title: Muscimol and N,N-dimethylmuscimol: from a GABA agonist to a glycine antagonist.
abstract: By using molecular modeling methods, a molecular mechanism was identified which can explain how the incorporation of two methyl groups in place of two hydrogen atoms on the terminal nitrogen atom of muscimol can not only convert this potent agonist at GABAnergic receptors to an inactive molecule at these receptors, but also can convert this new derivative to an antagonist of glycine at glycinergic receptors. This insight into the molecular mechanism operative in the conversion of physiological function provides a basis for understanding how a single molecule may be able to act at both the GABA- and glycine-inhibitory receptors.
authors.affiliation: Section of Applied and Theoretical Neurobiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Aprison
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lipkowitz
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005998:Glycine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009118:Muscimol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007555:Isoxazoles; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D009118:Muscimol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C075292:N,N-dimethylmuscimol; C075291:N-methylmuscimol; C075293:6-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridin-3-ol; C075290:N,N-dimethylthiomuscimol; C015542:gaboxadol; D005998:Glycine