Evidence that zinc inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-gated ion channel activation by noncompetitive antagonism of glycine binding.

Zinc noncompetitively antagonizes N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated responses in cultured neurons. We investigated the mechanism of this inhibition by examining the effect of zinc on ligand binding to three distinct sites on the NMDA receptor in rat hippocampal membranes. Zinc dose-dependently inhibited both the association and dissociation of the NMDA channel blocker [3H]N-(1-[thienyl]cyclohexyl)piperidine ([3H]TCP) but had no effect on steady state levels of [3H]TCP binding. This suggests that zinc inhibits the receptor-gated access of [3H]TCP to its site in the ion channel but has no effect on the binding site itself. Zinc inhibition of [3H]TCP association was not mediated by an action at the NMDA recognition site, because zinc had no effect on NMDA-displaceable L-[3H]glutamate binding. On the other hand, zinc dose-dependently inhibited [3H]glycine binding by a noncompetitive interaction. Stoichiometric analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated the presence of two [3H]glycine binding sites/[3H]TCP binding site. Comparison of the potencies of zinc in inhibiting glycine-dependent [3H]TCP association and [3H]glycine binding suggests that blockade of only one of the two glycine sites is sufficient to prevent [3H]TCP association. We hypothesize that synaptically released zinc inhibits NMDA receptor-mediated responses by binding to a site on the receptor/channel complex, reducing glycine binding, and thereby decreasing what would otherwise be a tonically present action of endogenous extracellular glycine.     

Ca2+ inhibits the association of memantine with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-gated ion channels

We examined the effect of 1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane (memantine) and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801) on the inhibition of [(3)H]MK-801 binding to crude synaptic membranes of rat forebrains in the absence or presence of Ca(2+). Ca(2+) decreased the potency of memantine to inhibit [(3)H]MK-801 binding. The effect of Ca(2+) was apparently competitive with memantine and was not annulled by the addition of Mg(2+). Ca(2+) slightly enhanced [(3)H]MK-801 binding, but showed no effect on the displacement of [(3)H]MK-801 binding by MK-801. The Ca(2+)-sensitive interaction of memantine with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-gated ion channels may provide a clue to understanding its voltage-dependent and clinically tolerated character.     

The GABAA receptor-gated ion channel: biochemical and pharmacological studies of structure and function

In the past few years, substantial advances have been made in analyzing the structure and function of the GABA receptor-gated Cl- channel. A major goal is to identify the molecular characteristics of the GABAA receptor that are necessary for maintaining normal GABAergic neurotransmission. Future studies will undoubtedly include techniques that have been used successfully to construct a detailed structural and dynamic model of the nACHR-gated ion channel. These include X-ray scattering, single group rotation theory, and genetic homology, deletion and site-directed mutation studies. Such techniques will make it possible to identify the structural defects that give rise to abnormal GABA receptor function and possibly to sleep, anxiety and seizure disorders.     

Glycine and D-serine increase the affinity of N-methyl-D-aspartate sensitive glutamate binding sites in rat brain synaptic membranes

In previously frozen and extensively washed brain membranes [3H]glutamate binds to a single population of sites characteristic of the NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptor subtype. This binding cannot be displaced by glycine and D-serine, but actually is enhanced by these amino acids in a dose-dependent manner. Glycine and D-serine increase the affinity of glutamate binding without changing the density of binding sites. These results delineate glycine as an allosteric modulator of the recognition site for the NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptor.     

Role of hydrogen bonding in ligand interaction with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ion channel.

Displacement of [3H]MK-801 (dizocilpine, 1) binding to rat brain membranes has been used to evaluate the affinities of novel dibenzocycloalkenimines related to 1 for the ion channel binding site (also known as the phencyclidine or PCP receptor) on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of excitory amino acid receptor. In common with many other agents having actions in the central nervous system, these compounds contain a hydrophobic aromatic moiety and a basic nitrogen atom. The conformational rigidity of these ligands provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the importance of specific geometrical properties that influence active-site recognition, in particular the role of the nitrogen atom in hydrogen-bonding interactions. The relative affinities (IC50s) of hydrocarbon-substituted analogues of 1 and ring homologated cyclooctenimines illustrate the importance of size-limited hydrophobic binding of both aryl rings and of the quaternary C-5 methyl group. Analysis of the binding of a series of the 10 available structurally rigid dibenzoazabicyclo[x.y.z]alkanes, by using molecular modeling techniques, uncovered a highly significant correlation between affinity and a proposed ligand-active site hydrogen bonding vector (r = 0.950, p less than 0.001). These results are used to generate a pharmacophore of the MK-801 recognition site/PCP receptor, which accounts for the binding of all of the known ligands.     

Structural requirements for activation of the glycine receptor that modulates the N-methyl-D-aspartate operated ion channel

It has recently been demonstrated that glycine can potentiate several measures of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced channel opening, including radioligand binding to the PCP receptor. These data suggest that the NMDA/PCP receptor complex may be allosterically modulated by a binding site for glycine. We report here that several other monocarboxylic amino acids enhance NMDA-induced [3H]TCP binding and displace [3H]glycine binding with similar apparent affinities and stereoisomerism. The results are discussed with relation to the structural requirements for compounds to bind to this site.     

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor regulation of uncompetitive antagonist binding in rat brain membranes: kinetic analysis

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ligands regulate the binding of uncompetitive antagonists in membranes prepared from rat brain. To determine the mechanism of this regulation, we examined the kinetics of the binding of the radiolabeled uncompetitive antagonist [3H]N-(1-[thienyl]cyclohexyl) piperidine (TCP). Increasing concentrations of NMDA receptor agonists produced dose-dependent increases in the association and dissociation rate constants of TCP. The NMDA receptor antagonist amino phosphono valeric acid virtually abolished both the association and dissociation of TCP. Linear regression analysis detected a significant (p less than 0.001) correlation between the effect of NMDA receptor ligands on the apparent association and dissociation rate constants. The most parsimonious explanation of the data is that NMDA receptor ligands regulate TCP binding by controlling access of TCP to a transiently accessible or "guarded" binding site located in the receptor-coupled ion channel. An increase in affinity or number of TCP binding sites is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain the potentiation of TCP binding produced by NMDA agonists. This finding validates the use of uncompetitive antagonist binding as a measure of the functional activation of the NMDA receptor-coupled ion channel in isolated membrane preparations.     

Channel blockers acting at N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors: differential effects of mutations in the vestibule and ion channel pore

A large number of structurally diverse compounds act as open-channel blockers of NMDA receptors. They may share discrete or overlapping binding sites within the channel. In this study, the effects of mutations in and around the membrane-spanning and pore-forming regions of NMDA receptor subunits were studied with three blockers, MK-801, memantine, and TB-3-4, using recombinant NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutations at the critical asparagine residues in the M2 loop of NR1 and NR2B and at a tryptophan residue in M2 of NR2B reduced block by MK-801, memantine, and TB-3-4. Mutations at residues in the pre-M1, M1, M3, post-M3, and post-M4 regions had differential effects on the three blockers. Many mutations in these regions reduced block by MK-801 and TB-3-4 but had no effect on block by memantine. The differential effects on block by memantine and MK-801 are unlikely to be caused by differences in the size of these blockers. Benzyl rings in MK-801 and TB-3-4 may make hydrophobic interactions with aromatic and hydrophobic amino acid residues in the pore. Some mutations in the pre-M1 and M3 regions generated constitutively open channels, characterized by large holding currents. The effects of the various mutants are discussed in the context of models based on the known structure of the pore of the KcsA potassium channel and on previous studies dealing with solvent accessible residues in NMDA receptor subunits as determined by modification after cysteine mutagenesis.     

Use of ion channel blockers in studying the regulation of skeletal muscle contractions

Summary Effects of K⁺- and Cl^–-channel blockers on the muscle contraction of mouse diaphragm in response to direct electrical muscle stimulation were studied. K⁺-channel blockers (0.1–1 mmol/1 4-aminopyridine, 0.4–1.2 mmol/l uranyl nitrate and 2-30 mmol/l tetraethylammonium chloride) and a Cl^–-channel blocker (0.01–0.03 mmol/1 9-anthracene carboxylic acid) increased the contractile amplitudes in a limited extent not to exceed over 50% of control. However, the sequential applications of two different channel blockers at a rather low concentration markedly increased the contractile responses mostly over 300% of control except the combination of 4-aminopyridine and uranyl nitrate. It appears that two K⁺-channel blockers synergistically exerted their effects rather than additionally in the regulation of muscle contractions. Investigation on the possible mechanism of the synergistic action of K⁺-channel blockers suggested that prolongation of action potential durations was in a linear correlation with the increased contractions. On the other hand, the contractile potentiation induced by combination of K⁺- and Cl^–-channel blockers was attributed to the production of repetitive action potential firings (150±12 Hz) upon a single electrical stimulation. Similar to Cl^–-channel blocker, low Cl^– as well as low Ca²⁺ enchanced K⁺-channel blockers in producing contractile potentiation accompanied with stimulus-bound repetitive discharges. Tetrodotoxin at a concentration of 0.03 mol/l which did not affect the twitches evoked by electrical stimulations completely inhibited the contractile potentiation induced by the combined application of K⁺- and Cl^–-channel blockers. It was believed that these studies on the contractions of mouse diaphragm carried out in the physiological salt solution provided a better approach in exploring the possible functions of K⁺- and Cl^–-channels in the regulation of skeletal muscle contractions. Moreover, because of the different K⁺-channels inhibited by these blockers (4-aminopyridine and uranyl nitrate majorly on delayed rectifier K⁺-channel and tetraethylammonium ion on Ca²⁺-activated and ATP-sensitive K⁺-channel), it was concluded that the different types of K⁺-channels as well as Cl^–-channels exert their effects in a synergistic manner on the regulation of the skeletal muscle contractions.     

Anti-cholinergic effect of verapamil on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-gated K+ channel in isolated guinea-pig atrial myocytes

Summary Effects of verapamil on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced K⁺ current were examined in single atrial cells, using the tight-seal whole-cell clamp technique. The pipette solution contained guanosine-5-triphosphate (GTP) or guanosine-5-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-S, a non-hydrolysable GTP analogue). In GTP-loaded cells, ACh induced a specific K⁺ current, which is known to be mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding (G) proteins. Verapamil (0.1–100 M) depressed the ACh-induced K⁺ current in a concentration-dependent fashion. In GTP-S-loaded cells, the K⁺ current remained persistently after wash-out of ACh, probably due to irreversible activation of G proteins by GTP-S. Verapamil (0.1–100 M) also depressed the intracellular GTP-S-induced K⁺ current. However, the magnitude of verapamil-depression of the K⁺ current in GTP-S-loaded cells was significantly smaller than that in GTP-loaded cells at concentrations between 1 and 10 M of the drug. From these results, it is suggested that verapamil may block not only the function of muscarinic ACh receptors but also of G proteins and/or the K⁺ channel itself and thereby depress the ACh-induced K⁺ current in isolated atrial myocytes.Supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan and the Research Program on Ca Signal Control Send offprint requests to Y. Kurachi at the above address     

Pharmacological regulation of the phencyclidine-binding site associated with the N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptor-operated ion channel

The ion channel operated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonists is modified by several positive and negative effectors. A variety of chemical structures are known to antagonize the effects of NMDA agonists by preferentially binding with high affinity to the open state of the ion channel. Binding of two of these noncompetitive antagonists has been study extensively in recent months as a probe of NMDA receptor function. It has been found that NMDA agonists and antagonists increase and decrease, respectively, the binding of ³H-TCP or ³H-MK-801 by altering the affinity of the putative phencyclidine (PCP) receptor localized within the ion channel. This affinity change is presumed to be correlated with the conformational change associated with channel opening. This model is also discussed in relationship to one in which binding is increased under nonequilibrium conditions because of a simple increased accessibility to the channel binding site. The modulatory effects of glycine, other amino acids, certain polyamines, and divalent cations on ³H-TCP and/or ³H-MK-801 binding are discussed in relation to their effects on NMDA function in more intact, physiological preparations. It is concluded that the complexity of NMDA receptor regulation provides many possibilities for pharmacological intervention, and that the use of noncompetitive antagonists to probe NMDA receptor function could play a key role in drug development.     

Glycine site-directed agonists reverse the actions of ethanol at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

Ethanol has been shown to inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated calcium influx into cerebellar granule cells grown in culture. Because NMDA-mediated responses are modulated by a number of substances, we investigated the effects of several of these agents on ethanol-induced inhibition of calcium flux. Ethanol (50 mM) inhibited NMDA-dependent Ca2+ influx by approximately 50%. The percentage of inhibition remained constant with increasing NMDA concentrations (5-250 microM). Increasing Mg2+ concentrations in the assay medium inhibited NMDA-stimulated calcium influx but the EC50 for Mg2+ was unchanged in the presence of ethanol. Glycine at concentrations of 0.3-100 microM potentiated the effects of NMDA. Glycine at concentrations in excess of 10 microM decreased ethanol-mediated inhibition of NMDA-stimulated calcium influx. D-Serine was shown to have effects similar to those of glycine, whereas L-serine was significantly less active in potentiating NMDA-stimulated activity and reversing the ethanol-induced inhibition of calcium influx. N-Methylglycine and L-leucine were ineffective in potentiating NMDA actions but high concentrations (1 mM) of N-methylglycine attenuated ethanol-induced inhibition, whereas L-leucine (1 mM) had no effect. High concentrations of N-methylglycine were shown to reduce glycine-induced enhancement at the NMDA receptor, whereas L-leucine did not affect the glycine response. Glycine did not affect kainate-stimulated calcium influx and did not alter the small amount of inhibition produced by ethanol in the response of the cells to kainate. The results demonstrate that the in vivo actions of ethanol on the NMDA systems of brain may be dependent on glycine concentrations at these receptor sites.     

Multiple sites for the regulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor consists of a recognition site for NMDA, a cation-selective ion channel, and binding sites for glycine, Zn2+, and phencyclidine-like compounds. In addition, the channel can be blocked by Mg2+. We have studied the NMDA receptor using the potent and specific phencyclidine-like compound [3H]MK-801. Drugs that bind to the NMDA, glycine, Zn2+, and Mg2+ recognition sites profoundly affect both the association and the dissociation rate of [3H]MK-801. NMDA-like agonists, glycine, and Mg2+ all increase the rates of association and dissociation of [3H]MK-801, whereas the NMDA antagonists AP5 and Zn2+ decrease these rates. These data allow the construction of a model of drug interaction at the NMDA receptor that is based on the binding of MK-801 within the NMDA-operated channel. Using this model it is possible to clearly distinguish between drug action at any of the five binding sites proposed.     

Actions of the histrionicotoxins at the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and at the voltage-sensitive ion channels of muscle membranes

Various histrionicotoxins tested on frog nerve-muscle preparations showed a qualitative family resemblance to one another. They blocked the nerve-evoked muscle twitch and depressed both the peak amplitudes and the decay time constants of end-plate currents. During repetitive stimulation they progressively decreased the rate of rise and prolonged the falling phase of muscle action potentials, the latter resulting, at least in part, from blockade of voltage-sensitive potassium channels. These results indicated that the histrionicotoxins act at three membrane channels: the channel associated with the acetylcholine receptor, the sodium channel, and the potassium channel. Closer study of perhydrohistrionicotoxin suggested either two topographically distinct sites of action at the acetylcholine receptor-ion channel complex, or one site and two ion channel complex conformations. One site or conformation only alters the kinetics of channel closure. As these sites become saturated, the end-plate current decay time constant asymptotically approaches a limiting value. The other site or conformation prevents the channel from opening altogether. Further analysis indicated that the binding site for perhydrohistrionicotoxin that alters the kinetics of channel closure has an affinity constant of 0.1 microM-1 at -90 mV and that this affinity may be sensitive to the membrane potential. The lipid protein interface is a suggested site of histrionicotoxin action, common to the three channels studied here as well as to other intrinsic membrane proteins affected by histrionicotoxins.     

Eosine-induced blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate channels in acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons

Acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The currents through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channels were elicited by fast application of aspartate in a Mg(2+)-free 3 microM glycine-containing solution. Eosine, known as a potent reversible inhibitor of the plasma membrane Ca(2+) pump, proved to be able to induce a blockade of NMDA channels. The eosine-induced inhibition of NMDA-mediated currents enhanced with eosine concentration (IC(50) = 248 microM) but did not depend on the membrane potential, agonist (aspartate) or coagonist (glycine) concentrations, pH, or the presence of spermine, ethanol, and the disulfide-reducing agents dithiothreitol and glutathione. Zn(2+) inhibited NMDA channels with equal efficiency both in the presence and absence of eosine. These results suggest that eosine interacts with a new, previously unknown NMDA receptor regulatory site.     

Quisqualate activates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels in hippocampal neurons maintained in culture

Whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings from hippocampal neurons in culture have been used to study the receptor channel selectivity of the glutamate analog quisqualate. The dose-response relationship of quisqualate acting at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor was measured as that portion of the whole-cell current activated by quisqualate that could be blocked by the addition of two NMDA antagonists, 5-fluoroindole-2-carboxylic acid, a competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor-associated glycine site, and D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, a competitive NMDA binding site antagonist. We found that quisqualate was 10-fold less potent than NMDA. In outside-out patches quisqualate activates single-channel events that range in conductance from 5 to 50 pS. The NMDA antagonists 5-fluoroindole-2-carboxylic acid and D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate completely blocked all of the 40-50-pS channel openings in the presence of quisqualate. These results indicate that quisqualate gates 40-50-pS events by activating NMDA receptor channels.     

Arcaine blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor responses by an open channel mechanism: whole-cell and single-channel recording studies in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Arcaine, a putative competitive antagonist at the polyamine site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex, not only inhibits polyamine enhancement of NMDA-induced [3H]dizocilpine (MK-801) binding but also depresses binding in the absence of polyamines. In the present experiments, we investigated the mechanism of this latter effect in whole-cell and single-channel recordings from cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Arcaine produced a concentration-dependent block of NMDA-evoked inward currents (KD, 61 microM at -60 mV) but not those induced by kainate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, or gamma-aminobutyric acid. The arcaine block was strongly voltage dependent and was almost completely relieved at positive holding potentials. Analysis of the voltage dependence indicated that the arcaine acceptor site appeared to sense 67% of the transmembrane electric field. In support of an open channel blocking mechanism, arcaine, like Mg2+, prevented dizocilpine from blocking the NMDA receptor channel. Moreover, increasing the dizocilpine concentration partially overcame the arcaine effect, indicating a competitive interaction between arcaine and dizocilpine. Spermine, which in our preparation usually produced only an arcaine-like voltage-dependent block of NMDA currents at high concentrations (greater than 100 microM), had no effect on the block by arcaine at lower concentrations. In single-channel recordings, arcaine caused a concentration- and voltage-dependent decrease in apparent channel amplitude. Assuming a simple model of open channel block, we estimate the arcaine binding and unbinding rates as 4.4 x 10(8) M-1 sec-1 and 1.8 x 10(4) sec-1, respectively, which are comparable to the rates for open channel block by Zn2+ and substantially faster than those of Mg2+. These results indicate that arcaine inhibits NMDA-induced [3H]dizocilpine binding by blocking the open NMDA receptor channel, an action that is independent of the polyamine site.     

Conantokins: inhibitors of ion flow through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels

Calcium flow through the ion channel of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has been implicated as contributing to a variety of neuropathologies. This receptor is a complex heteromeric oligomer consisting of different types of subunits, the nature of which governs its properties, as well as its response to a variety of agonists, antagonists, and other types of inhibitors. A new natural series of NMDAR inhibitors, the conantokins, have been shown to be present in the venoms of snails within the genus, Conus. These agents appear to function by inhibition of the spermine/spermidine stimulation of ion flow through the NMDAR channel. These small peptides (17-27 amino acid residues) are highly processed post-translationally. One such processing event is the vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of glutamate, resulting in placement of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues in these peptides. As a result, these peptides then possess the ability to interact with divalent metal ions and concomitantly undergo a conformational alteration. Rational drug design based on the characteristics of these promising peptides requires knowledge of their properties and the manner in which they target the NMDAR. This review summarizes current knowledge in this area.     

Hypothermia reduces calcium entry via the N-methyl-D-aspartate and ryanodine receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons

Hypothermia is a powerful neuroprotective method when induced following cardiac arrest, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. The physiological effects of hypothermia are multifaceted and therefore a better knowledge of its therapeutic targets will be central to developing innovative combination therapies to augment the protective benefits of hypothermia. Altered neuronal calcium dynamics have been implicated following stroke, status epilepticus and traumatic brain injury. This study was therefore initiated to evaluate the effect of hypothermia on various modes of calcium entry into a neuron. Here, we utilized various pharmacological agents to stimulate major routes of calcium entry in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Fluorescent calcium indicator Fura-2AM was used to compare calcium ratio under normothermic (37 °C) and hypothermic (31 °C) conditions. The results of this study indicate that hypothermia preferentially reduces calcium entry through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and ryanodine receptors. Hypothermia, on the other hand, did not have a significant effect on calcium entry through the voltage-dependent calcium channels or the inositol tri-phosphate receptors. The ability of hypothermia to selectively affect both N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and ryanodine receptors-mediated calcium systems makes it an attractive intervention for alleviating calcium elevations that are present following many neurological injuries.