Trifunctional Saxitoxin Conjugates for Covalent Labeling of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Voltage-gated sodium ion channels (NaVs) are integral membrane protein complexes responsible for electrical signal conduction in excitable cells. Methods that enable selective labeling of NaVs hold potential value for understanding how channel regulation and post-translational modification are influenced during development and in response to diseases and disorders of the nervous system. We have developed chemical reagents patterned after (+)-saxitoxin (STX) - a potent and reversible inhibitor of multiple NaV isoforms - and affixed with a reactive electrophile and either a biotin cofactor, fluorophore, or 'click' functional group for labeling wild-type channels. Our studies reveal enigmatic structural effects of the probes on the potency and efficiency of covalent protein modification. Among the compounds analyzed, a STX-maleimide-coumarin derivative is most effective at irreversibly blocking Na+ conductance when applied to recombinant NaVs and endogenous channels expressed in hippocampal neurons. Mechanistic analysis supports the conclusion that high-affinity toxin binding is a prerequisite for covalent protein modification. Results from these studies are guiding the development of next-generation tool compounds for selective modification of NaVs expressed in the plasma membranes of cells. Trifunctional chemical probes derived from the potent shellfish poison, (+)-saxitoxin (STX), irreversibly inhibit wild-type voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs). Saxitoxin derivatives decorated with a maleimide electrophile and either biotin, a fluorescent dye, or biorthogonal-reactive group were synthesized and evaluated using whole-cell, voltage-clamp electrophysiology.**image

Automated summary

This study focused on the selective labeling of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) using chemical reagents based on saxitoxin. The results showed that a STX-maleimide-coumarin derivative was most effective at blocking Na+ conductance. These findings are guiding the development of next-generation tool compounds for selective modification of NaVs expressed in cell membranes.