In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Background The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate receptors that play vital roles in central nervous system development and are involved in synaptic plasticity, which is an essential process for learning and memory. The subunit N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B...

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Main Authors: Maleeha Waqar, Sidra Batool
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SciELO 2017-09-01
Series:Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40409-017-0132-9
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author Maleeha Waqar
Sidra Batool
author_facet Maleeha Waqar
Sidra Batool
author_sort Maleeha Waqar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate receptors that play vital roles in central nervous system development and are involved in synaptic plasticity, which is an essential process for learning and memory. The subunit N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) is the chief excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the mammalian brain. Disturbances in the neurotransmission mediated by the NMDA receptor are caused by its overexposure to glutamate neurotransmitter and can be treated by its binding to an antagonist. Among several antagonists, conantokins from cone snails are reported to bind to NMDA receptors. Methods This study was designed to analyze the binding mode of conantokins with NMDA receptors in both humans and rats. To study interactions, dockings were performed using AutoDock 4.2 and their results were further analyzed using various computational tools. Results Detailed analyses revealed that these ligands can bind to active site residues of both receptors as reported in previous studies. Conclusions In light of the present results, we suggest that these conantokins can act as antagonists of those receptors and play an important role in understanding the importance of inhibition of NMDA receptors for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
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spelling doaj.art-0bc6d5d82d5c467dacca39fc48a001682022-12-22T02:43:42ZengSciELOJournal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases1678-91992017-09-0123111210.1186/s40409-017-0132-9In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s diseaseMaleeha Waqar0Sidra Batool1Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information TechnologyDepartment of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information TechnologyAbstract Background The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate receptors that play vital roles in central nervous system development and are involved in synaptic plasticity, which is an essential process for learning and memory. The subunit N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) is the chief excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the mammalian brain. Disturbances in the neurotransmission mediated by the NMDA receptor are caused by its overexposure to glutamate neurotransmitter and can be treated by its binding to an antagonist. Among several antagonists, conantokins from cone snails are reported to bind to NMDA receptors. Methods This study was designed to analyze the binding mode of conantokins with NMDA receptors in both humans and rats. To study interactions, dockings were performed using AutoDock 4.2 and their results were further analyzed using various computational tools. Results Detailed analyses revealed that these ligands can bind to active site residues of both receptors as reported in previous studies. Conclusions In light of the present results, we suggest that these conantokins can act as antagonists of those receptors and play an important role in understanding the importance of inhibition of NMDA receptors for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40409-017-0132-9N-methyl-D-aspartateGlutamateSynaptic plasticityNR2BNeurotransmitterAntagonists
spellingShingle Maleeha Waqar
Sidra Batool
In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
N-methyl-D-aspartate
Glutamate
Synaptic plasticity
NR2B
Neurotransmitter
Antagonists
title In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
title_fullStr In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
title_full_unstemmed In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
title_short In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer’s disease
title_sort in silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with nmda receptors for potential therapeutic use in alzheimer s disease
topic N-methyl-D-aspartate
Glutamate
Synaptic plasticity
NR2B
Neurotransmitter
Antagonists
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40409-017-0132-9
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AT sidrabatool insilicoanalysisofbindinginteractionofconantokinswithnmdareceptorsforpotentialtherapeuticuseinalzheimersdisease