Structural Pharmacology of TRPV4 Antagonists

• Published in: Advanced science 2024-07, Vol.11 (25), p.e2401583-n/a
• Main Authors: Fan, Junping, Guo, Chang, Liao, Daohong, Ke, Han, Lei, Jing, Xie, Wenjun, Tang, Yuliang, Tominaga, Makoto, Huang, Zhuo, Lei, Xiaoguang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antagonist; Binding Sites; Cryoelectron Microscopy - methods; cryo‐EM structure; drug discovery; Edema; Humans; Ligands; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; structural pharmacology; Symmetry; TRPV Cation Channels - antagonists & inhibitors; TRPV Cation Channels - chemistry; TRPV Cation Channels - genetics; TRPV Cation Channels - metabolism; TRPV4
• ISSN: 2198-3844; 2198-3844
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401583

The nonselective calcium‐permeable Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member4 (TRPV4) channel regulates various physiological activities. Dysfunction of TRPV4 is linked to many severe diseases, including edema, pain, gastrointestinal disorders, lung diseases, and inherited neurodegeneration. Emerging TRPV4 antagonists show potential clinical benefits. However, the molecular mechanisms of TRPV4 antagonism remain poorly understood. Here, cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) structures of human TRPV4 are presented in‐complex with two potent antagonists, revealing the detailed binding pockets and regulatory mechanisms of TRPV4 gating. Both antagonists bind to the voltage‐sensing‐like domain (VSLD) and stabilize the channel in closed states. These two antagonists induce TRPV4 to undergo an apparent fourfold to twofold symmetry transition. Moreover, it is demonstrated that one of the antagonists binds to the VSLD extended pocket, which differs from the canonical VSLD pocket. Complemented with functional and molecular dynamics simulation results, this study provides crucial mechanistic insights into TRPV4 regulation by small‐molecule antagonists, which may facilitate future drug discovery targeting TRPV4. The cryo‐EM structures of the human TRPV4 ion channel in complex with two potent small‐molecule antagonists provide mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of TRPV4 inhibition. The structural and functional elucidation of the antagonists mechanisms of action presented in this study will significantly facilitate the drug discovery targeting the TRPV4 channel.