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Mortensen M, Bright DP, Fagotti J, Dorovykh V, Cerna B, Smart TG. Forty Years Searching for Neurosteroid Binding Sites on GABA A Receptors. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00257-4. [PMID: 38852898 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain inhibition is a vital process for controlling and sculpting the excitability of the central nervous system in healthy individuals. This level of control is provided over several timescales and involves the neurotransmitter GABA acting at inhibitory synapses to: rapidly inhibit neurons by activating the GABAA receptor; over a slower timescale, to tonically activate extrasynaptic GABAA receptors to provide a low level of background inhibition; and finally, to activate G-protein coupled GABAB receptors to control transmitter release by inhibiting presynaptic Ca2+ channels whilst providing postsynaptic inhibition via K+ channel activation. From this plethora of roles for GABA and its receptors, the GABAA receptor isoform is of major interest due to its dynamic functional plasticity, which in part, is due to being targeted by modulatory brain neurosteroids derived from sex and stress hormones. This family of neurosteroids can, depending on their structure, potentiate, activate and also inhibit the activity of GABAA receptors to affect brain inhibition. This review tracks the methods that have been deployed in probing GABAA receptors, and charts the sterling efforts made by several groups to locate the key neurosteroid binding sites that affect these important receptors. Increasing our knowledge of these binding sites will greatly facilitate our understanding of the physiological roles of neurosteroids and will help to advance their use as novel therapeutics to combat debilitating brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mortensen
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Damian P Bright
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Juliane Fagotti
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Dorovykh
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Barbora Cerna
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor G Smart
- University College London, Dept Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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2
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Issahaku AR, Wilhelm A, Schutte-Smith M, Erasmus E, Visser H. Elucidating the binding mechanisms of GABA and Muscimol as an avenue to discover novel GABA-mimetic small molecules. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38520326 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2331088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling is the principal inhibitory pathway in the central nervous system. It is critical in neuronal cell proliferation and fate determination. Any aberration in GABA inhibition results in psychiatric and neurological diseases. Thus, modulating GABAergic neurotransmission has become the basis of drug therapy for psychiatric and several neurological diseases. Though GABA and muscimol are classical inhibitors of GABA receptors, the search for novel inhibitors continues unabated. In this study, the binding mechanism of GABA and muscimol was elucidated and applied in the search for small molecule GABAergic inhibitors using comprehensive computational techniques. It was revealed that a high-affinity binding of GABA and muscimol was mediated by a water molecule involving α1Thr129 and then stabilized by strong interactions including salt bridges with β2Glu155 and α1Arg66 amidst hydrogen bonds, π-π stacking, and π -cation interactions with other residues. The binding of GABA and muscimol was also characterized by stability and deeper penetration into the hydrophobic core of the protein which resulted in conformational changes of the binding pocket and domain, by inducing correlated motions of the residues. Thermodynamics analysis showed GABA and muscimol exhibited total binding free energies of -19.85 ± 8.83 Kcal/mol and -26.55 ± 3.42 Kcal/mol, respectively. A pharmacophore model search, based on the energy contributions of implicating binding residues, resulted in the identification of ZINC68604167, ZINC19735138, ZINC04202466, ZINC00901626, and ZINC01532854 as potential GABA-mimetic compounds from metabolites and natural products libraries. This study has elucidated the binding mechanisms of GABA and muscimol and successfully applied in the identification of GABA-mimetic compounds.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anke Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | | | - Elizabeth Erasmus
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Hendrik Visser
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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3
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Van Renterghem C, Nemecz Á, Medjebeur K, Corringer P. Short-chain mono-carboxylates as negative modulators of allosteric transitions in Gloeobacter violaceus ligand-gated ion channel, and impact of a pre-β5 strand (Loop Ω) double mutation on crotonate, not butyrate effect. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e15916. [PMID: 38343277 PMCID: PMC10859675 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Using the bacterial proton-activated pentameric receptor-channel Gloeobacter violaceus ligand-gated ion channel (GLIC): (1) We characterize saturated, mono-carboxylates as negative modulators of GLIC (as previously shown for crotonate; Alqazzaz et al., Biochemistry, 2016, 55, 5947). Butyrate and crotonate have indistinguishable properties regarding negative modulation of wt GLIC. (2) We identify a locus in the pre-β5 strand (Loop Ω) whose mutation inverses the effect of the mono-carboxylate crotonate from negative to positive modulation of the allosteric transitions, suggesting an involvement of the pre-β5 strand in coupling the extracellular orthotopic receptor to pore gating. (3) As an extension to the previously proposed "in series" mechanism, we suggest that a orthotopic/orthosteric site-vestibular site-Loop Ω-β5-β6 "sandwich"-Pro-Loop/Cys-Loop series may be an essential component of orthotopic/orthosteric compound-elicited gating control in this pentameric ligand-gated ion channel, on top of which compounds targeting the vestibular site may provide modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ákos Nemecz
- Channel‐Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3571Université Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Karima Medjebeur
- Channel‐Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3571Université Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Pierre‐Jean Corringer
- Channel‐Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3571Université Paris CitéParisFrance
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Huang YH, Huang CY. The complexed crystal structure of dihydropyrimidinase reveals a potential interactive link with the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 692:149351. [PMID: 38056157 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Dihydropyrimidinase (DHPase) plays a crucial role in pyrimidine degradation, showcasing a broad substrate specificity that extends beyond pyrimidine catabolism, hinting at additional roles for this ancient enzyme. In this study, we solved the crystal structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DHPase (PaDHPase) complexed with the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at a resolution of 1.97 Å (PDB ID 8WQ9). Our structural analysis revealed two GABA binding sites in each monomer of PaDHPase. Interactions between PaDHPase and GABA molecules, involving residues within a contact distance of <4 Å, were examined. In silico analyses via PISA and PLIP software revealed hydrogen bonds formed between the side chain of Cys318 and GABA 1, as well as the main chains of Ser333, Ile335, and Asn337 with GABA 2. Comparative structural analysis between GABA-bound and unbound states unveiled significant conformational changes at the active site, particularly within dynamic loop I, supporting the conclusion that PaDHPase binds GABA through the loop-out mechanism. Building upon this molecular evidence, we discuss and propose a working model. The study expands the GABA interactome by identifying DHPase as a novel GABA-interacting protein and provides structural insight into the interaction between a dimetal center in the protein's active site and GABA. Further investigations are warranted to explore potential interactions of GABA with other DHPase-like proteins and to understand whether DHPase may have additional regulatory and physiological roles in the cell, extending beyond pyrimidine catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hua Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Chien-Kuo N. Rd., Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec.1, Chien-Kuo N. Rd., Taichung City, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No.110, Sec.1, Chien-Kuo N. Rd., Taichung City, Taiwan.
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5
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Slobodyanyuk M, Banda-Vázquez JA, Thompson MJ, Dean RA, Baenziger JE, Chica RA, daCosta CJB. Origin of acetylcholine antagonism in ELIC, a bacterial pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1264. [PMID: 36400839 PMCID: PMC9674596 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04227-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ELIC is a prokaryotic homopentameric ligand-gated ion channel that is homologous to vertebrate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Acetylcholine binds to ELIC but fails to activate it, despite bringing about conformational changes indicative of activation. Instead, acetylcholine competitively inhibits agonist-activated ELIC currents. What makes acetylcholine an agonist in an acetylcholine receptor context, and an antagonist in an ELIC context, is not known. Here we use available structures and statistical coupling analysis to identify residues in the ELIC agonist-binding site that contribute to agonism. Substitution of these ELIC residues for their acetylcholine receptor counterparts does not convert acetylcholine into an ELIC agonist, but in some cases reduces the sensitivity of ELIC to acetylcholine antagonism. Acetylcholine antagonism can be abolished by combining two substitutions that together appear to knock out acetylcholine binding. Thus, making the ELIC agonist-binding site more acetylcholine receptor-like, paradoxically reduces the apparent affinity for acetylcholine, demonstrating that residues important for agonist binding in one context can be deleterious in another. These findings reinforce the notion that although agonism originates from local interactions within the agonist-binding site, it is a global property with cryptic contributions from distant residues. Finally, our results highlight an underappreciated mechanism of antagonism, where agonists with appreciable affinity, but negligible efficacy, present as competitive antagonists. A structural and functional study of the prokaryotic ligand-gated ion channel, ELIC, provides insight into the origin of agonism and antagonism at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
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The Case for Clinical Trials with Novel GABAergic Drugs in Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020322. [PMID: 35207609 PMCID: PMC8876029 DOI: 10.3390/life12020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and diabetes mellitus have become the surprising menaces of relative economic well-being worldwide. Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) has a prominent role in the control of blood glucose, energy homeostasis as well as food intake at several levels of regulation. The effects of GABA in the body are exerted through ionotropic GABAA and metabotropic GABAB receptors. This treatise will focus on the pharmacologic targeting of GABAA receptors to reap beneficial therapeutic effects in diabetes mellitus and obesity. A new crop of drugs selectively targeting GABAA receptors has been under investigation for efficacy in stroke recovery and cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Although these trials have produced mixed outcomes the compounds are safe to use in humans. Preclinical evidence is summarized here to support the rationale of testing some of these compounds in diabetic patients receiving insulin in order to achieve better control of blood glucose levels and to combat the decline of cognitive performance. Potential therapeutic benefits could be achieved (i) By resetting the hypoglycemic counter-regulatory response; (ii) Through trophic actions on pancreatic islets, (iii) By the mobilization of antioxidant defence mechanisms in the brain. Furthermore, preclinical proof-of-concept work, as well as clinical trials that apply the novel GABAA compounds in eating disorders, e.g., olanzapine-induced weight-gain, also appear warranted.
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Magli E, Fattorusso C, Persico M, Corvino A, Esposito G, Fiorino F, Luciano P, Perissutti E, Santagada V, Severino B, Tedeschi V, Pannaccione A, Pignataro G, Caliendo G, Annunziato L, Secondo A, Frecentese F. New Insights into the Structure-Activity Relationship and Neuroprotective Profile of Benzodiazepinone Derivatives of Neurounina-1 as Modulators of the Na +/Ca 2+ Exchanger Isoforms. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17901-17919. [PMID: 34845907 PMCID: PMC8713167 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Due to the neuroprotective role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) isoforms NCX1 and NCX3, we synthesized novel benzodiazepinone derivatives of the unique NCX activator Neurounina-1, named compounds 1-19. The derivatives are characterized by a benzodiazepinonic nucleus linked to five- or six-membered cyclic amines via a methylene, ethylene, or acetyl spacer. The compounds have been screened on NCX1/NCX3 isoform activities by a high-throughput screening approach, and the most promising were characterized by patch-clamp electrophysiology and Fura-2AM video imaging. We identified two novel modulators of NCX: compound 4, inhibiting NCX1 reverse mode, and compound 14, enhancing NCX1 and NCX3 activity. Compound 1 displayed neuroprotection in two preclinical models of brain ischemia. The analysis of the conformational and steric features led to the identification of the molecular volume required for selective NCX1 activation for mixed NCX1/NCX3 activation or for NCX1 inhibition, providing the first prototypal model for the design of optimized isoform modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Magli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Persico
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Corvino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fiorino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Luciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Perissutti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Santagada
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Severino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Tedeschi
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Pharmacology, University of Naples "Federico II", via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Pannaccione
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Pharmacology, University of Naples "Federico II", via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Pharmacology, University of Naples "Federico II", via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caliendo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Agnese Secondo
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Pharmacology, University of Naples "Federico II", via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Frecentese
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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8
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McGrath M, Hoyt H, Pence A, Forman SA, Raines DE. Selective actions of benzodiazepines at the transmembrane anaesthetic binding sites of the GABA A receptor: In vitro and in vivo studies. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4842-4858. [PMID: 34386973 PMCID: PMC8637433 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In addition to binding to the classical high-affinity extracellular benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor, some benzodiazepines occupy transmembrane inter-subunit anaesthetic sites that bind etomidate (β+ /α- sites) or the barbiturate derivative R-mTFD-MPAB (α+ /β- and γ+ /β- sites). We aimed to define the functional effects of these interactions on GABAA receptor activity and animal behaviour. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH With flumazenil blocking classical high-affinity extracellular benzodiazepine site effects, modulation of GABA-activated currents by diazepam, midazolam and flurazepam was measured electrophysiologically in wildtype and M2-15' mutant α1 β3 γ2L GABAA receptors. Zebrafish locomotive activity was also assessed in the presence of each benzodiazepine plus flumazenil. KEY RESULTS In the presence of flumazenil, micromolar concentrations of diazepam and midazolam both potentiated and inhibited wildtype GABAA receptor currents. β3 N265M (M2-15' in the β+ /α- sites) and α1 S270I (M2-15' in the α+ /β- site) mutations reduced or abolished potentiation by these drugs. In contrast, the γ2 S280W mutation (M2-15' in the γ+ /β- site) abolished inhibition. Flurazepam plus flumazenil only inhibited wildtype receptor currents, an effect unaltered by M2-15' mutations. In the presence of flumazenil, zebrafish locomotion was enhanced by diazepam at concentrations up to 30 μM and suppressed at 100 μM, suppressed by midazolam and enhanced by flurazepam. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Benzodiazepine binding to transmembrane anaesthetic binding sites of the GABAA receptor can produce positive or negative modulation manifesting as decreases or increases in locomotion, respectively. Selectivity for these sites may contribute to the distinct GABAA receptor and behavioural actions of different benzodiazepines, particularly at high (i.e. anaesthetic) concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan McGrath
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Helen Hoyt
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea Pence
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuart A Forman
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas E Raines
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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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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10
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Sridhar A, Lummis SCR, Pasini D, Mehregan A, Brams M, Kambara K, Bertrand D, Lindahl E, Howard RJ, Ulens C. Regulation of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel by a semiconserved cationic lipid-binding site. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100899. [PMID: 34157288 PMCID: PMC8327344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are crucial mediators of electrochemical signal transduction in various organisms from bacteria to humans. Lipids play an important role in regulating pLGIC function, yet the structural bases for specific pLGIC-lipid interactions remain poorly understood. The bacterial channel ELIC recapitulates several properties of eukaryotic pLGICs, including activation by the neurotransmitter GABA and binding and modulation by lipids, offering a simplified model system for structure-function relationship studies. In this study, functional effects of noncanonical amino acid substitution of a potential lipid-interacting residue (W206) at the top of the M1-helix, combined with detergent interactions observed in recent X-ray structures, are consistent with this region being the location of a lipid-binding site on the outward face of the ELIC transmembrane domain. Coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealed preferential binding of lipids containing a positive charge, particularly involving interactions with residue W206, consistent with cation-π binding. Polar contacts from other regions of the protein, particularly M3 residue Q264, further support lipid binding via headgroup ester linkages. Aromatic residues were identified at analogous sites in a handful of eukaryotic family members, including the human GABAA receptor ε subunit, suggesting conservation of relevant interactions in other evolutionary branches. Further mutagenesis experiments indicated that mutations at this site in ε-containing GABAA receptors can change the apparent affinity of the agonist response to GABA, suggesting a potential role of this site in channel gating. In conclusion, this work details type-specific lipid interactions, which adds to our growing understanding of how lipids modulate pLGICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sridhar
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sarah C R Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Diletta Pasini
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aujan Mehregan
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Brams
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rebecca J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Chris Ulens
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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11
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Zhang YW, Li YJ, Lu PP, Dai GC, Chen XX, Rui YF. The modulatory effect and implication of gut microbiota on osteoporosis: from the perspective of "brain-gut-bone" axis. Food Funct 2021; 12:5703-5718. [PMID: 34048514 DOI: 10.1039/d0fo03468a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis (OP) is a kind of systemic metabolic disease characterized by decreased bone mass and destruction of the bone microstructure. In recent years, it has become an expected research trend to explore the cross-linking relationship in the pathogenesis process of OP so as to develop reasonable and effective intervention strategies. With the further development of intestinal microbiology and the profound exploration of the gut microbiota (GM), it has been further revealed that the "brain-gut" axis may be a potential target for the bone, thereby affecting the occurrence and progression of OP. Hence, based on the concept of "brain-gut-bone" axis, we look forward to deeply discussing and summarizing the cross-linking relationship of OP in the next three parts, including the "brain-bone" connection, "gut-bone" connection, and "brain-gut" connection, so as to provide an emerging thought for the prevention strategies and mechanism researches of OP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Wei Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying-Juan Li
- Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Department of Geriatrics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pan-Pan Lu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guang-Chun Dai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang-Xu Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yun-Feng Rui
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for Geriatric Hip Fracture Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Elephants in the Dark: Insights and Incongruities in Pentameric Ligand-gated Ion Channel Models. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167128. [PMID: 34224751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) comprises key players in electrochemical signal transduction across evolution, including historic model systems for receptor allostery and targets for drug development. Accordingly, structural studies of these channels have steadily increased, and now approach 250 depositions in the protein data bank. This review contextualizes currently available structures in the pLGIC family, focusing on morphology, ligand binding, and gating in three model subfamilies: the prokaryotic channel GLIC, the cation-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and the anion-selective glycine receptor. Common themes include the challenging process of capturing and annotating channels in distinct functional states; partially conserved gating mechanisms, including remodeling at the extracellular/transmembrane-domain interface; and diversity beyond the protein level, arising from posttranslational modifications, ligands, lipids, and signaling partners. Interpreting pLGIC structures can be compared to describing an elephant in the dark, relying on touch alone to comprehend the many parts of a monumental beast: each structure represents a snapshot in time under specific experimental conditions, which must be integrated with further structure, function, and simulations data to build a comprehensive model, and understand how one channel may fundamentally differ from another.
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13
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Marcovich I, Moglie MJ, Carpaneto Freixas AE, Trigila AP, Franchini LF, Plazas PV, Lipovsek M, Elgoyhen AB. Distinct Evolutionary Trajectories of Neuronal and Hair Cell Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:1070-1089. [PMID: 31821508 PMCID: PMC7086180 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion and pruning of ion channel families has played a crucial role in the evolution of nervous systems. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels with distinct roles in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, the central and peripheral nervous system, and the inner ear. Remarkably, the complement of nAChR subunits has been highly conserved along vertebrate phylogeny. To ask whether the different subtypes of receptors underwent different evolutionary trajectories, we performed a comprehensive analysis of vertebrate nAChRs coding sequences, mouse single-cell expression patterns, and comparative functional properties of receptors from three representative tetrapod species. We found significant differences between hair cell and neuronal receptors that were most likely shaped by the differences in coexpression patterns and coassembly rules of component subunits. Thus, neuronal nAChRs showed high degree of coding sequence conservation, coupled to greater coexpression variance and conservation of functional properties across tetrapod clades. In contrast, hair cell α9α10 nAChRs exhibited greater sequence divergence, narrow coexpression pattern, and great variability of functional properties across species. These results point to differential substrates for random change within the family of gene paralogs that relate to the segregated roles of nAChRs in synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Marcovich
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo J Moglie
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín E Carpaneto Freixas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anabella P Trigila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia F Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola V Plazas
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Lipovsek
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - 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), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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14
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Zhou W, Guan Z. Ion Channels in Anesthesia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1349:401-413. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-4254-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Seoane-Collazo P, Diéguez C, Nogueiras R, Rahmouni K, Fernández-Real JM, López M. Nicotine' actions on energy balance: Friend or foe? Pharmacol Ther 2020; 219:107693. [PMID: 32987056 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has reached pandemic proportions and is associated with severe comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hepatic and cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancer types. However, the therapeutic options to treat obesity are limited. Extensive epidemiological studies have shown a strong relationship between smoking and body weight, with non-smokers weighing more than smokers at any age. Increased body weight after smoking cessation is a major factor that interferes with their attempts to quit smoking. Numerous controlled studies in both humans and rodents have reported that nicotine, the main bioactive component of tobacco, exerts a marked anorectic action. Furthermore, nicotine is also known to modulate energy expenditure, by regulating the thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), as well as glucose homeostasis. Many of these actions occur at central level, by controlling the activity of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems such as proopiomelanocortin (POMC), or energy sensors such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, direct impact of nicotine on metabolic tissues, such as BAT, WAT, liver and pancreas has also been described. Here, we review the actions of nicotine on energy balance. The relevance of this interaction is interesting, because considering the restricted efficiency of obesity treatments, a possible complementary approach may focus on compounds with known pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacological actions, such as nicotine or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Seoane-Collazo
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain; International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
| | - Kamal Rahmouni
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - José Manuel Fernández-Real
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain; Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition (UDEN), Hospital of Girona "Dr Josep Trueta" and Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Miguel López
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain.
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16
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Fourati Z, Sauguet L, Delarue M. Structural evidence for the binding of monocarboxylates and dicarboxylates at pharmacologically relevant extracellular sites of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2020; 76:668-675. [PMID: 32627739 PMCID: PMC7336382 DOI: 10.1107/s205979832000772x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
GLIC is a bacterial homologue of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) that mediate the fast chemical neurotransmission of nerve signalling in eukaryotes. Because the activation and allosteric modulation features are conserved among prokaryotic and eukaryotic pLGICs, GLIC is commonly used as a model to study the allosteric transition and structural pharmacology of pLGICs. It has previously been shown that GLIC is inhibited by some carboxylic acid derivatives. Here, experimental evidence for carboxylate binding to GLIC is provided by solving its X-ray structures with a series of monocarboxylate and dicarboxylate derivatives, and two carboxylate-binding sites are described: (i) the `intersubunit' site that partially overlaps the canonical pLGIC orthosteric site and (ii) the `intrasubunit' vestibular site, which is only occupied by a subset of the described derivatives. While the intersubunit site is widely conserved in all pLGICs, the intrasubunit site is only conserved in cationic eukaryotic pLGICs. This study sheds light on the importance of these two extracellular modulation sites as potential drug targets in pLGICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaineb Fourati
- Unité Dynamique Structurale des Macromolécules, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR3528, Biologie Structurale des Processus Cellulaires et Maladies Infectieuses, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Sauguet
- Unité Dynamique Structurale des Macromolécules, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR3528, Biologie Structurale des Processus Cellulaires et Maladies Infectieuses, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Marc Delarue
- Unité Dynamique Structurale des Macromolécules, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR3528, Biologie Structurale des Processus Cellulaires et Maladies Infectieuses, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
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17
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Structural basis for allosteric transitions of a multidomain pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:13437-13446. [PMID: 32482881 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922701117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are allosteric receptors that mediate rapid electrochemical signal transduction in the animal nervous system through the opening of an ion pore upon binding of neurotransmitters. Orthologs have been found and characterized in prokaryotes and they display highly similar structure-function relationships to eukaryotic pLGICs; however, they often encode greater architectural diversity involving additional amino-terminal domains (NTDs). Here we report structural, functional, and normal-mode analysis of two conformational states of a multidomain pLGIC, called DeCLIC, from a Desulfofustis deltaproteobacterium, including a periplasmic NTD fused to the conventional ligand-binding domain (LBD). X-ray structure determination revealed an NTD consisting of two jelly-roll domains interacting across each subunit interface. Binding of Ca2+ at the LBD subunit interface was associated with a closed transmembrane pore, with resolved monovalent cations intracellular to the hydrophobic gate. Accordingly, DeCLIC-injected oocytes conducted currents only upon depletion of extracellular Ca2+; these were insensitive to quaternary ammonium block. Furthermore, DeCLIC crystallized in the absence of Ca2+ with a wide-open pore and remodeled periplasmic domains, including increased contacts between the NTD and classic LBD agonist-binding sites. Functional, structural, and dynamical properties of DeCLIC paralleled those of sTeLIC, a pLGIC from another symbiotic prokaryote. Based on these DeCLIC structures, we would reclassify the previous structure of bacterial ELIC (the first high-resolution structure of a pLGIC) as a "locally closed" conformation. Taken together, structures of DeCLIC in multiple conformations illustrate dramatic conformational state transitions and diverse regulatory mechanisms available to ion channels in pLGICs, particularly involving Ca2+ modulation and periplasmic NTDs.
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18
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Brams M, Govaerts C, Kambara K, Price KL, Spurny R, Gharpure A, Pardon E, Evans GL, Bertrand D, Lummis SCR, Hibbs RE, Steyaert J, Ulens C. Modulation of the Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel (ELIC) and the 5-HT 3 receptor via a common vestibule site. eLife 2020; 9:e51511. [PMID: 31990273 PMCID: PMC7015668 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) or Cys-loop receptors are involved in fast synaptic signaling in the nervous system. Allosteric modulators bind to sites that are remote from the neurotransmitter binding site, but modify coupling of ligand binding to channel opening. In this study, we developed nanobodies (single domain antibodies), which are functionally active as allosteric modulators, and solved co-crystal structures of the prokaryote (Erwinia) channel ELIC bound either to a positive or a negative allosteric modulator. The allosteric nanobody binding sites partially overlap with those of small molecule modulators, including a vestibule binding site that is not accessible in some pLGICs. Using mutagenesis, we extrapolate the functional importance of the vestibule binding site to the human 5-HT3 receptor, suggesting a common mechanism of modulation in this protein and ELIC. Thus we identify key elements of allosteric binding sites, and extend drug design possibilities in pLGICs with an accessible vestibule site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke Brams
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Cedric Govaerts
- Laboratory for the Structure and Function of Biological Membranes, Center for Structural Biology and Bioinformatics, Université libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | | | - Kerry L Price
- Department of Biochemistry, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Radovan Spurny
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anant Gharpure
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Els Pardon
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIBBrusselsBelgium
| | - Genevieve L Evans
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Sarah CR Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIBBrusselsBelgium
| | - Chris Ulens
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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19
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Cryo-EM structures of a lipid-sensitive pentameric ligand-gated ion channel embedded in a phosphatidylcholine-only bilayer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:1788-1798. [PMID: 31911476 PMCID: PMC6983364 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906823117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The lipid dependence of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from the Torpedo electric organ has long been recognized, and one of the most consistent experimental observations is that, when reconstituted in membranes formed by zwitterionic phospholipids alone, exposure to agonist fails to elicit ion-flux activity. More recently, it has been suggested that the bacterial homolog ELIC (Erwinia chrysanthemi ligand-gated ion channel) has a similar lipid sensitivity. As a first step toward the elucidation of the structural basis of this phenomenon, we solved the structures of ELIC embedded in palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine- (POPC-) only nanodiscs in both the unliganded (4.1-Å resolution) and agonist-bound (3.3 Å) states using single-particle cryoelectron microscopy. Comparison of the two structural models revealed that the largest differences occur at the level of loop C-at the agonist-binding sites-and the loops at the interface between the extracellular and transmembrane domains (ECD and TMD, respectively). On the other hand, the transmembrane pore is occluded in a remarkably similar manner in both structures. A straightforward interpretation of these findings is that POPC-only membranes frustrate the ECD-TMD coupling in such a way that the "conformational wave" of liganded-receptor gating takes place in the ECD and the interfacial M2-M3 linker but fails to penetrate the membrane and propagate into the TMD. Furthermore, analysis of the structural models and molecular simulations suggested that the higher affinity for agonists characteristic of the open- and desensitized-channel conformations results, at least in part, from the tighter confinement of the ligand to its binding site; this limits the ligand's fluctuations, and thus delays its escape into bulk solvent.
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20
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Kwon S, Jung JH, Cho S, Moon KD, Lee J. Dieckol is a natural positive allosteric modulator of GABAA-benzodiazepine receptors and enhances inhibitory synaptic activity in cultured neurons. Nutr Neurosci 2019; 24:835-842. [DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2019.1681089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sangoh Kwon
- S&D Research and Development Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Major in Food Biotechnology, School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hoon Jung
- Research group of Functional Food Materials, Division of Functional Food, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Suengmok Cho
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Deog Moon
- Major in Food Biotechnology, School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaekwang Lee
- Research group of Functional Food Materials, Division of Functional Food, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
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21
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Fernández M, Rico-Jiménez M, Ortega Á, Daddaoua A, García García AI, Martín-Mora D, Torres NM, Tajuelo A, Matilla MA, Krell T. Determination of Ligand Profiles for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Solute Binding Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205156. [PMID: 31627455 PMCID: PMC6829864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Solute binding proteins (SBPs) form a heterogeneous protein family that is found in all kingdoms of life. In bacteria, the ligand-loaded forms bind to transmembrane transporters providing the substrate. We present here the SBP repertoire of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 that is composed of 98 proteins. Bioinformatic predictions indicate that many of these proteins have a redundant ligand profile such as 27 SBPs for proteinogenic amino acids, 13 proteins for spermidine/putrescine, or 9 proteins for quaternary amines. To assess the precision of these bioinformatic predictions, we have purified 17 SBPs that were subsequently submitted to high-throughput ligand screening approaches followed by isothermal titration calorimetry studies, resulting in the identification of ligands for 15 of them. Experimentation revealed that PA0222 was specific for γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), DppA2 for tripeptides, DppA3 for dipeptides, CysP for thiosulphate, OpuCC for betaine, and AotJ for arginine. Furthermore, RbsB bound D-ribose and D-allose, ModA bound molybdate, tungstate, and chromate, whereas AatJ recognized aspartate and glutamate. The majority of experimentally identified ligands were found to be chemoattractants. Data show that the ligand class recognized by SPBs can be predicted with confidence using bioinformatic methods, but experimental work is necessary to identify the precise ligand profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Fernández
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
- present address: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Miriam Rico-Jiménez
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Álvaro Ortega
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Abdelali Daddaoua
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana Isabel García García
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - David Martín-Mora
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Noel Mesa Torres
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana Tajuelo
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Miguel A Matilla
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
| | - Tino Krell
- Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain.
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22
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Hénault CM, Govaerts C, Spurny R, Brams M, Estrada-Mondragon A, Lynch J, Bertrand D, Pardon E, Evans GL, Woods K, Elberson BW, Cuello LG, Brannigan G, Nury H, Steyaert J, Baenziger JE, Ulens C. A lipid site shapes the agonist response of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:1156-1164. [PMID: 31591563 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipids are key components of cellular membranes and are emerging as important functional regulators of different membrane proteins, including pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). Here, we take advantage of the prokaryote channel ELIC (Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel) as a model to understand the determinants of phospholipid interactions in this family of receptors. A high-resolution structure of ELIC in a lipid-bound state reveals a phospholipid site at the lower half of pore-forming transmembrane helices M1 and M4 and at a nearby site for neurosteroids, cholesterol or general anesthetics. This site is shaped by an M4-helix kink and a Trp-Arg-Pro triad that is highly conserved in eukaryote GABAA/C and glycine receptors. A combined approach reveals that M4 is intrinsically flexible and that M4 deletions or disruptions of the lipid-binding site accelerate desensitization in ELIC, suggesting that lipid interactions shape the agonist response. Our data offer a structural context for understanding lipid modulation in pLGICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille M Hénault
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cedric Govaerts
- Laboratory for the Structure and Function of Biological Membranes, Center for Structural Biology and Bioinformatics, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Radovan Spurny
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Brams
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Joseph Lynch
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Els Pardon
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Genevieve L Evans
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristen Woods
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA.,Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Benjamin W Elberson
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, TTUHSC, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Luis G Cuello
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, TTUHSC, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Grace Brannigan
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA.,Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Hugues Nury
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - John E Baenziger
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Chris Ulens
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Oliveira ASF, Shoemark DK, Campello HR, Wonnacott S, Gallagher T, Sessions RB, Mulholland AJ. Identification of the Initial Steps in Signal Transduction in the α4β2 Nicotinic Receptor: Insights from Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Simulations. Structure 2019; 27:1171-1183.e3. [PMID: 31130483 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulate synaptic transmission in the nervous system. These receptors have emerged as therapeutic targets in drug discovery for treating several conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, pain, and nicotine addiction. In this in silico study, we use a combination of equilibrium and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to map dynamic and structural changes induced by nicotine in the human α4β2 nAChR. They reveal a striking pattern of communication between the extracellular binding pockets and the transmembrane domains (TMDs) and show the sequence of conformational changes associated with the initial steps in this process. We propose a general mechanism for signal transduction for Cys-loop receptors: the mechanistic steps for communication proceed firstly through loop C in the principal subunit, and are subsequently transmitted, gradually and cumulatively, to loop F of the complementary subunit, and then to the TMDs through the M2-M3 linker.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sofia F Oliveira
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1DT, UK; Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | | | - Hugo Rego Campello
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Susan Wonnacott
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Timothy Gallagher
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | | | - Adrian J Mulholland
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
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24
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Abstract
The pentameric γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors are ion channels activated by ligands, which intervene in the rapid inhibitory transmission in the mammalian CNS. Due to their rich pharmacology and therapeutic potential, it is essential to understand their structure and function thoroughly. This deep characterization was hampered by the lack of experimental structural information for many years. Thus, computational techniques have been extensively combined with experimental data, in order to undertake the study of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors and their interaction with drugs. Here, we review the exciting journey made to assess the structures of these receptors and outline major outcomes. Finally, we discuss the brand new structure of the α1β2γ2 subtype and the amazing advances it brings to the field.
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25
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Spirova EN, Ivanov IA, Kasheverov IE, Kudryavtsev DS, Shelukhina IV, Garifulina AI, Son LV, Lummis SCR, Malca-Garcia GR, Bussmann RW, Hennig L, Giannis A, Tsetlin VI. Curare alkaloids from Matis Dart Poison: Comparison with d-tubocurarine in interactions with nicotinic, 5-HT3 serotonin and GABAA receptors. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210182. [PMID: 30608952 PMCID: PMC6319706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several novel bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BBIQAs) have recently been isolated from a Matis tribe arrow poison and shown by two-electrode voltage-clamp to inhibit mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Here, using radioligand assay with Aplysia californica AChBP and radioiodinated α-bungarotoxin ([125I]-αBgt), we show that BBIQA1, BBIQA2, and d-tubocurarine (d-TC) have similar affinities to nAChR orthosteric site. However, a competition with [125I]-αBgt for binding to the Torpedo californica muscle-type nAChR revealed that BBIQAs1, 2, and 3 are less potent (IC50s = 26.3, 8.75, and 17.0 μM) than d-TC (IC50 = 0.39 μM), while with α7 nAChR in GH4C1 cells, BBIQA1 was less potent that d-TC (IC50s = 162 μM and 7.77 μM, respectively), but BBIQA2 was similar (IC50 = 5.52 μM). In inhibiting the Ca2+ responses induced by acetylcholine in Neuro2a cells expressing the mouse adult α1β1εδ nAChR or human α7 nAChR, BBIQAs1 and 2 had similar potencies to d-TC (IC50s in the range 0.75-3.08 μM). Our data suggest that BBIQA1 and BBIQA2 can inhibit adult muscle α1β1εδ nAChR by both competitive and noncompetitive mechanisms. Further experiments on neuronal α3β2, α4β2, and α9α10 nAChRs, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, showed that similar potencies for BBIQAs1, 2, and d-TC. With α3β2γ2 GABAAR currents were almost completely inhibited by d-TC at a high (100 μM) concentration, but BBIQAs1 and 2 were less potent (only 40-50% inhibition), whereas in competition with Alexa Fluor 546-α-cobratoxin for binding to α1β3γ2 GABAAR in Neuro2a cells, d-TC and these analogs had comparable affinities. Especially interesting effects of BBIQAs1 and 2 in comparison with d-TC were observed for 5-HT3AR: BBIQA1 and BBIQA2 were 5- and 87-fold less potent than d-TC (IC50 = 22.63 nM). Thus, our results reveal that these BBIQAs differ from d-TC in their potencies towards certain Cys-loop receptors, and we suggest that understanding the reasons behind this might be useful for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina N. Spirova
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A. Ivanov
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor E. Kasheverov
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis S. Kudryavtsev
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Shelukhina
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra I. Garifulina
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lina V. Son
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sarah C. R. Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gonzalo R. Malca-Garcia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | | | - Lothar Hennig
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Fakultät für Chemie und Mineralogie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Athanassios Giannis
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Fakultät für Chemie und Mineralogie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Victor I. Tsetlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- PhysBio of MEPhI, Moscow, Russia
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26
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Gottschald Chiodi C, Baptista-Hon DT, Hunter WN, Hales TG. Amino acid substitutions in the human homomeric β 3 GABA A receptor that enable activation by GABA. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2375-2385. [PMID: 30545943 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors (GABAARs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that mediate synaptic inhibition throughout the central nervous system. The α1β2γ2 receptor is the major subtype in the brain; GABA binds at the β2(+)α1(-) interface. The structure of the homomeric β3 GABAAR, which is not activated by GABA, has been solved. Recently, four additional heteromeric structures were reported, highlighting key residues required for agonist binding. Here, we used a protein engineering method, taking advantage of knowledge of the key binding residues, to create a β3(+)α1(-) heteromeric interface in the homomeric human β3 GABAAR that enables GABA-mediated activation. Substitutions were made in the complementary side of the orthosteric binding site in loop D (Y87F and Q89R), loop E (G152T), and loop G (N66D and A70T). The Q89R and G152T combination enabled low-potency activation by GABA and potentiation by propofol but impaired direct activation by higher propofol concentrations. At higher concentrations, GABA inhibited gating of β3 GABAAR variants containing Y87F, Q89R, and G152T. Reversion of Phe87 to tyrosine abolished GABA's inhibitory effect and partially recovered direct activation by propofol. This tyrosine is conserved in homomeric GABAARs and in the Erwinia chrysanthemi ligand-gated ion channel and may be essential for the absence of an inhibitory effect of GABA on homomeric channels. This work demonstrated that only two substitutions, Q89R and G152T, in β3 GABAAR are sufficient to reconstitute GABA-mediated activation and suggests that Tyr87 prevents inhibitory effects of GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Gottschald Chiodi
- From Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom and
| | - Daniel T Baptista-Hon
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - William N Hunter
- From Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom and
| | - Tim G Hales
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom
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27
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Electrostatics, proton sensor, and networks governing the gating transition in GLIC, a proton-gated pentameric ion channel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E12172-E12181. [PMID: 30541892 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813378116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) from Gloeobacter violaceus (GLIC) has provided insightful structure-function views on the permeation process and the allosteric regulation of the pLGICs family. However, GLIC is activated by pH instead of a neurotransmitter and a clear picture for the gating transition driven by protons is still lacking. We used an electrostatics-based (finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann/Debye-Hückel) method to predict the acidities of all aspartic and glutamic residues in GLIC, both in its active and closed-channel states. Those residues with a predicted pKa close to the experimental pH50 were individually replaced by alanine and the resulting variant receptors were titrated by ATR/FTIR spectroscopy. E35, located in front of loop F far away from the orthosteric site, appears as the key proton sensor with a measured individual pKa at 5.8. In the GLIC open conformation, E35 is connected through a water-mediated hydrogen-bond network first to the highly conserved electrostatic triad R192-D122-D32 and then to Y197-Y119-K248, both located at the extracellular domain-transmembrane domain interface. The second triad controls a cluster of hydrophobic side chains from the M2-M3 loop that is remodeled during the gating transition. We solved 12 crystal structures of GLIC mutants, 6 of them being trapped in an agonist-bound but nonconductive conformation. Combined with previous data, this reveals two branches of a continuous network originating from E35 that reach, independently, the middle transmembrane region of two adjacent subunits. We conclude that GLIC's gating proceeds by making use of loop F, already known as an allosteric site in other pLGICs, instead of the classic orthosteric site.
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28
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Polovinkin L, Hassaine G, Perot J, Neumann E, Jensen AA, Lefebvre SN, Corringer PJ, Neyton J, Chipot C, Dehez F, Schoehn G, Nury H. Conformational transitions of the serotonin 5-HT 3 receptor. Nature 2018; 563:275-279. [PMID: 30401839 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0672-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The serotonin 5-HT3 receptor is a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC). It belongs to a large family of receptors that function as allosteric signal transducers across the plasma membrane1,2; upon binding of neurotransmitter molecules to extracellular sites, the receptors undergo complex conformational transitions that result in transient opening of a pore permeable to ions. 5-HT3 receptors are therapeutic targets for emesis and nausea, irritable bowel syndrome and depression3. In spite of several reported pLGIC structures4-8, no clear unifying view has emerged on the conformational transitions involved in channel gating. Here we report four cryo-electron microscopy structures of the full-length mouse 5-HT3 receptor in complex with the anti-emetic drug tropisetron, with serotonin, and with serotonin and a positive allosteric modulator, at resolutions ranging from 3.2 Å to 4.5 Å. The tropisetron-bound structure resembles those obtained with an inhibitory nanobody5 or without ligand9. The other structures include an 'open' state and two ligand-bound states. We present computational insights into the dynamics of the structures, their pore hydration and free-energy profiles, and characterize movements at the gate level and cation accessibility in the pore. Together, these data deepen our understanding of the gating mechanism of pLGICs and capture ligand binding in unprecedented detail.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jonathan Perot
- CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Solène N Lefebvre
- Channel Receptors Unit, CNRS UMR 3571, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Jacques Neyton
- CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France.
| | - Christophe Chipot
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, Nancy, France.,Laboratoire International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.,Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Francois Dehez
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, Nancy, France.,Laboratoire International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Guy Schoehn
- CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Hugues Nury
- CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France.
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29
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Frett B, McConnell N, Kharbanda A, Naresh G, Rounseville B, Warner C, Chang J, Debolske N, Li HY. Selective, C-3 Friedel-Crafts acylation to generate functionally diverse, acetylated Imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine derivatives. Tetrahedron 2018; 74:4592-4600. [PMID: 30344351 PMCID: PMC6192254 DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2018.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Carbon-carbon bonds are integral for pharmaceutical discovery and development. Frequently, C-C bond reactions utilize expensive catalyst/ligand combinations and/or are low yielding, which can increase time and expenditures in pharmaceutical development. To enhance C-C bond formation protocols, we developed a highly efficient, selective, and combinatorially applicable Friedel-Crafts acylation to acetylate the C-3 position of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. The reaction, catalyzed by aluminum chloride, is both cost effective and more combinatorial friendly compared to acetylation reactions requiring multiple, stoichiometric equivalents of AlCl3. The protocol has broad application in the construction of acetylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with an extensive substrate scope. All starting materials are common and the reaction requires inexpensive, conventional heating methods for adaptation in any laboratory. Further, the synthesized compounds are predicted to possess GABA activity through a validated, GABA binding model. The developed method serves as a superior route to generate C-3 acetylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine building-blocks for combinatorial synthetic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Nicholas McConnell
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Anupreet Kharbanda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Gunaganti Naresh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Benjamin Rounseville
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Christina Warner
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - John Chang
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Natalie Debolske
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Hong-yu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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30
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Olsen RW. GABA A receptor: Positive and negative allosteric modulators. Neuropharmacology 2018; 136:10-22. [PMID: 29407219 PMCID: PMC6027637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission and the gene products involved were discovered during the mid-twentieth century. Historically, myriad existing nervous system drugs act as positive and negative allosteric modulators of these proteins, making GABA a major component of modern neuropharmacology, and suggesting that many potential drugs will be found that share these targets. Although some of these drugs act on proteins involved in synthesis, degradation, and membrane transport of GABA, the GABA receptors Type A (GABAAR) and Type B (GABABR) are the targets of the great majority of GABAergic drugs. This discovery is due in no small part to Professor Norman Bowery. Whereas the topic of GABABR is appropriately emphasized in this special issue, Norman Bowery also made many insights into GABAAR pharmacology, the topic of this article. GABAAR are members of the ligand-gated ion channel receptor superfamily, a chloride channel family of a dozen or more heteropentameric subtypes containing 19 possible different subunits. These subtypes show different brain regional and subcellular localization, age-dependent expression, and potential for plastic changes with experience including drug exposure. Not only are GABAAR the targets of agonist depressants and antagonist convulsants, but most GABAAR drugs act at other (allosteric) binding sites on the GABAAR proteins. Some anxiolytic and sedative drugs, like benzodiazepine and related drugs, act on GABAAR subtype-dependent extracellular domain sites. General anesthetics including alcohols and neurosteroids act at GABAAR subunit-interface trans-membrane sites. Ethanol at high anesthetic doses acts on GABAAR subtype-dependent trans-membrane domain sites. Ethanol at low intoxicating doses acts at GABAAR subtype-dependent extracellular domain sites. Thus GABAAR subtypes possess pharmacologically specific receptor binding sites for a large group of different chemical classes of clinically important neuropharmacological agents. This article is part of the "Special Issue Dedicated to Norman G. Bowery".
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Olsen
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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31
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Mosesso R, Dougherty DA, Lummis SCR. Probing Proline Residues in the Prokaryotic Ligand-Gated Ion Channel, ELIC. Biochemistry 2018; 57:4036-4043. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Mosesso
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical 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
| | - Sarah C. R. Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
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32
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Price KL, Lummis SCR. Characterization of a 5-HT 3-ELIC Chimera Revealing the Sites of Action of Modulators. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1409-1415. [PMID: 29508995 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cys-loop receptors are major sites of action for many important therapeutically active compounds, but the sites of action of those that do not act at the orthosteric binding site or at the pore are mostly poorly understood. To help understand these, we here describe a chimeric receptor consisting of the extracellular domain of the 5-HT3A receptor and the transmembrane domain of a prokaryotic homologue, ELIC. Alterations of some residues at the coupling interface are required for function, but the resulting receptor expresses well and responds to 5-HT with a lower EC50 (0.34 μM) than that of the 5-HT3A receptor. Partial agonists and competitive antagonists of the 5-HT3A receptor activate and inhibit the chimera as expected. Examination of a range of receptor modulators, including ethanol, thymol, 5-hydroxyindole, and 5-chloroindole, which can affect the 5-HT3A receptor and ELIC, suggest that these compounds act via the transmembrane domain, except for 5-hydroxyindole, which can compete with 5-HT at the orthosteric binding site. The data throw further light on the importance of coupling interface in Cys-loop receptors and provide a platform for examining the mechanism of action of compounds that act in the extracellular domain of the 5-HT3A receptor and the transmembrane domain of ELIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry L. Price
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, U.K
| | - Sarah C. R. Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, U.K
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33
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Koch I, Schäfer T. Protein super-secondary structure and quaternary structure topology: theoretical description and application. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2018; 50:134-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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34
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Amundarain MJ, Viso JF, Zamarreño F, Giorgetti A, Costabel M. Orthosteric and benzodiazepine cavities of the α 1β 2γ 2 GABA A receptor: insights from experimentally validated in silico methods. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018; 37:1597-1615. [PMID: 29633901 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1462733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
γ-aminobutyric acid-type A (GABAA) receptors mediate fast synaptic inhibition in the central nervous system of mammals. They are modulated via several sites by numerous compounds, which include GABA, benzodiazepines, ethanol, neurosteroids and anaesthetics among others. Due to their potential as targets of novel drugs, a detailed knowledge of their structure-function relationships is needed. Here, we present the model of the α1β2γ2 subtype GABAA receptor in the APO state and in complex with selected ligands, including agonists, antagonists and allosteric modulators. The model is based on the crystallographic structure of the human β3 homopentamer GABAA receptor. The complexes were refined using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. This allowed a broad description of the binding modes and the detection of important interactions in agreement with experimental information. From the best of our knowledge, this is the only model of the α1β2γ2 GABAA receptor that represents altogether the desensitized state of the channel and comprehensively describes the interactions of ligands of the orthosteric and benzodiazepines binding sites in agreement with the available experimental data. Furthermore, it is able to explain small differences regarding the binding of a variety of chemically divergent ligands. Finally, this new model may pave the way for the design of focused experimental studies that will allow a deeper description of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Julia Amundarain
- a Departamento de Física, Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR) , Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET , Bahía Blanca , Argentina
| | - Juan Francisco Viso
- a Departamento de Física, Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR) , Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET , Bahía Blanca , Argentina
| | - Fernando Zamarreño
- a Departamento de Física, Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR) , Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET , Bahía Blanca , Argentina
| | - Alejandro Giorgetti
- b Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Department of Biotechnology , University of Verona , Verona , Italy.,c Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Computational Biomedicine, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9 , Forschungszentrum Jülich , Jülich , Germany
| | - Marcelo Costabel
- a Departamento de Física, Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR) , Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), CONICET , Bahía Blanca , Argentina
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35
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Crystal structures of a pentameric ion channel gated by alkaline pH show a widely open pore and identify a cavity for modulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E3959-E3968. [PMID: 29632192 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1717700115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) constitute a widespread class of ion channels, present in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Upon binding of their agonists in the extracellular domain, the transmembrane pore opens, allowing ions to go through, via a gating mechanism that can be modulated by a number of drugs. Even though high-resolution structural information on pLGICs has increased in a spectacular way in recent years, both in bacterial and in eukaryotic systems, the structure of the open channel conformation of some intensively studied receptors whose structures are known in a nonactive (closed) form, such as Erwinia chrysanthemi pLGIC (ELIC), is still lacking. Here we describe a gammaproteobacterial pLGIC from an endo-symbiont of Tevnia jerichonana (sTeLIC), whose sequence is closely related to the pLGIC from ELIC with 28% identity. We provide an X-ray crystallographic structure at 2.3 Å in an active conformation, where the pore is found to be more open than any current conformation found for pLGICs. In addition, two charged restriction rings are present in the vestibule. Functional characterization shows sTeLIC to be a cationic channel activated at alkaline pH. It is inhibited by divalent cations, but not by quaternary ammonium ions, such as tetramethylammonium. Additionally, we found that sTeLIC is allosterically potentiated by aromatic amino acids Phe and Trp, as well as their derivatives, such as 4-bromo-cinnamate, whose cocrystal structure reveals a vestibular binding site equivalent to, but more deeply buried than, the one already described for benzodiazepines in ELIC.
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Pluskal T, Weng JK. Natural product modulators of human sensations and mood: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:1592-1637. [PMID: 28933478 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00411g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Humans perceive physical information about the surrounding environment through their senses. This physical information is registered by a collection of highly evolved and finely tuned molecular sensory receptors. A multitude of bioactive, structurally diverse ligands have evolved in nature that bind these molecular receptors. The complex, dynamic interactions between the ligands and the receptors lead to changes in our sensory perception or mood. Here, we review our current knowledge of natural products and their derived analogues that interact specifically with human G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, and nuclear hormone receptors to modulate the sensations of taste, smell, temperature, pain, and itch, as well as mood and its associated behaviour. We discuss the molecular and structural mechanisms underlying such interactions and highlight cases where subtle differences in natural product chemistry produce drastic changes in functional outcome. We also discuss cases where a single compound triggers complex sensory or behavioural changes in humans through multiple mechanistic targets. Finally, we comment on the therapeutic potential of the reviewed area of research and draw attention to recent technological developments in genomics, metabolomics, and metabolic engineering that allow us to tap the medicinal properties of natural product chemistry without taxing nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Pluskal
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Chen Q, Xu Y, Tang P. X-Ray Crystallographic Studies for Revealing Binding Sites of General Anesthetics in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels. Methods Enzymol 2018; 603:21-47. [PMID: 29673527 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
X-ray crystallography is a powerful tool in structural biology and can offer insight into structured-based understanding of general anesthetic action on various relevant molecular targets, including pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). In this chapter, we outline the procedures for expression and purification of pLGICs. Optimization of crystallization conditions, especially to achieve high-resolution structures of pLGICs bound with general anesthetics, is also presented. Case studies of pLGICs bound with the volatile general anesthetic isoflurane, 2-bromoethanol, and the intravenous general anesthetic ketamine are revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Chen
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yan Xu
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pei Tang
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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Fahrenbach VS, Bertaccini EJ. Insights Into Receptor-Based Anesthetic Pharmacophores and Anesthetic-Protein Interactions. Methods Enzymol 2018; 602:77-95. [PMID: 29588042 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
General anesthetics are thought to allosterically bind and potentiate the inhibitory currents of the GABAA receptor through drug-specific binding sites. The physiologically relevant isoform of the GABAA receptor is a transmembrane ligand-gated ion channel consisting of five subunits (γ-α-β-α-β linkage) symmetrically arranged around a central chloride-conducting pore. Although the exact molecular structure of this heteropentameric GABAA receptor remains unknown, molecular modeling has allowed significant advancements in understanding anesthetic binding and action. Using the open-channel conformations of the homologous glycine and glutamate-gated chloride receptors as templates, a homology model of the GABAA receptor was constructed using the Discovery Studio computational chemistry software suite. Consensus structural alignment of the homology templates allowed for the construction of a three-dimensional heteropentameric GABAA receptor model with (γ2-β3-α1-β3-α1) subunit linkage. An anesthetic binding site was identified within the transmembrane α/β intersubunit space by the convergence of three residues shown to be essential for anesthetic activity in previous studies with mutant mice (β3-N265, β3-M286, α1-L232). Propofol derivatives docked into this binding site showed log-linear correlation with experimentally derived GABAA receptor potentiation (EC50) values, suggesting this binding site may be important for receptor activation. The receptor-based pharmacophore was analyzed with surface maps displaying the predominant anesthetic-protein interactions, revealing an amphiphilic binding cavity incorporating the three residues involved in anesthetic modulation. Quantum mechanics calculations of the bonding patterns found in complementary high-resolution receptor systems further elucidated the complex nature of anesthetic-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S Fahrenbach
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States; Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Edward J Bertaccini
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States; Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
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Kuang G, Wang X, Halldin C, Nordberg A, Långström B, Ågren H, Tu Y. Theoretical study of the binding profile of an allosteric modulator NS-1738 with a chimera structure of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 18:28003-28009. [PMID: 27711412 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp02278b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Potentiation of the function of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is believed to provide a possible way for the treatment of cholinergic system dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) are able to augment the peak current response of the endogenous agonist of α7-nAChR by binding to some allosteric sites. In this study, the binding profile of a potent type I PAM, NS-1738, with a chimera structure (termed α7-AChBP) constructed from the extracellular domain of α7-nAChR and an acetylcholine binding protein was investigated with molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and free energy calculation methods. We found that NS-1738 could bind to three allosteric sites of α7-AChBP, namely, the top pocket, the vestibule pocket and the agonist sub-pocket. NS-1738 has moderate binding affinities (-6.76 to -9.15 kcal mol-1) at each allosteric site. The urea group is critical for binding and can form hydrogen-bond interactions with the protein. The bulky trifluoromethyl group also has a great impact on the binding modes and binding affinities. We believe that our study provides valuable insight into the binding profiles of type I PAMs with α7-nAChR and is helpful for the development of novel PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanglin Kuang
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Xu Wang
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Christer Halldin
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Nordberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center of Alzheimer Research, Translational Alzheimer Neurobiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, S-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Långström
- Department of Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Ågren
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Yaoquan Tu
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Pálvölgyi A, Móricz K, Pataki Á, Mihalik B, Gigler G, Megyeri K, Udvari S, Gacsályi I, Antoni FA. Loop F of the GABA A receptor alpha subunit governs GABA potency. Neuropharmacology 2018; 128:408-415. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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41
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Rossokhin AV. Homology modeling of the transmembrane domain of the GABAA receptor. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350917050190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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42
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Delbart F, Brams M, Gruss F, Noppen S, Peigneur S, Boland S, Chaltin P, Brandao-Neto J, von Delft F, Touw WG, Joosten RP, Liekens S, Tytgat J, Ulens C. An allosteric binding site of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor revealed in a humanized acetylcholine-binding protein. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:2534-2545. [PMID: 29237730 PMCID: PMC5818190 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.815316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels and mediate fast excitatory transmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Among the different existing receptor subtypes, the homomeric α7 nAChR has attracted considerable attention because of its possible implication in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia. Allosteric modulators of ligand-gated ion channels are of particular interest as therapeutic agents, as they modulate receptor activity without affecting normal fluctuations of synaptic neurotransmitter release. Here, we used X-ray crystallography and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy of α7-acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP), a humanized chimera of a snail AChBP, which has 71% sequence similarity with the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the human α7 nAChR, to investigate the structural determinants of allosteric modulation. We extended previous observations that an allosteric site located in the vestibule of the receptor offers an attractive target for receptor modulation. We introduced seven additional humanizing mutations in the vestibule-located binding site of AChBP to improve its suitability as a model for studying allosteric binding. Using a fragment-based screening approach, we uncovered an allosteric binding site located near the β8-β9 loop, which critically contributes to coupling ligand binding to channel opening in human α7 nAChR. This work expands our understanding of the topology of allosteric binding sites in AChBP and, by extrapolation, in the human α7 nAChR as determined by electrophysiology measurements. Our insights pave the way for drug design strategies targeting nAChRs involved in ion channel-mediated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Delbart
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Brams
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabian Gruss
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steve Peigneur
- the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandro Boland
- the Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery Leuven, Cistim Leuven vzw, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- the Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery Leuven, Cistim Leuven vzw, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.,the Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery Leuven and Center for Drug Design and Discovery, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Jose Brandao-Neto
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom, and
| | - Frank von Delft
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom, and
| | - Wouter G Touw
- the Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robbie P Joosten
- the Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Liekens
- the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tytgat
- the Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Ulens
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium,
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Ghosh B, Tsao TW, Czajkowski C. A chimeric prokaryotic-eukaryotic pentameric ligand gated ion channel reveals interactions between the extracellular and transmembrane domains shape neurosteroid modulation. Neuropharmacology 2017; 125:343-352. [PMID: 28803966 PMCID: PMC5600277 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are the targets of several clinical and endogenous allosteric modulators including anesthetics and neurosteroids. Molecular mechanisms underlying allosteric drug modulation are poorly understood. Here, we constructed a chimeric pLGIC by fusing the extracellular domain (ECD) of the proton-activated, cation-selective bacterial channel GLIC to the transmembrane domain (TMD) of the human ρ1 chloride-selective GABAAR, and tested the hypothesis that drug actions are regulated locally in the domain that houses its binding site. The chimeric channels were proton-gated and chloride-selective demonstrating the GLIC ECD was functionally coupled to the GABAρ TMD. Channels were blocked by picrotoxin and inhibited by pentobarbital, etomidate and propofol. The point mutation, ρ TMD W328M, conferred positive modulation and direct gating by pentobarbital. The data suggest that the structural machinery mediating general anesthetic modulation resides in the TMD. Proton-activation and neurosteroid modulation of the GLIC-ρ chimeric channels, however, did not simply mimic their respective actions on GLIC and GABAρ revealing that across domain interactions between the ECD and TMD play important roles in determining their actions. Proton-induced current responses were biphasic suggesting that the chimeric channels contain an additional proton sensor. Neurosteroid modulation of the GLIC-ρ chimeric channels by the stereoisomers, 5α-THDOC and 5β-THDOC, were swapped compared to their actions on GABAρ indicating that positive versus negative neurosteroid modulation is not encoded solely in the TMD nor by neurosteroid isomer structure but is dependent on specific interdomain connections between the ECD and TMD. Our data reveal a new mechanism for shaping neurosteroid modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borna Ghosh
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Eli Lilly and Company, 1220 W Morris St, Indianapolis, IN 46221, USA
| | - Tzu-Wei Tsao
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Physiology Training Program, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Cynthia Czajkowski
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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Ion BF, Wells MM, Chen Q, Xu Y, Tang P. Ketamine Inhibition of the Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel GLIC. Biophys J 2017; 113:605-612. [PMID: 28793215 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine inhibits pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), including the bacterial pLGIC from Gloeobacter violaceus (GLIC). The crystal structure of GLIC shows R-ketamine bound to an extracellular intersubunit cavity. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of GLIC in the absence and presence of R- or S-ketamine. No stable binding of S-ketamine in the original cavity was observed in the simulations, largely due to its unfavorable access to residue D154, which provides important electrostatic interactions to stabilize R-ketamine binding. Contrary to the symmetric binding shown in the crystal structure, R-ketamine moved away from some of the binding sites and was bound to GLIC asymmetrically at the end of simulations. The asymmetric binding is consistent with the experimentally measured negative cooperativity of ketamine binding to GLIC. In the presence of R-ketamine, all subunits showed changes in structure and dynamics, irrespective of binding stability; the extracellular intersubunit cavity expanded and intersubunit electrostatic interactions involved in channel activation were altered. R-ketamine binding promoted a conformational shift toward closed GLIC. Conformational changes near the ketamine-binding site were propagated to the interface between the extracellular and transmembrane domains, and further to the pore-lining TM2 through two pathways: pre-TM1 and the β1-β2 loop. Both signaling pathways have been predicted previously using the perturbation-based Markovian transmission model. The study provides a structural and dynamics basis for the inhibitory modulation of ketamine on pLGICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan F Ion
- Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marta M Wells
- Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Qiang Chen
- Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yan Xu
- Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Pei Tang
- Departments of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Nemecz Á, Prevost MS, Menny A, Corringer PJ. Emerging Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels. Neuron 2017; 90:452-70. [PMID: 27151638 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin type 3, γ-amminobutyric acid type A, and glycine receptors are major players of human neuronal communication. They belong to the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels, sharing a highly conserved modular 3D structure. Recently, high-resolution structures of both open- and closed-pore conformations have been solved for a bacterial, an invertebrate, and a vertebrate receptor in this family. These data suggest that a common gating mechanism occurs, coupling neurotransmitter binding to pore opening, but they also pinpoint significant differences among subtypes. In this Review, we summarize the structural and functional data in light of these gating models and speculate about their mechanistic consequences on ion permeation, pathological mutations, as well as functional regulation by orthosteric and allosteric effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Nemecz
- Channel-Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; CNRS UMR 3571, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Marie S Prevost
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Anaïs Menny
- Channel-Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; CNRS UMR 3571, 75015 Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Cellule Pasteur, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Corringer
- Channel-Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; CNRS UMR 3571, 75015 Paris, France.
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Signalling assemblies: the odds of symmetry. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:599-611. [PMID: 28620024 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of proteins into complexes is fundamental to nearly all biological signalling processes. Symmetry is a dominant feature of the structures of experimentally determined protein complexes, observed in the vast majority of homomers and many heteromers. However, some asymmetric structures exist, and asymmetry also often forms transiently, intractable to traditional structure determination methods. Here, we explore the role of protein complex symmetry and asymmetry in cellular signalling, focusing on receptors, transcription factors and transmembrane channels, among other signalling assemblies. We highlight a recurrent tendency for asymmetry to be crucial for signalling function, often being associated with activated states. We conclude with a discussion of how consideration of protein complex symmetry and asymmetry has significant potential implications and applications for pharmacology and human disease.
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47
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Structural mechanisms of activation and desensitization in neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2017; 23:494-502. [PMID: 27273633 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels gated by neurotransmitters are present across metazoans, in which they are essential for brain function, sensation and locomotion; closely related homologs are also found in bacteria. Structures of eukaryotic pentameric cysteine-loop (Cys-loop) receptors and tetrameric ionotropic glutamate receptors in multiple functional states have recently become available. Here, I describe how these studies relate to established ideas regarding receptor activation and how they have enabled decades' worth of functional work to be pieced together, thus allowing previously puzzling aspects of receptor activity to be understood.
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Degani-Katzav N, Gortler R, Weissman M, Paas Y. Mutational Analysis at Intersubunit Interfaces of an Anionic Glutamate Receptor Reveals a Key Interaction Important for Channel Gating by Ivermectin. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:92. [PMID: 28428744 PMCID: PMC5382172 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug ivermectin (IVM) activates and stabilizes an open-channel conformation of invertebrate chloride-selective glutamate receptors (GluClRs), thereby causing a continuous inflow of chloride ions and sustained membrane hyperpolarization. These effects suppress nervous impulses and vital physiological processes in parasitic nematodes. The GluClRs are pentamers. Homopentameric receptors assembled from the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) GluClα (GLC-1) subunit can inherently respond to IVM but not to glutamate (the neurotransmitter). In contrast, heteromeric GluClα/β (GLC-1/GLC-2) assemblies respond to both ligands, independently of each other. Glutamate and IVM bind at the interface between adjacent subunits, far away from each other; glutamate in the extracellular ligand-binding domain, and IVM in the ion-channel pore periphery. To understand the importance of putative intersubunit contacts located outside the glutamate and IVM binding sites, we introduced mutations at intersubunit interfaces, between these two binding-site types. Then, we determined the effect of these mutations on the activation of the heteromeric mutant receptors by glutamate and IVM. Amongst these mutations, we characterized an α-subunit point mutation located close to the putative IVM-binding pocket, in the extracellular end of the first transmembrane helix (M1). This mutation (αF276A) moderately reduced the sensitivity of the heteromeric GluClαF276A/βWT receptor to glutamate, and slightly decreased the receptor subunits’ cooperativity in response to glutamate. In contrast, the αF276A mutation drastically reduced the sensitivity of the receptor to IVM and significantly increased the receptor subunits’ cooperativity in response to IVM. We suggest that this mutation reduces the efficacy of channel gating, and impairs the integrity of the IVM-binding pocket, likely by disrupting important interactions between the tip of M1 and the M2-M3 loop of an adjacent subunit. We hypothesize that this physical contact between M1 and the M2-M3 loop tunes the relative orientation of the ion-channel transmembrane helices M1, M2 and M3 to optimize pore opening. Interestingly, pre-exposure of the GluClαF276A/βWT mutant receptor to subthreshold IVM concentration recovered the receptor sensitivity to glutamate. We infer that IVM likely retained its positive modulation activity by constraining the transmembrane helices in a preopen orientation sensitive to glutamate, with no need for the aforementioned disrupted interactions between M1 and the M2-M3 loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Degani-Katzav
- Laboratory of Ion Channels, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan UniversityRamat Gan, Israel
| | - Revital Gortler
- Laboratory of Ion Channels, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan UniversityRamat Gan, Israel
| | - Marina Weissman
- Laboratory of Ion Channels, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan UniversityRamat Gan, Israel
| | - Yoav Paas
- Laboratory of Ion Channels, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan UniversityRamat Gan, Israel
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The Synergetic Effects of Combining Structural Biology and EPR Spectroscopy on Membrane Proteins. CRYSTALS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst7040117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein structures as provided by structural biology such as X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and NMR spectroscopy are key elements to understand the function of a protein on the molecular level. Nonetheless, they might be error-prone due to crystallization artifacts or, in particular in case of membrane-imbedded proteins, a mostly artificial environment. In this review, we will introduce different EPR spectroscopy methods as powerful tools to complement and validate structural data gaining insights in the dynamics of proteins and protein complexes such that functional cycles can be derived. We will highlight the use of EPR spectroscopy on membrane-embedded proteins and protein complexes ranging from receptors to secondary active transporters as structural information is still limited in this field and the lipid environment is a particular challenge.
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Alqazzaz MA, Price KL, Lummis SCR. The Proton Responsiveness in the Extracellular Domain of GLIC Differs in the Presence of the ELIC Transmembrane Domain. Biochemistry 2017; 56:2134-2138. [PMID: 28383883 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prokaryotic homologues of Cys-loop receptors have proven to be useful in understanding their eukaryotic counterparts, but even the best studied of these, Gloeobacter ligand-gated ion channel (GLIC), is still not yet fully understood. GLIC is activated by protons with a pH50 between 5 and 6, implicating a histidine residue in its activation, but although a histidine residue (His11') in the pore-forming α-helix (M2) is known to be involved in gating, the His in the extracellular domain (ECD), His127, is not. Nevertheless, there is evidence from a GLIC-glycine chimera for a proton sensitive residue or region in the GLIC extracellular domain. Here we create a novel chimeric receptor with the ECD of GLIC and the transmembrane domain of ELIC (GELIC). Expression of this receptor in oocytes reveals proton activation, although the pH50 (6.7) differs from that of GLIC (5.4). Exploration of protonatable residues in the ECD reveals that the pKas of five Asp residues (31, 49, 91, 136, and 178) differ between the open and closed states of GLIC. Substitution of these residues with Ala or Asn shows somewhat similar effects for GLIC and GELIC in Asp91 mutants, but different effects for the others. Overall, the data suggest that protonation of residues in the ECD is a requirement for channel opening in GELIC but plays only a minor role in GLIC, where gating may be largely driven via protonation of the His residue in its pore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona A Alqazzaz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QW, U.K
| | - Kerry L Price
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QW, U.K
| | - Sarah C R Lummis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QW, U.K
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