The function of the human nervous system is dependent upon billions of nerve cells. A primary mechanism by which this vast number of cells communicates involves chemical synapses - specialized junctions where a small molecule neurotransmitter released by one cell binds to and activates receptors on an adjacent cell. In order for this cycle of neurotransmission to rapidly and faithfully repeat, the neurotransmitter must be cleared or removed from synapses. There are a large number of therapeutic drugs and a wide array of illicit compounds that modulate transporter function, including antidepressants, cocaine and amphetamines. At most chemical synapses, the removal of transmitter is accomplished by integral membrane proteins called transporters. In many cases, such as with glutamate, GABA, glycine and the biogenic amine transporters, the transporter proteins harness ion gradients established by ATP-dependent pumps to thermodynamically drive or pump transmitter into adjacent cells;these proteins are commonly referred to as ion-coupled symporters. In other cases, such as with the glutamate/cystine exchanger, the transporter protein obligatorily exchanges one substrate (glutamate) for another (cystine);these transporters are generally referred to as antiporters. Because both symporters and antiporters are highly hydrophobic integral membrane proteins, studies of their atomic structures by x-ray diffraction methods have proven difficult. I propose to carry out high resolution crystallographic studies of bacterial orthologs of neurotransmitter symporters and antiporters and, in combination with complimentary functional studies, develop molecular mechanisms for the function of these crucial transporter proteins. In addition, I propose to commence structural studies of eukaryotic neurotransmitter transporters facilitated by new technology developed in my laboratory. By accomplishing the proposed studies, we will not only learn how these proteins function, but we will also have the fundamental information for the development of new compounds to treat a wide range of neurological diseases and disorders.

Public Health Relevance

Integral membrane transport proteins remove chemical messengers or neurotransmitters from special junctions between nerve cells called synapses and their dysfunction is associated with numerous neurological diseases and disorders. The transport proteins are the targets of both therapeutic agents, such as antidepressants, and illicit substances, such as cocaine.
The aims of the work proposed in this application are to determine the molecular structure and function of these important transporter proteins.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
2R37MH070039-07
Application #
7653943
Study Section
Biophysics of Neural Systems Study Section (BPNS)
Program Officer
Brady, Linda S
Project Start
2003-12-01
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2009-05-01
Budget End
2010-04-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$378,265
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Coleman, Jonathan A; Gouaux, Eric (2018) Structural basis for recognition of diverse antidepressants by the human serotonin transporter. Nat Struct Mol Biol 25:170-175
Navratna, Vikas; Tosh, Dilip K; Jacobson, Kenneth A et al. (2018) Thermostabilization and purification of the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) in an inhibitor and allosteric ligand bound conformation. PLoS One 13:e0200085
Coleman, Jonathan A; Green, Evan M; Gouaux, Eric (2016) Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram. J Vis Exp :
Coleman, Jonathan A; Green, Evan M; Gouaux, Eric (2016) X-ray structures and mechanism of the human serotonin transporter. Nature 532:334-9
Wang, Kevin H; Penmatsa, Aravind; Gouaux, Eric (2015) Neurotransmitter and psychostimulant recognition by the dopamine transporter. Nature 521:322-7
Green, Evan M; Coleman, Jonathan A; Gouaux, Eric (2015) Thermostabilization of the Human Serotonin Transporter in an Antidepressant-Bound Conformation. PLoS One 10:e0145688
Penmatsa, Aravind; Wang, Kevin H; Gouaux, Eric (2015) X-ray structures of Drosophila dopamine transporter in complex with nisoxetine and reboxetine. Nat Struct Mol Biol 22:506-508
Penmatsa, Aravind; Wang, Kevin H; Gouaux, Eric (2013) X-ray structure of dopamine transporter elucidates antidepressant mechanism. Nature 503:85-90
Wang, Hui; Goehring, April; Wang, Kevin H et al. (2013) Structural basis for action by diverse antidepressants on biogenic amine transporters. Nature 503:141-5
Piscitelli, Chayne L; Gouaux, Eric (2012) Insights into transport mechanism from LeuT engineered to transport tryptophan. EMBO J 31:228-35

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