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Molecular Pharmacology

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Research ArticleArticle

Docking of 1,4-Benzodiazepines in the α1/γ2 GABAA Receptor Modulator Site

D. Berezhnoy, T. T. Gibbs and D. H. Farb
Molecular Pharmacology August 2009, 76 (2) 440-450; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.109.054650
D. Berezhnoy
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T. T. Gibbs
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D. H. Farb
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Abstract

Positive allosteric modulation of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) via the benzodiazepine recognition site is the mechanism whereby diverse chemical classes of therapeutic agents act to reduce anxiety, induce and maintain sleep, reduce seizures, and induce conscious sedation. The binding of such therapeutic agents to this allosteric modulatory site increases the affinity of GABA for the agonist recognition site. A major unanswered question, however, relates to how positive allosteric modulators dock in the 1,4-benzodiazepine (BZD) recognition site. In the present study, the X-ray structure of an acetylcholine binding protein from the snail Lymnea stagnalis and the results from site-directed affinity-labeling studies were used as the basis for modeling of the BZD binding pocket at the α1/γ2 subunit interface. A tethered BZD was introduced into the binding pocket, and molecular simulations were carried out to yield a set of candidate orientations of the BZD ligand in the binding pocket. Candidate orientations were refined based on known structure-activity and stereospecificity characteristics of BZDs and the impact of the α1H101R mutation. Results favor a model in which the BZD molecule is oriented such that the C5-phenyl substituent extends approximately parallel to the plane of the membrane rather than parallel to the ion channel. Application of this computational modeling strategy, which integrates site-directed affinity labeling with structure-activity knowledge to create a molecular model of the docking of active ligands in the binding pocket, may provide a basis for the design of more selective GABAAR modulators with enhanced therapeutic potential.

Footnotes

  • This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Mental Health [Grant R01-MH049469].

  • ABBREVIATIONS: GABAAR, GABAA receptor; BZD, benzodiazepine; FNZ, flunitrazepam; DZ, diazepam; RMSD, root-mean-square deviation; DZ-NCS, diazepam carrying a thiol-reactive -N=C=S group; AChBP, acetylcholine binding protein; Ro 15-4513, 4H-imidazo(1,5-a)(1,4)benzodiazepine-3-carboxylic acid, 8-azido-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-, ethyl ester; Ro 15-1788, 8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.

  • ↵ Embedded Image The online version of this article (available at http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org) contains supplemental material.

    • Accepted May 29, 2009.
    • Received January 8, 2009.
  • The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Molecular Pharmacology: 76 (2)
Molecular Pharmacology
Vol. 76, Issue 2
1 Aug 2009
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Research ArticleArticle

Docking of 1,4-Benzodiazepines in the α1/γ2 GABAA Receptor Modulator Site

D. Berezhnoy, T. T. Gibbs and D. H. Farb
Molecular Pharmacology August 1, 2009, 76 (2) 440-450; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.109.054650

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Research ArticleArticle

Docking of 1,4-Benzodiazepines in the α1/γ2 GABAA Receptor Modulator Site

D. Berezhnoy, T. T. Gibbs and D. H. Farb
Molecular Pharmacology August 1, 2009, 76 (2) 440-450; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.109.054650
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