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Ahring PK, Liao VWY, Lin S, Absalom NL, Chebib M, Møller RS. The de novo GABRA4 p.Thr300Ile variant found in a patient with early-onset intractable epilepsy and neurodevelopmental abnormalities displays gain-of-function traits. Epilepsia 2022; 63:2439-2441. [PMID: 35781801 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip K Ahring
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vivian W Y Liao
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Lin
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nathan L Absalom
- School of Science, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary Chebib
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Treatment, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, The Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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2
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Activation of the α1β2γ2L GABA A Receptor by Physiological Agonists. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121864. [PMID: 34944508 PMCID: PMC8699469 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cl− permeable GABAA receptor is a major contributor to cellular inhibition in the brain. The receptor is normally activated by synaptically-released or ambient GABA but is sensitive to a number of physiological compounds such as β-alanine, taurine, and neurosteroids that, to various degrees, activate the receptor and modulate responses either to the transmitter or to each other. Here, we describe α1β2γ2L GABAA receptor activation and modulation by combinations of orthosteric and allosteric activators. The overall goal was to gain insight into how changes in the levels of endogenous agonists modulate receptor activity and influence cellular inhibition. Experimental observations and simulations are described in the framework of a cyclic concerted transition model. We also provide general analytical solutions for the analysis of electrophysiological data collected in the presence of combinations of active compounds.
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3
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Germann AL, Pierce SR, Evers AS, Steinbach JH, Akk G. Perspective on the relationship between GABAA receptor activity and the apparent potency of an inhibitor. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:90-93. [PMID: 34784870 PMCID: PMC9199547 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211104142433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In electrophysiological experiments, inhibition of a receptor-channel, such as the GABAA receptor, is measured by co-applying an agonist producing a predefined control response with an inhibitor to calculate the fraction of the control response remaining in the presence of the inhibitor. The properties of the inhibitor are determined by fitting the inhibition concentration-response relationship to the Hill equation to estimate the midpoint (IC50) of the inhibition curve. Objective: We sought to estimate sensitivity of the fitted IC50 to the level of activity of the control response. Methods: The inhibition concentration-response relationships were calculated for models with distinct mechanisms of inhibition. In Model I, the inhibitor acts allosterically to stabilize the resting state of the receptor. In Model II, the inhibitor competes with the agonist for a shared binding site. In Model III, the inhibitor stabilizes the desensitized state. Results: The simulations indicate that the fitted IC50 of the inhibition curve is sensitive to the degree of activity of the control response. In Models I and II, the IC50 of inhibition was increased as the probability of being in the active state (PA) of the control response increased. In Model III, the IC50 of inhibition was reduced at higher PA. Conclusion: We infer that the apparent potency of an inhibitor depends on the PA of the control response. While the calculations were carried out using the activation and inhibition properties that are representative of the GABAA receptor, the principles and conclusions apply to a wide variety of receptor-channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Germann
- Department of Anesthesiology (ALG, SRP, ASE, JHS, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110. United States
| | - Spencer R Pierce
- Department of Anesthesiology (ALG, SRP, ASE, JHS, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110. United States
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology (ALG, SRP, ASE, JHS, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110. United States
| | - Joe Henry Steinbach
- Department of Anesthesiology (ALG, SRP, ASE, JHS, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110. United States
| | - Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology (ALG, SRP, ASE, JHS, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110. United States
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4
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Bergh C, Heusser SA, Howard R, Lindahl E. Markov state models of proton- and pore-dependent activation in a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. eLife 2021; 10:68369. [PMID: 34652272 PMCID: PMC8635979 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand-gated ion channels conduct currents in response to chemical stimuli, mediating electrochemical signaling in neurons and other excitable cells. For many channels, the details of gating remain unclear, partly due to limited structural data and simulation timescales. Here, we used enhanced sampling to simulate the pH-gated channel GLIC, and construct Markov state models (MSMs) of gating. Consistent with new functional recordings, we report in oocytes, our analysis revealed differential effects of protonation and mutation on free-energy wells. Clustering of closed- versus open-like states enabled estimation of open probabilities and transition rates, while higher-order clustering affirmed conformational trends in gating. Furthermore, our models uncovered state- and protonation-dependent symmetrization. This demonstrates the applicability of MSMs to map energetic and conformational transitions between ion-channel functional states, and how they reproduce shifts upon activation or mutation, with implications for modeling neuronal function and developing state-selective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Bergh
- Science for Life Laboratory and Swedish e-Science Research Center, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Stephanie A Heusser
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Howard
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Science for Life Laboratory and Swedish e-Science Research Center, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
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5
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Sexton CA, Penzinger R, Mortensen M, Bright DP, Smart TG. Structural determinants and regulation of spontaneous activity in GABA A receptors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5457. [PMID: 34526505 PMCID: PMC8443696 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25633-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors are vital for controlling neuronal excitability and can display significant levels of constitutive activity that contributes to tonic inhibition. However, the mechanisms underlying spontaneity are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate a strict requirement for β3 subunit incorporation into receptors for spontaneous gating, facilitated by α4, α6 and δ subunits. The crucial molecular determinant involves four amino acids (GKER) in the β3 subunit's extracellular domain, which interacts with adjacent receptor subunits to promote transition to activated, open channel conformations. Spontaneous activity is further regulated by β3 subunit phosphorylation and by allosteric modulators including neurosteroids and benzodiazepines. Promoting spontaneous activity reduced neuronal excitability, indicating that spontaneous currents will alter neural network activity. This study demonstrates how regional diversity in GABAA receptor isoform, protein kinase activity, and neurosteroid levels, can impact on tonic inhibition through the modulation of spontaneous GABAA receptor gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Sexton
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Reka Penzinger
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Martin Mortensen
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Damian P Bright
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Trevor G Smart
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK.
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6
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Lycksell M, Rovšnik U, Bergh C, Johansen NT, Martel A, Porcar L, Arleth L, Howard RJ, Lindahl E. Probing solution structure of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel GLIC by small-angle neutron scattering. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2108006118. [PMID: 34504004 PMCID: PMC8449418 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108006118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels undergo subtle conformational cycling to control electrochemical signal transduction in many kingdoms of life. Several crystal structures have now been reported in this family, but the functional relevance of such models remains unclear. Here, we used small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to probe ambient solution-phase properties of the pH-gated bacterial ion channel GLIC under resting and activating conditions. Data collection was optimized by inline paused-flow size-exclusion chromatography, and exchanging into deuterated detergent to hide the micelle contribution. Resting-state GLIC was the best-fit crystal structure to SANS curves, with no evidence for divergent mechanisms. Moreover, enhanced-sampling molecular-dynamics simulations enabled differential modeling in resting versus activating conditions, with the latter corresponding to an intermediate ensemble of both the extracellular and transmembrane domains. This work demonstrates state-dependent changes in a pentameric ion channel by SANS, an increasingly accessible method for macromolecular characterization with the coming generation of neutron sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lycksell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urška Rovšnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cathrine Bergh
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicolai T Johansen
- Structural Biophysics, X-ray and Neutron Science, The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Martel
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 38042 Grenoble, France
| | | | - Lise Arleth
- Structural Biophysics, X-ray and Neutron Science, The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rebecca J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Akk G, Germann AL, Sugasawa Y, Pierce SR, Evers AS, Steinbach JH. Enhancement of Muscimol Binding and Gating by Allosteric Modulators of the GABA A Receptor: Relating Occupancy to State Functions. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:303-313. [PMID: 32873746 PMCID: PMC7472144 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscimol is a psychoactive isoxazole derived from the mushroom Amanita muscaria and a potent orthosteric agonist of the GABAA receptor. The binding of [3H]muscimol has been used to evaluate the distribution of GABAA receptors in the brain, and studies of modulation of [3H]muscimol binding by allosteric GABAergic modulators such as barbiturates and steroid anesthetics have provided insight into the modes of action of these drugs on the GABAA receptor. It has, however, not been feasible to directly apply interaction parameters derived from functional studies to describe the binding of muscimol to the receptor. Here, we employed the Monod-Wyman-Changeux concerted transition model to analyze muscimol binding isotherms. We show that the binding isotherms from recombinant α1β3 GABAA receptors can be qualitatively predicted using electrophysiological data pertaining to properties of receptor activation and desensitization in the presence of muscimol. The model predicts enhancement of [3H]muscimol binding in the presence of the steroids allopregnanolone and pregnenolone sulfate, although the steroids interact with distinct sites and either enhance (allopregnanolone) or reduce (pregnenolone sulfate) receptor function. We infer that the concerted transition model can be used to link radioligand binding and electrophysiological data. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The study employs a three-state resting-active-desensitized model to link radioligand binding and electrophysiological data. We show that the binding isotherms can be qualitatively predicted using parameters estimated in electrophysiological experiments and that the model accurately predicts the enhancement of [3H]muscimol binding in the presence of the potentiating steroid allopregnanolone and the inhibitory steroid pregnenolone sulfate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Allison L Germann
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yusuke Sugasawa
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Spencer R Pierce
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joe Henry Steinbach
- Department of Anesthesiology (G.A., A.L.G., Y.S., S.R.P., A.S.E., J.H.S.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (G.A., A.S.E., J.H.S.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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8
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Pierce SR, Germann AL, Evers AS, Steinbach JH, Akk G. Reduced Activation of the Synaptic-Type GABA A Receptor Following Prolonged Exposure to Low Concentrations of Agonists: Relationship between Tonic Activity and Desensitization. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:762-769. [PMID: 32978327 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic GABAA receptors are alternately exposed to short pulses of a high, millimolar concentration of GABA and prolonged periods of low, micromolar concentration of the transmitter. Prior work has indicated that exposure to micromolar concentrations of GABA can both activate the postsynaptic receptors generating sustained low-amplitude current and desensitize the receptors, thereby reducing the peak amplitude of subsequent synaptic response. However, the precise relationship between tonic activation and reduction of peak response is not known. Here, we have measured the effect of prolonged exposure to GABA or the combination of GABA and the neurosteroid allopregnanolone, which was intended to desensitize a fraction of receptors, on a subsequent response to a high concentration of agonist in human α1β3γ2L receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We show that the reduction in the peak amplitude of the post-exposure test response correlates with the open probability of the preceding desensitizing response. Curve fitting of the inhibitory relationship yielded an IC50 of 12.5 µM and a Hill coefficient of -1.61. The activation and desensitization data were mechanistically analyzed in the framework of a three-state Resting-Active-Desensitized model. Using the estimated affinity, efficacy, and desensitization parameters, we calculated the amount of desensitization that would accumulate during a long (2-minute) application of GABA or GABA plus allopregnanolone. The results indicate that accumulation of desensitization depends on the level of activity rather than agonist or potentiator concentration per se. We estimate that in the presence of 1 µM GABA, approximately 5% of α1β3γ2L receptors are functionally eliminated because of desensitization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We present an analytical approach to quantify and predict the loss of activatable GABAA receptors due to desensitization in the presence of transmitter and the steroid allopregnanolone. The findings indicate that the peak amplitude of the synaptic response is influenced by ambient GABA and that changes in ambient concentrations of the transmitter and other GABAergic agents can modify tonically and phasically activated synaptic receptors in opposite directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer R Pierce
- Department of Anesthesiology (S.R.P., A.L.G., A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Allison L Germann
- Department of Anesthesiology (S.R.P., A.L.G., A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology (S.R.P., A.L.G., A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joe Henry Steinbach
- Department of Anesthesiology (S.R.P., A.L.G., A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology (S.R.P., A.L.G., A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.) and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (A.S.E., J.H.S., G.A.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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