The molecular basis of drug selectivity for α5 subunit-containing GABA receptors.

α5 subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA) receptors represent a promising drug target for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Altered expression and function contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Dup15q and Angelman syndromes, developmental epilepsy and autism. Effective drug action without side effects is dependent on both α5-subtype selectivity and the strength of the positive or negative allosteric modulation (PAM or NAM).

Staphylococcal Complement Evasion Protein Sbi Stabilises C3d Dimers by Inducing an N-Terminal Helix Swap.

is an opportunistic pathogen that is able to thwart an effective host immune response by producing a range of immune evasion molecules, including binder of IgG (Sbi) which interacts directly with the central complement component C3, its fragments and associated regulators. Recently we reported the first structure of a disulfide-linked human C3d dimer and highlighted its potential role in modulating B-cell activation. Here we present an X-ray crystal structure of a disulfide-linked human C3d dimer, which undergoes a structurally stabilising N-terminal 3D domain swap when in complex with Sbi.

Mechanisms of inhibition and activation of extrasynaptic αβ GABA receptors.

Type A GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors represent a diverse population in the mammalian brain, forming pentamers from combinations of α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε-, ρ-, θ- and π-subunits. αβ, α4βδ, α6βδ and α5βγ receptors favour extrasynaptic localization, and mediate an essential persistent (tonic) inhibitory conductance in many regions of the mammalian brain. Mutations of these receptors in humans are linked to epilepsy and insomnia.

Insights Into the Structure-Function Relationships of Dimeric C3d Fragments.

Cleavage of C3 to C3a and C3b plays a central role in the generation of complement-mediated defences. Although the thioester-mediated surface deposition of C3b has been well-studied, fluid phase dimers of C3 fragments remain largely unexplored. Here we show C3 cleavage results in the spontaneous formation of C3b dimers and present the first X-ray crystal structure of a disulphide-linked human C3d dimer.

Utilization of Staphylococcal Immune Evasion Protein Sbi as a Novel Vaccine Adjuvant.

Co-ligation of the B cell antigen receptor with complement receptor 2 on B-cells via a C3d-opsonised antigen complex significantly lowers the threshold required for B cell activation. Consequently, fusions of antigens with C3d polymers have shown great potential in vaccine design. However, these linear arrays of C3d multimers do not mimic the natural opsonisation of antigens with C3d.