1
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Zhao F, Liu Y, Liu Y, Ye Q, Yang H, Gui M, Song Y. The road to evolution of ProTx2: how to be a subtype-specific inhibition of human Na v1.7. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1374183. [PMID: 38756380 PMCID: PMC11096480 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1374183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The human voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 is a widely proven target for analgesic drug studies. ProTx2, a 30-residue polypeptide from Peruvian green tarantula venom, shows high specificity to activity against human Nav1.7, suggesting its potential to become a non-addictive analgesic. However, its high sensitivity to human Nav1.4 raises concerns about muscle side effects. Here, we engineered three mutants (R13A, R13D, and K27Y) of ProTx2 to evaluate their pharmacological activities toward Nav1.7 and Nav1.4. It is demonstrated that the mutant R13D maintained the analgesic effect in mice while dramatically reducing its muscle toxicity compared with ProTx2. The main reason is the formation of a strong electrostatic interaction between R13D and the negatively charged amino acid residues in DII/S3-S4 of Nav1.7, which is absent in Nav1.4. This study advances our understanding and insights on peptide toxins, paving the way for safer, effective non-addictive analgesic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yongbo Song
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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2
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Dongol Y, Wilson DT, Daly NL, Cardoso FC, Lewis RJ. Structure-function and rational design of a spider toxin Ssp1a at human voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1277143. [PMID: 38034993 PMCID: PMC10682951 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1277143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure-function and optimization studies of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins have focused on developing selective inhibitors for peripheral pain-sensing NaV1.7. With several NaV subtypes emerging as potential therapeutic targets, structure-function analysis of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins at such subtypes is warranted. Using the recently discovered spider toxin Ssp1a, this study extends the structure-function relationships of NaV-inhibiting spider toxins beyond NaV1.7 to include the epilepsy target NaV1.2 and the pain target NaV1.3. Based on these results and docking studies, we designed analogues for improved potency and/or subtype-selectivity, with S7R-E18K-rSsp1a and N14D-P27R-rSsp1a identified as promising leads. S7R-E18K-rSsp1a increased the rSsp1a potency at these three NaV subtypes, especially at NaV1.3 (∼10-fold), while N14D-P27R-rSsp1a enhanced NaV1.2/1.7 selectivity over NaV1.3. This study highlights the challenge of developing subtype-selective spider toxin inhibitors across multiple NaV subtypes that might offer a more effective therapeutic approach. The findings of this study provide a basis for further rational design of Ssp1a and related NaSpTx1 homologs targeting NaV1.2, NaV1.3 and/or NaV1.7 as research tools and therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashad Dongol
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David T. Wilson
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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3
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Mateos DL, Yarov-Yarovoy V. Structural modeling of peptide toxin-ion channel interactions using RosettaDock. Proteins 2023. [PMID: 36729043 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated ion channels play essential physiological roles in action potential generation and propagation. Peptidic toxins from animal venoms target ion channels and provide useful scaffolds for the rational design of novel channel modulators with enhanced potency and subtype selectivity. Despite recent progress in obtaining experimental structures of peptide toxin-ion channel complexes, structural determination of peptide toxins bound to ion channels in physiologically important states remains challenging. Here we describe an application of RosettaDock approach to the structural modeling of peptide toxins interactions with ion channels. We tested this approach on 10 structures of peptide toxin-ion channel complexes and demonstrated that it can sample near-native structures in all tested cases. Our approach will be useful for improving the understanding of the molecular mechanism of natural peptide toxin modulation of ion channel gating and for the structural modeling of novel peptide-based ion channel modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Lopez Mateos
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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4
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Wisedchaisri G, Gamal El-Din TM. Druggability of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels-Exploring Old and New Drug Receptor Sites. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:858348. [PMID: 35370700 PMCID: PMC8968173 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.858348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated ion channels are important drug targets because they play crucial physiological roles in both excitable and non-excitable cells. About 15% of clinical drugs used for treating human diseases target ion channels. However, most of these drugs do not provide sufficient specificity to a single subtype of the channels and their off-target side effects can be serious and sometimes fatal. Recent advancements in imaging techniques have enabled us for the first time to visualize unique and hidden parts of voltage-gated sodium channels in different structural conformations, and to develop drugs that further target a selected functional state in each channel subtype with the potential for high precision and low toxicity. In this review we describe the druggability of voltage-gated sodium channels in distinct functional states, which could potentially be used to selectively target the channels. We review classical drug receptors in the channels that have recently been structurally characterized by cryo-electron microscopy with natural neurotoxins and clinical drugs. We further examine recent drug discoveries for voltage-gated sodium channels and discuss opportunities to use distinct, state-dependent receptor sites in the voltage sensors as unique drug targets. Finally, we explore potential new receptor sites that are currently unknown for sodium channels but may be valuable for future drug discovery. The advancement presented here will help pave the way for drug development that selectively targets voltage-gated sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goragot Wisedchaisri
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Tamer M Gamal El-Din
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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5
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Adams GL, Pall PS, Grauer SM, Zhou X, Ballard JE, Vavrek M, Kraus RL, Morissette P, Li N, Colarusso S, Bianchi E, Palani A, Klein R, John CT, Wang D, Tudor M, Nolting AF, Biba M, Nowak T, Makarov AA, Reibarkh M, Buevich AV, Zhong W, Regalado EL, Wang X, Gao Q, Shahripour A, Zhu Y, de Simone D, Frattarelli T, Pasquini NM, Magotti P, Iaccarino R, Li Y, Solly K, Lee KJ, Wang W, Chen F, Zeng H, Wang J, Regan H, Amin RP, Regan CP, Burgey CS, Henze DA, Sun C, Tellers DM. Development of ProTx-II Analogues as Highly Selective Peptide Blockers of Na v1.7 for the Treatment of Pain. J Med Chem 2021; 65:485-496. [PMID: 34931831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitor cystine knot peptides, derived from venom, have evolved to block ion channel function but are often toxic when dosed at pharmacologically relevant levels in vivo. The article describes the design of analogues of ProTx-II that safely display systemic in vivo blocking of Nav1.7, resulting in a latency of response to thermal stimuli in rodents. The new designs achieve a better in vivo profile by improving ion channel selectivity and limiting the ability of the peptides to cause mast cell degranulation. The design rationale, structural modeling, in vitro profiles, and rat tail flick outcomes are disclosed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Adams
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Parul S Pall
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Steven M Grauer
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Xiaoping Zhou
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Marissa Vavrek
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Richard L Kraus
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Nianyu Li
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Stefania Colarusso
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Anandan Palani
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Rebecca Klein
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | - Deping Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Matthew Tudor
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Andrew F Nolting
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Mirlinda Biba
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Timothy Nowak
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | | | | | | | - Wendy Zhong
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Xiao Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Qi Gao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | | | - Yuping Zhu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Daniele de Simone
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Tommaso Frattarelli
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Nicolo' Maria Pasquini
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Paola Magotti
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Roberto Iaccarino
- Peptides and Small Molecules R&D Department, IRBM Spa, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071 Pomezia (RM), Italy
| | - Yuxing Li
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Kelli Solly
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Keun-Joong Lee
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Weixun Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Feifei Chen
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Haoyu Zeng
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Jixin Wang
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Hilary Regan
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Rupesh P Amin
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | | | | | - Darrell A Henze
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Chengzao Sun
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - David M Tellers
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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6
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Diochot S. Pain-related toxins in scorpion and spider venoms: a face to face with ion channels. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2021; 27:e20210026. [PMID: 34925480 PMCID: PMC8667759 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a common symptom induced during envenomation by spiders and scorpions.
Toxins isolated from their venom have become essential tools for studying the
functioning and physiopathological role of ion channels, as they modulate their
activity. In particular, toxins that induce pain relief effects can serve as a
molecular basis for the development of future analgesics in humans. This review
provides a summary of the different scorpion and spider toxins that directly
interact with pain-related ion channels, with inhibitory or stimulatory effects.
Some of these toxins were shown to affect pain modalities in different animal
models providing information on the role played by these channels in the pain
process. The close interaction of certain gating-modifier toxins with membrane
phospholipids close to ion channels is examined along with molecular approaches
to improve selectivity, affinity or bioavailability in vivo for
therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Diochot
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7275 et Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), 06560 Valbonne, France. Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Université Côte d'Azur Valbonne France
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7
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Lopez L, Montnach J, Oliveira-Mendes B, Khakh K, Thomas B, Lin S, Caumes C, Wesolowski S, Nicolas S, Servent D, Cohen C, Béroud R, Benoit E, De Waard M. Synthetic Analogues of Huwentoxin-IV Spider Peptide With Altered Human NaV1.7/NaV1.6 Selectivity Ratios. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:798588. [PMID: 34988086 PMCID: PMC8722715 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.798588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Huwentoxin-IV (HwTx-IV), a peptide discovered in the venom of the Chinese bird spider Cyriopagopus schmidti, has been reported to be a potent antinociceptive compound due to its action on the genetically-validated NaV1.7 pain target. Using this peptide for antinociceptive applications in vivo suffers from one major drawback, namely its negative impact on the neuromuscular system. Although studied only recently, this effect appears to be due to an interaction between the peptide and the NaV1.6 channel subtype located at the presynaptic level. The aim of this work was to investigate how HwTx-IV could be modified in order to alter the original human (h) NaV1.7/NaV1.6 selectivity ratio of 23. Nineteen HwTx-IV analogues were chemically synthesized and tested for their blocking effects on the Na+ currents flowing through these two channel subtypes stably expressed in cell lines. Dose-response curves for these analogues were generated, thanks to the use of an automated patch-clamp system. Several key amino acid positions were targeted owing to the information provided by earlier structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Among the analogues tested, the potency of HwTx-IV E4K was significantly improved for hNaV1.6, leading to a decreased hNaV1.7/hNaV1.6 selectivity ratio (close to 1). Similar decreased selectivity ratios, but with increased potency for both subtypes, were observed for HwTx-IV analogues that combine a substitution at position 4 with a modification of amino acid 1 or 26 (HwTx-IV E1G/E4G and HwTx-IV E4K/R26Q). In contrast, increased selectivity ratios (>46) were obtained if the E4K mutation was combined to an additional double substitution (R26A/Y33W) or simply by further substituting the C-terminal amidation of the peptide by a carboxylated motif, linked to a marked loss of potency on hNaV1.6 in this latter case. These results demonstrate that it is possible to significantly modulate the selectivity ratio for these two channel subtypes in order to improve the potency of a given analogue for hNaV1.6 and/or hNaV1.7 subtypes. In addition, selective analogues for hNaV1.7, possessing better safety profiles, were produced to limit neuromuscular impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludivine Lopez
- L’institut du Thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV NANTES, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Montnach
- L’institut du Thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV NANTES, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | - Sophia Lin
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Denis Servent
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour La Santé (SIMoS), ERL CNRS/CEA, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frédéric Joliot, CEA, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | | | - Evelyne Benoit
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé (DMTS), Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour La Santé (SIMoS), ERL CNRS/CEA, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frédéric Joliot, CEA, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- L’institut du Thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV NANTES, Nantes, France
- Smartox Biotechnology, Saint-Egrève, France
- LabEx « Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics », Valbonne, France
- *Correspondence: Michel De Waard,
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8
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Mehboob R, Marchenkova A, van den Maagdenberg AMJM, Nistri A. Overexpressed Na V 1.7 Channels Confer Hyperexcitability to in vitro Trigeminal Sensory Neurons of Ca V 2.1 Mutant Hemiplegic Migraine Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:640709. [PMID: 34113237 PMCID: PMC8185157 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.640709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal sensory neurons of transgenic knock-in (KI) mice expressing the R192Q missense mutation in the α1A subunit of neuronal voltage-gated CaV2.1 Ca2+ channels, which leads to familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1) in patients, exhibit a hyperexcitability phenotype. Here, we show that the expression of NaV1.7 channels, linked to pain states, is upregulated in KI primary cultures of trigeminal ganglia (TG), as shown by increased expression of its α1 subunit. In the majority of TG neurons, NaV1.7 channels are co-expressed with ATP-gated P2X3 receptors (P2X3R), which are important nociceptive sensors. Reversing the trigeminal phenotype with selective CaV2.1 channel inhibitor ω-agatoxin IVA inhibited NaV1.7 overexpression. Functionally, KI neurons revealed a TTX-sensitive inward current of larger amplitude that was partially inhibited by selective NaV1.7 blocker Tp1a. Under current-clamp condition, Tp1a raised the spike threshold of both wild-type (WT) and KI neurons with decreased firing rate in KI cells. NaV1.7 activator OD1 accelerated firing in WT and KI neurons, a phenomenon blocked by Tp1a. Enhanced expression and function of NaV1.7 channels in KI TG neurons resulted in higher excitability and facilitated nociceptive signaling. Co-expression of NaV1.7 channels and P2X3Rs in TGs may explain how hypersensitivity to local stimuli can be relevant to migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Mehboob
- Department of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,Research Unit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anna Marchenkova
- Department of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Arn M J M van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Nistri
- Department of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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9
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Katz D, Sindhikara D, DiMattia M, Leffler AE. Potency-Enhancing Mutations of Gating Modifier Toxins for the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Na V1.7 Can Be Predicted Using Accurate Free-Energy Calculations. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:193. [PMID: 33800031 PMCID: PMC8002187 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13030193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gating modifier toxins (GMTs) isolated from venomous organisms such as Protoxin-II (ProTx-II) and Huwentoxin-IV (HwTx-IV) that inhibit the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 by binding to its voltage-sensing domain II (VSDII) have been extensively investigated as non-opioid analgesics. However, reliably predicting how a mutation to a GMT will affect its potency for NaV1.7 has been challenging. Here, we hypothesize that structure-based computational methods can be used to predict such changes. We employ free-energy perturbation (FEP), a physics-based simulation method for predicting the relative binding free energy (RBFE) between molecules, and the cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of ProTx-II and HwTx-IV bound to VSDII of NaV1.7 to re-predict the relative potencies of forty-seven point mutants of these GMTs for NaV1.7. First, FEP predicted these relative potencies with an overall root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.0 ± 0.1 kcal/mol and an R2 value of 0.66, equivalent to experimental uncertainty and an improvement over the widely used molecular-mechanics/generalized born-surface area (MM-GB/SA) RBFE method that had an RMSE of 3.9 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. Second, inclusion of an explicit membrane model was needed for the GMTs to maintain stable binding poses during the FEP simulations. Third, MM-GB/SA and FEP were used to identify fifteen non-standard tryptophan mutants at ProTx-II[W24] predicted in silico to have a at least a 1 kcal/mol gain in potency. These predicted potency gains are likely due to the displacement of high-energy waters as identified by the WaterMap algorithm for calculating the positions and thermodynamic properties of water molecules in protein binding sites. Our results expand the domain of applicability of FEP and set the stage for its prospective use in biologics drug discovery programs involving GMTs and NaV1.7.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abba E. Leffler
- Schrӧdinger, Inc., 120 West 45th St., New York, NY 10036, USA; (D.K.); (D.S.); (M.D.)
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10
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Hasan MM, Ragnarsson L, Cardoso FC, Lewis RJ. Transfection methods for high-throughput cellular assays of voltage-gated calcium and sodium channels involved in pain. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243645. [PMID: 33667217 PMCID: PMC7935312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical transfection is broadly used to transiently transfect mammalian cells, although often associated with cellular stress and membrane instability, which imposes challenges for most cellular assays, including high-throughput (HT) assays. In the current study, we compared the effectiveness of calcium phosphate, FuGENE and Lipofectamine 3000 to transiently express two key voltage-gated ion channels critical in pain pathways, CaV2.2 and NaV1.7. The expression and function of these channels were validated using two HT platforms, the Fluorescence Imaging Plate Reader FLIPRTetra and the automated patch clamp QPatch 16X. We found that all transfection methods tested demonstrated similar effectiveness when applied to FLIPRTetra assays. Lipofectamine 3000-mediated transfection produced the largest peak currents for automated patch clamp QPatch assays. However, the FuGENE-mediated transfection was the most effective for QPatch assays as indicated by the superior number of cells displaying GΩ seal formation in whole-cell patch clamp configuration, medium to large peak currents, and higher rates of accomplished assays for both CaV2.2 and NaV1.7 channels. Our findings can facilitate the development of HT automated patch clamp assays for the discovery and characterization of novel analgesics and modulators of pain pathways, as well as assisting studies examining the pharmacology of mutated channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Mahadhi Hasan
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Lotten Ragnarsson
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Fernanda C. Cardoso
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- * E-mail: (FCC); (RJL)
| | - Richard J. Lewis
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- * E-mail: (FCC); (RJL)
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11
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Abstract
A fundamental mechanism that drives the propagation of electrical signals in the nervous system is the activation of voltage-gated sodium channels. The sodium channel subtype Nav1.7 is critical for the transmission of pain-related signaling, with gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.7 resulting in various painful pathologies. Loss-of-function mutations cause complete insensitivity to pain and anosmia in humans that otherwise have normal nervous system function, rendering Nav1.7 an attractive target for the treatment of pain. Despite this, no Nav1.7 selective therapeutic has been approved for use as an analgesic to date. Here we present a summary of research that has focused on engineering peptides found in spider venoms to produce Nav1.7 selective antagonists. We discuss the progress that has been made on various scaffolds from different venom families and highlight the challenges that remain in the effort to produce a Nav1.7 selective, venom-based analgesic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Neff
- Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research and Development, LLC , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alan D Wickenden
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, LLC , San Diego, CA, USA
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12
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Eagles DA, Chow CY, King GF. Fifteen years of Na
V
1.7 channels as an analgesic target: Why has excellent in vitro pharmacology not translated into in vivo analgesic efficacy? Br J Pharmacol 2020; 179:3592-3611. [DOI: 10.1111/bph.15327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Eagles
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Chun Yuen Chow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
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13
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Herzig V, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel MR, Nixon SA, Vetter I, King GF. Animal toxins - Nature's evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 181:114096. [PMID: 32535105 PMCID: PMC7290223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Venomous animals have evolved toxins that interfere with specific components of their victim's core physiological systems, thereby causing biological dysfunction that aids in prey capture, defense against predators, or other roles such as intraspecific competition. Many animal lineages evolved venom systems independently, highlighting the success of this strategy. Over the course of evolution, toxins with exceptional specificity and high potency for their intended molecular targets have prevailed, making venoms an invaluable and almost inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, some of which have found use as pharmacological tools, human therapeutics, and bioinsecticides. Current biomedically-focused research on venoms is directed towards their use in delineating the physiological role of toxin molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors, studying or treating human diseases, targeting vectors of human diseases, and treating microbial and parasitic infections. We provide examples of each of these areas of venom research, highlighting the potential that venom molecules hold for basic research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Herzig
- School of Science & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - Mathilde R Israel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Samantha A Nixon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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14
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Shah B, Sindhikara D, Borrelli K, Leffler AE. Water Thermodynamics of Peptide Toxin Binding Sites on Ion Channels. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12100652. [PMID: 33053750 PMCID: PMC7599640 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide toxins isolated from venomous creatures, long prized as research tools due to their innate potency for ion channels, are emerging as drugs as well. However, it remains challenging to understand why peptide toxins bind with high potency to ion channels, to identify residues that are key for activity, and to improve their affinities via mutagenesis. We use WaterMap, a molecular dynamics simulation-based method, to gain computational insight into these three questions by calculating the locations and thermodynamic properties of water molecules in the peptide toxin binding sites of five ion channels. These include an acid-sensing ion channel, voltage-gated potassium channel, sodium channel in activated and deactivated states, transient-receptor potential channel, and a nicotinic receptor whose structures were recently determined by crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). All channels had water sites in the peptide toxin binding site, and an average of 75% of these sites were stable (low-energy), and 25% were unstable (medium or high energy). For the sodium channel, more unstable water sites were present in the deactivated state structure than the activated. Additionally, for each channel, unstable water sites coincided with the positions of peptide toxin residues that previous mutagenesis experiments had shown were important for activity. Finally, for the sodium channel in the deactivated state, unstable water sites were present in the peptide toxin binding pocket but did not overlap with the peptide toxin, suggesting that future experimental efforts could focus on targeting these sites to optimize potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binita Shah
- Schrödinger, Inc. 120 W. 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA; (B.S.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
- PhD Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dan Sindhikara
- Schrödinger, Inc. 120 W. 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA; (B.S.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Ken Borrelli
- Schrödinger, Inc. 120 W. 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA; (B.S.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Abba E. Leffler
- Schrödinger, Inc. 120 W. 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA; (B.S.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Agwa AJ, Tran P, Mueller A, Tran HNT, Deuis JR, Israel MR, McMahon KL, Craik DJ, Vetter I, Schroeder CI. Manipulation of a spider peptide toxin alters its affinity for lipid bilayers and potency and selectivity for voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.7. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5067-5080. [PMID: 32139508 PMCID: PMC7152767 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Huwentoxin-IV (HwTx-IV) is a gating modifier peptide toxin from spiders that has weak affinity for the lipid bilayer. As some gating modifier toxins have affinity for model lipid bilayers, a tripartite relationship among gating modifier toxins, voltage-gated ion channels, and the lipid membrane surrounding the channels has been proposed. We previously designed an HwTx-IV analogue (gHwTx-IV) with reduced negative charge and increased hydrophobic surface profile, which displays increased lipid bilayer affinity and in vitro activity at the voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.7 (NaV1.7), a channel targeted in pain management. Here, we show that replacements of the positively-charged residues that contribute to the activity of the peptide can improve gHwTx-IV's potency and selectivity for NaV1.7. Using HwTx-IV, gHwTx-IV, [R26A]gHwTx-IV, [K27A]gHwTx-IV, and [R29A]gHwTx-IV variants, we examined their potency and selectivity at human NaV1.7 and their affinity for the lipid bilayer. [R26A]gHwTx-IV consistently displayed the most improved potency and selectivity for NaV1.7, examined alongside off-target NaVs, compared with HwTx-IV and gHwTx-IV. The lipid affinity of each of the three novel analogues was weaker than that of gHwTx-IV, but stronger than that of HwTx-IV, suggesting a possible relationship between in vitro potency at NaV1.7 and affinity for lipid bilayers. In a murine NaV1.7 engagement model, [R26A]gHwTx-IV exhibited an efficacy comparable with that of native HwTx-IV. In summary, this study reports the development of an HwTx-IV analogue with improved in vitro selectivity for the pain target NaV1.7 and with an in vivo efficacy similar to that of native HwTx-IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Poanna Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Mueller
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hue N T Tran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Deuis
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mathilde R Israel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L McMahon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4103, Australia
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Centre for Pain Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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