Variations in binding among several agonists at two stoichiometries of the neuronal, α4β2 nicotinic receptor

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Jul 18;134(28):11474-80. doi: 10.1021/ja3011379. Epub 2012 Jul 9.

Abstract

Drug-receptor binding interactions of four agonists, ACh, nicotine, and the smoking cessation compounds varenicline (Chantix) and cytisine (Tabex), have been evaluated at both the 2:3 and 3:2 stoichiometries of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Previous studies have established that unnatural amino acid mutagenesis can probe three key binding interactions at the nAChR: a cation-π interaction, and two hydrogen-bonding interactions to the protein backbone of the receptor. We find that all drugs make a cation-π interaction to TrpB of the receptor. All drugs except ACh, which lacks an N(+)H group, make a hydrogen bond to a backbone carbonyl, and ACh and nicotine behave similarly in acting as a hydrogen-bond acceptor. However, varenicline is not a hydrogen-bond acceptor to the backbone NH that interacts strongly with the other three compounds considered. In addition, we see interesting variations in hydrogen bonding interactions with cytisine that provide a rationalization for the stoichiometry selectivity seen with this compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism

Substances

  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • nicotinic receptor alpha4beta2