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.