N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid receptor 2A functionalized stationary phase: A reliable method for pursuing potential ligands against Alzheimer's disease from natural products

Abstract Aims N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors play subunit‐specific role in central neuronal development. However, insights into the pharmacological modulation of NMDA receptors were mainly lack of subunit and synaptic selectivity. The purpose of the present study was to develop a novel strategy to rapidly recognize NMDA subunit 2A (NMDA‐2A) ligands from natural products and provide subunit‐selective drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods The recombinant NMDA‐2A containing a tag of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells and immobilized on ibrutinib‐modified microspheres based on the specific reaction between EGFR and its inhibitor ibrutinib. A novel affinity stationary phase was synthesized to screen NMDA‐2A ligands from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Results The immobilized receptor column exhibited excellent receptor selectivity and ligand‐binding activity. Crocetin was screened by using this method. In a cellular model of AD, the protein level of NMDA‐2A was significantly decreased compared with the control group, while treatment with crocetin significantly increased NMDA‐2A level in a concentration‐dependent manner, confirming that crocetin could bind to NMDA‐2A in vitro. Conclusion In the present study, we developed a reliable method for the rapid identification of NMDA‐2A ligands from natural products, which may be used as a platform for new drug discovery to generate high‐quality drug candidates.