Interactions between alpha-conotoxin MI and the Torpedo marmorata receptor alpha-delta interface

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Mar 30;355(1):275-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.154. Epub 2007 Feb 5.

Abstract

The muscle-type nicotinic receptor has two distinguishable acetylcholine binding sites at the alpha-gamma and alpha-delta subunit interfaces; alpha-conotoxins can bind them selectively. Moreover, we previously reported that alpha-conotoxin MI can interact with Torpedo californica and Torpedo marmorata receptors showing that conotoxins can also detect receptors from different species of the same genus [L. Cortez, S.G. del Canto, F. Testai, M.B. de Jiménez Bonino, Conotoxin MI inhibits the acetylcholine binding site of the Torpedo marmorata receptor, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 295 (2002) 791-795]. Herein, to identify T. marmorata receptor regions involved in alpha-conotoxin MI binding, a photoactivatable reagent was used and labeled sites were mapped by enzymatic proteolysis, MALDI-TOF-MS and Edman degradation. alpha-Conotoxin MI binding determinants were found and studies revealed a second binding motif at the alpha/delta interface. A proposal for receptor-toxin interaction is discussed based on experimental results and docking studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Affinity Labels
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Conotoxins / toxicity*
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Mapping
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / chemistry
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / drug effects
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / physiology*
  • Torpedo

Substances

  • Affinity Labels
  • Conotoxins
  • Ligands
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • conotoxin MI