Uncoupling toxic NO signaling: Progress, challenges, and therapeutic promise of disrupting the PSD-95/nNOS protein–protein interaction

Abstract

The interaction between postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) and neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) forms a signaling hub that couples N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) calcium influx to bursts of neurotoxic nitric oxide. Disrupting this protein-protein interaction (PPI) offers a strategy to suppress pathological NO production while sparing normal synaptic transmission—an advantage unattainable with channel blockers or active-site nNOS inhibitors. Over the past two decades, cell-penetrant peptides such as nerinetide (Tat-NR2B9c) have validated the target from rodent stroke models to phase-III clinical trials, while bivalent constructs achieve low-nanomolar affinity and extended brain exposure. Parallel medicinal-chemistry campaigns have delivered multiple small-molecule scaffolds (IC87201, ZL006, SCR-4026, PCC-0105002) that cross the blood–brain barrier, disrupt the complex at low-micromolar concentrations, and demonstrate efficacy in ischemic stroke, neuropathic pain, and neuropsychiatric paradigms without the liabilities of NMDAR antagonists. A comprehensive assay cascade—from NMR and AlphaScreen to in-situ proximity ligation and in-vivo PLA—now links molecular binding to functional outcomes. Formulation advances (PEGylated liposomes, pH-responsive polymers) and non-invasive routes (intranasal, focused-ultrasound BBB opening) further enhance brain delivery. Remaining challenges include achieving sub-micromolar small-molecule potency, ensuring long-term circuit selectivity, and scaling complex peptide or nanocarrier manufacturing. Structural elucidation of ligand-bound complexes, covalent and bivalent chemistries, and AI-guided design promise to surmount these hurdles. Collectively, the evidence positions PSD-95/nNOS disruption as a versatile, clinically achievable approach for mitigating excitotoxic and nociceptive pathology and sets the stage for first-in-class therapies that uncouple toxic NO signaling without silencing healthy synapses.