scholarly journals Characterization of the High-Affinity Drug Ligand Binding Site of Mouse Recombinant TSPO

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soria Iatmanen-Harbi ◽  
lucile Senicourt ◽  
Vassilios Papadopoulos ◽  
Olivier Lequin ◽  
Jean-Jacques Lacapere

The optimization of translocator protein (TSPO) ligands for Positron Emission Tomography as well as for the modulation of neurosteroids is a critical necessity for the development of TSPO-based diagnostics and therapeutics of neuropsychiatrics and neurodegenerative disorders. Structural hints on the interaction site and ligand binding mechanism are essential for the development of efficient TSPO ligands. Recently published atomic structures of recombinant mammalian and bacterial TSPO1, bound with either the high-affinity drug ligand PK 11195 or protoporphyrin IX, have revealed the membrane protein topology and the ligand binding pocket. The ligand is surrounded by amino acids from the five transmembrane helices as well as the cytosolic loops. However, the precise mechanism of ligand binding remains unknown. Previous biochemical studies had suggested that ligand selectivity and binding was governed by these loops. We performed site-directed mutagenesis to further test this hypothesis and measured the binding affinities. We show that aromatic residues (Y34 and F100) from the cytosolic loops contribute to PK 11195 access to its binding site. Limited proteolytic digestion, circular dichroism and solution two-dimensional (2-D) NMR using selective amino acid labelling provide information on the intramolecular flexibility and conformational changes in the TSPO structure upon PK 11195 binding. We also discuss the differences in the PK 11195 binding affinities and the primary structure between TSPO (TSPO1) and its paralogous gene product TSPO2.

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Vu ◽  
Vikrant Singh ◽  
Heike Wulff ◽  
Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy ◽  
Jie Zheng

The capsaicin receptor TRPV1 is an outstanding representative of ligand-gated ion channels in ligand selectivity and sensitivity. However, molecular interactions that stabilize the ligand-binding pocket in its permissive conformation, and how many permissive conformations the ligand-binding pocket may adopt, remain unclear. To answer these questions, we designed a pair of novel capsaicin analogs to increase or decrease the ligand size by about 1.5 Å without altering ligand chemistry. Together with capsaicin, these ligands form a set of molecular rulers for investigating ligand-induced conformational changes. Computational modeling and functional tests revealed that structurally these ligands alternate between drastically different binding poses but stabilize the ligand-binding pocket in nearly identical permissive conformations; functionally, they all yielded a stable open state despite varying potencies. Our study suggests the existence of an optimal ligand-binding pocket conformation for capsaicin-mediated TRPV1 activation gating, and reveals multiple ligand-channel interactions that stabilize this permissive conformation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (01) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsushiro Tamura ◽  
Jun Yamanouchi ◽  
Shigeru Fujita ◽  
Takaaki Hato

SummaryLigand binding to integrin αIIbβ3 is a key event of thrombus formation. The propeller domain of the αIIb subunit has been implicated in ligand binding. Recently, the ligand binding site of the αV propeller was determined by crystal structure analysis. However, the structural basis of ligand recognition by the αIIb propeller remains to be determined. In this study, we conducted site-directed mutagenesis of all residues located in the loops extending above blades 2 and 4 of the αIIb propeller, which are spatially close to, but distinct from, the loops that contain the binding site for an RGD ligand in the crystal structure of the αV propeller. Replacement by alanine of Q111, H112 or N114 in the loop within the blade 2 (the W2:2-3 loop in the propeller model) abolished binding of a ligand-mimetic antibody and fibrinogen to αIIbβ3 induced by different types of integrin activation including activation of αIIbβ3 by β3 cytoplasmic mutation. CHO cells stably expressing recombinant αIIbβ3 bearing Q111A, H112A or N114A mutation did not exhibit αIIbβ3mediated adhesion to fibrinogen. According to the crystal structure of αVβ3, the αV residue corresponding to αIIbN114 is exposed on the integrin surface and close to the RGD binding site. These results suggest that the Q111, H112 and N114 residues in the loop within blade 2 of the αIIb propeller are critical for ligand binding, possibly because of direct interaction with ligands or modulation of the RGD binding pocket.


2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. M. Figueira ◽  
D. M. Saidemberg ◽  
P. C. T. Souza ◽  
L. Martínez ◽  
T. S. Scanlan ◽  
...  

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are ligand-gated transcription factors with critical roles in development and metabolism. Although x-ray structures of TR ligand-binding domains (LBDs) with agonists are available, comparable structures without ligand (apo-TR) or with antagonists are not. It remains important to understand apo-LBD conformation and the way that it rearranges with ligands to develop better TR pharmaceuticals. In this study, we conducted hydrogen/deuterium exchange on TR LBDs with or without agonist (T3) or antagonist (NH3). Both ligands reduce deuterium incorporation into LBD amide hydrogens, implying tighter overall folding of the domain. As predicted, mass spectroscopic analysis of individual proteolytic peptides after hydrogen/deuterium exchange reveals that ligand increases the degree of solvent protection of regions close to the buried ligand-binding pocket. However, there is also extensive ligand protection of other regions, including the dimer surface at H10–H11, providing evidence for allosteric communication between the ligand-binding pocket and distant interaction surfaces. Surprisingly, C-terminal activation helix H12, which is known to alter position with ligand, remains relatively protected from solvent in all conditions suggesting that it is packed against the LBD irrespective of the presence or type of ligand. T3, but not NH3, increases accessibility of the upper part of H3–H5 to solvent, and we propose that TR H12 interacts with this region in apo-TR and that this interaction is blocked by T3 but not NH3. We present data from site-directed mutagenesis experiments and molecular dynamics simulations that lend support to this structural model of apo-TR and its ligand-dependent conformational changes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Bao ◽  
Christina Kaldany ◽  
Ericka C. Holmstrand ◽  
Daniel H. Cox

There is controversy over whether Ca2+ binds to the BKCa channel's intracellular domain or its integral-membrane domain and over whether or not mutations that reduce the channel's Ca2+ sensitivity act at the point of Ca2+ coordination. One region in the intracellular domain that has been implicated in Ca2+ sensing is the “Ca2+ bowl”. This region contains many acidic residues, and large Ca2+-bowl mutations eliminate Ca2+ sensing through what appears to be one type of high-affinity Ca2+-binding site. Here, through site-directed mutagenesis we have mapped the residues in the Ca2+ bowl that are most important for Ca2+ sensing. We find acidic residues, D898 and D900, to be essential, and we find them essential as well for Ca2+ binding to a fusion protein that contains a portion of the BKCa channel's intracellular domain. Thus, much of our data supports the conclusion that Ca2+ binds to the BKCa channel's intracellular domain, and they define the Ca2+ bowl's essential Ca2+-sensing motif. Overall, however, we have found that the relationship between mutations that disrupt Ca2+ sensing and those that disrupt Ca2+ binding is not as strong as we had expected, a result that raises the possibility that, when examined by gel-overlay, the Ca2+ bowl may be in a nonnative conformation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Song ◽  
J Beattie ◽  
IW Campbell ◽  
GJ Allan

Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have undertaken a study of a potential IGF-binding site in the C-terminal domain of rat IGFBP-5, lying close to or within a previously described heparin-binding domain (residues 201-218) in this protein. After analysis of binding activity using three different methods - ligand blotting, solution phase equilibrium binding and biosensor measurement of real-time on- and off-rates - we report that the mutation of two highly conserved residues within this region (glycine 203 and glutamine 209) reduces the affinity of the binding protein for both IGF-I and IGF-II, while having no effect on heparin binding. In addition, we confirm that mutation of basic residues within the heparin-binding domain (R201L, K202E, K206Q and R214A) results in a protein that has attenuated heparin binding but shows only a small reduction in affinity for IGF-I and -II. Previous findings have described the reduction in affinity of IGFBP-5 for IGFs that occurs after complexation of the binding protein with heparin or other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and have postulated that such an interaction may result in conformational changes in protein structure, affecting subsequent IGF interaction. Our data suggesting potential overlap of heparin- and IGF-binding domains argue for a more direct effect of ECM modulation of the affinity of IGFBP-5 for ligand by partial occlusion of the IGF-binding site after interaction with ECM.


1992 ◽  
Vol 285 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Christensen ◽  
L Mølgaard

The kinetics of a series of Glu-plasminogen ligand-binding processes were investigated at pH 7.8 and 25 degrees C (in 0.1 M-NaCl). The ligands include compounds analogous to C-terminal lysine residues and to normal lysine residues. Changes of the Glu-plasminogen protein fluorescence were measured in a stopped-flow instrument as a function of time after rapid mixing of Glu-plasminogen and ligand at various concentrations. Large positive fluorescence changes (approximately 10%) accompany the ligand-induced conformational changes of Glu-plasminogen resulting from binding at weak lysine-binding sites. Detailed studies of the concentration-dependencies of the equilibrium signals and the rate constants of the process induced by various ligands showed the conformational change to involve two sites in a concerted positive co-operative process with three steps: (i) binding of a ligand at a very weak lysine-binding site that preferentially, but not exclusively, binds C-terminal-type lysine ligands, (ii) the rate-determining actual-conformational-change step and (iii) binding of one more lysine ligand at a second weak lysine-binding site that then binds the ligand more tightly. Further, totally independent initial small negative fluorescence changes (approximately 2-4%) corresponding to binding at the strong lysine-binding site of kringle 1 [Sottrup-Jensen, Claeys, Zajdel, Petersen & Magnusson (1978) Prog. Chem. Fibrinolysis Thrombolysis 3, 191-209] were observed for the C-terminal-type ligands. The finding that the conformational change in Glu-plasminogen involves two weak lysine-binding sites indicates that the effect cannot be assigned to any single kringle and that the problem of whether kringle 4 or kringle 5 is responsible for the process resolves itself. Probably kringle 4 and 5 are both participating. The involvement of two lysine binding-sites further makes the high specificity of Glu-plasminogen effectors more conceivable.


2008 ◽  
Vol 412 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen Thor ◽  
Angela Schulz ◽  
Thomas Hermsdorf ◽  
Torsten Schöneberg

GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) exist in a spontaneous equilibrium between active and inactive conformations that are stabilized by agonists and inverse agonists respectively. Because ligand binding of agonists and inverse agonists often occurs in a competitive manner, one can assume an overlap between both binding sites. Only a few studies report mutations in GPCRs that convert receptor blockers into agonists by unknown mechanisms. Taking advantage of a genetically modified yeast strain, we screened libraries of mutant M3Rs {M3 mAChRs [muscarinic ACh (acetylcholine) receptors)]} and identified 13 mutants which could be activated by atropine (EC50 0.3–10 μM), an inverse agonist on wild-type M3R. Many of the mutations sensitizing M3R to atropine activation were located at the junction of intracellular loop 3 and helix 6, a region known to be involved in G-protein coupling. In addition to atropine, the pharmacological switch was found for other M3R blockers such as scopolamine, pirenzepine and oxybutynine. However, atropine functions as an agonist on the mutant M3R only when expressed in yeast, but not in mammalian COS-7 cells, although high-affinity ligand binding was comparable in both expression systems. Interestingly, we found that atropine still blocks carbachol-induced activation of the M3R mutants in the yeast expression system by binding at the high-affinity-binding site (Ki ∼10 nM). Our results indicate that blocker-to-agonist converting mutations enable atropine to function as both agonist and antagonist by interaction with two functionally distinct binding sites.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88
Author(s):  
Hanxun Wang ◽  
Yinli Gao ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Maosheng Cheng

Background: Poor selectivity of drug candidates may lead to toxicity and side effects accounting for as high as 60% failure rate, thus, the selectivity is consistently significant and challenging for drug discovery. Objective: To find highly specific small molecules towards very similar protein targets, multiple strategies are always employed, including (1) To make use of the diverse shape of binding pocket to avoid steric bump; (2) To increase binding affinities for favorite residues; (3) To achieve selectivity through allosteric regulation of target; (4) To stabalize the inactive conformation of protein target and (5) To occupy dual binding pockets of single target. Conclusion: In this review, we summarize computational strategies along with examples of their successful applications in designing selective ligands, with the aim to provide insights into everdiversifying drug development practice and inspire medicinal chemists to utilize computational strategies to avoid potential side effects due to low selectivity of ligands.


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