Zhi-Rui Liu

Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the TRPV2 ion channel

Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) cation channels are polymodal sensors involved in a variety of physiological processes. TRPV2, a member of the TRPV family, is regulated by temperature, by ligands, such as probenecid and cannabinoids, and by lipids. TRPV2 has been implicated in many biological functions, including somatosensation, osmosensation and innate immunity. Here we present the atomic model of rabbit TRPV2 in its putative desensitized state, as determined by cryo-EM at a nominal resolution of ∼4 Å. In the TRPV2 structure, the transmembrane segment 6 (S6), which is involved in gate opening, adopts a conformation different from the one observed in TRPV1. Structural comparisons of TRPV1 and TRPV2 indicate that a rotation of the ankyrin-repeat domain is coupled to pore opening via the TRP domain, and this pore opening can be modulated by rearrangements in the secondary structure of S6.

Exploring the obscure profiles of pharmacological binding sites on voltage-gated sodium channels by BmK neurotoxins

Diverse subtypes of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) have been found throughout tissues of the brain, muscles and the heart. Neurotoxins extracted from the venom of the Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) act as sodium channel-specific modulators and have therefore been widely used to study VGSCs. α-type neurotoxins, named BmK I, BmK αIV and BmK abT, bind to receptor site-3 on VGSCs and can strongly prolong the inactivation phase of VGSCs. In contrast, β-type neurotoxins, named BmK AS, BmK AS-1, BmK IT and BmK IT2, occupy receptor site-4 on VGSCs and can suppress peak currents and hyperpolarize the activation kinetics of sodium channels. Accumulating evidence from binding assays of scorpion neurotoxins on VGSCs, however, indicate that pharmacological sensitivity of VGSC subtypes to different modulators is much more complex than that suggested by the simple α-type and β-type neurotoxin distinction. Exploring the mechanisms of possible dynamic interactions between site 3-/4-specific modulators and region- and/or species-specific subtypes of VGSCs would therefore greatly expand our understanding of the physiological and pharmacological properties of diverse VGSCs. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological and structural diversity of VGSCs as revealed by studies exploring the binding properties and cross-competitive binding of site 3- or site 4-specific modulators in VGSC subtypes in synaptosomes from distinct tissues of diverse species.

Deciphering the Venomic Transcriptome of Killer-Wasp Vespa velutina

Wasp stings have been arising to be a severe public health problem in China in recent years. However, molecular information about lethal or toxic factors in wasp venom is extremely lacking. In this study, we used two pyrosequencing platforms to analyze the transcriptome of Vespa velutina, the most common wasp species native in China. Besides the substantial amount of transcripts encoding for allergens usually regarded as the major lethal factor of wasp sting, a greater abundance of hemostasis-impairing toxins and neurotoxins in the venom of V. velutina were identified, implying that toxic reactions and allergic effects are envenoming strategy for the dangerous outcomes. The pattern of differentially expressed genes before and after venom extraction clearly indicates that the manifestation of V. velutina stings depends on subtle regulations in the metabolic pathway required for toxin recruitment. This comparative analysis offers timely clues for developing clinical treatments for wasp envenoming in China and around the world.

Comparative pharmacology and cloning of two novel arachnid sodium channels: Exploring the adaptive insensitivity of scorpion to its toxins.

Scorpion toxins have been found lacking effect on Na+ current of its own sodium channel, whereas the molecular mechanism remains mystery. In this study, the binding affinity of pharmacologically distinct scorpion toxins was found much weaker to scorpion (Buthus martensii) nerve synaptosomes than to spider (Ornithoctonus huwena) ones. The sodium channel cDNA from these two species were further cloned. The deduced proteins contain 1871 and 1987 amino acids respectively. Several key amino acid substitutions, i.e., A1610V, I1611L and S1617K, are found in IVS3–S4 constituting receptor site‐3, and for receptor site‐4, two residues (Leu‐Pro) are inserted near IIS4 of scorpion sodium channel.

Localization of receptor site on insect sodium channel for depressant β-toxin BmK IT2.

Background BmK IT2 is regarded as a receptor site-4 modulator of sodium channels with depressant insect toxicity. It also displays anti-nociceptive and anti-convulsant activities in rat models. In this study, the potency and efficacy of BmK IT2 were for the first time assessed and compared among four sodium channel isoforms expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Combined with molecular approach, the receptor site of BmK IT2 was further localized. Principal Findings 2 µM BmK IT2 strongly shifted the activation of DmNav1, the sodium channel from Drosophila, to more hyperpolarized potentials; whereas it hardly affected the gating properties of rNav1.2, rNav1.3 and mNav1.6, three mammalian central neuronal sodium channel subtypes. (1) Mutations of Glu896, Leu899, Gly904 in extracellular loop Domain II S3–S4 of DmNav1 abolished the functional action of BmK IT2. (2) BmK IT2-preference for DmNav1 could be conferred by Domain III. Analysis of subsequent DmNav1 mutants highlighted the residues in Domain III pore loop, esp. Ile1529 was critical for recognition and binding of BmK IT2. Conclusions/Significance In this study, BmK IT2 displayed total insect-selectivity. Two binding regions, comprising domains II and III of DmNav1, play separated but indispensable roles in the interaction with BmK IT2. The insensitivity of Nav1.2, Nav1.3 and Nav1.6 to BmK IT2 suggests other isoforms or mechanism might be involved in the suppressive activity of BmK IT2 in rat pathological models.

Pharmacological kinetics of BmK AS, a sodium channel site 4-specific modulator on Nav1.3

ObjectiveIn this study, the pharmacological kinetics of Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) AS, a specific modulator of voltage-gated sodium channel site 4, was investigated on Nav1.3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes.MethodsTwo-electrode voltage clamp was used to record the whole-cell sodium current.ResultsThe peak currents of Nav1.3 were depressed by BmK AS over a wide range of concentrations (10, 100, and 500 nmol/L). Most remarkably, BmK AS at 100 nmol/L hyperpolarized the voltage-dependence and increased the voltage-sensitivity of steady-state activation/inactivation. In addition, BmK AS was capable of hyperpolarizing not only the fast inactivation but also the slow inactivation, with a greater preference for the latter. Moreover, BmK AS accelerated the time constant and increased the ratio of recovery in Nav1.3 at all concentrations.ConclusionThis study provides direct evidence that BmK AS facilitates steady-state activation and inhibits slow inactivation by stabilizing both the closed and open states of the Nav1.3 channel, which might result from an integrative binding to two receptor sites on the voltage-gated sodium channels. These results may shed light on therapeutics against Nav1.3-targeted pathology.

PKA phosphorylation reshapes the pharmacological kinetics of BmK AS, a unique site-4 sodium channel-specific modulator.

Although modulation of the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) by protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation has been investigated in multiple preparations, the pharmacological sensitivity of VGSCs to scorpion toxins after PKA phosphorylation has rarely been approached. In this study, the effects of BmK AS, a sodium channel-specific modulator from Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, on the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation of Nav1.2 were examined before and after PKA activation. After PKA phosphorylation, the pattern of dose-dependent modulation of BmK AS, on both Nav1.2α and Nav1.2 (α + β1) was reshaped. Meanwhile, the shifts in voltage-dependency of activation and inactivation induced by BmK AS were attenuated. The results suggested that PKA might play a role in different patterns how β-like toxins such as BmK AS modulate gating properties and peak currents of VGSCs.

Voltage-dependent blockade by bupivacaine of cardiac sodium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Bupivacaine ranks as the most potent and efficient drug among class I local anesthetics, but its high potential for toxic reactions severely limits its clinical use. Although bupivacaine-induced toxicity is mainly caused by substantial blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), how these hydrophobic molecules interact with the receptor sites to which they bind remains unclear. Nav1.5 is the dominant isoform of VGSCs expressed in cardiac myocytes, and its dysfunction may be the cause of bupivacaine-triggered arrhythmia. Here, we investigated the effect of bupivacaine on Nav1.5 within the clinical concentration range. The electrophysiological measurements on Nav1.5 expressed in Xenopus oocytes showed that bupivacaine induced a voltage- and concentration-dependent blockade on the peak of INa and the half-maximal inhibitory dose was 4.51 μmol/L. Consistent with other local anesthetics, bupivacaine also induced a use-dependent blockade on Nav1.5 currents. The underlying mechanisms of this blockade may contribute to the fact that bupivacaine not only dose-dependently affected the gating kinetics of Nav1.5 but also accelerated the development of its open-state slow inactivation. These results extend our knowledge of the action of bupivacaine on cardiac sodium channels, and therefore contribute to the safer and more efficient clinical use of bupivacaine.

Deglycosylation altered the gating properties of rNav1.3: glycosylation/deglycosylation homeostasis probably complicates the functional regulation of voltage-gated sodium channel

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of deglycosylation on gating properties of rNav1.3.MethodsrNav1.3 was expressed in Xenopus oocyte, with glycosylation inhibition by using tunicamycin. Two-electrode voltage clamp was employed to record the whole-cell sodium current and data were analyzed by Origin software. Those of glycosylated rNav1.3 were kept as control.ResultsCompared with glycosylated ones, the steady-state activation curve of deglycosylated rNav1.3 was positively shifted by about 10 mV, while inactivation curve was negatively shifted by about 8 mV.ConclusionGlycosylation altered the gating properties of rNav1.3 and contributed to the functional diversity.摘要目的观察糖基化对rNav1.3电压门控性质的影响。方法将rNav1.3在爪蟾卵母细胞中表达, 衣霉素抑制其糖基化, 双电极电压钳记录全细胞电流, Origin软件分析处理数据。 对照组为未去糖基化的rNav1.3。结果与糖基化的rNav1.3相比, 去糖基化的rNav1.3稳态激活曲线向去极化方向偏移约10 mV, 稳态失活曲线向超极化方向偏移约8 mV。结论糖基化修饰改变rNav1.3的电压门控性质, 异化其生理功能。To examine the effect of deglycosylation on gating properties of rNav1.3. rNav1.3 was expressed in Xenopus oocyte, with glycosylation inhibition by using tunicamycin. Two-electrode voltage clamp was employed to record the whole-cell sodium current and data were analyzed by Origin software. Those of glycosylated rNav1.3 were kept as control. Compared with glycosylated ones, the steady-state activation curve of deglycosylated rNav1.3 was positively shifted by about 10 mV, while inactivation curve was negatively shifted by about 8 mV. Glycosylation altered the gating properties of rNav1.3 and contributed to the functional diversity. 观察糖基化对rNav1.3电压门控性质的影响。 将rNav1.3在爪蟾卵母细胞中表达, 衣霉素抑制其糖基化, 双电极电压钳记录全细胞电流, Origin软件分析处理数据。 对照组为未去糖基化的rNav1.3。 与糖基化的rNav1.3相比, 去糖基化的rNav1.3稳态激活曲线向去极化方向偏移约10 mV, 稳态失活曲线向超极化方向偏移约8 mV。 糖基化修饰改变rNav1.3的电压门控性质, 异化其生理功能。

Mining the Virgin Land of Neurotoxicology: A Novel Paradigm of Neurotoxic Peptides Action on Glycosylated Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are important membrane protein carrying on the molecular basis for action potentials (AP) in neuronal firings. Even though the structure-function studies were the most pursued spots, the posttranslation modification processes, such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, and alternative splicing associating with channel functions captured less eyesights. The accumulative research suggested an interaction between the sialic acids chains and ion-permeable pores, giving rise to subtle but significant impacts on channel gating. Sodium channel-specific neurotoxic toxins, a family of long-chain polypeptides originated from venomous animals, are found to potentially share the binding sites adjacent to glycosylated region on VGSCs. Thus, an interaction between toxin and glycosylated VGSC might hopefully join the campaign to approach the role of glycosylation in modulating VGSCs-involved neuronal network activity. This paper will cover the state-of-the-art advances of researches on glycosylation-mediated VGSCs function and the possible underlying mechanisms of interactions between toxin and glycosylated VGSCs, which may therefore, fulfill the knowledge in identifying the pharmacological targets and therapeutic values of VGSCs.