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Understanding subtype-selective allosteric modulation of GABAAreceptors
BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology volume 13, Article number: A26 (2012)
Background
The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors of the central nervous system. Benzodiazepine (Bz)-site ligands bind at the α/γ interface and can enhance GABA-induced Cl− currents. The efficacy of certain benzodiazepines strongly depends on the type of α(1,2,3,5) subunits in the receptors. Functionally selective compounds for α2/3 can be anxiolytic without having the side effect of sedation. The molecular basis for functional selectivity is investigated in this work.
Methods
Two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology recordings were performed in wild-type and mutated receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Modelling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies of α1γ2 and α3γ2-containing receptors were performed to understand Bz-ligand interaction with the different α subunits.
Results
Electrophysiology recordings identified flumazenil as a null modulator in α1 and a weak plus modulator in α3-containing receptors. A sequence comparison between the α1 and α3 subunit revealed the residue R228 as unique for the α3 subunit among all α subunits. α3R228A-mutated receptors completely lost their ability to respond to flumazenil. This amino acid is part of the so-called loop C, a several-residues-spanning segment that forms part of the ligand-binding site with a highly variable sequence. The functionally α3-selective ligand flumazenil was docked into the α/γ interface. The flumazenil-bound state in the α1 subtype has already been studied previously [1] and was used for comparison. Our results indicate that the binding mode of flumazenil in α1 and α3-containing receptors is very similar.
Conclusions
The models made in this study show improved properties in certain variable segments that could not be resolved in the previously published models [1]. For understanding the role of α3R228, more models and docking computations have to be made on the basis of these improvements to explore possible conformations.
References
- 1.
Richter L, de Graaf C, Sieghart W, Varagic Z, Mörzinger M, de Esch IJ, Ecker GF, Ernst M: Diazepam-bound GABAA receptor models identify new benzodiazepine binding-site ligands. Nat Chem Biol. 2012, 8: 455-464.
Acknowledgements
This project is funded by FWF W1232 Molecular Drug Targets and the Medical University of Vienna.
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Puthenkalam, R., Varagić, Z., Mirheydari, P. et al. Understanding subtype-selective allosteric modulation of GABAAreceptors. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 13, A26 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-6511-13-S1-A26
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Keywords
- Flumazenil
- Electrophysiology Recording
- Allosteric Modulation
- Xenopus Laevis Oocyte
- Docking Computation
