title: Binding-site mutations in the alpha1 subunit of the inhibitory glycine receptor convert the inhibitory metal ion Cu2+ into a positive modulator.
abstract: The divalent cation copper (Cu2+) has been shown to inhibit chloride currents mediated by the inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR). Here, we analyzed Cu2+ inhibition of homo- and hetero-oligomeric GlyRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. No significant differences in Cu2+ inhibitory potency were found between alpha1, alpha2 and alpha3 GlyRs as well as heteromeric alpha1beta receptors. Furthermore, GlyR alpha1 mutations known to reduce inhibition or potentiation of GlyR currents by Zn2+ had no effect on Cu2+ inhibition. However, Cu2+ was found to competitively antagonize glycine binding, suggesting that Cu2+ binds at the agonist-binding site. Mutations within the glycine-binding site of the GlyR alpha1 subunit reduced the inhibitory potency of Cu2+ and led to an up to 4-fold potentiation of glycine-elicited currents by Cu2+. Molecular dynamics simulation suggests this to be due to increased Cu2+ binding energies. Our data show that GlyR binding-site mutations can convert inhibitors of agonist binding into highly effective positive modulators.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Neurochemie, Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstr. 46, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schumann
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grudzinska
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuzmin
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laube
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009865:Oocytes; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D003300:Copper; C029892:cupric chloride; D005998:Glycine