A bivalent tarantula toxin activates the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, by targeting the outer pore domain.

Toxins have evolved to target regions of membrane ion channels that underlie ligand binding, gating, or ion permeation, and have thus served as invaluable tools for probing channel structure and function. Here, we describe a peptide toxin from the Earth Tiger tarantula that selectively and irreversibly activates the capsaicin- and heat-sensitive channel, TRPV1. This high-avidity interaction derives from a unique tandem repeat structure of the toxin that endows it with an antibody-like bivalency. The "double-knot" toxin traps TRPV1 in the open state by interacting with residues in the presumptive pore-forming region of the channel, highlighting the importance of conformational changes in the outer pore region of TRP channels during activation.

Identification of the TRPA1 cannabinoid-binding site.

Chronic pain accounts for nearly two-thirds of conditions eligible for medical cannabis licenses, yet the mechanisms underlying cannabis-induced analgesia remain poorly understood. The principal phytocannabinoids, the psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), exhibit comparable efficacy in pain management. Notably, THC functions as an agonist of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), whereas CBD shows minimal activity on CB1 and CB2 receptors. Elucidating the molecular targets through which phytocannabinoids modulate the pain system is required for advancing our understanding of the pain pathway and optimizing medical cannabis therapies. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a pivotal chemosensor in the pain pathway, has been identified as a phytocannabinoid target. Unlike most TRPA1 activators, phytocannabinoid activation is not mediated through the electrophilic binding site, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Here, we identified the human TRPA1 channel cannabinoid-binding site (CBS) and demonstrated that mutations at residue Y840 abolished responses to both THC and CBD at saturating concentrations, indicating a shared primary binding site. Molecular modeling revealed distinct interactions of THC and CBD with the Y840 residue within the CBS. Additionally, CBD binds to the adjacent general anesthetic binding site at oversaturating concentrations. Our findings define the CBS of TRPA1 as overlapping with and adjacent to binding sites for other allosteric activators, suggesting that TRPA1 possesses a highly adaptable domain for binding non-electrophilic activators. This underscores its unique role as a chemosensor in the pain pathway. Furthermore, our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cannabinoid-induced analgesia and identify novel targets for pain management therapies.

TRPV1 pore turret dictates distinct DkTx and capsaicin gating.

Many neurotoxins inflict pain by targeting receptors expressed on nociceptors, such as the polymodal cationic channel TRPV1. The tarantula double-knot toxin (DkTx) is a peptide with an atypical bivalent structure, providing it with the unique capability to lock TRPV1 in its open state and evoke an irreversible channel activation. Here, we describe a distinct gating mechanism of DkTx-evoked TRPV1 activation. Interestingly, DkTx evokes significantly smaller TRPV1 macroscopic currents than capsaicin, with a significantly lower unitary conductance. Accordingly, while capsaicin evokes aversive behaviors in TRPV1-transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans, DkTx fails to evoke such response at physiological concentrations. To determine the structural feature(s) responsible for this phenomenon, we engineered and evaluated a series of mutated toxins and TRPV1 channels. We found that elongating the DkTx linker, which connects its two knots, increases channel conductance compared with currents elicited by the native toxin. Importantly, deletion of the TRPV1 pore turret, a stretch of amino acids protruding out of the channel's outer pore region, is sufficient to produce both full conductance and aversive behaviors in response to DkTx. Interestingly, this deletion decreases the capsaicin-evoked channel activation. Taken together with structure modeling analysis, our results demonstrate that the TRPV1 pore turret restricts DkTx-mediated pore opening, probably through steric hindrance, limiting the current size and mitigating the evoked downstream physiological response. Overall, our findings reveal that DkTx and capsaicin elicit distinct TRPV1 gating mechanisms and subsequent pain responses. Our results also indicate that the TRPV1 pore turret regulates the mechanisms of channel gating and permeation.

Aripiprazole Cytotoxicity Coincides with Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response in Human Hepatic Cells.

Schizophrenia is a mental disease that results in decreased life expectancy and well-being by promoting obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Schizophrenia is treated by antipsychotic drugs. Although the second-generation antipsychotics (SGA), Olanzapine and Aripiprazole, are more effective in treating schizophrenia, they display a higher risk of metabolic side effects, mostly by development of diabetes and insulin resistance, weight gain, and dyslipidemia. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is induced when ER homeostasis of lipid biosynthesis and protein folding is impaired. This leads to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signaling cascade that aims to restore ER homeostasis or initiate cell death. Chronic conditions of ER stress in the liver are associated with diabetes and perturbed lipid metabolism. These metabolic dysfunctions resemble the pharmacological side effects of SGAs. We therefore investigated whether SGAs promote the UPR in human and mouse hepatocytes. We observed full-fledged activation of ER stress by Aripiprazole not by Olanzapine. This occurred at low micromolar concentrations and to variable intensities in different cell types, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma. Mechanistically, Aripiprazole caused depletion of ER calcium, leading to activation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)and protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), two major transducers of the UPR. Cells underwent apoptosis with Aripiprazole treatment, which coincided with UPR induction, and this effect was reduced by adding glutathione without affecting UPR itself. Deletion of IRE1 from HepG2, a human liver cancer cell line, protected cells from Aripiprazole toxicity. Our study reveals for the first time a cytotoxic effect of Aripiprazole that involves the induction of ER stress. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The antischizophrenic drug Aripiprazole exerts cytotoxic properties at high concentrations. This study shows that this cytotoxicity is associated with the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and IRE1 activation, mechanisms involved in diet-induced obesity. Aripiprazole induced ER stress and calcium mobilization from the ER in human and mouse hepatocytes. Our study highlights a new mechanism of Aripiprazole that is not related to its effect on dopamine signaling.

Modulation of Renal GLUT2 by the Cannabinoid-1 Receptor: Implications for the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Altered glucose reabsorption via the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) during diabetes may lead to renal proximal tubule cell (RPTC) injury, inflammation, and interstitial fibrosis. These pathologies are also triggered by activating the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R), which contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the link between CB1R and GLUT2 remains to be determined. Here, we show that chronic peripheral CB1R blockade or genetically inactivating CB1Rs in the RPTCs ameliorated diabetes-induced renal structural and functional changes, kidney inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice. Inhibition of CB1R also downregulated GLUT2 expression, affected the dynamic translocation of GLUT2 to the brush border membrane of RPTCs, and reduced glucose reabsorption. Thus, targeting peripheral CB1R or inhibiting GLUT2 dynamics in RPTCs has the potential to treat and ameliorate DN. These findings may support the rationale for the clinical testing of peripherally restricted CB1R antagonists or the development of novel renal-specific GLUT2 inhibitors against DN.

Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 by lipoxygenase metabolites depends on PKC phosphorylation.

Peripheral neuronal activation by inflammatory mediators is a multifaceted physiological response that involves a multitude of regulated cellular functions. One key pathway that has been shown to be involved in inflammatory pain is Gq/GPCR, whose activation by inflammatory mediators is followed by the regulated response of the cation channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). However, the mechanism that underlies TRPV1 activation downstream of the Gq/GPCR pathway has yet to be fully defined. In this study, we employ pharmacological and molecular biology tools to dissect this activation mechanism via perforated-patch recordings and calcium imaging of both neurons and a heterologous system. We showed that TRPV1 activity downstream of Gq/GPCR activation only produced a subdued current, which was noticeably different from the robust current that is typical of TRPV1 activation by exogenous stimuli. Moreover, we specifically demonstrated that 2 pathways downstream of Gq/GPCR signaling, namely endovanilloid production by lipoxygenases and channel phosphorylation by PKC, converge on TRPV1 to evoke a tightly regulated response. Of importance, we show that only when both pathways are acting on TRPV1 is the inflammatory-mediated response achieved. We propose that the requirement of multiple signaling events allows subdued TRPV1 activation to evoke regulated neuronal response during inflammation.-Kumar R., Hazan, A., Geron, M., Steinberg, R., Livni, L., Matzner, H., Priel, A. Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 by lipoxygenase metabolites depends on PKC phosphorylation.

Tyrosine Residue in the TRPV1 Vanilloid Binding Pocket Regulates Deactivation Kinetics.

Vanilloids are pain evoking molecules that serve as ligands of the "heat and capsaicin receptor" TRPV1. Binding of either endogenous or exogenous vanilloids evokes channel and subsequent neuronal activation, leading to pain sensation. Despite its pivotal physiological role, the molecular basis of TRPV1 activation and deactivation is not fully understood. The highly conserved tyrosine in position 511 (Tyr(511)) of the rat TRPV1 (rTRPV1) was the first residue to be identified as a necessary participant in the vanilloid-mediated response. rTRPV1 cryo-EM structures implicated rotation of this residue in the vanilloids bound state. Therefore, we hypothesize that the rTRPV1 Tyr(511) residue entraps vanilloids in their binding site, prolonging channel activity. To test our hypothesis, we generated an array of rTRPV1 mutants, containing the whole spectrum of Tyr(511) substitutions, and tested their response to both exo- and endovanilloids. Our data show that only substitutions of Tyr(511) to aromatic amino acids were able to mimic, albeit partially, the vanilloid-evoked activation pattern of the wt receptor. Although these substitutions reduced the channel sensitivity to vanilloids, a maximal open-channel lifetime could be achieved. Moreover, whereas their current activation rate remains intact, receptors with Tyr(511) substitutions exhibited a faster current deactivation. Our findings therefore suggest that the duration of channel activity evoked by vanilloids is regulated by the interaction between Tyr(511) and the agonist. To conclude, we suggest that Tyr(511)-mediated anchoring of vanilloids in their binding pocket is pivotal for TRPV1 activation and subsequent pain sensation.

Protein toxins of the Echis coloratus viper venom directly activate TRPV1.

BACKGROUND: Peptide and protein toxins are essential tools to dissect and probe the biology of their target receptors. Venoms target vital physiological processes to evoke pain. Snake venoms contain various factors with the ability to evoke, enhance and sustain pain sensation. While a number of venom-derived toxins were shown to directly target TRPV1 channels expressed on somatosensory nerve terminals to evoke pain response, such toxins were yet to be identified in snake venoms. METHODS: We screened Echis coloratus saw-scaled viper venom's protein fractions isolated by reversed phase HPLC for their ability to activate TRPV1 channels. To this end, we employed heterologous systems to analyze TRPV1 and NGF pathways by imaging and electrophysiology, combined with molecular biology, biochemical, and pharmacological tools. RESULTS: We identified TRPV1 activating proteins in the venom of Echis coloratus that produce a channel-dependent increase in intracellular calcium and outwardly rectifying currents in neurons and heterologous systems. Interestingly, channel activation was not mediated by any of its known toxin binding sites. Moreover, although NGF neurotropic activity was detected in this venom, TRPV1 activation was independent of NGF receptors. CONCLUSIONS: Echis coloratus venom contains proteins with the ability to directly activate TRPV1. This activity is independent of the NGF pathway and is not mediated by known TRPV1 toxins' binding sites. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results could facilitate the discovery of new toxins targeting TRPV1 to enhance current understanding of this receptor activation mechanism. Furthermore, the findings of this study provide insight into the mechanism through which snakes' venom elicit pain.

TRPM5 activation depends on a synergistic effect of calcium and PKC phosphorylation.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 5 (TRPM5) is a calcium-activated monovalent-specific ion channel involved in insulin secretion and taste transduction, making it an attractive target for drug development in various pathologies. While TRPM5 activation involves ligand binding to Gq/G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and subsequent elevation of intracellular calcium levels, recent reports suggest the need for additional molecular determinants. Hence, the mechanism of TRPM5 activation remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that PKC phosphorylation and the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels are required for TRPM5 activation, with PKC phosphorylation being crucial for channel-evoked currents, primarily at physiological membrane potentials. In contrast, physiological relevant calcium levels alone only induce TRPM5 activation at positive voltages. Our findings highlight the necessity of coordinated intracellular calcium release and PKC phosphorylation for TRPM5 activation. Thus, our results suggest that regulation of PKC activity could be a promising therapeutic target for diseases associated with TRPM5 modulation.

Block of kainate receptor desensitization uncovers a key trafficking checkpoint.

A prominent feature of ionotropic glutamate receptors from the AMPA and kainate subtypes is their profound desensitization in response to glutamate-a process thought to protect the neuron from overexcitation. In AMPA receptors, it is well established that desensitization results from rearrangements of the interface formed between agonist-binding domains of adjacent subunits; however, it is unclear how this mechanism applies to kainate receptors. Here we show that stabilization of the binding domain dimer by the generation of intermolecular disulfide bonds apparently blocked desensitization of the kainate receptor GluR6. This result establishes a common desensitization mechanism in both AMPA and kainate receptors. Surprisingly, however, surface expression of these nondesensitizing mutants was drastically reduced and did not depend on channel activity. Therefore, in addition to its role at the synapse, we now propose an intracellular role for desensitization in controlling maturation and trafficking of glutamate receptors.

High-Throughput Calcium Imaging Screen of Toxins' Function in Dissociated Sensory Neurons.

Many toxins from a variety of venomous animals and plants have evolved to target neuronal ion channels and receptors. However, a significant obstacle in the study of these toxins is the finding and characterization of their specific molecular target. Here, we describe a method for fast and efficient screening of venom and toxin activity using live-cell calcium imaging. We describe the use of Fura-2, a calcium indictor that changes its fluorescence properties in response to intracellular calcium elevations, to measure the activity of neurons from the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. Calcium imaging is an efficient technique for testing many of the venom's components on large numbers of neurons simultaneously. This technique offers a novel tool for low-cost and rapid characterization of functionally active toxins and their target receptors.

Measurements of Cell Death Induced by Snake and Spider's Venoms and Derived Toxins.

Snake and spider envenomation have a considerable impact on public health. Their pathology is induced by a variety of toxins composing the venom which induce cytotoxicity to cells of different organs by several cell death pathways. Described in this chapter are methods in vitro used to assess venoms and toxin-induced cell death using mammalian cell cultures. The chapter is divided into five sections: (1) a brief overview of in vitro cytotoxicity and categories of cell death induced by venoms and toxins; (2) a common method to measure necrotic cell death using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release; (3) a flow cytometry method that simultaneously measures necrosis and apoptosis; (4) measurements of nuclear morphology; and (5) measurements of the autophagy following microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression, by immunoblotting and by fluorescence microscopy of LC3-positive vesicles, to assess the levels of autophagosomes.

Endogenous and Exogenous Vanilloids Evoke Disparate TRPV1 Activation to Produce Distinct Neuronal Responses.

Neuronal signals are processed along the nociceptive pathway to convey discriminative information, which would manifest in the produced pain sensation. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), an important signaling complex in nociceptors termini, is activated by different noxious stimuli that underlie distinct pain sensations. For example, while endovanilloids are associated with inflammatory pain and hypersensitivity through TRPV1 activation, the exovanilloid toxin, capsaicin, evokes an acute pain by activating this channel. Differences in the TRPV1 activation profile evoked by exogenous and endogenous vanilloids were suggested to underlie this disparity in pain sensations. However, the cellular processes that lead to these differences in pain sensation mediated by the same channel are not fully understood. Here, we sought to describe the neuronal response of TRPV1-expressing nociceptors to exo-and endovanilloids. To this end, we performed current-clamp recordings in rat trigeminal neurons exposed to either capsaicin or intracellular endovanilloids produced downstream of the bradykinin receptor BK2. Our results show that lipoxygenase metabolites generate persistent TRPV1-dependent action potential firing while capsaicin evokes robust depolarization and high-frequency firing that is quickly terminated by depolarization block. Additionally, we found that a weak TRPV1 activation prolongs action potential firing. Overall, our results indicate different firing patterns evoked by inflammatory mediators and capsaicin via TRPV1 that correlate with the respective subsequent pain sensation. These findings also suggest that differences in neuronal activation stem from the variable degree of TRPV1 activation they produce.

The Role of Toxins in the Pursuit for Novel Analgesics.

Chronic pain is a major medical issue which reduces the quality of life of millions and inflicts a significant burden on health authorities worldwide. Currently, management of chronic pain includes first-line pharmacological therapies that are inadequately effective, as in just a portion of patients pain relief is obtained. Furthermore, most analgesics in use produce severe or intolerable adverse effects that impose dose restrictions and reduce compliance. As the majority of analgesic agents act on the central nervous system (CNS), it is possible that blocking pain at its source by targeting nociceptors would prove more efficient with minimal CNS-related side effects. The development of such analgesics requires the identification of appropriate molecular targets and thorough understanding of their structural and functional features. To this end, plant and animal toxins can be employed as they affect ion channels with high potency and selectivity. Moreover, elucidation of the toxin-bound ion channel structure could generate pharmacophores for rational drug design while favorable safety and analgesic profiles could highlight toxins as leads or even as valuable therapeutic compounds themselves. Here, we discuss the use of plant and animal toxins in the characterization of peripherally expressed ion channels which are implicated in pain.

GTL-1, a Calcium Activated TRPM Channel, Enhances Nociception.

C. elegans PVD neurons are conserved for morphology, function and molecular determinants with mammalian polymodal nociceptors. Functions of polymodal nociceptors require activities of multiple ion channels and receptors including members of the TRP family. GTL-1, a member of the TRPM subclass of TRP channels, was previously shown to amplify PVD-mediated responses to optogenetic stimuli. Here we characterize effects of GTL-1 on PVD-mediated behavioral responses to noxious stimuli. We show that GTL-1 is required within PVD for the immediate and enduring response to thermal (cold) stimuli. But, find no significant reduction in percent animals responding to single or to repeated noxious mechanical stimuli. Nevertheless, PVD specific knockdown of gtl-1expression reduces the magnitude of responses to noxious mechanical stimuli. To understand GTL-1's mechanism of action we expressed it in HEK293 cells. Our results show GTL-1-dependent currents induced by activation of a Gαq-coupled Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD). In addition, using excised patches we show that GTL-1 can be activated by internal calcium. Our results are consistent with indirect, calcium dependent, activation of GTL-1 by noxious stimuli. This mechanism explains the GTL-1-dependent amplification of responses to multiple stimuli optogenetic and sensory in PVD.

Pancreatic Pericytes Support ß-Cell Function in a Tcf7l2-Dependent Manner.

Polymorphism in TCF7L2, a component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, has a strong association with ß-cell dysfunction and type 2 diabetes through a mechanism that has yet to be defined. ß-Cells rely on cells in their microenvironment, including pericytes, for their proper function. Here, we show that Tcf7l2 activity in pancreatic pericytes is required for ß-cell function. Transgenic mice in which Tcf7l2 was selectively inactivated in their pancreatic pericytes exhibited impaired glucose tolerance due to compromised ß-cell function and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Inactivation of pericytic Tcf7l2 was associated with impaired expression of genes required for ß-cell function and maturity in isolated islets. In addition, we identified Tcf7l2-dependent pericytic expression of secreted factors shown to promote ß-cell function, including bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Finally, we show that exogenous BMP4 is sufficient to rescue the impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of transgenic mice, pointing to a potential mechanism through which pericytic Tcf7l2 activity affects ß-cells. To conclude, we suggest that pancreatic pericytes produce secreted factors, including BMP4, in a Tcf7l2-dependent manner to support ß-cell function. Our findings thus propose a potential cellular mechanism through which abnormal TCF7L2 activity predisposes individuals to diabetes and implicates abnormalities in the islet microenvironment in this disease.

Controllable Ion Channel Expression through Inducible Transient Transfection.

Transfection, the delivery of foreign nucleic acids into a cell, is a powerful tool in protein research. Through this method, ion channels can be investigated through electrophysiological analysis, biochemical characterization, mutational studies, and their effects on cellular processes. Transient transfections offer a simple protocol in which the protein becomes available for analysis within a few hours to days. Although this method presents a relatively straightforward and time efficient protocol, one of the critical components is calibrating the expression of the gene of interest to physiological relevant levels or levels that are suitable for analysis. To this end, many different approaches that offer the ability to control the expression of the gene of interest have emerged. Several stable cell transfection protocols provide a way to permanently introduce a gene of interest into the cellular genome under the regulation of a tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation. While this technique produces reliable expression levels, each gene of interest requires a few weeks of skilled work including calibration of a killing curve, selection of cell colonies, and overall more resources. Here we present a protocol that uses transient transfection of the Transient Receptor Potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) gene in an inducible system as an efficient way to express a protein in a controlled manner which is essential in ion channel analysis. We demonstrate that using this technique, we are able to perform calcium imaging, whole cell, and single channel analysis with controlled channel levels required for each type of data collection with a single transfection. Overall, this provides a replicable technique that can be used to study ion channels structure and function.

Animal Toxins Providing Insights into TRPV1 Activation Mechanism.

Beyond providing evolutionary advantages, venoms offer unique research tools, as they were developed to target functionally important proteins and pathways. As a key pain receptor in the nociceptive pathway, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) of the TRP superfamily has been shown to be a target for several toxins, as a way of producing pain to deter predators. Importantly, TRPV1 is involved in thermoregulation, inflammation, and acute nociception. As such, toxins provide tools to understand TRPV1 activation and modulation, a critical step in advancing pain research and the development of novel analgesics. Indeed, the phytotoxin capsaicin, which is the spicy chemical in chili peppers, was invaluable in the original cloning and characterization of TRPV1. The unique properties of each subsequently characterized toxin have continued to advance our understanding of functional, structural, and biophysical characteristics of TRPV1. By building on previous reviews, this work aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the advancements made in TRPV1 research in recent years by employing animal toxins, in particular DkTx, RhTx, BmP01, Echis coloratus toxins, APHCs and HCRG21. We examine each toxin's functional aspects, behavioral effects, and structural features, all of which have contributed to our current knowledge of TRPV1. We additionally discuss the key features of TRPV1's outer pore domain, which proves to be the target of the currently discussed toxins.

Tricyclic Spirolactones as Modular TRPV1 Synthetic Agonists.

TRPV1 is a prominent signal integrator of the pain system, known to be activated by vanilloids, a family of endogenous and exogenous pain-evoking molecules, through the vanilloid-binding site (VBS). The extensive preclinical profiling of small molecule inhibitors provides intriguing evidence that TRPV1 inhibition can be a useful therapeutic approach. However, the dissimilarity of chemical species that activate TRPV1 creates a major obstacle to understanding the molecular mechanism of pain induction, which is viewed as a pivotal trait of the somatosensory system. Here, we establish the existence of a unique family of synthetic agonists that interface with TRPV1 through the VBS, containing none of the molecular domains previously believed to be required for this interaction. The overarching value obtained from our inquiry is the novel advancement of the existing TRPV1 activation model. These findings uncover new potential in the area of pain treatment, providing a novel synthetic platform.