A Balance Equation Determines a Switch in Neuronal Excitability

in PLoS Computational Biology (in press)

We use the qualitative insight of a planar neuronal phase portrait to detect an excitability switch in arbitrary conductance-based models from a simple mathematical condition. The condition expresses a ... [more ▼]

We use the qualitative insight of a planar neuronal phase portrait to detect an excitability switch in arbitrary conductance-based models from a simple mathematical condition. The condition expresses a balance between ion channels that provide a negative feedback at resting potential (restorative channels) and those that provide a positive feedback at resting potential (regenerative channels). Geometrically, the condition imposes a transcritical bifurcation that rules the switch of excitability through the variation of a single physiological parameter. Our analysis of six di erent published conductance based models always nds the transcritical bifurcation and the associated switch in excitability, which suggests that the mathematical predictions have a physiological rel- evance and that a same regulatory mechanism is potentially involved in the excitability and signaling of many neurons. [less ▲]

A novel phase portrait for neuronal excitability

in PLoS ONE (2012), 7(8),

Fifty years ago, FitzHugh introduced a phase portrait that became famous for a twofold reason: it captured in a physiological way the qualitative behavior of Hodgkin-Huxley model and it revealed the power ... [more ▼]

Fifty years ago, FitzHugh introduced a phase portrait that became famous for a twofold reason: it captured in a physiological way the qualitative behavior of Hodgkin-Huxley model and it revealed the power of simple dynamical models to unfold complex firing patterns. To date, in spite of the enormous progresses in qualitative and quantitative neural modeling, this phase portrait has remained a core picture of neuronal excitability. Yet, a major difference between the neurophysiology of 1961 and of 2011 is the recognition of the prominent role of calcium channels in firing mechanisms. We show that including this extra current in Hodgkin-Huxley dynamics leads to a revision of FitzHugh-Nagumo phase portrait that affects in a fundamental way the reduced modeling of neural excitability. The revisited model considerably enlarges the modeling power of the original one. In particular, it captures essential electrophysiological signatures that otherwise require non-physiological alteration or considerable complexification of the classical model. As a basic illustration, the new model is shown to highlight a core dynamical mechanism by which calcium channels control the two distinct firing modes of thalamocortical neurons. [less ▲]

Interactions of apamin with pore mutated SK3 channels

Poster (2012, March 16)

In the present work, we have tested the impact of the replacement of valine residues in the pore region of SK3 (520) by either an alanine or a phenylalanine residue in terms of the interactions of apamin ... [more ▼]

In the present work, we have tested the impact of the replacement of valine residues in the pore region of SK3 (520) by either an alanine or a phenylalanine residue in terms of the interactions of apamin with these mutants in comparison with the corresponding native channels. Replacing valine residue at position 520 of the SK3 channel by a phenylalanine significantly increased the sensitivity of the channel to be blocked by tetraethylammonium (TEA) as previously reported. Indeed, an aromatic residue, such as a phenylalanine or a tyrosine, is frequently found in the pore region of several potassium channels more sensitive to TEA than SK channels. We measured the affinity (Kd) of apamin in saturation experiments and studied SK currents in transfected cells using patch clamp techniques. In parallel, molecular modelling techniques were used to examine the impact of these local modifications on the interaction of apamin with the corresponding channels. The presence of a phenylalanine in the pore region of potassium channels led to a higher sensitivity for TEA by creating more hydrophobic interactions as found by the docking procedure. In the in vitro binding experiments, the phenylalanine mutant (SK3VF) displayed a very low affinity for apamin. In patch clamp experiments, the SK current was only very partially blocked by apamin in the SK3VF mutant. Furthermore, apamin displayed an affinity and a blocking activity for the alanine mutant close to that for the corresponding native channels. In conclusion, the presence of a bulky and hydrophobic residue at a position near the pore mouth of SK3 channels has a negative impact on their interactions with apamin. [less ▲]

Synthesis and radioligand binding studies of bis-(8-isopropylisoquinolinium) derivatives as ligands for apamin-sensitive sites on cloned SK2 and SK3 channels

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2011), 21(22), 6756-6759

A structure-activity relationship study of N-methyl-laudanosine, a SK channel blocker, has indicated that the 6,7-dimethoxy group could be successfully replaced by a hydrophobic moiety such as an ... [more ▼]

A structure-activity relationship study of N-methyl-laudanosine, a SK channel blocker, has indicated that the 6,7-dimethoxy group could be successfully replaced by a hydrophobic moiety such as an isopropyl substituent in position 8 of the isoquinoline ring. In the present study, bis-(8-isopropyl-isoquinolinium) derivatives (2a-e) were synthesized and tested for their affinity for cloned SK2 and SK3 channels in comparison with their 6,7-dimethoxy analogues (4a-f). Several ligands were investigated, both in flexible (propyl, butyl and pentyl) and rigid (m- or p-xylyl) series, the m-xylyl derivative (2d) having the best profile in terms of affinity and selectivity for SK3/SK2 channels. Molecular studies showed that the optimal conformation of compound 2d fits well with our SK pharmacophore model. [less ▲]

Ion channel modulators: more diversity than previously thought

in Chembiochem : A European Journal of Chemical Biology (2011), 12(12), 1808-1812

Ion channel function can be modified in various ways. For example, numerous studies have shown that currents through voltage-gated ion channels are affected by pore block or modification of voltage ... [more ▼]

Ion channel function can be modified in various ways. For example, numerous studies have shown that currents through voltage-gated ion channels are affected by pore block or modification of voltage-dependence of activation/inactivation. Recent experiments performed on various ion channels show that allosteric modulation is an important mechanism to affect channel function. For instance, in KCa2 (formerly SK) channels, the prototypic “blocker” apamin prevents conduction by an allosteric mechanism, while TRPV1 channels are prevented from closing by a tarantula toxin, DkTx, through an interaction with residues located away from the selectivity filter. The recent evidence therefore suggests that, in several ion channels, the region around the outer mouth of the pore is rich in binding sites which may be exploited therapeutically. These discoveries also suggest that the pharmacological vocabulary should be adapted to define these various actions. [less ▲]

How modeling can reconcile apparently discrepant experimental results: the case of pacemaking in dopaminergic neurons.

in PLoS Computational Biology (2011), 7(5), 1002050

Etude du mode de liaison des canaux potassiques de type SK et l’apamine par modélisation moléculaire

Poster (2010, May 20)

Parmi les canaux ioniques impliqués dans le contrôle de l'activité neuronale, les canaux potassiques calcium-dépendants de basse conductance, dénommés canaux SK, constituent une cible thérapeutique ... [more ▼]

Parmi les canaux ioniques impliqués dans le contrôle de l'activité neuronale, les canaux potassiques calcium-dépendants de basse conductance, dénommés canaux SK, constituent une cible thérapeutique intéressante. En effet, ils sous-tendent la posthyperpolarisation ("AfterHyperPolarization") de durée moyenne (mAHP) qui limite l'excitabilité de divers types de neurones du système nerveux central (SNC). A ce jour, 3 types de sous-unités, SK1, SK2 et SK3, ont été identifiés dans différentes régions du cerveau. Le blocage sélectif de ces canaux pourrait être bénéfique dans le traitement de divers troubles du SNC comme la maladie de Parkinson (SK3), la dépression (SK3) ou encore les désordres cognitifs (SK2) (Liégeois et al., 2003 ; Pedarzani et al., 2008). Jusqu’à présent, le site d’interaction entre les canaux SK et leurs bloqueurs n’a pas encore été précisément élucidé. Dans ce contexte, nous avons entrepris la modélisation de ces canaux par homologie comparative en se basant sur la structure cristalline du canal potassique KCSA (Doyle et al., 1998). La construction de ces canaux constitue la première étape dans la détermination des requis structuraux essentiels à l’affinité de bloqueurs et à la compréhension des modes de liaison de ces ligands. Le mode de liaison de l’apamine, bloqueur peptidique issu du venin d’abeille, a été ensuite exploré par « docking ». Afin de confirmer ce site de liaison potentiel, des expériences de mutagénèse dirigée ont été réalisées. Les premiers canaux mutants testés dans des expériences électrophysiologiques par la technique de « patch clamp » ont permis de valider certaines données théoriques. Grâce à cette stratégie, nous espérons préciser le mécanisme d'action des bloqueurs des canaux SK et, idéalement, découvrir des pistes pour concevoir des bloqueurs sélectifs. [less ▲]

M-type channels selectively control bursting in rat dopaminergic neurons

in European Journal of Neuroscience (2010), 31

Combined experimental and computational approaches to study the action of blockers of small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels

in Acta Physiologica Scandinavica (2010), 199(supplement 678), -10

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and underlie medium duration afterhyperpolarizations in many types of neurons ... [more ▼]

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and underlie medium duration afterhyperpolarizations in many types of neurons. Three subtypes of SK channels, SK1, SK2 and SK3, have been identified so far in different parts of the brain. Blocking SK channels might be beneficial in the treatment of several CNS disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s disease and cognitive disorders. Until now, the precise site of interaction between these channels and their blockers has not yet been elucidated. In this context, molecular modeling is a theoretical approach that can quickly provide ideas on the binding mode of SK blockers. We first performed homology modeling of the S5-H5-S6 portion of the channels on the basis of the crystal structure of the KcsA potassium channel (Zhou et al. Nature. 2001, 414, 43-48). The binding sites of N-methyl-laudanosine (NML) (Scuvée-Moreau et al. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2002, 302, 1176-83), a non-selective and non-peptidic ligand, and apamin (Blatz et al. Nature. 1986, 323, 718-20), an octadecapeptide with a preference for the SK2 subtype, were subsequently explored by docking analysis. Different amino-acids were suggested to interact with the two blockers. The docking of NML revealed a binding site in the turret region, far from the pore. The docking of apamin identified a very large binding site that includes a portion of the site of NML. In order to confirm the predicted binding sites, site-directed mutagenesis was used. The first mutant channels tested in electrophysiological experiments by the patch clamp technique validated some of the theoretical data. Using this strategy, we hope to get a better understanding of the mechanism of action of SK blockers and eventually find strategies to obtain subtype-selective blockers. [less ▲]

Regards croisés sur le cannabis

Book published by Mardaga (2010)

Multidisciplinary book which presents an up to date review of scientific data available on cannabis (neurobiology, toxicology, epidemiology, public health and treatment options