Ligand-gated ion channel

"Ionotropic" redirects here, not to be confused with inotropic.

Ligand-gated ion channels (LICs, LGIC), also commonly referred to as ionotropic receptors, are a group of transmembrane ion-channel proteins which open to allow ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and/or Cl⁻ to pass through the membrane in response to the binding of a chemical messenger (i.e. a ligand), such as a neurotransmitter.^[1][2][3]

Neurotransmitter-gated ion-channel transmembrane region
Ligand-gated ion channel
Identifiers
Symbol	Neur_chan_memb
Pfam	PF02932
InterPro	IPR006029
PROSITE	PDOC00209
SCOP2	1cek / SCOPe / SUPFAM
TCDB	1.A.9
OPM superfamily	14
OPM protein	2bg9
Available protein structures: Pfam   structures / ECOD   PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj PDBsum structure summary

1. Ion-channel-linked receptor
2. Ions
3. Ligand (such as acetylcholine)

When ligands bind to the receptor, the ion channel portion of the receptor opens, allowing ions to pass across the cell membrane.

Ligand-gated ion channel showing the binding of transmitter (Tr) and changing of membrane potential (Vm)

When a presynaptic neuron is excited, it releases a neurotransmitter from vesicles into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitter then binds to receptors located on the postsynaptic neuron. If these receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, a resulting conformational change opens the ion channels, which leads to a flow of ions across the cell membrane. This, in turn, results in either a depolarization, for an excitatory receptor response, or a hyperpolarization, for an inhibitory response.

These receptor proteins are typically composed of at least two different domains: a transmembrane domain which includes the ion pore, and an extracellular domain which includes the ligand binding location (an allosteric binding site). This modularity has enabled a 'divide and conquer' approach to finding the structure of the proteins (crystallising each domain separately). The function of such receptors located at synapses is to convert the chemical signal of presynaptically released neurotransmitter directly and very quickly into a postsynaptic electrical signal. Many LICs are additionally modulated by allosteric ligands, by channel blockers, ions, or the membrane potential. LICs are classified into three superfamilies which lack evolutionary relationship: cys-loop receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors and ATP-gated channels.

Cys-loop receptors

 

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in closed state with predicted membrane boundaries shown, PDB 2BG9

The cys-loop receptors are named after a characteristic loop formed by a disulfide bond between two cysteine residues in the N terminal extracellular domain. They are part of a larger family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that usually lack this disulfide bond, hence the tentative name "Pro-loop receptors".^[4][5] A binding site in the extracellular N-terminal ligand-binding domain gives them receptor specificity for (1) acetylcholine (AcCh), (2) serotonin, (3) glycine, (4) glutamate and (5) γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vertebrates. The receptors are subdivided with respect to the type of ion that they conduct (anionic or cationic) and further into families defined by the endogenous ligand. They are usually pentameric with each subunit containing 4 transmembrane helices constituting the transmembrane domain, and a beta sheet sandwich type, extracellular, N terminal, ligand binding domain.^[6] Some also contain an intracellular domain like shown in the image.

The prototypic ligand-gated ion channel is the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It consists of a pentamer of protein subunits (typically ααβγδ), with two binding sites for acetylcholine (one at the interface of each alpha subunit). When the acetylcholine binds it alters the receptor's configuration (twists the T2 helices which moves the leucine residues, which block the pore, out of the channel pathway) and causes the constriction in the pore of approximately 3 angstroms to widen to approximately 8 angstroms so that ions can pass through. This pore allows Na⁺ ions to flow down their electrochemical gradient into the cell. With a sufficient number of channels opening at once, the inward flow of positive charges carried by Na⁺ ions depolarizes the postsynaptic membrane sufficiently to initiate an action potential.

A bacterial homologue to an LIC has been identified, hypothesized to act nonetheless as a chemoreceptor.^[4] This prokaryotic nAChR variant is known as the GLIC receptor, after the species in which it was identified; Gloeobacter Ligand-gated Ion Channel.

Structure

Cys-loop receptors have structural elements that are well conserved, with a large extracellular domain (ECD) harboring an alpha-helix and 10 beta-strands. Following the ECD, four transmembrane segments (TMSs) are connected by intracellular and extracellular loop structures.^[7] Except the TMS 3-4 loop, their lengths are only 7-14 residues. The TMS 3-4 loop forms the largest part of the intracellular domain (ICD) and exhibits the most variable region between all of these homologous receptors. The ICD is defined by the TMS 3-4 loop together with the TMS 1-2 loop preceding the ion channel pore.^[7] Crystallization has revealed structures for some members of the family, but to allow crystallization, the intracellular loop was usually replaced by a short linker present in prokaryotic cys-loop receptors, so their structures as not known. Nevertheless, this intracellular loop appears to function in desensitization, modulation of channel physiology by pharmacological substances, and posttranslational modifications. Motifs important for trafficking are therein, and the ICD interacts with scaffold proteins enabling inhibitory synapse formation.^[7]

Cationic cys-loop receptors

Type	Class	IUPHAR-recommended protein name ^[8]	Gene	Previous names
Serotonin (5-HT)	5-HT3	5-HT3A 5-HT3B 5-HT3C 5-HT3D 5-HT3E	HTR3A HTR3B HTR3C HTR3D HTR3E	5-HT3A 5-HT3B 5-HT3C 5-HT3D 5-HT3E
Nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR)	alpha	α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 α6 α7 α9 α10	CHRNA1 CHRNA2 CHRNA3 CHRNA4 CHRNA5 CHRNA6 CHRNA7 CHRNA9 CHRNA10	ACHRA, ACHRD, CHRNA, CMS2A, FCCMS, SCCMS
	beta	β1 β2 β3 β4	CHRNB1 CHRNB2 CHRNB3 CHRNB4	CMS2A, SCCMS, ACHRB, CHRNB, CMS1D EFNL3, nAChRB2
	gamma	γ	CHRNG	ACHRG
	delta	δ	CHRND	ACHRD, CMS2A, FCCMS, SCCMS
	epsilon	ε	CHRNE	ACHRE, CMS1D, CMS1E, CMS2A, FCCMS, SCCMS
Zinc-activated ion channel (ZAC)		ZAC	ZACN	ZAC1, L2m LICZ, LICZ1

Anionic cys-loop receptors

Type	Class	IUPHAR-recommended protein name^[8]	Gene	Previous names
GABAA	alpha	α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 α6	GABRA1 GABRA2 GABRA3 GABRA4 GABRA5 GABRA6	EJM, ECA4
	beta	β1 β2 β3	GABRB1 GABRB2 GABRB3	ECA5
	gamma	γ1 γ2 γ3	GABRG1 GABRG2 GABRG3	CAE2, ECA2, GEFSP3
	delta	δ	GABRD
	epsilon	ε	GABRE
	pi	π	GABRP
	theta	θ	GABRQ
	rho	ρ1 ρ2 ρ3	GABRR1 GABRR2 GABRR3	GABAC^[9]
Glycine (GlyR)	alpha	α1 α2 α3 α4	GLRA1 GLRA2 GLRA3 GLRA4	STHE
	beta	β	GLRB

Ionotropic glutamate receptors

The ionotropic glutamate receptors bind the neurotransmitter glutamate. They form tetramers, with each subunit consisting of an extracellular amino terminal domain (ATD, which is involved tetramer assembly), an extracellular ligand binding domain (LBD, which binds glutamate), and a transmembrane domain (TMD, which forms the ion channel). The transmembrane domain of each subunit contains three transmembrane helices as well as a half membrane helix with a reentrant loop. The structure of the protein starts with the ATD at the N terminus followed by the first half of the LBD which is interrupted by helices 1,2 and 3 of the TMD before continuing with the final half of the LBD and then finishing with helix 4 of the TMD at the C terminus. This means there are three links between the TMD and the extracellular domains. Each subunit of the tetramer has a binding site for glutamate formed by the two LBD sections forming a clamshell like shape. Only two of these sites in the tetramer need to be occupied to open the ion channel. The pore is mainly formed by the half helix 2 in a way which resembles an inverted potassium channel.

 

The AMPA receptor bound to a glutamate antagonist showing the amino terminal, ligand binding, and transmembrane domain, PDB 3KG2

Type	Class	IUPHAR-recommended protein name ^[8]	Gene	Previous names
AMPA	GluA	GluA1 GluA2 GluA3 GluA4	GRIA1 GRIA2 GRIA3 GRIA4	GLUA1, GluR1, GluRA, GluR-A, GluR-K1, HBGR1 GLUA2, GluR2, GluRB, GluR-B, GluR-K2, HBGR2 GLUA3, GluR3, GluRC, GluR-C, GluR-K3 GLUA4, GluR4, GluRD, GluR-D
Kainate	GluK	GluK1 GluK2 GluK3 GluK4 GluK5	GRIK1 GRIK2 GRIK3 GRIK4 GRIK5	GLUK5, GluR5, GluR-5, EAA3 GLUK6, GluR6, GluR-6, EAA4 GLUK7, GluR7, GluR-7, EAA5 GLUK1, KA1, KA-1, EAA1 GLUK2, KA2, KA-2, EAA2
NMDA	GluN	GluN1 NRL1A NRL1B	GRIN1 GRINL1A GRINL1B	GLUN1, NMDA-R1, NR1, GluRξ1
		GluN2A GluN2B GluN2C GluN2D	GRIN2A GRIN2B GRIN2C GRIN2D	GLUN2A, NMDA-R2A, NR2A, GluRε1 GLUN2B, NMDA-R2B, NR2B, hNR3, GluRε2 GLUN2C, NMDA-R2C, NR2C, GluRε3 GLUN2D, NMDA-R2D, NR2D, GluRε4
		GluN3A GluN3B	GRIN3A GRIN3B	GLUN3A, NMDA-R3A, NMDAR-L, chi-1 GLU3B, NMDA-R3B
‘Orphan’	(GluD)	GluD1 GluD2	GRID1 GRID2	GluRδ1 GluRδ2

AMPA receptor

 

AMPA receptor trafficking

The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (also known as AMPA receptor, or quisqualate receptor) is a non-NMDA-type ionotropic transmembrane receptor for glutamate that mediates fast synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Its name is derived from its ability to be activated by the artificial glutamate analog AMPA. The receptor was first named the "quisqualate receptor" by Watkins and colleagues after a naturally occurring agonist quisqualate and was only later given the label "AMPA receptor" after the selective agonist developed by Tage Honore and colleagues at the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in Copenhagen.^[10] AMPARs are found in many parts of the brain and are the most commonly found receptor in the nervous system. The AMPA receptor GluA2 (GluR2) tetramer was the first glutamate receptor ion channel to be crystallized. Ligands include:

• Agonists: Glutamate, AMPA, 5-Fluorowillardiine, Domoic acid, Quisqualic acid, etc.
• Antagonists: CNQX, Kynurenic acid, NBQX, Perampanel, Piracetam, etc.
• Positive allosteric modulators: Aniracetam, Cyclothiazide, CX-516, CX-614, etc.
• Negative allosteric modulators: Ethanol, Perampanel, Talampanel, GYKI-52,466, etc.

NMDA receptors

 

Stylized depiction of an activated NMDAR

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA receptor) – a type of ionotropic glutamate receptor – is a ligand-gated ion channel that is gated by the simultaneous binding of glutamate and a co-agonist (i.e., either D-serine or glycine).^[11] Studies show that the NMDA receptor is involved in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory.^[12][13]

The name "NMDA receptor" is derived from the ligand N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), which acts as a selective agonist at these receptors. When the NMDA receptor is activated by the binding of two co-agonists, the cation channel opens, allowing Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ to flow into the cell, in turn raising the cell's electric potential. Thus, the NMDA receptor is an excitatory receptor. At resting potentials, the binding of Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ at their extracellular binding sites on the receptor blocks ion flux through the NMDA receptor channel. "However, when neurons are depolarized, for example, by intense activation of colocalized postsynaptic AMPA receptors, the voltage-dependent block by Mg²⁺ is partially relieved, allowing ion influx through activated NMDA receptors. The resulting Ca²⁺ influx can trigger a variety of intracellular signaling cascades, which can ultimately change neuronal function through activation of various kinases and phosphatases".^[14] Ligands include:

• Primary endogenous co-agonists: glutamate and either D-serine or glycine
• Other agonists : aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid; D-cycloserine; L-aspartate; quinolinate, etc.
• Partial agonists : N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA); NRX-1074; 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine,^[15] etc.
• Antagonists: ketamine, PCP, dextropropoxyphene, ketobemidone, tramadol, kynurenic acid (endogenous), etc.

ATP-gated channels

 

Figure 1. Schematic representation showing the membrane topology of a typical P2X receptor subunit. First and second transmembrane domains are labeled TM1 and TM2.

Main article: P2X receptor

ATP-gated channels open in response to binding the nucleotide ATP. They form trimers with two transmembrane helices per subunit and both the C and N termini on the intracellular side.

Type	Class	IUPHAR-recommended protein name ^[8]	Gene	Previous names
P2X	N/A	P2X1 P2X2 P2X3 P2X4 P2X5 P2X6 P2X7	P2RX1 P2RX2 P2RX3 P2RX4 P2RX5 P2RX6 P2RX7	P2X1 P2X2 P2X3 P2X4 P2X5 P2X6 P2X7

Clinical relevance

Ligand-gated ion channels are likely to be the major site at which anaesthetic agents and ethanol have their effects, although unequivocal evidence of this is yet to be established.^[16][17] In particular, the GABA and NMDA receptors are affected by anaesthetic agents at concentrations similar to those used in clinical anaesthesia.^[18]

By understanding the mechanism and exploring the chemical/biological/physical component that could function on those receptors, more and more clinical applications are proven by preliminary experiments or FDA. Memantine is approved by the U.S. F.D.A and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease,^[19] and has now received a limited recommendation by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for patients who fail other treatment options.^[20] Agomelatine, is a type of drug that acts on a dual melatonergic-serotonergic pathway, which have shown its efficacy in the treatment of anxious depression during clinical trials,^[21][22] study also suggests the efficacy in the treatment of atypical and melancholic depression.^[23]

See also

•  Biology portal

• Action potential
• Acid-sensing ion channel
• Calcium-activated potassium channel
• Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel
• Voltage-dependent calcium channel
• Receptor (biochemistry)
• Inositol trisphosphate receptor
• Metabotropic receptor
• Ryanodine receptor

References

1. "Gene Family: Ligand gated ion channels". HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee.
2. at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
3. Purves, Dale, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, James O. McNamara, and Leonard E. White (2008). Neuroscience. 4th ed. Sinauer Associates. pp. 156–7. ISBN 978-0-87893-697-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. Tasneem A, Iyer LM, Jakobsson E, Aravind L (2004). "Identification of the prokaryotic ligand-gated ion channels and their implications for the mechanisms and origins of animal Cys-loop ion channels". Genome Biology. 6 (1): R4. doi:10.1186/gb-2004-6-1-r4. PMC 549065. PMID 15642096.
5. Jaiteh M, Taly A, Hénin J (2016). "Evolution of Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels: Pro-Loop Receptors". PLOS ONE. 11 (3): e0151934. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1151934J. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151934. PMC 4795631. PMID 26986966.
6. Cascio M (May 2004). "Structure and function of the glycine receptor and related nicotinicoid receptors". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 279 (19): 19383–6. doi:10.1074/jbc.R300035200. PMID 15023997.
7. Langlhofer G, Villmann C (2016-01-01). "The Intracellular Loop of the Glycine Receptor: It's not all about the Size". Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 9: 41. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2016.00041. PMC 4891346. PMID 27330534.
8. Collingridge GL, Olsen RW, Peters J, Spedding M (January 2009). "A nomenclature for ligand-gated ion channels". Neuropharmacology. 56 (1): 2–5. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.06.063. PMC 2847504. PMID 18655795.
9. Olsen RW, Sieghart W (September 2008). "International Union of Pharmacology. LXX. Subtypes of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptors: classification on the basis of subunit composition, pharmacology, and function. Update". Pharmacological Reviews. 60 (3): 243–60. doi:10.1124/pr.108.00505. PMC 2847512. PMID 18790874.
10. Honoré T, Lauridsen J, Krogsgaard-Larsen P (January 1982). "The binding of [3H]AMPA, a structural analogue of glutamic acid, to rat brain membranes". Journal of Neurochemistry. 38 (1): 173–8. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.1982.tb10868.x. PMID 6125564. S2CID 42753770.
11. Malenka RC, Nestler EJ, Hyman SE (2009). "Chapter 5: Excitatory and Inhibitory Amino Acids". In Sydor A, Brown RY (eds.). Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (2nd ed.). New York, USA: McGraw-Hill Medical. pp. 124–125. ISBN 9780071481274. At membrane potentials more negative than approximately −50 mV, the Mg²⁺ in the extracellular fluid of the brain virtually abolishes ion flux through NMDA receptor channels, even in the presence of glutamate. ... The NMDA receptor is unique among all neurotransmitter receptors in that its activation requires the simultaneous binding of two different agonists. In addition to the binding of glutamate at the conventional agonist-binding site, the binding of glycine appears to be required for receptor activation. Because neither of these agonists alone can open this ion channel, glutamate and glycine are referred to as coagonists of the NMDA receptor. The physiologic significance of the glycine binding site is unclear because the normal extracellular concentration of glycine is believed to be saturating. However, recent evidence suggests that D-serine may be the endogenous agonist for this site.
12. Li F, Tsien JZ (July 2009). "Memory and the NMDA receptors". The New England Journal of Medicine. 361 (3): 302–3. doi:10.1056/NEJMcibr0902052. PMC 3703758. PMID 19605837.
13. Cao X, Cui Z, Feng R, Tang YP, Qin Z, Mei B, Tsien JZ (March 2007). "Maintenance of superior learning and memory function in NR2B transgenic mice during ageing". The European Journal of Neuroscience. 25 (6): 1815–22. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05431.x. PMID 17432968. S2CID 15442694.
14. Dingledine R, Borges K, Bowie D, Traynelis SF (March 1999). "The glutamate receptor ion channels". Pharmacological Reviews. 51 (1): 7–61. PMID 10049997.
15. Yarotskyy V, Glushakov AV, Sumners C, Gravenstein N, Dennis DM, Seubert CN, Martynyuk AE (May 2005). "Differential modulation of glutamatergic transmission by 3,5-dibromo-L-phenylalanine". Molecular Pharmacology. 67 (5): 1648–54. doi:10.1124/mol.104.005983. PMID 15687225. S2CID 11672391.
16. Krasowski MD, Harrison NL (August 1999). "General anaesthetic actions on ligand-gated ion channels". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 55 (10): 1278–303. doi:10.1007/s000180050371. PMC 2854026. PMID 10487207.
17. Dilger JP (July 2002). "The effects of general anaesthetics on ligand-gated ion channels". British Journal of Anaesthesia. 89 (1): 41–51. doi:10.1093/bja/aef161. PMID 12173240.
18. Harris RA, Mihic SJ, Dildy-Mayfield JE, Machu TK (November 1995). "Actions of anesthetics on ligand-gated ion channels: role of receptor subunit composition" (abstract). FASEB Journal. 9 (14): 1454–62. doi:10.1096/fasebj.9.14.7589987. PMID 7589987. S2CID 17913232.
19. Mount C, Downton C (July 2006). "Alzheimer disease: progress or profit?". Nature Medicine. 12 (7): 780–4. doi:10.1038/nm0706-780. PMID 16829947. S2CID 31877708.
20. NICE technology appraisal January 18, 2011 Azheimer's disease - donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine (review): final appraisal determination
21. Heun, R; Coral, RM; Ahokas, A; Nicolini, H; Teixeira, JM; Dehelean, P (2013). "1643 – Efficacy of agomelatine in more anxious elderly depressed patients. A randomized, double-blind study vs placebo". European Psychiatry. 28 (Suppl 1): 1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(13)76634-3. S2CID 144761669.
22. Brunton, L; Chabner, B; Knollman, B (2010). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-162442-8.
23. Avedisova, A; Marachev, M (2013). "2639 – The effectiveness of agomelatine (valdoxan) in the treatment of atypical depression". European Psychiatry. 28 (Suppl 1): 1. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(13)77272-9. S2CID 145014277.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ligand-gated ion channel.

• Ligand-Gated Ion Channel database at European Bioinformatics Institute. Verified availability April 11, 2007.
• "Revised Recommendations for Nomenclature of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels". IUPHAR Database of Receptors and Ion Channels. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology.
• www.esf.edu
• www.genenames.org
• www.guidetopharmacology.org

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