GluK1 antagonists from 6-(carboxy)phenyl decahydroisoquinoline derivatives. SAR and evaluation of a prodrug strategy for oral efficacy in pain models

The synthesis and structure–activity relationship of decahydroisoquinoline derivatives with various benzoic acid substitutions as GluK1 antagonists are described. Potent and selective antagonists were selected for a tailored prodrug approach in order to facilitate the evaluation of the new compounds in pain models after oral administration. Several diester prodrugs allowed for acceptable amino acid exposure and moderate efficacy in vivo.     

Structural studies,homology modeling and molecular docking of novel non-competitive antagonists of GluK1/GluK2 receptors

Non-competitive ligands of kainate receptors have focused significant attention as medicinal compounds because they seem to be better tolerated than competitive antagonists and uncompetitive blocker of these receptors. Here we present structural studies (X-ray structure determination, NMR and MS spectra) of novel indole-derived non-competitive antagonists of GluK1/GluK2 receptors, homology models of GluK1 and GluK2 receptors based on novel AMPA receptor template as well as molecular docking of ligands to their molecular targets. We find that the allosteric site is in the receptor transduction domain, in one receptor subunit, not between the two subunits as it was indicated by our earlier studies.     

Crystal structures of the glutamate receptor ion channel GluK3 and GluK5 amino-terminal domains

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate the majority of fast excitatory synaptic neurotransmission in the central nervous system. The selective assembly of iGluRs into AMPA, kainate, and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subtypes is regulated by their extracellular amino-terminal domains (ATDs). Kainate receptors are further classified into low-affinity receptor families (GluK1-GluK3) and high-affinity receptor families (GluK4-GluK5) based on their affinity for the neurotoxin kainic acid. These two families share a 42% sequence identity for the intact receptor but only a 27% sequence identity at the level of ATD. We have determined for the first time the high-resolution crystal structures of GluK3 and GluK5 ATDs, both of which crystallize as dimers but with a strikingly different dimer assembly at the R1 interface. By contrast, for both GluK3 and GluK5, the R2 domain dimer assembly is similar to those reported previously for other non-NMDA iGluRs. This observation is consistent with the reports that GluK4-GluK5 cannot form functional homomeric ion channels and require obligate coassembly with GluK1-GluK3. Our analysis also reveals that the relative orientation of domains R1 and R2 in individual non-NMDA receptor ATDs varies by up to 10°, in contrast to the 50° difference reported for the NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit. This restricted domain movement in non-NMDA receptor ATDs seems to result both from extensive intramolecular contacts between domain R1 and domain R2 and from their assembly as dimers, which interact at both R1 and R2 domains. Our results provide the first insights into the structure and function of GluK4-GluK5, the least understood family of iGluRs.     

Channel-opening kinetic mechanism of wild-type GluK1 kainate receptors and a C-terminal mutant

GluK1 is a kainate receptor subunit in the ionotropic glutamate receptor family and can form functional channels when expressed, for instance, in HEK-293 cells. However, the channel-opening mechanism of GluK1 is poorly understood. One major challenge to studying the GluK1 channel is its apparent low level of surface expression, which results in a low whole-cell current response even to a saturating concentration of agonist. A low level of surface expression is thought to be contributed by an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal sequence. When this sequence motif is present as in the C-terminus of wild-type GluK1-2b, the receptor is significantly retained in the ER. Conversely, when this sequence is either lacking, as in wild-type GluK1-2a (i.e., a different alternatively spliced isoform at the C-terminus), or disrupted, as in a GluK1-2b mutant (i.e., R896A, R897A, R900A, and K901A), there is a higher level of surface expression and a greater whole-cell current response. Here we characterize the channel-opening kinetic mechanism for these three GluK1 receptors expressed in HEK-293 cells by using a laser-pulse photolysis technique. Our results show that wild-type GluK1-2a, wild-type GluK1-2b, and the GluK1-2b mutant have identical channel opening and channel closing rate constants. These results indicate that the amino acid sequence near or within the C-terminal ER retention signal sequence, which affects receptor trafficking and/or expression, does not affect channel gating properties. Furthermore, as compared with the GluK2 kainate receptor, the GluK1 channel is faster to open, close, and desensitize by at least 2-fold, yet the EC(50) value of GluK1 is similar to that of GluK2.     

Agonist binding to the GluK5 subunit is sufficient for functional surface expression of heteromeric GluK2/GluK5 kainate receptors

Trafficking of ionotropic glutamate receptors to the plasma membrane commonly requires occupation of the agonist binding sites. This quality control check does not typically involve receptor activation, as binding by competitive antagonists or to non-functional channels may also permit surface expression. The tetrameric kainate receptors can be assembled from five different subunits (GluK1–GluK5). While the “low-affinity” GluK1-3 subunits are able to produce functional homomeric receptors, the “high-affinity” GluK4 and GluK5 subunits require co-assembly with GluK1, 2, or 3 for surface expression. These two different types of subunits have distinct functional roles in the receptor. Therefore, we examined the relative importance of occupancy of the agonist site of the GluK2 or GluK5 subunit for surface expression of heteromeric receptors. We created subunits with a mutation within the S2 ligand-binding domain which decreased agonist affinity. Mutations at this site reduced functional surface expression of homomeric GluK2 receptors, but surface expression of these receptors could be increased with either a competitive antagonist or co-assembly with wild-type GluK5. In contrast, mutations in the GluK5 subunit reduced the production of functional heteromeric receptors at the membrane, and could not be rescued with either an antagonist or wild-type GluK2. These findings indicate that ligand binding to only the GluK5 subunit is both necessary and sufficient to allow trafficking of recombinant GluK2/K5 heteromers to the cell membrane, but that occupancy of the GluK2 site alone is not. Our results suggest a distinct role for the GluK5 subunit in regulating surface expression of heteromeric kainate receptors.     

Design,synthesis and in vitro pharmacology of GluK1 and GluK3 antagonists. Studies towards the design of subtype-selective antagonists through 2-carboxyethyl-phenylalanines with substituents interacting with non-conserved residues in the GluK binding sites

In order to identify compounds selective for the GluK1 and GluK3 subtypes of kainate receptors we have designed and synthesized a series of (S)-2-amino-3-((2-carboxyethyl)phenyl)propanoic acid analogs with hydrogen bond donating and accepting substituents on the aromatic ring. Based on crystal structures of GluK1 in complex with related ligands, the compounds were designed to explore possible interactions with non-conserved residues outside the glutamate ligand binding site and challenge the water binding network. Apart from obtaining GluK1 selective antagonists one analog with a phenyl-substituted urea (compound 31) showed some preference for GluK3 over GluK1-receptors. Docking studies indicate that this preference may be attributed to contacts between the NH of the urea substituent and non-conserved Ser741 and Ser761 residues.     

Assembly stoichiometry of the GluK2/GluK5 kainate receptor complex

Ionotropic glutamate receptors assemble as homo- or heterotetramers. One well-studied heteromeric complex is formed by the kainate receptor subunits GluK2 and GluK5. Retention motifs prevent trafficking of GluK5 homomers to the plasma membrane, but coassembly with GluK2 yields functional heteromeric receptors. Additional control over GluK2/GluK5 assembly seems to be exerted by the aminoterminal domains, which preferentially assemble into heterodimers as isolated domains. However,the stoichiometry of the full-length GluK2/GluK5 receptor complex has yet to be determined, as is the case for all non-NMDA glutamate receptors. Here, we address this question, using a single-molecule imaging technique that enables direct counting of the number of each GluK subunit type in homomeric and heteromeric receptors in the plasma membranes of live cells. We show that GluK2 and GluK5 assemble with 2:2 stoichiometry. This is an important step toward understanding the assembly mechanism, architecture, and functional consequences of heteromer formation in ionotropic glutamate receptors.     

Kainate Receptor Post-translational Modifications Differentially Regulate Association with 4.1N to Control Activity-dependent Receptor Endocytosis

Kainate receptors exhibit a highly compartmentalized distribution within the brain; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that coordinate their expression at neuronal sites of action are poorly characterized. Here we report that the GluK1 and GluK2 kainate receptor subunits interact with the spectrin-actin binding scaffolding protein 4.1N through a membrane-proximal domain in the C-terminal tail. We found that this interaction is important for the forward trafficking of GluK2a receptors, their distribution in the neuronal plasma membrane, and regulation of receptor endocytosis. The association between GluK2a receptors and 4.1N was regulated by both palmitoylation and protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation of the receptor subunit. Palmitoylation of the GluK2a subunit promoted 4.1N association, and palmitoylation-deficient receptors exhibited reduced neuronal surface expression and compromised endocytosis. Conversely, PKC activation decreased 4.1N interaction with GluK2/3-containing kainate receptors in acute brain slices, an effect that was reversed after inhibition of PKC. Our data and previous studies therefore demonstrate that these two post-translational modifications have opposing effects on 4.1N association with GluK2 kainate and GluA1 AMPA receptors. The convergence of the signaling pathways regulating 4.1N protein association could thus result in the selective removal of AMPA receptors from the plasma membrane while simultaneously promoting the insertion and stabilization of kainate receptors, which may be important for tuning neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.     

A novel function for the ER retention signals in the C-terminus of kainate receptor subunit,GluK5

Classically, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signals in secreted integral membrane proteins impose the requirement to assemble with other cognate subunits to form functional assemblies before they can exit the ER. We report that GluK5 has two ER retention signals in its cytoplasmic C-terminus: an arginine-based signal and a di-leucine motif previously thought to be an endocytic motif. GluK5 assembles with GluK2, but surprisingly GluK2 association does little to block the ER retention signals. We find instead that the ER retention signals are blocked by two proteins involved in intracellular trafficking, SAP97 and CASK. We show that SAP97, in the presence of CASK and the receptor complex, assumes an extended conformation. In the extended conformation, SAP97 makes its SH3 and GuK domains available to bind and sterically mask the ER retention signals in the GluK5 C-terminus. SAP97 and CASK are also necessary for sorting receptor cargoes into the local dendritic secretory pathway in neurons. We show that the ER retention signals of GluK5 play a vital role in sorting the receptor complex in the local dendritic secretory pathway in neurons. These data suggest a new role for ER retention signals in trafficking integral membrane proteins in neurons.SignificanceWe present evidence that the ER retention signals in the kainate receptors containing GluK5 impose a requirement for sorting into local dendritic secretory pathways in neurons, as opposed to traversing the somatic Golgi apparatus. There are two ER retention signals in the C-terminus of GluK5. We show that both are blocked by physical association with SAP97 and CASK. The SH3 and GuK domains of SAP97, in the presence of CASK, bind directly to each ER retention signal and form a complex. These results support an entirely new function for ER retention signals in the C-termini of neuronal receptors, such as NMDA and kainate receptors, and define a mechanism for selective entry of receptors into local secretory pathways.     

Binding site and interlobe interactions of the ionotropic glutamate receptor GluK3 ligand binding domain revealed by high resolution crystal structure in complex with (S)-glutamate

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are involved in excitatory signal transmission throughout the central nervous system and their malfunction is associated with various health disorders. GluK3 is a subunit of iGluRs, belonging to the subfamily of kainate receptors (GluK1–5). Several crystal structures of GluK1 and GluK2 ligand binding domains have been determined in complex with agonists and antagonists. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying GluK3 ligand binding properties and no compounds displaying reasonable selectivity towards GluK3 are available today. Here, we present the first X-ray crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of GluK3 in complex with glutamate, determined to 1.6 Å resolution. The structure reveals a conserved glutamate binding mode, characteristic for iGluRs, and a water molecule network in the glutamate binding site similar to that seen in GluK1. In GluK3, a slightly lower degree of domain closure around glutamate is observed compared to most other kainate receptor structures with glutamate. The volume of the GluK3 glutamate binding cavity was found to be of intermediate size between those of GluK1 and GluK2. The residues in GluK3 contributing to the subfamily differences in the binding sites are primarily: Thr520, Ala691, Asn722, Leu736 and Thr742. The GluK3 ligand binding domain seems to be less stabilized through interlobe interactions than GluK1 and this may contribute to the faster desensitization kinetics of GluK3.     

Binding and selectivity of the marine toxin neodysiherbaine A and its synthetic analogues to GluK1 and GluK2 kainate receptors

Dysiherbaine (DH) and neodysiherbaine A (NDH) selectively bind and activate two kainate-type ionotropic glutamate receptors, GluK1 and GluK2. The ligand-binding domains of human GluK1 and GluK2 were crystallized as bound forms with a series of DH analogues including DH, NDH, 8-deoxy-NDH, 9-deoxy-NDH and 8,9-dideoxy-NDH (MSVIII-19), isolated from natural sources or prepared by total synthesis. Since the DH analogues exhibit a wide range of binding affinities and agonist efficacies, it follows that the detailed analysis of crystal structure would provide us with a significant opportunity to elucidate structural factors responsible for selective binding and some aspects of gating efficacy. We found that differences in three amino acids (Thr503, Ser706 and Ser726 in GluK1 and Ala487, Asn690 and Thr710 in GluK2) in the ligand-binding pocket generate differences in the binding modes of NDH to GluK1 and GluK2. Furthermore, deletion of the C₉ hydroxy group in NDH alters the ligand conformation such that it is no longer suited for binding to the GluK1 ligand-binding pocket. In GluK2, NDH pushes and rotates the side chain of Asn690 (substituted for Ser706 in GluK1) and disrupts an interdomain hydrogen bond with Glu409. The present data support the idea that receptor selectivities of DH analogues resulted from the differences in the binding modes of the ligands in GluK1/GluK2 and the steric repulsion of Asn690 in GluK2. All ligands, regardless of agonist efficacy, induced full domain closure. Consequently, ligand efficacy and domain closure did not directly coincide with DH analogues and the kainate receptors.     

Small GTPase Rab17 Regulates the Surface Expression of Kainate Receptors but Not α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) Receptors in Hippocampal Neurons via Dendritic Trafficking of Syntaxin-4 Protein

Glutamate receptors are fundamental for control synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal excitability. However, many of the molecular mechanisms underlying their trafficking remain elusive. We previously demonstrated that the small GTPase Rab17 regulates dendritic trafficking in hippocampal neurons. Here, we investigated the role(s) of Rab17 in AMPA receptor (AMPAR) and kainate receptor (KAR) trafficking. Although Rab17 knockdown did not affect surface expression of the AMPAR subunit GluA1 under basal or chemically induced long term potentiation conditions, it significantly reduced surface expression of the KAR subunit GluK2. Rab17 co-localizes with Syntaxin-4 in the soma, dendritic shaft, the tips of developing hippocampal neurons, and in spines. Rab17 knockdown caused Syntaxin-4 redistribution away from dendrites and into axons in developing hippocampal neurons. Syntaxin-4 knockdown reduced GluK2 but had no effect on GluA1 surface expression. Moreover, overexpression of constitutively active Rab17 promoted dendritic surface expression of GluK2 by enhancing Syntaxin-4 translocation to dendrites. These data suggest that Rab17 mediates the dendritic trafficking of Syntaxin-4 to selectively regulate dendritic surface insertion of GluK2-containing KARs in rat hippocampal neurons.     

Differences in kainate receptor involvement in hippocampal mossy fibre long-term potentiation depending on slice orientation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a well-established experimental model used to investigate the synaptic basis of learning and memory. LTP at mossy fibre - CA3 synapses in the hippocampus is unusual because it is normally N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent. Instead it seems that the trigger for mossy fibre LTP involves kainate receptors (KARs). Although it is generally accepted that pre-synaptic KARs play an essential role in frequency facilitation and LTP, their subunit composition remains a matter of significant controversy. We have reported previously that both frequency facilitation and LTP can be blocked by selective antagonism of GluK1 (formerly GluR5/Glu(K5))-containing KARs, but other groups have failed to reproduce this effect. Moreover, data from receptor knockout and mRNA expression studies argue against a major role of GluK1, supporting a more central role for GluK2 (formerly GluR6/Glu(K6)). A potential reason underlying the controversy in the pharmacological experiments may reside in differences in the preparations used. Here we show differences in pharmacological sensitivity of synaptic plasticity at mossy fibre - CA3 synapses depend critically on slice orientation. In transverse slices, LTP of fEPSPs was invariably resistant to GluK1-selective antagonists whereas in parasagittal slices LTP was consistently blocked by GluK1-selective antagonists. In addition, there were pronounced differences in the magnitude of frequency facilitation and the sensitivity to the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist DCG-IV. Using anterograde labelling of granule cells we show that slices of both orientations possess intact mossy fibres and both large and small presynaptic boutons. Transverse slices have denser fibre tracts but a smaller proportion of giant mossy fibre boutons. These results further demonstrate a considerable heterogeneity in the functional properties of the mossy fibre projection.     

PKC SUMOylation inhibits the binding of 14–3–3τ to GluK2

Phosphorylation and SUMOylation of the kainate receptor (KAR) subunit GluK2 have been shown to regulate KAR surface expression, trafficking and synaptic plasticity. In addition, our previous study has shown that a phosphorylation-dependent interaction of 14–3–3τ and GluK2a-containing receptors contributes to the slow decay kinetics of native KAR-EPSCs. However, it is unknown whether SUMOylation participates in the regulation of the interaction between 14–3–3τ and GluK2a-containing receptors. Here we report that SUMOylation of PKC, but not GluK2, represses the binding of 14–3–3τ to GluK2a via decreasing the phosphorylation level of GluK2a. These results suggest that PKC SUMOylation is an important regulator of the 14–3–3 and GluK2a protein complex and may contribute to regulate the decay kinetics of KAR-EPSCs.     

Kainate induces various domain closures in AMPA and kainate receptors

Ionotropic glutamate receptors are key players in fast excitatory synaptic transmission within the central nervous system. These receptors have been divided into three subfamilies: the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA), 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors. Kainate has previously been crystallized with the ligand binding domain (LBD) of AMPA receptors (GluA2 and GluA4) and kainate receptors (GluK1 and GluK2). Here, we report the structures of the kainate receptor GluK3 LBD in complex with kainate and GluK1 LBD in complex with kainate in the absence of glycerol. Kainate introduces a conformational change in GluK3 LBD comparable to that of GluK2, but different from the conformational changes induced in GluA2 and GluK1. Compared to their domain closures in a glutamate bound state, GluA2 and GluK1 become more open and kainate induces a domain closure of 60% and 62%, respectively, relative to glutamate (100%). In GluK2 and GluK3 with kainate, the domain closure is 88% and 83%, respectively. In previously determined structures of GluK1 LBD in complex with kainate, glycerol is present in the binding site where it bridges interlobe residues and thus, might contribute to the large domain opening. However, the structure of GluK1 LBD with kainate in the absence of glycerol confirms that the observed domain closure is not an artifact of crystallization conditions. Comparison of the LBD structures with glutamate and kainate reveals that contacts are lost upon binding of kainate in the three kainate receptors, which is in contrast to the AMPA receptors where similar contacts are seen. It was revealed by patch clamp electrophysiology studies that kainate is a partial agonist at GluK1 with 36% efficacy compared to glutamate, which is in between the published efficacies of kainate at GluK2 and AMPA receptors. The ranking of efficacies seems to correlate with LBD domain closures.     

CaMKII‐dependent phosphorylation of GluK5 mediates plasticity of kainate receptors

Calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is key for long‐term potentiation of synaptic AMPA receptors. Whether CaMKII is involved in activity‐dependent plasticity of other ionotropic glutamate receptors is unknown. We show that repeated pairing of pre‐ and postsynaptic stimulation at hippocampal mossy fibre synapses induces long‐term depression of kainate receptor (KAR)‐mediated responses, which depends on Ca²⁺ influx, activation of CaMKII, and on the GluK5 subunit of KARs. CaMKII phosphorylation of three residues in the C‐terminal domain of GluK5 subunit markedly increases lateral mobility of KARs, possibly by decreasing the binding of GluK5 to PSD‐95. CaMKII activation also promotes surface expression of KARs at extrasynaptic sites, but concomitantly decreases its synaptic content. Using a molecular replacement strategy, we demonstrate that the direct phosphorylation of GluK5 by CaMKII is necessary for KAR‐LTD. We propose that CaMKII‐dependent phosphorylation of GluK5 is responsible for synaptic depression by untrapping of KARs from the PSD and increased diffusion away from synaptic sites.     

Assembly and Trafficking of Homomeric and Heteromeric Kainate Receptors with Impaired Ligand Binding Sites

Kainate receptors (KARs) are a subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediating excitatory synaptic transmission. Cell surface expressed KARs modulate the excitability of neuronal networks. The transfer of iGluRs from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cell surface requires occupation of the agonist binding sites. Here we used molecular modelling to produce a range of ligand binding domain (LBD) point mutants of GluK1–3 KAR subunits with and without altered agonist efficacy to further investigate the role of glutamate binding in surface trafficking and activation of homomeric and heteromeric KARs using endoglycosidase digestion, cell surface biotinylation and imaging of changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration [Ca²⁺]_i. Mutations of conserved amino acid residues in the LBD that disrupt agonist binding to GluK1–3 (GluK1-T675V, GluK2-A487L, GluK2-T659V and GluK3-T661V) reduced both the total expression levels and cell surface delivery of all of these mutant subunits compared to the corresponding wild type in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. In contrast, the exchange of non-conserved residues in the LBD that convert antagonist selectivity of GluK1–3 (GluK1-T503A, GluK2-A487T, GluK3-T489A, GluK1-N705S/S706N, GluK2-S689N/N690S, GluK3-N691S) did not alter the biosynthesis and trafficking of subunit proteins. Co-assembly of mutant GluK2 with an impaired LBD and wild type GluK5 subunits enables the cell surface expression of both subunits. However, [Ca²⁺]_i imaging indicates that the occupancy of both GluK2 and GluK5 LBDs is required for the full activation of GluK2/GluK5 heteromeric KAR channels.

     

Molecular Dynamics Investigation of gluazo,a Photo-Switchable Ligand for the Glutamate Receptor GluK2

Photochromic ligands (PCLs), defined as photoswitchable molecules that are able to endow native receptors with a sensitivity towards light, have become a promising photopharmacological tool for various applications in biology. In general, PCLs consist of a ligand of the target receptor covalently linked to an azobenzene, which can be reversibly switched between two configurations upon light illumination. Gluazo, as a PCL that targets excitatory amino acid receptors, in its dark-adapted trans iso-form was characterized to be a partial agonist of the kainate glutamate receptor GluK2. Application of UV light leads to the formation of the cis form, with remarkedly reduced affinity towards GluK2. The mechanism of the change of ligand affinity induced by the photoisomerization was unresolved. The presented computational study explains how the isomerization of such a PCL affects the structural changes in the target receptor that lead to its activation.