Thermodynamics and structural analysis of positive allosteric modulation of the ionotropic glutamate receptor GluA2

Biochem J. 2012 Jan 1;441(1):173-8. doi: 10.1042/BJ20111221.

Abstract

Positive allosteric modulators of the ionotropic glutamate receptor-2 (GluA2) are promising compounds for the treatment of cognitive disorders, e.g. Alzheimer's disease. These modulators bind within the dimer interface of the LBD (ligand-binding domain) and stabilize the agonist-bound conformation slowing receptor desensitization and/or deactivation. In the present study, we employ isothermal titration calorimetry to determine binding affinities and thermodynamic details of binding of modulators of GluA2. A mutant of the LBD of GluA2 (LBD-L483Y-N754S) that forms a stable dimer in solution was used. The potent GluA2 modulator BPAM-97 was used as a reference compound. Evidence that BPAM-97 binds in the same pocket as the well-known GluA2 modulator cyclothiazide was obtained from X-ray structures. The LBD-L483Y-N754S:BPAM-97 complex has a Kd of 5.6 μM (ΔH=-4.9 kcal/mol, -TΔS=-2.3 kcal/mol; where 1 kcal≈4.187 kJ). BPAM-97 was used in a displacement assay to determine a Kd of 0.46 mM (ΔH=-1.2 kcal/mol, -TΔS=-3.3 kcal/mol) for the LBD-L483Y-N754S:IDRA-21 complex. The major structural factors increasing the potency of BPAM-97 over IDRA-21 are the increased van der Waals contacts to, primarily, Met496 in GluA2 imposed by the ethyl substituent of BPAM-97. These results add important information on binding affinities and thermodynamic details, and provide a new tool in the development of drugs against cognitive disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzothiadiazines / pharmacology
  • Calorimetry / methods
  • Crystallization
  • Cyclic S-Oxides / pharmacology
  • Diuretics / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate / genetics
  • Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate / metabolism*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Thiadiazines / pharmacology

Substances

  • 4-ethyl-7-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide
  • Benzothiadiazines
  • Cyclic S-Oxides
  • Diuretics
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate
  • Thiadiazines
  • IDRA 21
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2
  • cyclothiazide

Associated data

  • PDB/3TDJ
  • PDB/3TKD