title: Combined Simulation and Mutation Studies to Elucidate Selectivity of Unsubstituted Amphetamine-like Cathinones at the Dopamine Transporter.
abstract: The dopamine and serotonin transporter proteins (DAT, SERT) play a vital role in behavior and mental illness. Although their substrate transport has been studied extensively, the molecular basis of their selectivity is not completely understood yet. In this study, we exploit molecular dynamics simulations combined with mutagenesis studies to shed light on the driving factors for DAT-over-SERT selectivity of a set of cathinones. Results indicate that these compounds can adopt two binding modes of which one is more favorable. In addition, free energy calculations indicated the substrate binding site (S1) as the primary recognition site for these ligands. By simulating DAT with SERT-like mutations, we hypothesize unsubstituted cathinones to bind more favorably to DAT, due to a Val152 offering more space, as compared to the bulkier Ile172 in SERT. This was supported by uptake inhibition measurements, which showed an increase in activity in SERT-I172V.
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seddik
authors.affiliation: AIMMS Division of Molecular Toxicology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daan P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Geerke
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stockner
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holy
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kudlacek
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706.
authors.forename: Nicholas V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Cozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706.
authors.forename: Arnold E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ruoho
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sitte
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerhard F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Ecker
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001665:Binding Sites; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D009154:Mutation; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000662:Amphetamines; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008024:Ligands; C493214:SLC6A3 protein, human; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C023665:cathinone
keywords: docking; molecular dynamics; monoamine transporters; thermodynamic integration; uptake inhibitory assay