scholarly journals New capsaicin analogs as molecular rulers to define the permissive conformation of the mouse TRPV1 ligand-binding pocket

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Vu ◽  
Vikrant Singh ◽  
Heike Wulff ◽  
Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy ◽  
Jie Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Ligand Selectivity ◽  
Molecular Rulers ◽  
Activation Gating ◽  
Channel Interactions ◽  
Multiple Ligand

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protoporphyrin Ix ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Translocator Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Ligand Selectivity ◽  
High Affinity

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.

scholarly journals Rhodopsin: Structural Basis of Molecular Physiology

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1659-1688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh T. Menon ◽  
May Han ◽  
Thomas P. Sakmar
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Molecular Physiology ◽  
Movement Model ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Cytoplasmic Surface

The crystal structure of rod cell visual pigment rhodopsin was recently solved at 2.8-Å resolution. A critical evaluation of a decade of structure-function studies is now possible. It is also possible to begin to explain the structural basis for several unique physiological properties of the vertebrate visual system, including extremely low dark noise levels as well as high gain and color detection. The ligand-binding pocket of rhodopsin is remarkably compact, and several apparent chromophore-protein interactions were not predicted from extensive mutagenesis or spectroscopic studies. The transmembrane helices are interrupted or kinked at multiple sites. An extensive network of interhelical interactions stabilizes the ground state of the receptor. The helix movement model of receptor activation, which might apply to all G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of the rhodopsin family, is supported by several structural elements that suggest how light-induced conformational changes in the ligand-binding pocket are transmitted to the cytoplasmic surface. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor is remarkable for a carboxy-terminal helical domain extending from the seventh transmembrane segment parallel to the bilayer surface. Thus the cytoplasmic surface appears to be approximately the right size to bind to the transducin heterotrimer in a one-to-one complex. Future high-resolution structural studies of rhodopsin and other GPCRs will form a basis to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of GPCR-mediated signal transduction.

scholarly journals Kinetic and Thermodynamic Characterization of Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Conformational Perturbations in Androgen Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1231-1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Jasuja ◽  
Jagadish Ulloor ◽  
Christopher M. Yengo ◽  
Karen Choong ◽  
Andrei Y. Istomin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Solvent Accessibility ◽  
Molten Globule ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Ligand Binding Domain ◽  
Second Derivative ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket

Abstract Ligand-induced conformational perturbations in androgen receptor (AR) are important in coactivator recruitment and transactivation. However, molecular rearrangements in AR ligand-binding domain (AR-LBD) associated with agonist binding and their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are poorly understood. We used steady-state second-derivative absorption and emission spectroscopy, pressure and temperature perturbations, and 4,4′-bis-anilinonaphthalene 8-sulfonate (bis-ANS) partitioning to determine the kinetics and thermodynamics of the conformational changes in AR-LBD after dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding. In presence of DHT, the second-derivative absorption spectrum showed a red shift and a change in peak-to-peak distance. Emission intensity increased upon DHT binding, and center of spectral mass was blue shifted, denoting conformational changes resulting in more hydrophobic environment for tyrosines and tryptophans within a more compact DHT-bound receptor. In pressure perturbation calorimetry, DHT-induced energetic stabilization increased the Gibbs free energy of unfolding to 8.4 ± 1.3 kcal/mol from 3.5 ± 1.6 kcal/mol. Bis-ANS partitioning studies revealed that upon DHT binding, AR-LBD underwent biphasic rearrangement with a high activation energy (13.4 kcal/mol). An initial, molten globule-like burst phase (k ∼30 sec−1) with greater solvent accessibility was followed by rearrangement (k ∼0.01 sec−1), leading to a more compact conformation than apo-AR-LBD. Molecular simulations demonstrated unique sensitivity of tyrosine and tryptophan residues during pressure unfolding with rearrangement of residues in the coactivator recruitment surfaces distant from the ligand-binding pocket. In conclusion, DHT binding leads to energetic stabilization of AR-LBD domain and substantial rearrangement of residues distant from the ligand-binding pocket. DHT binding to AR-LBD involves biphasic receptor rearrangement including population of a molten globule-like intermediate state.

scholarly journals Analysis of Agonist and Antagonist Effects on Thyroid Hormone Receptor Conformation by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Thyroid Hormone Receptor ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Deuterium Exchange ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Hydrogen Deuterium

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.

scholarly journals Determinants of ligand selectivity in a cyclic nucleotide–regulated potassium channel

2014 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Pessoa ◽  
Fátima Fonseca ◽  
Simone Furini ◽  
João H. Morais-Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Potassium Channel ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotide ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Bound State ◽  
Triple Mutant ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Ligand Selectivity ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Cyclic nucleotide–binding (CNB) domains regulate the activity of channels, kinases, exchange factors, and transcription factors. These proteins are highly variable in their ligand selectivity; some are highly selective for either cAMP or cGMP, whereas others are not. Several molecular determinants of ligand selectivity in CNB domains have been defined, but these do not provide a complete view of the selectivity mechanism. We performed a thorough analysis of the ligand-binding properties of mutants of the CNB domain from the MlotiK1 potassium channel. In particular, we defined which residues specifically favor cGMP or cAMP. Inversion of ligand selectivity, from favoring cAMP to favoring cGMP, was only achieved through a combination of three mutations in the ligand-binding pocket. We determined the x-ray structure of the triple mutant bound to cGMP and performed molecular dynamics simulations and a biochemical analysis of the effect of the mutations. We concluded that the increase in cGMP affinity and selectivity does not result simply from direct interactions between the nucleotide base and the amino acids introduced in the ligand-binding pocket residues. Rather, tighter cGMP binding over cAMP results from the polar chemical character of the mutations, from greater accessibility of water molecules to the ligand in the bound state, and from an increase in the structural flexibility of the mutated binding pocket.

scholarly journals Suramin Targets the Conserved Ligand-Binding Pocket of Human Raf1 Kinase Inhibitory Protein

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1151
Author(s):  
Chenyun Guo ◽  
Zhihua Wu ◽  
Weiliang Lin ◽  
Hao Xu ◽  
Ting Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Therapeutic Index ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Inhibitory Protein ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Raf1 Kinase

Suramin was initially used to treat African sleeping sickness and has been clinically tested to treat human cancers and HIV infection in the recent years. However, the therapeutic index is low with numerous clinical side-effects, attributed to its diverse interactions with multiple biological macromolecules. Here, we report a novel binding target of suramin, human Raf1 kinase inhibitory protein (hRKIP), which is an important regulatory protein involved in the Ras/Raf1/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signal pathway. Biolayer interference technology showed that suramin had an intermediate affinity for binding hRKIP with a dissociation constant of 23.8 µM. Both nuclear magnetic resonance technology and molecular docking analysis revealed that suramin bound to the conserved ligand-binding pocket of hRKIP, and that residues K113, W173, and Y181 play crucial roles in hRKIP binding suramin. Furthermore, suramin treatment at 160 µM could profoundly increase the ERK phosphorylation level by around 3 times. Our results indicate that suramin binds to hRKIP and prevents hRKIP from binding with hRaf1, thus promoting the MAPK pathway. This work is beneficial to both mechanistically understanding the side-effects of suramin and efficiently improving the clinical applications of suramin.

scholarly journals Ligands with poly-fluorophenyl moieties promote a local structural rearrangement in the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers that increases ligand affinities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif Anisuzzaman ◽  
Ivan M Geraskin ◽  
Muslum Ilgu ◽  
Lee Bendickson ◽  
George A Kraus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Structural Rearrangement ◽  
Structural Reorganization ◽  
Ligand Binding Pocket ◽  
Rna Remodeling ◽  
Small Molecule Ligands ◽  
Target Molecules

The interaction of nucleic acids with their molecular targets often involves structural reorganization that may traverse a complex folding landscape. With the more recent recognition that many RNAs, both coding and noncoding, may regulate cellular activities by interacting with target molecules, it becomes increasingly important to understand the means by which nucleic acids interact with their targets and how drugs might be developed that can influence critical folding transitions. We have extensively investigated the interaction of the Spinach2 and Broccoli aptamers with a library of small molecule ligands modified by various extensions from the imido nitrogen of DFHBI (3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone) that reach out from the Spinach2 ligand binding pocket. Studies of the interaction of these compounds with the aptamers revealed that poly-fluorophenyl-modified ligands initiate a slow change in aptamer affinity that takes an extended time (half-life of ~40 min) to achieve. The change in affinity appears to involve an initial disruption of the entrance to the ligand binding pocket followed by a gradual lockdown for which the most likely driving force is an interaction of the gateway adenine with a nearby 2'OH group. These results suggest that poly-fluorophenyl modifications might increase the ability of small molecule drugs to disrupt local structure and promote RNA remodeling.

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