Binding of mycotoxins to proteins involved in neuronal plasticity: a combined in silico/wet investigation

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 9;7(1):15156. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15148-4.

Abstract

We have applied a combined computational procedure based on inverse and direct docking in order to identify putative protein targets of a panel of mycotoxins and xenobiotic compounds that can contaminate food and that are known to have several detrimental effects on human health. This procedure allowed us to identify a panel of human proteins as possible targets for aflatoxins, gliotoxin, ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol. Steady-state fluorescence and microscale thermophoresis experiments allowed us to confirm the binding of some of these mycotoxins to acetylcholinesterase and X-linked neuroligin 4, two proteins involved in synapse activity and, particularly for the second protein, neuronal plasticity and development. Considering the possible involvement of X-linked neuroligin 4 in the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum syndrome, this finding opens up a new avenue to explore the hypothetical role of these xenobiotic compounds in the onset of this pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mycotoxins / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects*
  • Poisons / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Mycotoxins
  • NLGN4X protein, human
  • Poisons
  • Acetylcholinesterase