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ID: ALA4680110

Journal: J Med Chem

Title: Targeting of N-Type Calcium Channels via GABA-Receptor Activation by α-Conotoxin Vc1.1 Variants Displaying Improved Analgesic Activity.

Authors: Cai F,Xu N,Liu Z,Ding R,Yu S,Dong M,Wang S,Shen J,Tae HS,Adams DJ,Zhang X,Dai Q

Abstract: α-Conotoxins exhibiting analgesic activity, such as Vc1.1, have been shown to inhibit α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and GABA-receptor (GABAR) coupled N-type (Ca2.2) calcium channels. Here, we report two Vc1.1 variants, Vc1.1[N9R] and benzoyl-Vc1.1[N9R], that selectively inhibit Ca2.2 channels via GABAR activation but exhibit reduced inhibitory activity at α9α10 and other neuronal nAChR subtypes compared with Vc1.1. Surprisingly, the analgesic activity of Vc1.1[N9R] and benzoyl-Vc1.1[N9R] was more potent than that of Vc1.1 when tested in partial sciatic nerve ligation injury and chronic constriction injury models. Vc1.1[N9R] and benzoyl-Vc1.1[N9R] exhibited either similar or tenfold higher activity of GABAR-mediated Ca2.2 inhibition but no activity at Ca2.2 alone; however, the mechanism of increased analgesic activity is unknown. The effects on analgesic activity and α9α10 nAChR of other Vc1.1 variations at position 9 and the N-terminus were also determined. Our findings provide new insights for designing potent inhibitors for GABAR-coupled N-type (Ca2.2) calcium channels.

CiteXplore: 30358401

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01343