Structure-activity analysis of ginkgolide binding in the glycine receptor pore

Judith A. Heads, Rebecca L. Hawthorne, Timothy Lynagh, Joseph W. Lynch

    25 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Ginkgolides, active constituents of Ginkgo biloba extracts, potently block the glycine receptor chloride channel (GlyR). Ginkgolides A, B, C and J are structurally similar, varying only by the presence or absence of oxygens at their R1 and R2 positions. The aim of this study was to understand how variable ginkgolide groups bind to pore-lining 2′ and 6′ residues in the α1 GlyR. Ginkgolide potency was not affected by G2′A or G2′S mutations, suggesting 2′ residues are not important for ginkgolide coordination. Analysis of the α1T6′S GlyR suggests that ginkgolides bind to this receptor via hydrogen bonds between T6′S and ginkgolide R1 hydroxyls. The abolition of block by the T6′A and T6′V mutations but not by the T6′S mutation implies the existence a second transmembrane domain α-helical kink formed by hydrogen bonding between 6′ threonine and serine sidechains and backbone carbonyl oxygens. We also found that ginkgolide A binds in different orientations in the closed and open states of a mutant GlyR, possibly reflecting its enhanced flexibility relative to other ginkgolides. Together these results indicate that small variations in ginkgolide structure or pore structure can lead to drastic potency variations. This property may be exploited to create improved pharmacological probes for discriminating among anionic Cys-loop receptor isoforms with 6′ structural variations.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
    Volume105
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)1418-1427
    Number of pages10
    ISSN0022-3042
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2008

    Keywords

    • Binding site
    • Channel block
    • Cys-loop receptor
    • Ginkgo biloba
    • Ligand-gated ion channel
    • Site-directed mutagenesis

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Structure-activity analysis of ginkgolide binding in the glycine receptor pore'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this