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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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Anlar GG, Anwardeen N, Al Ashmar S, Pedersen S, Elrayess MA, Zeidan A. Metabolomics Profiling of Stages of Coronary Artery Disease Progression. Metabolites 2024; 14:292. [PMID: 38921428 PMCID: PMC11205943 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis pose significant global health challenges, with intricate molecular changes influencing disease progression. Hypercholesterolemia (HC), hypertension (HT), and diabetes are key contributors to CAD development. Metabolomics, with its comprehensive analysis of metabolites, offers a unique perspective on cardiovascular diseases. This study leveraged metabolomics profiling to investigate the progression of CAD, focusing on the interplay of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes. We performed a metabolomic analysis on 221 participants from four different groups: (I) healthy individuals, (II) individuals with hypercholesterolemia (HC), (III) individuals with both HC and hypertension (HT) or diabetes, and (IV) patients with self-reported coronary artery disease (CAD). Utilizing data from the Qatar Biobank, we combined clinical information, metabolomic profiling, and statistical analyses to identify key metabolites associated with CAD risk. Our data identified distinct metabolite profiles across the study groups, indicating changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism linked to CAD risk. Specifically, levels of mannitol/sorbitol, mannose, glucose, and ribitol increased, while pregnenediol sulfate, oleoylcarnitine, and quinolinate decreased with higher CAD risk. These findings suggest a significant role of sugar, steroid, and fatty acid metabolism in CAD progression and point to the need for further research on the correlation between quinolinate levels and CAD risk, potentially guiding targeted treatments for atherosclerosis. This study provides novel insights into the metabolomic changes associated with CAD progression, emphasizing the potential of metabolites as predictive biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsen Guliz Anlar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (G.G.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Najeha Anwardeen
- Biomedical Research Center (BRC), QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (N.A.); (M.A.E.)
| | - Sarah Al Ashmar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (G.G.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Shona Pedersen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (G.G.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Mohamed A. Elrayess
- Biomedical Research Center (BRC), QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (N.A.); (M.A.E.)
| | - Asad Zeidan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (G.G.A.); (S.A.A.); (S.P.)
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Tae HS, Ortells MO, Yousuf A, Xu SQ, Akk G, Adams DJ, Arias HR. Tabernanthalog and ibogainalog inhibit the α7 and α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors via different mechanisms and with higher potency than the GABA A receptor and Ca V2.2 channel. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116183. [PMID: 38580167 PMCID: PMC11151864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we have investigated the pharmacological activity and structural interaction of two novel psychoplastogens, tabernanthalog (TBG) and ibogainalog (IBG) at heterologously-expressed rat (r) and human (h) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the rα1β2γ2L γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR), and the human voltage-gated N-type calcium channel (CaV2.2 channel). Both compounds inhibited the nAChRs with the following receptor selectivity: α9α10 > α7 > α3β2 ≅ α3β4, indicating that β2/β4 subunits are relatively less important for their activity. The potencies of TBG and IBG were comparable at hα7 and hα9α10 subtypes, and comparable to their rat counterparts. TBG- and IBG-induced inhibition of rα7 was ACh concentration-independent and voltage-dependent, whereas rα9α10 inhibition was ACh concentration-dependent and voltage-independent, suggesting that they interact with the α7 ion channel pore and α9α10 orthosteric ligand binding site, respectively. These results were supported by molecular docking studies showing that at the α7 model TBG forms stable interactions with luminal rings at 9', 13', and 16', whereas IBG mostly interacts with the extracellular-transmembrane junction. In the α9α10 model, however, these compounds interacted with several residues from the principal (+) and complementary (-) sides in the transmitter binding site. Ibogaminalog (DM506) also interacted with a non-luminal site at α7, and one α9α10 orthosteric site. TBG and IBG inhibited the GABAAR and CaV2.2 channels with 10 to 30-fold lower potencies. In sum, we show that TBG and IBG inhibit the α7 and α9α10 nAChRs by noncompetitive and competitive mechanisms, respectively, and with higher potency than the GABAAR and CaV2.2 channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Shen Tae
- Molecular Horizons/Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Marcelo O Ortells
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, and CONICET, Morón, Argentina
| | - Arsalan Yousuf
- Molecular Horizons/Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Sophia Q Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David J Adams
- Molecular Horizons/Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, OK, USA
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Tateiwa H, Evers AS. Neurosteroids and their potential as a safer class of general anesthetics. J Anesth 2024; 38:261-274. [PMID: 38252143 PMCID: PMC10954990 DOI: 10.1007/s00540-023-03291-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Neurosteroids (NS) are a class of steroids that are synthesized within the central nervous system (CNS). Various NS can either enhance or inhibit CNS excitability and they play important biological roles in brain development, brain function and as mediators of mood. One class of NS, 3α-hydroxy-pregnane steroids such as allopregnanolone (AlloP) or pregnanolone (Preg), inhibits neuronal excitability; these endogenous NS and their analogues have been therapeutically applied as anti-depressants, anti-epileptics and general anesthetics. While NS have many favorable properties as anesthetics (e.g. rapid onset, rapid recovery, minimal cardiorespiratory depression, neuroprotection), they are not currently in clinical use, largely due to problems with formulation. Recent advances in understanding NS mechanisms of action and improved formulations have rekindled interest in development of NS as sedatives and anesthetics. In this review, the synthesis of NS, and their mechanism of action will be reviewed with specific emphasis on their binding sites and actions on γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. The potential advantages of NS analogues as sedative and anesthetic agents will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Tateiwa
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan
| | - Alex S Evers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Germann AL, Xu Y, Covey DF, Evers AS, Akk G. Comparison of Behavioral Effects of GABAergic Low- and High-Efficacy Neuroactive Steroids in the Zebrafish Larvae Assay. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:909-915. [PMID: 38386612 PMCID: PMC10953468 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Activation of the GABAA receptor is associated with numerous behavioral end points ranging from anxiolysis to deep anesthesia. The specific behavioral effect of a GABAergic compound is considered to correlate with the degree of its functional effect on the receptor. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a low-efficacy allosteric potentiator of the GABAA receptor may act, due to a ceiling effect, as a sedative with reduced and limited action. We synthesized a derivative, named (3α,5β)-20-methyl-pregnane-3,20-diol (KK-235), of the GABAergic neurosteroid 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol. Using electrophysiology, we showed that KK-235 is a low-efficacy potentiator of the synaptic-type α1β2γ2L GABAA receptor. In the zebrafish larvae behavioral assay, KK-235 was found to only partially block the inverted photomotor response (PMR) and to weakly reduce swimming behavior, whereas the high-efficacy GABAergic steroid (3α,5α,17β)-3-hydroxyandrostane-17-carbonitrile (ACN) fully blocked PMR and spontaneous swimming. Coapplication of KK-235 reduced the potentiating effect of ACN in an electrophysiological assay and dampened its sedative effect in behavioral experiments. We propose that low-efficacy GABAergic potentiators may be useful as sedatives with limited action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L. Germann
- Departments of Anesthesiology (ALG, ASE, GA) and Developmental Biology (YX, DFC), and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (DFC, ASE, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yuanjian Xu
- Departments of Anesthesiology (ALG, ASE, GA) and Developmental Biology (YX, DFC), and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (DFC, ASE, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Douglas F. Covey
- Departments of Anesthesiology (ALG, ASE, GA) and Developmental Biology (YX, DFC), and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (DFC, ASE, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alex S. Evers
- Departments of Anesthesiology (ALG, ASE, GA) and Developmental Biology (YX, DFC), and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (DFC, ASE, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gustav Akk
- Departments of Anesthesiology (ALG, ASE, GA) and Developmental Biology (YX, DFC), and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research (DFC, ASE, GA), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Mortensen M, Xu Y, Shehata MA, Krall J, Ernst M, Frølund B, Smart TG. Pregnenolone sulfate analogues differentially modulate GABA A receptor closed/desensitised states. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2482-2499. [PMID: 37194503 PMCID: PMC10952582 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE GABAA receptors are regulated by numerous classes of allosteric modulators. However, regulation of receptor macroscopic desensitisation remains largely unexplored and may offer new therapeutic opportunities. Here, we report the emerging potential for modulating desensitisation with analogues of the endogenous inhibitory neurosteroid, pregnenolone sulfate. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH New pregnenolone sulfate analogues were synthesised incorporating various heterocyclic substitutions located at the C-21 position on ring D. The pharmacological profiles of these compounds were assessed using electrophysiology and recombinant GABAA receptors together with mutagenesis, molecular dynamics simulations, structural modelling and kinetic simulations. KEY RESULTS All seven analogues retained a negative allosteric modulatory capability whilst exhibiting diverse potencies. Interestingly, we observed differential effects on GABA current decay by compounds incorporating either a six- (compound 5) or five-membered heterocyclic ring (compound 6) on C-21, which was independent of their potencies as inhibitors. We propose that differences in molecular charges, and the targeted binding of analogues to specific states of the GABAA receptor, are the most likely cause of the distinctive functional profiles. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings reveal that heterocyclic addition to inhibitory neurosteroids not only affected their potency and macroscopic efficacy but also affected innate receptor mechanisms that underlie desensitisation. Acute modulation of macroscopic desensitisation will determine the degree and duration of GABA inhibition, which are vital for the integration of neural circuit activity. Discovery of this form of modulation could present an opportunity for next-generation GABAA receptor drug design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mortensen
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Mohamed A. Shehata
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jacob Krall
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Present address:
Xellia Pharmaceuticals ApSCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Margot Ernst
- Department of Pathology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bente Frølund
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Trevor G. Smart
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Arias HR, Pierce SR, Germann AL, Xu SQ, Ortells MO, Sakamoto S, Manetti D, Romanelli MN, Hamachi I, Akk G. Chemical, Pharmacological, and Structural Characterization of Novel Acrylamide-Derived Modulators of the GABA A Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:115-131. [PMID: 37316350 PMCID: PMC10441626 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Acrylamide-derived compounds have been previously shown to act as modulators of members of the Cys-loop transmitter-gated ion channel family, including the mammalian GABAA receptor. Here we have synthesized and functionally characterized the GABAergic effects of a series of novel compounds (termed "DM compounds") derived from the previously characterized GABAA and the nicotinic α7 receptor modulator (E)-3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide (PAM-2). Fluorescence imaging studies indicated that the DM compounds increase apparent affinity to the transmitter by up to 80-fold in the ternary αβγ GABAA receptor. Using electrophysiology, we show that the DM compounds, and the structurally related (E)-3-furan-2-yl-N-phenylacrylamide (PAM-4), have concurrent potentiating and inhibitory effects that can be isolated and observed under appropriate recording conditions. The potentiating efficacies of the DM compounds are similar to those of neurosteroids and benzodiazepines (ΔG ∼ -1.5 kcal/mol). Molecular docking, functionally confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments, indicate that receptor potentiation is mediated by interactions with the classic anesthetic binding sites located in the transmembrane domain of the intersubunit interfaces. Inhibition by the DM compounds and PAM-4 was abolished in the receptor containing the α1(V256S) mutation, suggestive of similarities in the mechanism of action with that of inhibitory neurosteroids. Functional competition and mutagenesis experiments, however, indicate that the sites mediating inhibition by the DM compounds and PAM-4 differ from those mediating the action of the inhibitory steroid pregnenolone sulfate. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We have synthesized and characterized the actions of novel acrylamide-derived compounds on the mammalian GABAA receptor. We show that the compounds have concurrent potentiating effects mediated by the classic anesthetic binding sites, and inhibitory actions that bear mechanistic resemblance to but do not share binding sites with, the inhibitory steroid pregnenolone sulfate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Spencer R Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Allison L Germann
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Sophia Q Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Marcelo O Ortells
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Seiji Sakamoto
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Dina Manetti
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
| | - Gustav Akk
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, Oklahoma (H.R.A.); Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (S.R.P., A.L.G., S.Q.X., G.A.); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Morón, Morón, and CONICET, Argentina (M.O.O.); Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (S.S., I.H.); Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (D.M., M.N.R.); The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (G.A.)
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8
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Legesse DH, Fan C, Teng J, Zhuang Y, Howard RJ, Noviello CM, Lindahl E, Hibbs RE. Structural insights into opposing actions of neurosteroids on GABA A receptors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5091. [PMID: 37607940 PMCID: PMC10444788 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40800-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors mediate fast inhibitory signaling in the brain and are targets of numerous drugs and endogenous neurosteroids. A subset of neurosteroids are GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators; one of these, allopregnanolone, is the only drug approved specifically for treating postpartum depression. There is a consensus emerging from structural, physiological and photolabeling studies as to where positive modulators bind, but how they potentiate GABA activation remains unclear. Other neurosteroids are negative modulators of GABAA receptors, but their binding sites remain debated. Here we present structures of a synaptic GABAA receptor bound to allopregnanolone and two inhibitory sulfated neurosteroids. Allopregnanolone binds at the receptor-bilayer interface, in the consensus potentiator site. In contrast, inhibitory neurosteroids bind in the pore. MD simulations and electrophysiology support a mechanism by which allopregnanolone potentiates channel activity and suggest the dominant mechanism for sulfated neurosteroid inhibition is through pore block.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chen Fan
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jinfeng Teng
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuxuan Zhuang
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rebecca J Howard
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Colleen M Noviello
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Erik Lindahl
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden.
- Dept. of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Clark BJ, Klinge CM. Structure-function of DHEA binding proteins. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 123:587-617. [PMID: 37717999 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S are the most abundant circulating steroids and are precursors for active sex steroid hormones, estradiol and testosterone. DHEA has a broad range of reported effects in the central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular system, adipose tissue, kidney, liver, and in the reproductive system. The mechanisms by which DHEA and DHEA-S initiate their biological effects are diverse. DHEA and DHEA-S may directly bind to plasma membrane (PM) receptors, including a DHEA-specific, G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) in endothelial cells; various neuroreceptors, e.g., aminobutyric-acid-type A (GABA(A)), N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and sigma-1 (S1R) receptors (NMDAR and SIG-1R). DHEA and DHEA-S directly bind the nuclear androgen and estrogen receptors (AR, ERα, or ERβ) although with significantly lower binding affinities compared to the steroid hormones, e.g., testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol, which are the cognate ligands for AR and ERs. Thus, extra-gonadal metabolism of DHEA to the sex hormones must be considered for many of the biological benefits of DHEA. DHEA also actives GPER1 (G protein coupled estrogen receptor 1). DHEA activates constitutive androstane receptor CAR (CAR) and proliferator activated receptor (PPARα) by indirect dephosphorylation. DHEA affects voltage-gated sodium and calcium ion channels and DHEA-2 activates TRPM3 (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 3). This chapter updates our previous 2018 review pertaining to the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of DHEA and DHEA-S activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Clark
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Carolyn M Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States.
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Akk G. Meet the Editorial Board Member. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1570159x2004220328151242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gustav Akk
- Department of Anesthesiology
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
USA
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11
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Souza-Teodoro LH, Andrade LHS, Carvalho LA. Could be dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) a novel target for depression? JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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