Domoic Acid as a Lead for the Discovery of the First Selective Ligand for Kainate Receptor Subtype 5 (GluK5).

Twenty-one simplified analogues of the natural product domoic acid were designed, synthesized, and then characterized at homomeric kainic acid (KA) receptors (GluK1-3,5). displays a high affinity for homomeric GluK5 receptors (IC = 432 nM) with a >40-fold selectivity over homomeric GluK1-3 subtypes and ≫100-fold selectivity over native AMPA and -methyl d-aspartate receptors. Functional studies of on heteromeric GluK2/5 receptors show no agonist or antagonist functional response at 10 μM, while a concentration of 100 μM at neuronal slices (rat) shows low agonist activity. A molecular dynamics simulation of , in a homology model of GluK5, suggests specific interactions with the GluK5 receptor and an occluded ligand binding domain, which is translated to agonist or partial agonist activity. is a new compound for the study of the role and function of the KA receptors with the aim of understanding the involvement of these receptors in health and disease.