N-methyl serotonin analogues from the Bufo bufo toad venom interact efficiently with the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Dokl Biochem Biophys. 2017 Jan;472(1):52-55. doi: 10.1134/S1607672917010136. Epub 2017 Apr 19.

Abstract

Two low-molecular-weight compounds were isolated from the parotid gland secret of the toad Bufo bufo, which by absorption spectra and HPLC-MS/MS chromatography data correspond to di- and trimethyl derivatives of serotonin (5-hydorxytryptamine): bufotenine (confirmed by counter synthesis) and bufotenidine (5-HTQ). In experiments on competitive radioligand binding, these compounds showed a higher affinity and selectivity for neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors compared with the muscular cholinergic receptors. The most efficient compound in terms of binding value was bufotenine, the efficiency of 5-HTQ was an order of magnitude lower, and the minimal activity was exhibited by serotonin.

MeSH terms

  • Amphibian Venoms / chemistry
  • Amphibian Venoms / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Bufo bufo
  • Cell Line
  • Ligands
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Serotonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / drug effects
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amphibian Venoms
  • Ligands
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
  • Serotonin