This project will investigate how drug compounds interact with dopamine transporter (DAT) utilizing an integrated approach combining biochemical and computational methodologies. Biochemical analyses will use novel photoaffinity inhibitors that irreversibly attach to the transporter. These studies will determine points of contact between the drug and DAT and the molecular orientation of the ligand in the binding site. In parallel, we will carry out computational studies to build comparative models of DAT based on homology to a competitor-bound crystal structure from a related bacterial transporter, LeuT. The comparative models will be used in conjunction with the biochemical results to computationally dock the photoaffinity ligands into DAT. Recent advancements in computational protein folding have legitimized its use in modeling integral membrane proteins. Docked structures consistent with current and ongoing biochemical data will be further refined using molecular dynamics. The results obtained from biochemical and computational analyses will lead to hypotheses that will be experimentally tested using site-directed mutagenesis, cysteine-scanning accessibility, and a library of DAT antagonist analogs to evaluate the molecular predictions. The integration of findings from these approaches will provide significant information related to the structure of the DAT active site and how antagonists exert effects on transport.

Public Health Relevance

The dopamine transporter is a major target of several drugs of abuse and has been linked to addiction and drug seeking behaviors, and as such is a highly clinically relevant protein. However, we still do not understand many of the details regarding the basis of drug recognition at DAT, or how various DAT drugs induce particular behavioral outcomes. Understanding the molecular basis of these properties could lead to important advances in clinical targeting of DAT as well as the related norepinephrine and serotonin transporters, all which play critical roles in our neurological and psychological health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA027845-03
Application #
8212147
Study Section
Neurotransporters, Receptors, and Calcium Signaling Study Section (NTRC)
Program Officer
Hillery, Paul
Project Start
2010-01-15
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2012-01-01
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$298,696
Indirect Cost
$75,148
Name
University of North Dakota
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
102280781
City
Grand Forks
State
ND
Country
United States
Zip Code
58202
Krout, Danielle; Pramod, Akula Bala; Dahal, Rejwi Acharya et al. (2017) Inhibitor mechanisms in the S1 binding site of the dopamine transporter defined by multi-site molecular tethering of photoactive cocaine analogs. Biochem Pharmacol 142:204-215
Kumar, Vivek; Yarravarapu, Nageswari; Lapinsky, David J et al. (2015) Novel Azido-Iodo Photoaffinity Ligands for the Human Serotonin Transporter Based on the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (S)-Citalopram. J Med Chem 58:5609-19
Gaffaney, Jon D; Shetty, Madhur; Felts, Bruce et al. (2014) Antagonist-induced conformational changes in dopamine transporter extracellular loop two involve residues in a potential salt bridge. Neurochem Int 73:16-26
Dahal, Rejwi Acharya; Pramod, Akula Bala; Sharma, Babita et al. (2014) Computational and biochemical docking of the irreversible cocaine analog RTI 82 directly demonstrates ligand positioning in the dopamine transporter central substrate-binding site. J Biol Chem 289:29712-27
Pramod, Akula Bala; Foster, James; Carvelli, Lucia et al. (2013) SLC6 transporters: structure, function, regulation, disease association and therapeutics. Mol Aspects Med 34:197-219
Vaughan, Roxanne A; Foster, James D (2013) Mechanisms of dopamine transporter regulation in normal and disease states. Trends Pharmacol Sci 34:489-96