Pairwise Interactions between Neuronal alpha sub(7) Acetylcholine Receptors and alpha -Conotoxin ImI

The present work uses alpha -conotoxin ImI (CTx ImI) to probe the neurotransmitter binding site of neuronal alpha sub(7) acetylcholine receptors. We identify key residues in alpha sub(7) that contribute to CTx ImI affinity, and use mutant cycles analysis to identify pairs of residues that stabilize the receptor-conotoxin complex. We first mutated key residues in the seven known loops of alpha sub(7) that converge at the subunit interface to form the ligand binding site. The mutant subunits were expressed in 293 HEK cells, and CTx ImI binding was measured by competition against the initial rate of super(125)I- alpha -bungarotoxin binding. The results reveal a predominant contribution by Tyr-195 in alpha sub(7), accompanied by smaller contributions by Thr-77, Tyr-93, Asn-111, Gln-117, and Trp-149. Based upon our previous identification of bioactive residues in CTx ImI, we measured binding of receptor and toxin mutations and analyzed the results using thermodynamic mutant cycles. The results reveal a single dominant interaction between Arg-7 of CTx ImI and Tyr-195 of alpha sub(7) that anchors the toxin to the binding site. We also find multiple weak interactions between Asp-5 of CTx ImI and Trp-149 Tyr-151, and Gly-153 of alpha sub(7), and between Trp- 10 of CTx ImI and Thr-77 and Asn-111 of alpha sub(7). The overall results establish the orientation of CTx ImI as it bridges the subunit interface and demonstrate close approach of residues on opposing faces of the alpha sub(7) binding site.