Molecular basis of the alternative recruitment of GABA(A) versus glycine receptors through gephyrin

Nat Commun. 2014 Dec 22:5:5767. doi: 10.1038/ncomms6767.

Abstract

γ-Aminobutyric acid type A and glycine receptors (GABA(A)Rs, GlyRs) are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors and contribute to many synaptic functions, dysfunctions and human diseases. GABA(A)Rs are important drug targets regulated by direct interactions with the scaffolding protein gephyrin. Here we deduce the molecular basis of this interaction by chemical, biophysical and structural studies of the gephyrin-GABA(A)R α3 complex, revealing that the N-terminal region of the α3 peptide occupies the same binding site as the GlyR β subunit, whereas the C-terminal moiety, which is conserved among all synaptic GABA(A)R α subunits, engages in unique interactions. Thermodynamic dissections of the gephyrin-receptor interactions identify two residues as primary determinants for gephyrin's subunit preference. This first structural evidence for the gephyrin-mediated synaptic accumulation of GABA(A)Rs offers a framework for future investigations into the regulation of inhibitory synaptic strength and for the development of mechanistically and therapeutically relevant compounds targeting the gephyrin-GABA(A)R interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, GABA-A / chemistry
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Glycine / chemistry
  • Receptors, Glycine / genetics
  • Receptors, Glycine / metabolism*
  • Thermodynamics
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / chemistry
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • GABRA3 protein, human
  • GLRB protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, Glycine
  • gephyrin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Associated data

  • PDB/4TK1
  • PDB/4TK2
  • PDB/4TK3
  • PDB/4TK4