Membrane-assisted molecular mechanism of neurokinin receptor subtype selection

Based on the observed membrane structures of substance P, physalaemin, and eledoisin, preferred conformations, orientations and accumulations of 13 mammalian neurokinins and non-mammalian tachykinins were estimated and compared with pharmacologic and selective binding data taken from the literature. Principal site affinities and relative affinities supported the view that neurokinins bind to three principal mammalian sites: the NK-1 (preferring substance P), the NK-2 (preferring neurokinin A), and the NK-3 site (preferring neurokinin B). Strong hydrophobic membrane interaction of the C-terminal message segment as a perpendicularly oriented alpha-helical domain correlated with NK-1 selection. Electrostatic accumulation of the peptide at the anionic fixed charge layer of the membrane without hydrophobic interaction through a helix correlated with NK-2 preference. Electrostatic repulsion by the anionic fixed charge layer correlated with NK-3 selection. Thus, neurokinin receptor selection is guided by the same principles as opioid receptor selection. Membrane catalysis of specific agonist--receptor interactions may prove to be a quite general phenomenon, and the membrane structure of a peptide more important for its structure--activity relationship than its crystal structure or its mixture of conformers in solution or in vacuo.