5v02

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Small conductance potassium (SK) ion channels define neuronal firing rates by conducting the after-hyperpolarization current. They are key targets in developing therapies where neuronal firing rates are dysfunctional, such as in epilepsy, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we characterize a binding pocket situated at the intracellular interface of SK2 and calmodulin, which we show to be shared by multiple small-molecule chemotypes. Crystallization of this complex revealed that riluzole (approved for ALS) and an analog of the anti-ataxic agent (4-chloro-phenyl)-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine (CyPPA) bind to and allosterically modulate via this site. Solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrates that riluzole, NS309, and CyPPA analogs bind at this bipartite pocket. We demonstrate, by patch-clamp electrophysiology, that both classes of ligand interact with overlapping but distinct residues within this pocket. These data define a clinically important site, laying the foundations for further studies of the mechanism of action of riluzole and related molecules.

An Intracellular Allosteric Modulator Binding Pocket in SK2 Ion Channels Is Shared by Multiple Chemotypes.,Cho LT, Alexandrou AJ, Torella R, Knafels J, Hobbs J, Taylor T, Loucif A, Konopacka A, Bell S, Stevens EB, Pandit J, Horst R, Withka JM, Pryde DC, Liu S, Young GT Structure. 2018 Apr 3;26(4):533-544.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2018.02.017. Epub 2018, Mar 22. PMID:29576321^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.