In situ labeling of Torpedo and rat muscle acetylcholine receptor by a photoaffinity derivative of alpha-bungarotoxin

The Drosophila acetylcholine receptor subunit D alpha5 is part of an alpha-bungarotoxin binding acetylcholine receptor

The central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster contains an alpha-bungarotoxin-binding protein with the properties expected of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This protein was purified 5800-fold from membranes prepared from Drosophila heads. The protein was solubilized with 1% Triton X-100 and 0.5 M sodium chloride and then purified using an alpha-cobratoxin column followed by a lentil lectin affinity column. The purified protein had a specific activity of 3.9 micromol of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites/g of protein. The subunit composition of the purified receptor was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This subunit profile was identical with that revealed by in situ labeling of the membrane-bound protein using the photolyzable methyl-4-azidobenzoimidate derivative of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin. The purified receptor reveals two different protein bands with molecular masses of 42 and 57 kDa. From sedimentation analysis of the purified protein complex in H2O and D2O and gel filtration, a mass of 270 kDa was calculated. The receptor has a s(20,w) of 9.4 and a Stoke's radius of 7.4 nm. The frictional coefficient was calculated to be 1.7 indicating a highly asymmetric protein complex compatible with a transmembrane protein forming an ion channel. The sequence of a peptide obtained after tryptic digestion of the 42-kDa protein allowed the specific identification of the Drosophila D alpha5 subunit by sequence comparison. A peptide-specific antibody raised against the D alpha5 subunit provides further evidence that this subunit is a component of an alpha-bungarotoxin binding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from the central nervous system of Drosophila.

Localization of agonist and competitive antagonist binding sites on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Identification of all residues involved in the recognition and binding of cholinergic ligands (e.g. agonists, competitive antagonists, and noncompetitive agonists) is a primary objective to understand which structural components are related to the physiological function of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). The picture for the localization of the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites is now clearer in the light of newer and better experimental evidence. These sites are located mainly on both alpha subunits in a pocket approximately 30-35 A above the surface membrane. Since both alpha subunits are identical, the observed high and low affinity for different ligands on the receptor is conditioned by the interaction of the alpha subunit with other non-alpha subunits. This molecular interaction takes place at the interface formed by the different subunits. For example, the high-affinity acetylcholine (ACh) binding site of the muscle-type AChR is located on the alphadelta subunit interface, whereas the low-affinity ACh binding site is located on the alphagamma subunit interface. Regarding homomeric AChRs (e.g. alpha7, alpha8, and alpha9), up to five binding sites may be located on the alphaalpha subunit interfaces. From the point of view of subunit arrangement, the gamma subunit is in between both alpha subunits and the delta subunit follows the alpha aligned in a clockwise manner from the gamma. Although some competitive antagonists such as lophotoxin and alpha-bungarotoxin bind to the same high- and low-affinity sites as ACh, other cholinergic drugs may bind with opposite specificity. For instance, the location of the high- and the low-affinity binding site for curare-related drugs as well as for agonists such as the alkaloid nicotine and the potent analgesic epibatidine (only when the AChR is in the desensitized state) is determined by the alphagamma and the alphadelta subunit interface, respectively. The case of alpha-conotoxins (alpha-CoTxs) is unique since each alpha-CoTx from different species is recognized by a specific AChR type. In addition, the specificity of alpha-CoTxs for each subunit interface is species-dependent. In general terms we may state that both alpha subunits carry the principal component for the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites, whereas the non-alpha subunits bear the complementary component. Concerning homomeric AChRs, both the principal and the complementary component exist on the alpha subunit. The principal component on the muscle-type AChR involves three loops-forming binding domains (loops A-C). Loop A (from mouse sequence) is mainly formed by residue Y(93), loop B is molded by amino acids W(149), Y(152), and probably G(153), while loop C is shaped by residues Y(190), C(192), C(193), and Y(198). The complementary component corresponding to each non-alpha subunit probably contributes with at least four loops. More specifically, the loops at the gamma subunit are: loop D which is formed by residue K(34), loop E that is designed by W(55) and E(57), loop F which is built by a stretch of amino acids comprising L(109), S(111), C(115), I(116), and Y(117), and finally loop G that is shaped by F(172) and by the negatively-charged amino acids D(174) and E(183). The complementary component on the delta subunit, which corresponds to the high-affinity ACh binding site, is formed by homologous loops. Regarding alpha-neurotoxins, several snake and alpha-CoTxs bear specific residues that are energetically coupled with their corresponding pairs on the AChR binding site. The principal component for snake alpha-neurotoxins is located on the residue sequence alpha1W(184)-D(200), which includes loop C. In addition, amino acid sequence 55-74 from the alpha1 subunit (which includes loop E), and residues gammaL(119) (close to loop F) and gammaE(176) (close to loop G) at the low-affinity binding site, or deltaL(121) (close to the homologous region of loop G) at the high-affinity binding site, are i

Topology of ligand binding sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) presents two very well differentiated domains for ligand binding that account for different cholinergic properties. In the hydrophilic extracellular region of both alpha subunits there exist the binding sites for agonists such as the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and for competitive antagonists such as d-tubocurarine. Agonists trigger the channel opening upon binding while competitive antagonists compete for the former ones and inhibit its pharmacological action. Identification of all residues involved in recognition and binding of agonist and competitive antagonists is a primary objective in order to understand which structural components are related to the physiological function of the AChR. The picture for the localisation of the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites is now clearer in the light of newer and better experimental evidence. These sites are mainly located on both alpha subunits in a pocket approximately 30-35 A above the surface membrane. Since both alpha subunits are sequentially identical, the observed high and low affinity for agonists on the receptor is conditioned by the interaction of the alpha subunit with the delta or the gamma chain, respectively. This relationship is opposite for curare-related drugs. This molecular interaction takes place probably at the interface formed by the different subunits. The principal component for the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites involves several aromatic residues, in addition to the cysteine pair at 192-193, in three loops-forming binding domains (loops A-C). Other residues such as the negatively changed aspartates and glutamates (loop D), Thr or Tyr (loop E), and Trp (loop F) from non-alpha subunits were also found to form the complementary component of the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites. Neurotoxins such as alpha-, kappa-bungarotoxin and several alpha-conotoxins seem to partially overlap with the agonist/competitive antagonist binding sites at multiple point of contacts. The alpha subunits also carry the binding site for certain acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as eserine and for the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine which activate the receptor without interacting with the classical agonist binding sites. The link between specific subunits by means of the binding of ACh molecules might play a pivotal role in the relative shift among receptor subunits. This conformational change would allow for the opening of the intrinsic receptor cation channel transducting the external chemical signal elicited by the agonist into membrane depolarisation. The ion flux activity can be inhibited by non-competitive inhibitors (NCIs). For this kind of drugs, a population of low-affinity binding sites has been found at the lipid-protein interface of the AChR. In addition, several high-affinity binding sites have been found to be located at different rings on the M2 transmembrane domain, namely luminal binding sites. In this regard, the serine ring is the locus for exogenous NCIs such as chlorpromazine, triphenylmethylphosphonium, the local anaesthetic QX-222, phencyclidine, and trifluoromethyliodophenyldiazirine. Trifluoromethyliodophenyldiazirine also binds to the valine ring, which is the postulated site for cembranoids. Additionally, the local anaesthetic meproadifen binding site seems to be located at the outer or extracellular ring. Interestingly, the M2 domain is also the locus for endogenous NCIs such as the neuropeptide substance P and the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine. In contrast with this fact, experimental evidence supports the hypothesis for the existence of other NCI high-affinity binding sites located not at the channel lumen but at non-luminal binding domains. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Photoaffinity labeling of muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and neuronal/nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites with a derivative of alpha-bungarotoxin

Neuronal/nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites (nBgtS) found in the nervous system are not well characterized. In this study, photolabile toxin derivatives have been used in affinity labeling protocols to investigate the subunit composition of nBgtS expressed by different neuron-like cell lines. Data obtained was compared to the known subunit composition of toxin-binding muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Muscle-type nAChR-rich membranes prepared from Torpedo electroplax contain components with corrected apparent molecular sizes of 41, 46, 50, 62 and 66 kDa that are reactive with toxin. The photoaffinity labeling patterns for preparations derived from cells of the TE671 clone, which express muscle-type nAChR, are very similar to that of cells of the IMR-32 or SH-SY5Y clonal lines, which express nBgtS. There is consistent labeling of four polypeptides with corrected apparent molecular weights of 40, 43, 47 and 56 kDa. These results suggest that both mammalian muscle-type nAChR and mammalian nBgtS are similarly composed of at least four kinds of subunits.

Immunoprecipitation of an affinity-alkylated fragment of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor with an anti-ligand monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal antibody raised against the muscarinic acetylcholine affinity-alkylating antagonist propylbenzilylcholine mustard was tested for its ability to recognize affinity-alkylated muscarinic receptors. We demonstrate here that although the antibody will not recognize the mustard when it is covalently linked to the native muscarinic receptor, trypsinization of affinity-labeled membranes releases a proteolytic labeled fragment that can be specifically immunoprecipitated by the antibody. Electrophoretic analysis of the immunoprecipitate indicates that the ligand was associated with a polypeptide of molecular weight 5,000. The recognition of this fragment by the antibody provides a means to immunopurify a portion of the muscarinic receptor that is at or near the ligand binding site.

Affinity labeling of the Fc receptor on human monocytes using bifunctional cross-linking agents

To affinity label the Fc receptor on human monocytes, Fc fragments of monoclonal human IgG1 radiolabeled with iodine 125 were covalently bound to the surface of intact monocytes using a variety of bifunctional cross-linking agents including ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate), dithio-bis-(succinimidyl proprionate), maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccinimide, glutaraldehyde and dimethyl suberimidate. After cross-linking, cells were solubilized and subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by radioautography. Each of these cross-linkers caused a portion of cell-bound Fc fragments to form a covalent complex with a monocyte membrane component. This complex migrated on electrophoresis with an apparent molecular weight of 120,000. Deducting the molecular weight of Fc fragments alone (53,000) the molecular weight of the second component of the complex therefore was about 67,000. A similar estimate of receptor size also was obtained after reduction with dithiothreitol. Complex formation was potently inhibited by unlabeled Fc fragments, IgG1 or IgG3, all of which would be expected to compete with Fc fragments for IgG Fc receptor on human monocytes, but was not inhibited by Fab fragments, IgG2 or IgG4, which do not bind avidly to this receptor. By quantitating the amount of complex formed in the presence of varying concentrations of labeled ligand, it could be demonstrated that complex formation was saturable, and that Fc fragments formed complexes with avidity comparable to that with which Fc fragments bound to receptors on intact monocytes. The findings establish the feasibility of using radiolabeled Fc fragments to affinity label the IgG Fc receptors on human leukocytes. Potential advantages of this approach to studying receptor structure are discussed.

Analysis of receptor-ligand interactions using nitrocellulose gel transfer: application to Torpedo acetylcholine receptor and alpha-bungarotoxin

A nitrocellulose-gel transfer technique has been adapted to study the interaction of a polypeptide ligand with individual receptor subunits. The acetylcholine receptor isolated from Torpedo californica has been separated into its subunits by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred in a renaturing environment to nitrocellulose sheets. The sheets were incubated with 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin and autoradiographed. A single receptor polypeptide, the alpha subunit (40K) bound the labeled toxin. This binding was demonstrated to be both saturable and specific, although the affinity of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin (KD, 165 nM) and the potency of d-tubocurarine to displace this binding (IC50, 1 mM) were both reduced by several orders of magnitude when compared to the native receptor.

Mammalian muscle acetylcholine receptor purification and characterization

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AcChR) was purified from fetal calf muscle by an affinity chromatographic method utilizing alpha-neurotoxin from Naja naja siamensis as an immobilized ligand. Preparations of AcChR with an average specific activity of 5 nmol of alpha-toxin bound/mg of protein were obtained, i.e., 75% of the theoretical specific activity assuming identity with Torpedo AcChR. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified AcChR consistently showed the presence of five polypeptides, having apparent Mr's of 42 000, 44 000, 49 000, 55 000, and 58 000, respectively. The peptide of Mr 44K was demonstrated to be actin. The amino acid composition of fetal calf AcChR was shown to be similar to that of Torpedo AcChR. In addition, calf AcChR contained large amounts of amino sugars. The sedimentation coefficient of the purified calf AcChR was found to be 9.25 +/- 0.25, i.e., similar to the monomeric form of electric organ AcChR. Determination of the isoelectric point of alpha-bungarotoxin/calf AcChR complexes revealed the presence of two charged forms, having pI values of 5.16 +/- 0.13 and 6.05 +/- 0.18, respectively.

Interaction surfaces of neurotoxins and acetylcholine receptor

Binding of neurotoxin II Naja naja oxiana derivatives containing one spin label at various positions (Leu 1, Glu 2, Lys 15, Lys 25, Lys 26, His 31, Lys 44 and Lys 46) to purified solubilized acetylcholine receptor protein (AchR) from Torpedo marmorata was studied by EPR techniques. AchR interaction with several dansylated neurotoxin II derivatives was followed by difference fluorescence spectroscopy. A series of neurotoxin II p-azidobenzoyl derivatives were prepared and in three of them modified lysine residues were identified. In combination, spectroscopic data and photolabeling implicate a considerable area of the neurotoxin in association with AchR. Rigidity of the neurotoxin II conformation allowed to regard its binding surface as a mould of the AchR corresponding site and to estimate the minimal size of the latter. Conformation of the long-chain neurotoxins and their binding to AchR are briefly discussed basing on the 1H and 19F NMR studies of neurotoxin I Naja naja oxiana, toxin 3 Naja naja siamensis and its acetylated or trifluoroacetylated derivatives, as well as on Achr interaction with the derivatives spin labeled at Lys 27 and His 71.

Endogenous and exogenous proteolysis of the acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica

Purified acetylcholine receptor reconstituted into liposomes catalyzes carbamylcholine-dependent ion flux [10]. An endogenous protease activated by Ca2+ gives rise to an acrylamide gel pattern of the receptor with the 40,000-dalton subunit apparently as the major component. Exogenous proteases nick the proteins so extensively that the acrylamide gel pattern reveals polypeptides of 20,000 daltons or less. In either case the receptor sediments at 9S, indicating that the polypeptide chains remain associated. Moreover, the nicked receptors bind alpha-bungarotoxin and catalyze carbamylcholine-dependent ion flux after reconstitution.