6zfm | pdb_00006zfm
Structure of alpha-Cobratoxin with a peptide inhibitor
Structural highlights
Function3L21_NAJKA Monomer: binds with high affinity to muscular (alpha-1-beta-1-gamma-delta/CHRNA1-CHRNB1-CHRNG-CHRND) nAChR (tested on Torpedo californica, Kd=0.2-4.5 nM) and neuronal alpha-7/CHRNA7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Kd=13-105 nM) (PubMed:18381281, PubMed:9305882, PubMed:22223648). Also inhibits GABA(A) channels (PubMed:26221036). Heteropentamer targets studied are composed of alpha-1-beta-3-gamma-2 (GABRA1-GABRB3-GABRG2) subunits (IC(50)=236 nM), alpha-1-beta-2-gamma-2 (GABRA1-GABRB2-GABRG2) subunits (IC(50)=469 nM), alpha-2-beta-2-gamma-2 (GABRA2-GABRB2-GABRG2) subunits (IC(50)=485 nM), alpha-5-beta-3-gamma-2 (GABRA5-GABRB3-GABRG2) subunits (IC(50)=635 nM), and alpha-2-beta-3-gamma-2 (GABRA2-GABRB3-GABRG2) subunits (IC(50)=1099 nM) (activated by 10 uM GABA) (PubMed:26221036).[1] [2] [3] [4] Homodimer: binds with high affinity (but lower than the monomeric form) to muscular (IC(50)=9.7 nM) and with low affinity to neuronal alpha-7/CHRNA7 nAChRs (IC(50)=1370 nM) (PubMed:22223648). However, it acquires (compared to the monomeric form) the capacity to block alpha-3/beta-2 (CHRNA3/CHRNB2) nAChRs (PubMed:18381281).[5] [6] Heterodimer with cytotoxin 3 (AC P01446): is slightly more active than the homodimer in inhibiting alpha-7/CHRNA7 nAChR and is considerably more active in blocking the alpha-3-beta-2/CHRNA3-CHRNB2 nAChR.[7] Publication Abstract from PubMedVenomous snakebites cause >100 000 deaths every year, in many cases via potent depression of human neuromuscular signaling by snake alpha-neurotoxins. Emergency therapy still relies on antibody-based antivenom, hampered by poor access, frequent adverse reactions, and cumbersome production/purification. Combining high-throughput discovery and subsequent structure-function characterization, we present simple peptides that bind alpha-cobratoxin (alpha-Cbtx) and prevent its inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as a lead for the development of alternative antivenoms. Candidate peptides were identified by phage display and deep sequencing, and hits were characterized by electrophysiological recordings, leading to an 8-mer peptide that prevented alpha-Cbtx inhibition of nAChRs. We also solved the peptide:alpha-Cbtx cocrystal structure, revealing that the peptide, although of unique primary sequence, binds to alpha-Cbtx by mimicking structural features of the nAChR binding pocket. This demonstrates the potential of small peptides to neutralize lethal snake toxins in vitro, establishing a potential route to simple, synthetic, low-cost antivenoms. Peptide Inhibitors of the alpha-Cobratoxin-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Interaction.,Lynagh T, Kiontke S, Meyhoff-Madsen M, Gless BH, Johannesen J, Kattelmann S, Christiansen A, Dufva M, Laustsen AH, Devkota K, Olsen CA, Kummel D, Pless SA, Lohse B J Med Chem. 2020 Nov 25;63(22):13709-13718. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01202. , Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID:33143415[8] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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