TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring the molecular determinants for subtype-selectivity of 2-amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid analogs as betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1) substrate-inhibitors

AU - Kickinger, Stefanie

AU - Al-Khawaja, Anas

AU - Haugaard, Anne Staehr

AU - Lie, Maria E. K.

AU - Bavo, Francesco

AU - Loeffler, Rebekka

AU - Damgaard, Maria

AU - Ecker, Gerhard F.

AU - Frolund, Bente

AU - Wellendorph, Petrine

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - We have previously identified 2-amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (ATPCA) as the most potent substrate-inhibitor of the betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1) (IC50 2.5 mu M) reported to date. Herein, we characterize the binding mode of 20 novel analogs and propose the molecular determinants driving BGT1-selectivity. A series of N-1-, exocyclic-N-, and C-4-substituted analogs was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized in radioligand-based uptake assays at the four human GABA transporters (hGATs) recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells. Overall, the analogs retained subtype-selectivity for hBGT1, though with lower inhibitory activities (mid to high micromolar IC50 values) compared to ATPCA. Further characterization of five of these BGT1-active analogs in a fluorescence-based FMP assay revealed that the compounds are substrates for hBGT1, suggesting they interact with the orthosteric site of the transporter. In silico-guided mutagenesis experiments showed that the non-conserved residues Q299 and E52 in hBGT1 as well as the conformational flexibility of the compounds potentially contribute to the subtype-selectivity of ATPCA and its analogs. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular interactions governing the subtype-selectivity of BGT1 substrate-inhibitors. The findings may guide the rational design of BGT1-selective pharmacological tool compounds for future drug discovery.

AB - We have previously identified 2-amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (ATPCA) as the most potent substrate-inhibitor of the betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1) (IC50 2.5 mu M) reported to date. Herein, we characterize the binding mode of 20 novel analogs and propose the molecular determinants driving BGT1-selectivity. A series of N-1-, exocyclic-N-, and C-4-substituted analogs was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized in radioligand-based uptake assays at the four human GABA transporters (hGATs) recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells. Overall, the analogs retained subtype-selectivity for hBGT1, though with lower inhibitory activities (mid to high micromolar IC50 values) compared to ATPCA. Further characterization of five of these BGT1-active analogs in a fluorescence-based FMP assay revealed that the compounds are substrates for hBGT1, suggesting they interact with the orthosteric site of the transporter. In silico-guided mutagenesis experiments showed that the non-conserved residues Q299 and E52 in hBGT1 as well as the conformational flexibility of the compounds potentially contribute to the subtype-selectivity of ATPCA and its analogs. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular interactions governing the subtype-selectivity of BGT1 substrate-inhibitors. The findings may guide the rational design of BGT1-selective pharmacological tool compounds for future drug discovery.

KW - GABA TRANSPORTER

KW - PHARMACOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION

KW - CEREBRAL-CORTEX

KW - HIGH-AFFINITY

KW - ANTICONVULSANT ACTION

KW - BINDING-SITE

KW - LOCALIZATION

KW - TARGETS

KW - IDENTIFICATION

KW - DIVERSITY

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-020-69908-w

DO - 10.1038/s41598-020-69908-w

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32747622

VL - 10

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

SN - 2045-2322

IS - 1

M1 - 12992

ER -