Structural basis for the modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels by animal toxins

Publication Year
2018

Type

Journal Article
Abstract

Animal toxins that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium (Na) channels are broadly divided into two categories-pore blockers and gating modifiers. The pore blockers tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) are responsible for puffer fish and shellfish poisoning in humans, respectively. Here, we present structures of the insect Na channel NaPaS bound to a gating modifier toxin Dc1a at 2.8 angstrom-resolution and in the presence of TTX or STX at 2.6-Å and 3.2-Å resolution, respectively. Dc1a inserts into the cleft between VSD and the pore of NaPaS, making key contacts with both domains. The structures with bound TTX or STX reveal the molecular details for the specific blockade of Na access to the selectivity filter from the extracellular side by these guanidinium toxins. The structures shed light on structure-based development of Na channel drugs.

Journal
Science
Volume
362
Issue
6412
Date Published
10/2018
ISSN Number
1095-9203
Alternate Journal
Science
PMID
30049784