Molecular mechanisms of GABA(B) receptor activation: new insights from the mechanism of action of CGP7930, a positive allosteric modulator

Biochem Soc Trans. 2004 Nov;32(Pt 5):871-2. doi: 10.1042/BST0320871.

Abstract

The GABA(B) (gamma-aminobutyric acid-B) receptor is composed of two subunits, GABA(B1) and GABA(B2). Both subunits share structural homology with other class-III G-protein-coupled receptors. They contain two main domains, a heptahelical domain typical of all G-protein-coupled receptors and a large ECD (extracellular domain). It has not been demonstrated whether the association of these two subunits is always required for function. However, GABA(B2) plays a major role in coupling with G-proteins, and GABA(B1) has been shown to bind GABA. To date, only ligands interacting with GABA(B1)-ECD have been identified. In the present study, we explored the mechanism of action of CGP7930, a compound described as a positive allosteric regulator of the GABA(B) receptor. We have shown that it can weakly activate the wild-type GABA(B) receptor, but also the GABA(B2) expressed alone, thus being the first described agonist of GABA(B2). CGP7930 retains its weak agonist activity on a GABA(B2) subunit deleted of its ECD. Thus the heptahelical domain of GABA(B2) behaves similar to a rhodopsin-like receptor. These results open new strategies for studying the mechanism of activation of GABA(B) receptor and examine any possible role of GABA(B2).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Site
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phenols / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism*

Substances

  • 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenol
  • Phenols
  • Receptors, GABA-B