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

J Med Chem. 2018 Nov 21;61(22):10198-10205. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01343. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Abstract

α-Conotoxins exhibiting analgesic activity, such as Vc1.1, have been shown to inhibit α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and GABAB-receptor (GABABR) coupled N-type (CaV2.2) calcium channels. Here, we report two Vc1.1 variants, Vc1.1[N9R] and benzoyl-Vc1.1[N9R], that selectively inhibit CaV2.2 channels via GABABR 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 GABABR-mediated CaV2.2 inhibition but no activity at CaV2.2 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 GABABR-coupled N-type (CaV2.2) calcium channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemistry*
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / chemistry
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type / metabolism*
  • Conotoxins / chemistry*
  • Conotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Drug Discovery
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • CACNA1B protein, human
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • Conotoxins
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • alpha-conotoxin Vc1.1