Molecular Determinants Conferring the Stoichiometric-Dependent Activity of α-Conotoxins at the Human α9α10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtype

Abstract

α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) putatively exist at different stoichiometries. We systematically investigated the molecular determinants of α-conotoxins Vc1.1, RgIA#, and PeIA inhibition at hypothetical stoichiometries of the human α9α10 nAChR. Our results suggest that only Vc1.1 exhibits stoichiometric-dependent inhibition at the α9α10 nAChR. The hydrogen bond between N154 of α9 and D11 of Vc1.1 at the α9(+)-α9(−) interface is responsible for the stoichiometric-dependent potency of Vc1.1.