FEBS Lett, 2024, 598(8):889–901

The scorpion toxin BeKm-1 blocks hERG cardiac potassium channels using an indispensable arginine residue

BeKm-1 is a peptide toxin from scorpion venom that blocks the pore of the potassium channel hERG (K11.1) in the human heart. Although individual protein structures have been resolved, the structure of the complex between hERG and BeKm-1 is unknown. Here, we used molecular dynamics and ensemble docking, guided by previous double-mutant cycle analysis data, to obtain an in silico model of the hERG-BeKm-1 complex. Adding to the previous mutagenesis study of BeKm-1, our model uncovers the key role of residue Arg20, which forms three interactions (a salt bridge and hydrogen bonds) with the channel vestibule simultaneously. Replacement of this residue even by lysine weakens the interactions significantly. In accordance, the recombinantly produced BeKm-1 mutant exhibited dramatically decreased activity on hERG. Our model may be useful for future drug design attempts.

Zavarzina II, Kuzmenkov AI, Dobrokhotov NA, Maleeva EE, Korolkova YV, Peigneur S, Tytgat J, Krylov NA, Vassilevski AA, Chugunov AO

IBCH: 11245
Ссылка на статью в журнале: https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1873-3468.14850
Кол-во цитирований на 01.2026: 4
Данные статьи проверены модераторами 2024-04-15

Список научных проектов, где отмечена публикация

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