Title: Structure-function relationships of the alpha/beta-hydrolase fold domain of neuroligin: a comparison with acetylcholinesterase Leone P, Comoletti D, Taylor P, Bourne Y, Marchot P Ref: Chemico-Biological Interactions, 187:49, 2010 : PubMed
The neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins whose extracellular domain belongs to the alpha/beta-hydrolase fold family of proteins, a family characterized through the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and other enzymes with various substrate specificities. Neuroligin associations with the pre-synaptic neurexins participate in synapse maturation and maintenance. Alternative splicing of the neuroligin and neurexin genes results in multiple isoforms and presumably regulation of activity, while mutations appear to be associated with autism spectrum disorders. The crystal structures of the extracellular, cell adhesion domain of three neuroligins (NL1, NL2 and NL4) revealed features that distinguish the neuroligins from their enzyme relatives and could not be predicted by homology modelling from an AChE template. The structures of NL1 and NL4 bound with a soluble beta-neurexin domain (Nrxbeta1) revealed the precise position and orientation of the bound Nrxbeta1 and the Ca(2+)-dependent interaction network at the complex interface. Herein we present an overview of the unbound and Nrxbeta1-bound neuroligin structures and compare them with structures of AChEs with and without a bound fasciculin partner. This study exemplifies how an alpha/beta-hydrolase fold domain tailored for catalysis varies to acquire adhesion properties, and defines three surface regions with distinctive locations and properties for homologous or heterologous partner association.
The extracellular domains of neuroligins and neurexins interact through Ca(2+) to form flexible trans-synaptic associations characterized by selectivity for neuroligin or neurexin subtypes. This heterophilic interaction, essential for synaptic maturation and differentiation, is regulated by gene selection, alternative mRNA splicing and post-translational modifications. A new, 2.6 A-resolution crystal structure of a soluble neurexin-1beta-neuroligin-4 (Nrx1beta-NL4) complex permits a detailed description of the Ca(2+)-coordinated interface and unveils concerted positional rearrangements of several residues of NL4, not observed in neuroligin-1, associated with Nrx1beta binding. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the binding of structure-guided Nrx1beta mutants towards NL4 and neuroligin-1 shows that flexibility of the Nrx1beta-binding site in NL4 is reflected in a greater dissociation constant of the complex and higher sensitivity to ionic strength and pH variations. Analysis of neuroligin mutants points to critical functions for two respective residues in neuroligin-1 and neuroligin-2 in governing the affinity of the complexes. Although neuroligin-1 and neuroligin-2 have pre-determined conformations that respectively promote and prevent Nrx1beta association, unique conformational reshaping of the NL4 surface is required to permit Nrx1beta association.
The neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins whose associations with presynaptic neurexins participate in synaptogenesis. Mutations in the neuroligin and neurexin genes appear to be associated with autism and mental retardation. The crystal structure of a neuroligin reveals features not found in its catalytically active relatives, such as the fully hydrophobic interface forming the functional neuroligin dimer; the conformations of surface loops surrounding the vestigial active center; the location of determinants that are critical for folding and processing; and the absence of a macromolecular dipole and presence of an electronegative, hydrophilic surface for neurexin binding. The structure of a beta-neurexin-neuroligin complex reveals the precise orientation of the bound neurexin and, despite a limited resolution, provides substantial information on the Ca2+-dependent interactions network involved in trans-synaptic neurexin-neuroligin association. These structures exemplify how an alpha/beta-hydrolase fold varies in surface topography to confer adhesion properties and provide templates for analyzing abnormal processing or recognition events associated with autism.
Title: SCH 23390 blocks drug-conditioned place-preference and place-aversion: anhedonia (lack of reward) or apathy (lack of motivation) after dopamine-receptor blockade? Acquas E, Carboni E, Leone P, Di Chiara G Ref: Psychopharmacology (Berl), 99:151, 1989 : PubMed
The influence of the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 on the motivational properties of rewarding (morphine, nicotine and diazepam) and aversive (naloxone, phencyclidine and picrotoxin) drugs was studied in the rat in a two-compartment place-conditioning paradigm, which included a pre-conditioning test for spontaneous place-preference. The specific D1 dopamine-receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.05 mg/kg SC), paired with both compartments or, separately, with the preferred or with the non-preferred compartment, failed to affect the spontaneous unconditioned preference of the animal. Pairing of morphine (1.0 mg/kg SC), nicotine (0.6 mg/kg SC) or diazepam (1.0 mg/kg IP) with the less preferred compartment induced significant preference for that compartment. Pairing of SCH 23390 (0.05 mg/kg SC) with both compartments completely blocked the place-preference induced by morphine, nicotine and diazepam. Naloxone (0.8 mg/kg SC), phencyclidine (2.5 mg/kg SC) or picrotoxin (2.0 mg/kg IP) paired with the preferred compartment elicited place-aversion. Pairing of SCH 23390 (0.05 mg/kg SC) with both compartments abolished also the place-aversion induced by naloxone, phencyclidine and picrotoxin. The results indicate that blockade of dopamine transmission blocks the motivational properties of rewarding as well as aversive stimuli. It is suggested that neuroleptics rather than simply blocking the rewarding impact of positive reinforcers (anhedonia, lack of pleasure) exert a more general influence on conditioned behaviour by blocking the affective impact of negative as well as positive reinforcers (apathy, lack of motivation).
Title: 5HT3 receptor antagonists block morphine- and nicotine- but not amphetamine-induced reward Carboni E, Acquas E, Leone P, Di Chiara G Ref: Psychopharmacology (Berl), 97:175, 1989 : PubMed
The effect of two potent and specific antagonists of 5HT3 receptors, ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222, on the reinforcing properties of amphetamine, morphine and nicotine was studied in rats. Drug-induced reinforcement was assessed by measuring drug-conditioned place preference. ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 dose-dependently reduced the place preference induced by morphine (1.0 mg/kg SC). At doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC the two antagonists completely blocked morphine-induced place preference while doses of 0.015 mg/kg SC significantly reduced it. ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 at doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC also prevented the place preference induced by nicotine (0.6 mg/kg SC). In contrast, ICS 205-930 and MDL 72222 up to doses of 0.030 mg/kg SC failed to modify the place preference elicited by amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg SC). The results indicate that 5HT3 receptors are specifically involved in the reinforcing properties of morphine and nicotine.
Title: 5-HT3 receptors antagonists block morphine- and nicotine- but not amphetamine-induced place-preference conditioning Acquas E, Carboni E, Leone P, Di Chiara G Ref: Pharmacol Res Commun, 20:1113, 1988 : PubMed
Title: 5-HT3 receptor antagonists block morphine- and nicotine-induced place-preference conditioning Carboni E, Acquas E, Leone P, Perezzani L, Di Chiara G Ref: European Journal of Pharmacology, 151:159, 1988 : PubMed
