Discovery of an intrasubunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-binding site for the positive allosteric modulator Br-PBTC

Advances in small molecule selective ligands for heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The study of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) has significantly progressed in the last decade, due to a) the improved techniques available for structural studies; b) the identification of ligands interacting at orthosteric and allosteric recognition sites on the nAChR proteins, able to tune channel conformational states; c) the better functional characterization of receptor subtypes/subunits and their therapeutic potential; d) the availability of novel pharmacological agents able to activate or block nicotinic-mediated cholinergic responses with subtype or stoichiometry selectivity. The copious literature on nAChRs is related to the pharmacological profile of new, promising subtype selective derivatives as well as the encouraging preclinical and early clinical evaluation of known ligands. However, recently approved therapeutic derivatives are still missing, and examples of ligands discontinued in advanced CNS clinical trials include drug candidates acting at both neuronal homomeric and heteromeric receptors. In this review, we have selected heteromeric nAChRs as the target and comment on literature reports of the past five years dealing with the discovery of new small molecule ligands or the advanced pharmacological/preclinical investigation of more promising compounds. The results obtained with bifunctional nicotinic ligands and a light-activated ligand as well as the applications of promising radiopharmaceuticals for heteromeric subtypes are also discussed.

Coffee and cigarettes: Modulation of high and low sensitivity α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by n-MP, a biomarker of coffee consumption

Smokers report particular appreciation for coffee with their first cigarettes of the day. We investigated with voltage-clamp experiments, effects of aqueous extracts (coffees) of unroasted and roasted coffee beans on the activity of human brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes expressed in Xenopus oocytes, looking at complex brews, low molecular weight (LMW) fractions, and specific compounds present in coffee. When co-applied with PNU-120596, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM), the coffees stimulated currents from cells expressing α7 nAChR that were larger than ACh controls. The PAM-dependent responses to green bean coffee were three-fold greater than those to dark roasted coffee, consistent with α7 receptor activation by choline, a component of coffee that is partially degraded in the roasting process. Coffees were tested on both high sensitivity (HS) and low sensitivity (LS) forms of α4β2 nAChR, which are associated with nicotine addiction. To varying degrees, these receptors were both activated and inhibited by the coffees and LMW extracts. We also examined the activity of nine small molecules present in coffee. Only two compounds, 1-methylpyridinium and 1-1-dimethylpiperidium, produced during the process of roasting coffee beans, showed significant effects on nAChR. The compounds were competitive antagonists of the HS α4β2 receptors, but were PAMs for LS α4β2 receptors. HS receptors in smokers are likely to progressively desensitize through a day of smoking but may be hypersensitive in the mornings when brain nicotine levels are low. A smoker's first cup of coffee may therefore balance the effects of the day's first cigarette in the brain.

Learning about allosteric drugs and ways to design them

While the accelerating quest for precision medicine requires new individually targeting and selective drugs, and the ability to work with so-called undruggable targets, the realm of allosteric drugs meeting this need remains largely uncharted. Generalizing the observations on two major drug targets with widely observed inherent allostery, GPCRs and kinases, we describe and discuss basic allosteric modes of action that are universally applicable in all types of structures and functions. Using examples of Class A GPCRs and CMGC protein kinases, we show how Allosteric Signalling and Probing Fingerprints can be used to identify potential allosteric sites and reveal effector-leads that may serve as a starting point for the development of allosteric drugs targeting these regulatory sites. A set of distinct characteristics of allosteric ligands was established, which highlights the versatility of their design and make them advantageous before their orthosteric counterparts in personalized medicine. We argue that rational design of allosteric drugs should begin with the search for latent sites or design of non-natural binding sites followed by fragment-based design of allosteric ligands and by the mutual adjustment of the site-ligand pair in order to achieve required effects. On the basis of the perturbative nature and reversibility of allosteric communication, we propose a generic protocol for computational design of allosteric effectors, enabling also the allosteric tuning of biologics, in obtaining allosteric control over protein functions.

Interactions of the α3β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Interfaces with α-Conotoxin LsIA and its Carboxylated C-terminus Analogue: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Notably, α-conotoxins with carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) amidation are inhibitors of the pentameric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are therapeutic targets for neurological diseases and disorders. The (α3)₂(β2)₃ nAChR subunit arrangement comprises a pair of α3(+)β2(−) and β2(+)α3(−) interfaces, and a β2(+)β2(−) interface. The β2(+)β2(−) interface has been suggested to have higher agonist affinity relative to the α3(+)β2(−) and β2(+)α3(−) interfaces. Nevertheless, the interactions formed by these subunit interfaces with α-conotoxins are not well understood. Therefore, in order to address this, we modelled the interactions between α-conotoxin LsIA and the α3β2 subtype. The results suggest that the C-terminal carboxylation of LsIA predominantly influenced the enhanced contacts of the conotoxin via residues P7, P14 and C17 on LsIA at the α3(+)β2(−) and β2(+)α3(−) interfaces. However, this enhancement is subtle at the β2(+)β2(−) site, which can compensate the augmented interactions by LsIA at α3(+)β2(−) and β2(+)α3(−) binding sites. Therefore, the divergent interactions at the individual binding interface may account for the minor changes in binding affinity to α3β2 subtype by C-terminal carboxylation of LsIA versus its wild type, as shown in previous experimental results. Overall, these findings may facilitate the development of new drug leads or subtype-selective probes.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Conventional and unconventional ligands and signaling

Postsynaptic nAChRs in the peripheral nervous system are critical for neuromuscular and autonomic neurotransmission. Pre- and peri-synaptic nAChRs in the brain modulate neurotransmission and are responsible for the addictive effects of nicotine. Subtypes of nAChRs in lymphocytes and non-synaptic locations may modulate inflammation and other cellular functions. All AChRs that function as ligand-gated ion channels are formed from five homologous subunits organized to form a central cation channel whose opening is regulated by ACh bound at extracellular subunit interfaces. nAChR subtype subunit composition can range from α7 homomers to α4β2α6β2β3 heteromers. Subtypes differ in affinities for ACh and other agonists like nicotine and in efficiencies with which their channels are opened and desensitized. Subtypes also differ in affinities for antagonists and for positive and negative allosteric modulators. Some agonists are "silent" with respect to channel opening, and AChRs may be able to signal metabotropic pathways by releasing G-proteins independent of channel opening. Electrophysiological studies that can resolve single-channel openings and molecular genetic approaches have allowed characterization of the structures of ligand binding sites, the cation channel, and the linkages between them, as well as the organization of AChR subunits and their contributions to function. Crystallography and cryo-electron-microscopy are providing increasing insights into the structures and functions of AChRs. However, much remains to be learned about both AChR structure and function, the in vivo functional roles of some AChR subtypes, and the development of better pharmacological tools directed at AChRs to treat addiction, pain, inflammation, and other medically important issues. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.

Advances in the In vitro and In vivo pharmacology of Alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor positive allosteric modulators

Receptors containing α4 and β2 subunits are a major neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype in the brain. This receptor plays a critical role in nicotine addiction, with potential smoking cessation therapeutics producing modulation of α4β2 nAChR. In addition, compounds that act as agonists at α4β2 nAChR may be useful for the treatment of pathological pain. Further, as the α4β2 nAChR has been implicated in cognition, therapeutics that act as α4β2 nAChR agonists are also being examined as treatments for cognitive disorders and neurological diseases that impact cognitive function, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. This review will cover the molecular in vitro evidence that allosteric modulators of the α4β2 neuronal nAChR provide several advantages over traditional α4β2 nAChR orthosteric ligands. Specifically, we explore the concept that nAChR allosteric modulators allow for greater pharmacological selectivity, while minimizing potential deleterious off-target effects. Further, here we discuss the development and preclinical in vivo behavioral assessment of allosteric modulators at the α4β2 neuronal nAChR as therapeutics for smoking cessation, pathological pain, as well as cognitive disorders and neurological diseases that impact cognitive function. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.