Inhibition of the Ubc9 E2 SUMO-conjugating enzyme-CRMP2 interaction decreases NaV1.7 currents and reverses experimental neuropathic pain

Pain. 2018 Oct;159(10):2115-2127. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001294.

Abstract

We previously reported that destruction of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification site in the axonal collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) was sufficient to selectively decrease trafficking of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 and reverse neuropathic pain. Here, we further interrogate the biophysical nature of the interaction between CRMP2 and the SUMOylation machinery, and test the hypothesis that a rationally designed CRMP2 SUMOylation motif (CSM) peptide can interrupt E2 SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9-dependent modification of CRMP2 leading to a similar suppression of NaV1.7 currents. Microscale thermophoresis and amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous alpha assay revealed a low micromolar binding affinity between CRMP2 and Ubc9. A heptamer peptide harboring CRMP2's SUMO motif, also bound with similar affinity to Ubc9, disrupted the CRMP2-Ubc9 interaction in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, incubation of a tat-conjugated cell-penetrating peptide (t-CSM) decreased sodium currents, predominantly NaV1.7, in a model neuronal cell line. Dialysis of t-CSM peptide reduced CRMP2 SUMOylation and blocked surface trafficking of NaV1.7 in rat sensory neurons. Fluorescence dye-based imaging in rat sensory neurons demonstrated inhibition of sodium influx in the presence of t-CSM peptide; by contrast, calcium influx was unaffected. Finally, t-CSM effectively reversed persistent mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity induced by a spinal nerve injury, a model of neuropathic pain. Structural modeling has now identified a pocket-harboring CRMP2's SUMOylation motif that, when targeted through computational screening of ligands/molecules, is expected to identify small molecules that will biochemically and functionally target CRMP2's SUMOylation to reduce NaV1.7 currents and reverse neuropathic pain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / genetics
  • NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rotarod Performance Test
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / metabolism*
  • Sodium / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Scn9a protein, rat
  • collapsin response mediator protein-2
  • Sodium
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes