Crystal structure of Lymnaea stagnalis AChBP complexed with the potent nAChR antagonist DH?E suggests a unique mode of antagonism.
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ABSTRACT: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that belong to the Cys-loop receptor superfamily. These receptors are allosteric proteins that exist in different conformational states, including resting (closed), activated (open), and desensitized (closed) states. The acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) is a structural homologue of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of nAChRs. In previous studies, the degree of the C-loop radial extension of AChBP has been assigned to different conformational states of nAChRs. It has been suggested that a closed C-loop is preferred for the active conformation of nAChRs in complex with agonists whereas an open C-loop reflects an antagonist-bound (closed) state. In this work, we have determined the crystal structure of AChBP from the water snail Lymnaea stagnalis (Ls) in complex with dihydro-?-erythroidine (DH?E), which is a potent competitive antagonist of nAChRs. The structure reveals that binding of DH?E to AChBP imposes closure of the C-loop as agonists, but also a shift perpendicular to previously observed C-loop movements. These observations suggest that DH?E may antagonize the receptor via a different mechanism compared to prototypical antagonists and toxins.
SUBMITTER: Shahsavar A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3425559 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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