Sodium-Assisted Formation of Binding and Traverse Conformations of the Substrate in a Neurotransmitter Sodium Symporter Model

Simon, Ágnes and Bencsura, Ákos and Héja, László and Magyar, Csaba and Kardos, Julianna (2014) Sodium-Assisted Formation of Binding and Traverse Conformations of the Substrate in a Neurotransmitter Sodium Symporter Model. Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 11. ISSN 1875-6220

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Abstract

Therapeutics designed to increase synaptic neurotransmitter levels by inhibiting neurotransmitter sodium sym- porters (NSSs) classify a strategic approach to treat brain disorders such as depression or epilepsy, however, the critical elementary steps that couple downhill flux of sodium to uphill transport of neurotransmitter are not disti nguished as yet. Here we present modelling of NSS member neuronal GAT1 with the substrate � -aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA binding is simulated with the occluded conformation of GAT1 homodimer in an ex- plicit lipid/water environment. Simulations performed in the 1-10 ns range of time elucidated persistent formation of half- extended minor and H-bridged major GABA conformations, referred to as binding and traverse conformations, respec- tively. The traverse GABA conformation was further stabilized by GAT1-bound Na + (1). We also observed Na + (1) trans- location to GAT1-bound Cl - as well as the appearance of water molecules at GABA and GAT1-bound Na + (2), conjectur- ing causality. Scaling dynamics suggest that the traverse GABA conformation may be valid for developing substrate in- hibitors with high efficacy. The potential for this finding is significant with impact not only in pharmacology but wherever understanding of the mechanism of neurotransmitter uptake is valuable.

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