2 and α7 nAChRs are the most abundant in the central nervous system (CNS), being involved in challenging diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorder, as well as alcohol and nicotine dependencies. In addition, in silico-based strategies may contribute to revealing new insights into drug design and virtual screening to find new drug candidates to treat CNS disorders. In this context, the pharmacophore maps were constructed and validated for the orthosteric sites of α4β2 and α7 nAChRs, through a docking-based Comparative Intermolecular Contacts Analysis (dbCICA). In this sense, bioactive ligands were retrieved from the literature for each receptor. A molecular docking protocol was developed for all ligands in both receptors by using GOLD software, considering GoldScore, ChemScore, ASP, and ChemPLP scoring functions. Output GOLD results were post-processed through dbCICA to identify critical contacts involved in protein-ligand interactions. Moreover, Crossminer software was used to construct a pharmacophoric map based on the most well-behaved ligands and negative contacts from the dbCICA model for each receptor. Both pharmacophore maps were validated by using a ROC curve. The results revealed important features for the ligands, such as the presence of hydrophobic regions, a planar ring, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor atoms for α4β2. Parallelly, a non-planar ring region was identified for α7. These results can enable fragment-based drug design (FBDD) strategies, such as fragment growing, linking, and merging, allowing an increase in the activity of known fragments. Thus, our results can contribute to a further understanding of structural subunits presenting the potential for key ligand-receptor interactions, favoring the search in molecular databases and the design of novel ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor S. Batista
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Marques Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Araraquara (Uniara), Rua Carlos Gomes, 1217, Centro, Araraquara 14801-340, SP, Brazil
| | - Nailton M. Nascimento-Júnior
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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34
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Kaiser J, Gertzen CG, Bernauer T, Höfner G, Niessen KV, Seeger T, Paintner FF, Wanner KT, Worek F, Thiermann H, Gohlke H. A novel binding site in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for MB327 can explain its allosteric modulation relevant for organophosphorus-poisoning treatment. Toxicol Lett 2022; 373:160-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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35
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Membrane lipid organization and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function: A two-way physiological relationship. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 730:109413. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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36
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Santis GD, Takeda N, Hirata K, Tsuruta K, Ishiuchi SI, Xantheas SS, Fujii M. Structure of Gas Phase Monohydrated Nicotine: Implications for Nicotine's Native Structure in the Acetylcholine Binding Protein. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16698-16702. [PMID: 36043852 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report a joint experimental-theoretical study of the never reported before structure and infrared spectra of gas phase monohydrated nicotine (NIC) and nornicotine (NOR) and use them to assign their protonation sites. NIC's biological activity is strongly affected by its protonation site, namely, the pyrrolidine (Pyrro-NICH+, anticipated active form) and pyridine (Pyri-NICH+) forms; however, these have yet to be directly experimentally determined in either the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR, no water present) or the acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP, a single water molecule is present) but can only be inferred to be Pyrro-NICH+ from the intermolecular distance to the neighboring residues (i.e., tryptophan). Our temperature-controlled double ion trap infrared spectroscopic experiments assisted by the collisional stripping method and high-level theoretical calculations yield the protonation ratio of Pyri:Pyrro = 8:2 at 240 K for the gas phase NICH+···(H2O) complex, which resembles the molecular cluster present in the AChBP. Therefore, a single water molecule in the gas phase enhances this ratio in NICH+ relative to the 3:2 for the nonhydrated gas phase NICH+ in a trend that contrasts with the almost exclusive presence of Pyrro-NICH+ in aqueous solution. In contrast, the Pyri-NORH+ protomer is exclusively observed, a fact that may correlate with its weaker biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett D Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Naoya Takeda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hirata
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuya Tsuruta
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ishiuchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 4259 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.,IIR Program for World Research (IPWR), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Sotiris S Xantheas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,Advanced Computing, Mathematics and Data Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999, MS K1-83, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Masaaki Fujii
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.,School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovation Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
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37
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Knox HJ, Rego Campello H, Lester HA, Gallagher T, Dougherty DA. Characterization of Binding Site Interactions and Selectivity Principles in the α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16101-16117. [PMID: 36006801 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in neurotransmission and are also involved in addiction and several disease states. There is significant interest in therapeutic targeting of nAChRs; however, achieving selectivity for one subtype over others has been a longstanding challenge, given the close structural similarities across the family. Here, we characterize binding interactions in the α3β4 nAChR subtype via structure-function studies involving noncanonical amino acid mutagenesis and two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. We establish comprehensive binding models for both the endogenous neurotransmitter ACh and the smoking cessation drug cytisine. We also use a panel of C(10)-substituted cytisine derivatives to probe the effects of subtle changes in the ligand structure on binding. By comparing our results to those obtained for the well-studied α4β2 subtype, we identify several features of both the receptor and agonist structure that can be utilized to enhance selectivity for either α3β4 or α4β2. Finally, we characterize binding interactions of the α3β4-selective partial agonist AT-1001 to determine factors that contribute to its selectivity. These results shed new light on the design of selective nAChR-targeted ligands and can be used to inform the design of improved therapies with minimized off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey J Knox
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | | | - Henry A Lester
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | | | - Dennis A Dougherty
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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38
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Vallés AS, Barrantes FJ. Interactions between the Nicotinic and Endocannabinoid Receptors at the Plasma Membrane. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:812. [PMID: 36005727 PMCID: PMC9414690 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12080812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization, together with transbilayer and lateral asymmetries, provide the structural foundation for functional specializations at the cell surface, including the active role of the lipid microenvironment in the modulation of membrane-bound proteins. The chemical synapse, the site where neurotransmitter-coded signals are decoded by neurotransmitter receptors, adds another layer of complexity to the plasma membrane architectural intricacy, mainly due to the need to accommodate a sizeable number of molecules in a minute subcellular compartment with dimensions barely reaching the micrometer. In this review, we discuss how nature has developed suitable adjustments to accommodate different types of membrane-bound receptors and scaffolding proteins via membrane microdomains, and how this "effort-sharing" mechanism has evolved to optimize crosstalk, separation, or coupling, where/when appropriate. We focus on a fast ligand-gated neurotransmitter receptor, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and a second-messenger G-protein coupled receptor, the cannabinoid receptor, as a paradigmatic example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofía Vallés
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Francisco J. Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (BIOMED), UCA-CONICET, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina
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39
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Structural Insights into the Role of β3 nAChR Subunit in the Activation of Nicotinic Receptors. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144642. [PMID: 35889515 PMCID: PMC9319688 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The β3 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) participates in heteropentameric assemblies with some α and other β neuronal subunits forming a plethora of various subtypes, differing in their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties. While β3 has for several years been considered an accessory subunit without direct participation in the formation of functional binding sites, recent electrophysiology data have disputed this notion and indicated the presence of a functional (+) side on the extracellular domain (ECD) of β3. In this study, we present the 2.4 Å resolution crystal structure of the monomeric β3 ECD, which revealed rather distinctive loop C features as compared to those of α nAChR subunits, leading to intramolecular stereochemical hindrance of the binding site cavity. Vigorous molecular dynamics simulations in the context of full length pentameric β3-containing nAChRs, while not excluding the possibility of a β3 (+) binding site, demonstrate that this site cannot efficiently accommodate the agonist nicotine. From the structural perspective, our results endorse the accessory rather than functional role of the β3 nAChR subunit, in accordance with earlier functional studies on β3-containing nAChRs.
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40
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Speculation on How RIC-3 and Other Chaperones Facilitate α7 Nicotinic Receptor Folding and Assembly. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27144527. [PMID: 35889400 PMCID: PMC9318448 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The process of how multimeric transmembrane proteins fold and assemble in the endoplasmic reticulum is not well understood. The alpha7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR) is a good model for multimeric protein assembly since it has at least two independent and specialized chaperones: Resistance to Inhibitors of Cholinesterase 3 (RIC-3) and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Regulator (NACHO). Recent cryo-EM and NMR data revealed structural features of α7 nAChRs. A ser-ala-pro (SAP) motif precedes a structurally important but unique "latch" helix in α7 nAChRs. A sampling of α7 sequences suggests the SAP motif is conserved from C. elegans to humans, but the latch sequence is only conserved in vertebrates. How RIC-3 and NACHO facilitate receptor subunits folding into their final pentameric configuration is not known. The artificial intelligence program AlphaFold2 recently predicted structures for NACHO and RIC-3. NACHO is highly conserved in sequence and structure across species, but RIC-3 is not. This review ponders how different intrinsically disordered RIC-3 isoforms from C. elegans to humans interact with α7 nAChR subunits despite having little sequence homology across RIC-3 species. Two models from the literature about how RIC-3 assists α7 nAChR assembly are evaluated considering recent structural information about the receptor and its chaperones.
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41
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Exploring protein symmetry at the RCSB Protein Data Bank. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:231-243. [PMID: 35801924 PMCID: PMC9472815 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The symmetry of biological molecules has fascinated structural biologists ever since the structure of hemoglobin was determined. The Protein Data Bank (PDB) archive is the central global archive of three-dimensional (3D), atomic-level structures of biomolecules, providing open access to the results of structural biology research with no limitations on usage. Roughly 40% of the structures in the archive exhibit some type of symmetry, including formal global symmetry, local symmetry, or pseudosymmetry. The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) Protein Data Bank (founding member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank partnership that jointly manages, curates, and disseminates the archive) provides a variety of tools to assist users interested in exploring the symmetry of biological macromolecules. These tools include multiple modalities for searching and browsing the archive, turnkey methods for biomolecular visualization, documentation, and outreach materials for exploring functional biomolecular symmetry.
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42
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Reversing neuromuscular blocking agent decamethonium by carboxylatopillar[6]arene based on host-guest encapsulation. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.11.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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43
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Appiani R, Pallavicini M, Hamouda AK, Bolchi C. Pyrrolidinyl benzofurans and benzodioxanes: Selective α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands with different activity profiles at the two receptor stoichiometries. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 65:128701. [PMID: 35346843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128701] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A series of racemic benzofurans bearing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl residue at C(2) or C(3) has been synthesized and tested for affinity at the α4β2 and α3β4 nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). As previously reported for the benzodioxane based analogues, hydroxylation at proper position of benzene ring results in high α4β2 nAChR affinity and α4β2 vs. α3β4 nAChR selectivity. 7-Hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-1,4-benzodioxane (2) and its 7- and 5-amino benzodioxane analogues 3 and 4, which are all α4β2 nAChR partial agonists, and 2-(N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-6-hydroxybenzofuran (12) were selected for functional characterization at the two α4β2 stoichiometries, the high sensitivity (α4)2(β2)3 and the low sensitivity (α4)3(β2)2. The benzene pattern substitution, which had previously been found to control α4β2 partial agonist activity and α4β2 vs. α3β4 selectivity, proved to be also involved in stoichiometry-selectivity. The 7-hydroxybenzodioxane derivative 2 selectively activates (α4)2(β2)3 nAChR, which cannot be activated by its 5-amino analogue 4. A marginal structural modification, not altering the base pyrrolidinyl benzodioxane scaffold, resulted in opposite activity profiles at the two α4β2 nAChR isoforms providing an interesting novel case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Appiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Marco Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Ayman K Hamouda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Outcomes, Fisch College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA.
| | - Cristiano Bolchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
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44
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Kumar A, Khade PM, Dorman KS, Jernigan RL. Coarse-graining protein structures into their dynamic communities with DCI, a dynamic community identifier. Bioinformatics 2022; 38:2727-2733. [PMID: 35561187 PMCID: PMC9113273 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btac159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY A new dynamic community identifier (DCI) is presented that relies upon protein residue dynamic cross-correlations generated by Gaussian elastic network models to identify those residue clusters exhibiting motions within a protein. A number of examples of communities are shown for diverse proteins, including GPCRs. It is a tool that can immediately simplify and clarify the most essential functional moving parts of any given protein. Proteins usually can be subdivided into groups of residues that move as communities. These are usually densely packed local sub-structures, but in some cases can be physically distant residues identified to be within the same community. The set of these communities for each protein are the moving parts. The ways in which these are organized overall can aid in understanding many aspects of functional dynamics and allostery. DCI enables a more direct understanding of functions including enzyme activity, action across membranes and changes in the community structure from mutations or ligand binding. The DCI server is freely available on a web site (https://dci.bb.iastate.edu/). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambuj Kumar
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Pranav M Khade
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Karin S Dorman
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Robert L Jernigan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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45
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Cens T, Chavanieu A, Bertaud A, Mokrane N, Estaran S, Roussel J, Ménard C, De Jesus Ferreira M, Guiramand J, Thibaud J, Cohen‐Solal C, Rousset M, Rolland V, Vignes M, Charnet P. Molecular Targets of Neurotoxic Insecticides in
Apis mellifera. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202101531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Cens
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Alain Chavanieu
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Anaïs Bertaud
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Nawfel Mokrane
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Sébastien Estaran
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Julien Roussel
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Claudine Ménard
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | | | - Janique Guiramand
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Jean‐Baptiste Thibaud
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Catherine Cohen‐Solal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Matthieu Rousset
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Valérie Rolland
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Michel Vignes
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
| | - Pierre Charnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier France
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46
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Rahman MM, Basta T, Teng J, Lee M, Worrell BT, Stowell MHB, Hibbs RE. Structural mechanism of muscle nicotinic receptor desensitization and block by curare. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:386-394. [PMID: 35301478 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00737-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptors on muscle fibers depolarizes the membrane and thereby triggers muscle contraction. We sought to understand at the level of three-dimensional structure how agonists and antagonists alter nicotinic acetylcholine receptor conformation. We used the muscle-type receptor from the Torpedo ray to first define the structure of the receptor in a resting, activatable state. We then determined the receptor structure bound to the agonist carbachol, which stabilizes an asymmetric, closed channel desensitized state. We find conformational changes in a peripheral membrane helix are tied to recovery from desensitization. To probe mechanisms of antagonism, we obtained receptor structures with the active component of curare, a poison arrow toxin and precursor to modern muscle relaxants. d-Tubocurarine stabilizes the receptor in a desensitized-like state in the presence and absence of agonist. These findings define the transitions between resting and desensitized states and reveal divergent means by which antagonists block channel activity of the muscle-type nicotinic receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahfuzur Rahman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tamara Basta
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jinfeng Teng
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Myeongseon Lee
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Brady T Worrell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Michael H B Stowell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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47
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Tsetlin V, Haufe Y, Safronova V, Serov D, Shadamarshan P, Son L, Shelukhina I, Kudryavtsev D, Kryukova E, Kasheverov I, Nicke A, Utkin Y. Interaction of α9α10 Nicotinic Receptors With Peptides and Proteins From Animal Venoms. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:765541. [PMID: 35002625 PMCID: PMC8732759 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.765541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike most neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits, α7, α9, and α10 subunits are able to form functional homo- or heteromeric receptors without any β subunits. While the α7 subtype is widely distributed in the mammalian brain and several peripheral tissues, α9 and α9α10 nAChRs are mainly found in the cochlea and immune cells. α-Conotoxins that specifically block the α9α10 receptor showed anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic effects in animal models. Hence, this subtype is considered a drug target for analgesics. In contrast to the α9α10-selective α-conotoxins, the three-finger toxin α-bungarotoxin inhibits muscle-type and α7 nAChRs in addition to α9α10 nAChRs. However, the selectivity of α-neurotoxins at the α9α10 subtype was less intensively investigated. Here, we compared the potencies of α-conotoxins and α-neurotoxins at the human α9α10 nAChR by two-electrode voltage clamp analysis upon expression in Xenopus oocytes. In addition, we analyzed effects of several α9α10-selective α-conotoxins on mouse granulocytes from bone marrow to identify possible physiological functions of the α9α10 nAChR subtype in these cells. The α-conotoxin-induced IL-10 release was measured upon LPS-stimulation. We found that α-conotoxins RgIA, PeIA, and Vc1.1 enhance the IL-10 expression in granulocytes which might explain the known anti-inflammatory and associated analgesic activities of α9α10-selective α-conotoxins. Furthermore, we show that two long-chain α-neurotoxins from the cobra Naja melanoleuca venom that were earlier shown to bind to muscle-type and α7 nAChRs, also inhibit the α9α10 subtype at nanomolar concentrations with one of them showing a significantly slower dissociation from this receptor than α-bungarotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Tsetlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yves Haufe
- Faculty of Medicine, Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Valentina Safronova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Serov
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - PranavKumar Shadamarshan
- Faculty of Medicine, Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Son
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Shelukhina
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Kudryavtsev
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Kryukova
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Kasheverov
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Annette Nicke
- Faculty of Medicine, Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Yuri Utkin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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48
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Montgomery M, Rendine S, Zimmer CT, Elias J, Schaetzer J, Pitterna T, Benfatti F, Skaljac M, Bigot A. Structural Biology-Guided Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Insect Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Orthosteric Modulators. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2297-2312. [PMID: 34986308 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of novel and safe insecticides remains an important need for a growing world population to protect crops and animal and human health. New chemotypes modulating the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been recently brought to the agricultural market, yet with limited understanding of their molecular interactions at their target receptor. Herein, we disclose the first crystal structures of these insecticides, namely, sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, triflumezopyrim, flupyrimin, and the experimental compound, dicloromezotiaz, in a double-mutated acetylcholine-binding protein which mimics the insect-ion-channel orthosteric site. Enabled by these findings, we discovered novel pharmacophores with a related mode of action, and we describe herein their design, synthesis, and biological evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Montgomery
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, RG42 6EY Bracknell, Berkshire, U.K
| | - Stefano Rendine
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Christoph T Zimmer
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Jan Elias
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Rosentalstrasse 67, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Schaetzer
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pitterna
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Fides Benfatti
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Marisa Skaljac
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Bigot
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
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49
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Nichols AL, Blumenfeld Z, Fan C, Luebbert L, Blom AEM, Cohen BN, Marvin JS, Borden PM, Kim CH, Muthusamy AK, Shivange AV, Knox HJ, Campello HR, Wang JH, Dougherty DA, Looger LL, Gallagher T, Rees DC, Lester HA. Fluorescence activation mechanism and imaging of drug permeation with new sensors for smoking-cessation ligands. eLife 2022; 11:e74648. [PMID: 34982029 PMCID: PMC8820738 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic partial agonists provide an accepted aid for smoking cessation and thus contribute to decreasing tobacco-related disease. Improved drugs constitute a continued area of study. However, there remains no reductionist method to examine the cellular and subcellular pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds in living cells. Here, we developed new intensity-based drug-sensing fluorescent reporters (iDrugSnFRs) for the nicotinic partial agonists dianicline, cytisine, and two cytisine derivatives - 10-fluorocytisine and 9-bromo-10-ethylcytisine. We report the first atomic-scale structures of liganded periplasmic binding protein-based biosensors, accelerating development of iDrugSnFRs and also explaining the activation mechanism. The nicotinic iDrugSnFRs detect their drug partners in solution, as well as at the plasma membrane (PM) and in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of cell lines and mouse hippocampal neurons. At the PM, the speed of solution changes limits the growth and decay rates of the fluorescence response in almost all cases. In contrast, we found that rates of membrane crossing differ among these nicotinic drugs by >30-fold. The new nicotinic iDrugSnFRs provide insight into the real-time pharmacokinetic properties of nicotinic agonists and provide a methodology whereby iDrugSnFRs can inform both pharmaceutical neuroscience and addiction neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Nichols
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Zack Blumenfeld
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Chengcheng Fan
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Laura Luebbert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
- Institute of Biology, Leiden UniversityLeidenNetherlands
| | - Annet EM Blom
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Bruce N Cohen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Jonathan S Marvin
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Philip M Borden
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Charlene H Kim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Anand K Muthusamy
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Amol V Shivange
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Hailey J Knox
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | | | - Jonathan H Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Dennis A Dougherty
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Loren L Looger
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | | | - Douglas C Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Henry A Lester
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
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50
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Fabiani C, Biscussi B, Munafo JP, Murray AP, Corradi J, Antollini SS. NEW SYNTHETIC CAFFEINE ANALOGS AS MODULATORS OF THE CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 101:154-167. [PMID: 34969831 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder. Since cholinergic deficit is a major factor in this disease, two molecular targets for its treatment are the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Given that caffeine is a natural compound that behaves as an AChE inhibitor and as a partial agonist of nAChRs, the aim of this work was to synthetize more potent bifunctional caffeine analogs that modulate these two molecular targets. To this end, a theophylline structure was connected to a pyrrolidine structure through a methylene chain of different lengths (3 to 7 carbon atoms) to give compounds 7-11 All caffeine derivatives inhibited the AChE, of which compound 11 showed the strongest effect. Electrophysiological studies showed that all compounds behave as agonists of the muscle and the neuronal α7 nAChR with greater potency than caffeine. To explore if the different analogs could affect the nAChR conformational state, the nAChR conformational-sensitive probe crystal violet (CrV) was used. Compounds 9 and 10 conduced the nAChR to a different conformational state comparable with a control nAChR desensitized state. Finally, molecular docking experiments showed that all derivatives interacted with both the catalytic and anionic sites of AChE and with the orthosteric binding site of the nAChR. Thus, the new synthetized compounds can inhibit the AChE and activate muscle and α7 nAChRs with greater potency than caffeine, which suggests that they could be useful leaders for the development of new therapies for the treatment of different neurological diseases. Significance Statement In this work we synthetized caffeine derivatives which can inhibit the AChE and activate both muscle and α7 nAChRs with higher potency than caffeine. These analogs can be divided into two groups: a non-desensitizing and a desensitizing nAChR group. From the nAChR-non desensitizing group, we propose compound 11 as the most interesting analog for further studies since it inhibits AChE with the highest potency and activates the nAChRs in the picomolar range without inducing receptor desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Fabiani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Brunella Biscussi
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Alem 1253, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Munafo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Ana Paula Murray
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Alem 1253, Argentina
| | - Jeremias Corradi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Silvia Susana Antollini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
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