RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Reversal of Ethanol-induced Intoxication by a Novel Modulator of Gβγ Protein Potentiation of the Glycine Receptor
San Martin, L., Cerda, F., Jin, C., Jimenez, V., Yevenes, G. E., Hernandez, T., Nova, D., Fuentealba, J., Aguayo, L. G., & Guzman, L. (2016). Reversal of Ethanol-induced Intoxication by a Novel Modulator of Gβγ Protein Potentiation of the Glycine Receptor. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 291(36), 18791-18798. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M116.740555
The acute intoxicating effects of ethanol in the central nervous system result from the modulation of several molecular targets. It is widely accepted that ethanol enhances the activity of the glycine receptor (GIyR), thus enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission, leading to motor effects, sedation, and respiratory depression. We previously reported that small peptides interfered with the binding of G beta gamma to the GlyR and consequently inhibited the ethanol-induced potentiation of the receptor. Now, using virtual screening, we identified a subset of small molecules capable of interacting with the binding site of G beta gamma. One of these compounds, M554, inhibited the ethanol potentiation of the GIyR in both evoked currents and synaptic transmission in vitro. When this compound was tested in vivo in mice treated with ethanol (1-3.5 g/kg), it was found to induce a faster recovery of motor incoordination in rotarod experiments and a shorter sedative effect in loss of righting reflex assays. This study describes a novel molecule that might be relevant for the design of useful therapeutic compounds in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication.