Identification of residues required for ligand binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor

Sequence alignment of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily

The multitude of G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) superfamily cDNAs recently isolated has exceeded the number of receptor subtypes anticipated by pharmacological studies. Analysis of the sequence similarities and unique features of the members of this family is valuable for designing strategies to isolate related cDNAs, for developing hypotheses concerning substrate-ligand and receptor-effector interactions, and for understanding the evolution of these genes. We have compiled and aligned the 74 unique amino acid sequences published to date and review the present understanding of the structural motifs contributing to ligand binding and G-protein coupling.

Interactions between the argininyl moieties of neurotensin and the catechol protons of dopamine

The interaction between dopamine and neurotensin as well as other Arg-containing peptides was studied to provide more chemical details of how dopamine binds to the neuropeptide neurotensin. The stoichiometry of 1:1, dopamine to neurotensin, was confirmed by additional electroanalytical and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic studies. By analyses of the 205- to 340-nm difference spectra of fixed concentrations of dopamine in the presence of increasing amounts of neurotensin, the dissociation constant of the interaction was found to be 5.9 x 10(-8) mol/L. This finding confirmed (by a second physical method) the previously reported KD value obtained by electroanalytical techniques. The associations between dopamine and neurotensin as well as the neurotensin fragment Pro7-Arg8-Arg9-Pro10 were found to be pH dependent when the dissociation constant was measured as a function of pH (in 150 mmol/L NaCl). The results of studies of the formal potential of dopamine in the presence of Arg and Arg-containing peptides confirmed that catechol protons are directly involved in the association and that the chemical species of dopamine associated with neurotensin is a catecholate form. The (pseudo)-first-order rate constant of dissociation of the complex at pH 7.6, measured by the chronoamperometric and rotating disk electroanalytical techniques, was found to be approximately 10(5) s-1, indicating that the rate of formation of the complex is under diffusion control. A hypothetical chemical structure of the neurotensin-dopamine complex is suggested.

Molecular dynamics of dopamine at the D2 receptor

A three-dimensional model of the dopamine D2 receptor, assumed to be a target of antipsychotic drug action, was constructed from its amino acid sequence. The model was based on structural similarities within the super-family of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) protein-coupled neuroreceptors and has seven alpha-helical transmembrane segments that form a central core with a putative ligand-binding site. The space between two residues postulated to be involved in agonist binding, Asp-80 and Asn-390, perfectly accommodated an anti-dopamine molecule. Molecular electrostatic potentials were mainly negative on the synaptic side of the receptor model and around aspartate residues lining the central core and positive in the cytoplasmic domains. The docking of dopamine into a postulated binding site was examined by molecular dynamics simulation. The protonated amino group became oriented toward negatively charged aspartate residues in helix 2 and helix 3, whereas the dopamine molecule fluctuated rapidly between different anti and gauche conformations during the simulation. The receptor model suggests that protonated ligands are attracted to the binding site by electrostatic forces and that protonated agonists may induce conformational changes in the receptor, leading to G-protein activation, by increasing the electrostatic potentials near Asp-80.

Structural heterogeneity of membrane receptors and GTP-binding proteins and its functional consequences for signal transduction

Recent information obtained, mainly by recombinant cDNA technology, on structural heterogeneity of hormone and transmitter receptors, of GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) and, especially, of G-protein-linked receptors is reviewed and the implications of structural heterogeneity for diversity of hormone and transmitter actions is discussed. For the future, three-dimensional structural analysis of membrane proteins participating in signal transmission and transduction pathways is needed in order to understand the molecular basis of allosteric regulatory mechanisms governing the interactions between these proteins including hysteretic properties and cell-cybernetic aspects.

Genetic fine-structural analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-pheromone receptor

The alpha-pheromone receptor encoded by the STE2 gene contains seven potential transmembrane domains. Its ability to transduce the pheromone signal is thought to require the action of a G protein. As an initial step toward defining the structural features of the receptor required for its activity, we examined the phenotypic consequences of linker insertion mutations (12 bp) at 10 different sites in the STE2 gene. Three mutant classes, which correspond to three different regions of the receptor protein, were observed. 1) The two mutants affecting the C-terminal region (C-terminal mutants) were essentially wild type for mating efficiency, pheromone binding, and pheromone sensitivity. 2) The three mutants in the N-terminus mated with reduced efficiency, showed reduced pheromone binding capacity, and were partially defective in pheromone induction of agglutinin production and cell division arrest. Increased gene dosage of these N-terminal alleles suppressed their mutant phenotypes, whereas the sst2-1 mutation, which blocks adaptation to pheromone, did not result in suppression. Thus, the N-terminal mutants were apparently limited by receptor production, but not by the adaptation function SST2. 3) The five mutants in the central region containing the seven transmembrane segments (central mutants) were completely defective for mating and did not respond to pheromone, but could be distinguished by their ability to bind pheromone. Inserts in or near transmembrane domains 2 and 4 blocked pheromone binding, whereas inserts into transmembrane domains 1, 5, and 6 retained partial pheromone binding activity even though they failed to transduce a signal. The central mutants were not suppressed by increased gene dosage, and one mutant (ste2-/101) was partially suppressed by sst2-1. Furthermore, the central core mutants were also distinguished from one another in that three of the five mutants were able to partially complement the temperature sensitivity of ste2-3.

Structure/function relationship of proteins belonging to the family of receptors coupled to GTP-binding proteins

The structural properties of a number of proteins belonging to the family of receptors coupled to GTP binding proteins are discussed in relation to their function. The structure of the ligand binding site and of the regions involved in coupling to the G proteins are analyzed mainly for the adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, for which site-directed mutagenesis and chimaeric constructions have been studied. The structure of the genes are compared and the presence of various regulatory elements is discussed in relation to control of expression. Mechanism of desensitization and internalization, while mostly studied for the beta 2-adrenergic receptor, are proposed to be generally applicable to all G-protein-coupled receptors.

Structure and function of G protein coupled receptors

The G protein coupled receptors (GPC-Rs) comprise a large superfamily of genes encoding numerous receptors which all show common structural features, e.g., seven putative membrane spanning domains. Their biological functions are extremely diverse, ranging from vision and olfaction to neuronal and endocrine signaling. The GPC-Rs couple via multiple G proteins to a growing number of recognized second messenger pathway, e.g., cAMP and phosphatidyl inositol turnover. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which the GPC-Rs activate second messenger systems, and it addresses their regulation and structure.

Drugs and receptors. An overview of the current state of knowledge

This paper reviews the theoretical concepts and methods utilised with isolated tissues to characterise drugs and drug receptors. Specifically the impact, on the in vitro measurement of agonist affinity and relative efficacy, of the idea that receptors bind to transduction proteins in the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane is discussed. The effects of ternary complex formation of agonist-receptor equilibria raise theoretical objections to the measurement of agonist receptor equilibrium dissociation constants. Possible 'promiscuity' of receptors with respect to the G-proteins with which they can interact makes classification of receptors by agonists suspect. The use of Schild analysis for the measurement of antagonist affinity and subsequent classification of receptors is considered in the light of recent data showing that estimates calculated with this method are heterogeneous. Resultant analysis for the detection of allosteric effects is also discussed. Lastly, the impact of molecular biology on the drug and drug receptor classification process is considered, as well as the effects of pathological processes on drug action at the receptor level.

Biotechnology of beta-adrenergic receptors

The emergence of Biotechnology has provided pharmacologists with a variety of methods for investigating the structure, the function, and the regulation of membrane-bound receptors with a precision that was not imagined even five years ago. These new tools have been developed and used to analyze the known catecholamine beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and to discover and study a new subtype, the beta 3 receptor. We review here the salient features of each of these three receptors, compare their structural and functional properties, and propose models to explain their differential regulation in time and space. A whole family of proteins has now been found to share with the beta-adrenergic receptors their most prominent features, including seven transmembrane domains and coupling with GTP-binding "G" proteins. We therefore propose that the biotechnology-based procedures developed for the beta-adrenergic receptors will be well applicable to the other members of this "R7G" family of receptors.

Aspects of the structure of the D2 dopamine receptor

Significant new information on the D2 dopamine receptor has recently become available from a combination of protein chemical and molecular genetic analyses. Molecular genetic studies have shown the receptor to be a member of the family of receptors that are linked to G proteins and that have structures predicted to contain seven transmembrane domains. Two distinct species of D2 dopamine receptor have been found which may differ in their coupling to G proteins; their distributions have been mapped at the nucleic acid level. The D2 dopamine receptor has been purified from brain and anterior pituitary and characterized. Chemical modification of the brain receptor provides evidence for the importance of a carboxyl group that interacts with ligands at the receptor binding site. Here, Philip Strange discusses these points and proposes models of receptor-ligand interaction based on the conservation of several aspartic acid residues in receptors that bind cationic amines.

CGEMA and VGAP: a Colour Graphics Editor for Multiple Alignment using a variable GAP penalty. Application to the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

Today, more than 40 protein amino acid (AA) sequences of membrane receptors coupled to guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) are available. For those working in the field of medicinal chemistry, these sequences present a new type of information that should be taken into consideration. To make maximal use of sequence data it is essential to be able to compare different protein sequences in a similar way to that used for small molecules. A prerequisite, however, is the availability of a processing environment that enables one to handle sequences in an easy way, both by hand and by computer. In order to meet these ends, the package CGEMA (Colour Graphics Editor for Multiple Alignment) was developed in our laboratory. The programme uses a user-definable colour coding for the different AAs. Sequences can be aligned by hand or by computer, using VGAP, and both approaches can be combined. VGAP is a novel in-house written alignment programme with a variable gap penalty that also handles consecutive alignments using one sequence as a probe. In addition, secondary structure prediction tools are available. From the 20 protein sequences, available for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, 13 different sequences were selected, covering the subtypes m1 to m5. By comparing the sequences, two major groups are revealed that correspond to those found by considering the transducing system coupled to the various receptor subtypes. Different parts of the protein sequences are identified as characterizing the subtype and binding the ligands, respectively.

Location in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of sites for [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard binding and for phosphorylation with protein kinase C

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors purified from porcine cerebra or atria were covalently labeled with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PrBCM), and then the labeled receptors were subjected to limited hydrolysis with trypsin, V8 protease, and lysyl endopeptidase, followed by analysis involving sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, fluorography, autoradiography, or immunostaining. The labeled peptides were located on the basis of their reactivity with antibodies raised against three synthetic peptides with partial sequences of the m1 or m2 receptor, and of their sensitivity to endoglycosidase F, which was taken as evidence that they contain glycosylation sites near the N terminus. The [3H]PrBCM-binding site in both cerebral and atrial receptors was found to be located between the N terminus and the second intracellular loop, because the size of the smallest deglycosylated peptide that contained both the [3H]PrBCM-binding and glycosylation sites was approximately 16 kDa. Cerebral receptors were 32P-phosphorylated with protein kinase C, and the major phosphorylation sites in cerebral muscarinic receptors were found to be located in a C-terminal segment including a part of the third intracellular loop, because a 32P-labeled peptide of 12-14 kDa reacted with anti-(m1 C-terminal peptide) antiserum. The presence of an intramolecular disulfide bond, probably between Cys 98 and Cys 178 in the first and second extracellular loops, respectively, was suggested by the finding that a peptide of approximately 17 kDa containing the [3H]PrBCM-binding site, but not the glycosylation sites, was partly converted to a peptide of approximately 12 kDa on treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol.

Human cytomegalovirus encodes three G protein-coupled receptor homologues

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus with a genome of 230 kilobases (Kb) encoding about 200 genes. Although infection is generally innocuous, HCMV causes serious congenital and neonatal disease, and is a dangerous opportunistic pathogen in immune-deficient individuals. We have identified a family of three HCMV genes which encode polypeptides containing seven putative membrane-spanning domains, and a series of well-defined motifs characteristic of the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GCRs). By these criteria all three of the HCMV sequences are homologous to cellular GCRs. Members of this receptor family function in visual signal transduction, regulation of homeostasis, and development, and include known and potential oncogenes. These receptors are activated by photons or small molecules such as neurotransmitters, and glycoprotein hormones. The finding of viral-encoded GCR homologues implies a further level of complexity in the interactions between HCMV and its host, and may provide a potential pathway for virally transformed cell proliferation. Their identification could permit the development of a novel class of antiviral drugs analogous to beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists.

RTA, a candidate G protein-coupled receptor: cloning, sequencing, and tissue distribution

Genomic and cDNA clones, encoding a protein that is a member of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein)-coupled receptor superfamily, were isolated by screening rat genomic and thoracic aorta cDNA libraries with an oligonucleotide encoding a highly conserved region of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Sequence analyses of these clones showed that they encode a 343-amino acid protein (named RTA). The RTA gene is single copy, as demonstrated by restriction mapping and Southern blotting of genomic clones and rat genomic DNA. Sequence analysis of the genomic clone further showed that the RTA gene has an intron interrupting the region encoding the amino terminus of the protein. RTA RNA sequences are relatively abundant throughout the gut, vas deferens, uterus, and aorta but are only barely detectable (on Northern blots) in liver, kidney, lung, and salivary gland. In the rat brain, RTA sequences are markedly abundant in the cerebellum. RTA is most closely related to the mas oncogene (34% identity), which has been suggested to be a forebrain angiotensin receptor. We cannot detect angiotensin binding to the RTA protein after introducing the cognate cDNA or mRNA into COS cells or Xenopus oocytes, respectively, nor can we detect an electrophysiologic response in the oocyte after application of angiotensin peptides. We conclude that RTA is not an angiotensin receptor; to date, we have been unable to identify its ligand.

Adrenergic receptors. Models for regulation of signal transduction processes

Adrenergic receptors are prototypic models for the study of the relations between structure and function of G protein-coupled receptors. Each receptor is encoded by a distinct gene. These receptors are integral membrane proteins with several striking structural features. They consist of a single subunit containing seven stretches of 20-28 hydrophobic amino acids that represent potential membrane-spanning alpha-helixes. Many of these receptors share considerable amino acid sequence homology, particularly in the transmembrane domains. All of these macromolecules share other similarities that include one or more potential sites of extracellular N-linked glycosylation near the amino terminus and several potential sites of regulatory phosphorylation that are located intracellularly. By using a variety of techniques, it has been demonstrated that various regions of the receptor molecules are critical for different receptor functions. The seven transmembrane regions of the receptors appear to form a ligand-binding pocket. Cysteine residues in the extracellular domains may stabilize the ligand-binding pocket by participating in disulfide bonds. The cytoplasmic domains contain regions capable of interacting with G proteins and various kinases and are therefore important in such processes as signal transduction, receptor-G protein coupling, receptor sequestration, and down-regulation. Finally, regions of these macromolecules may undergo posttranslational modifications important in the regulation of receptor function. Our understanding of these complex relations is constantly evolving and much work remains to be done. Greater understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in G protein-coupled, receptor-mediated signal transduction may provide leads into the nature of certain pathophysiological states.

Asp83, Glu113 and Glu134 are not specifically involved in Schiff base protonation or wavelength regulation in bovine rhodopsin

Site-specific mutagenesis was employed to investigate the proposed contribution of proton-donating residues (Glu, Asp) in the membrane domains of bovine rhodopsin to protonation of the Schiff base-linking protein and chromophore or to wavelength modulation of this visual pigment. Three point-mutations were introduced to replace the highly conserved residues Asp83 by Asn (D83N), Glu113 by Gln (E113 Q) or Glu134 by Asp (E134D), respectively. All 3 substitutions had only marginal effects on the spectral properties of the final pigment (less than or equal to 3 nm blue-shift relative to native rhodopsin). Hence, none of these residues by itself is specifically involved in Schiff base protonation or wavelength modulation of bovine rhodopsin.

A molecular modelling study of the interaction of noradrenaline with the beta 2-adrenergic receptor

A model of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor binding site is built from the primary structure of the receptor, experimental evidence for key binding residues and analogy with a homologous protein of partially determined structure. It is suggested that residues Trp-109, Thr-110 and Asp-113 are involved in ligand binding. Noradrenaline is successfully docked into this model, and the results of an INDO molecular orbital calculation on the complex indicate that a charge transfer interaction between Trp-109 and noradrenaline is possible.

Mapping the functional domains of the beta-adrenergic receptor

The beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) serves as a model system for analysis of the structure-function relationships of G-protein-coupled receptors. Genetic analysis of the beta AR has demonstrated that the ligand-binding domain of this protein lies within the hydrophobic putative transmembrane core, involving specific amino acid residues in several of the transmembrane helices of the receptor. Site-directed mutagenesis of the receptor in conjunction with structural alterations of the ligands has revealed specific molecular interactions that are important for recognition of the ligand by the receptor. In addition, cytoplasmically exposed regions of the beta AR that are required for the activation of Gs have been identified. Because of the structural similarities among G-protein-coupled receptors, information gained from genetic analysis of the beta AR should prove useful in the development of specific agonists and antagonists for other receptors of this class.

An analysis of the periodicity of conserved residues in sequence alignments of G-protein coupled receptors. Implications for the three-dimensional structure

Twenty-three sequences from the family of G-protein coupled receptors have been aligned according to the 'historical alignment' procedure of Feng and Doolittle. Fourier transform analysis of this reveals that parts of five of the seven putative membrane-spanning regions exhibit a periodicity of conserved/nonconserved residues which is compatible with the periodicity of the alpha-helix. This would place the conserved residues on one side of the helix, which may face the inside of the proposed seven membered helical bundle.

cDNA cloning reveals that the major group rhinovirus receptor on HeLa cells is intercellular adhesion molecule 1

A 90-kDa surface glycoprotein was previously isolated and shown to be required for infection by the "major" group of human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes. In the present work, the amino acid sequence of the receptor protein was obtained from CNBr and tryptic peptides. Using degenerate oligonucleotides predicted from the peptide sequences, we identified four cDNA clones that encode a 3-kilobase mRNA. The clones were ligated, subcloned in a simian virus 40 expression vector, and used to transfect receptor-negative Vero (monkey) cells. Results showed that transfected cells expressed receptor molecules capable of binding HRV and a monoclonal antibody which recognizes the major group HRV receptor. The cloned receptor cDNA encoded a protein with a sequence nearly identical to that of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), indicating that the two surface proteins are one and the same. Both proteins have identical mass, carbohydrate composition, and tissue distribution. In addition, major group receptors on HeLa cells could be induced with various cytokines in a manner similar to the ICAM-1 ligand. A similar induction of the HRV "minor" group receptor was not observed.

Molecular modeling of a putative antagonist binding site on helix III of the beta-adrenoceptor

In recent biochemical studies it was demonstrated that residue Asp113 of the beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) is an indispensable amino acid for the binding of beta-AR antagonists. Earlier fluorescence studies showed that a tryptophan-rich region of the beta-AR is involved in the binding of propranolol, the prototype beta-AR antagonist. Bearing these two biochemical findings in mind, we explored the beta-AR part containing Asp113, for an energetically favorable antagonist binding site. This was done by performing molecular docking studies with the antagonist propranolol and a specific beta-AR peptide which included, besides Asp113, two possibly relevant tryptophan residues. In the docking calculations, the propranolol molecule was allowed to vary all its internal torsional angles. The receptor peptide was kept in an alpha-helix conformation, while side chains relevant to ligand binding were flexible to enable optimal adaptations to the ligand's binding conformation. By means of force-field calculations the total energy was minimized, consisting of the intramolecular energies of both ligand and receptor peptide, and the intermolecular energy. We found an antagonist binding site, consisting of amino acids Asp113 and Trp109, which enabled energetically favorable interactions with the receptor-binding groups of propranolol. According to these results, binding involves three main interaction points: (i) a reinforced ionic bond; (ii) a hydrogen bond; and (iii) a hydrophobic/charge transfer interaction. The deduced binding site shows a difference in affinity between the levo- and dextrorotatory isomers of propranolol caused by a difference in ability to form a hydrogen bond, which is in conformity with the experimentally observed stereoselectivity. Moreover, it also provides an explanation for the beta 1-selectivity of p-phenyl substituted phenoxypropanolamines like betaxolol. The p-phenyl substituent of betaxolol was shown to be sterically hindered upon binding to the beta 2-AR peptide, whereas this hindrance is very likely to be much less with the beta 1-AR peptide. Finally, the proposed antagonist binding site is discussed in the light of some recent biochemical findings and theories.

Role of tyrosine kinase and membrane-spanning domains in signal transduction by the platelet-derived growth factor receptor

Three types of mutations were introduced into the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor to cause a loss of PDGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity: (i) a point mutation of the ATP-binding site, (ii) a deletion of the carboxyl-terminal region, and (iii) replacement of the membrane-spanning sequences by analogous transmembrane sequences of other receptors. Transfectants expressing mutated receptors bind, 125I-labeled PDGF with a high affinity but had no PDGF-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity, phosphatidylinositol turnover, increase in the intracellular calcium concentration, change in cellular pH, or stimulation of DNA synthesis. However, PDGF-induced receptor down regulation was normal in the mutant cells. These results indicate that the transmembrane sequence has a specific signal-transducing function other than merely serving as a membrane anchor and that the receptor kinase activity is necessary for most responses to PDGF but is not required for receptor down regulation.

Consensus residues at the acetylcholine binding site of cholinergic proteins

The nicotinic (nAcChR) and muscarinic (mAcCh) acetylcholine receptors and acetylcholinesterase (AcChEase) are structurally unrelated but share a common functional property: interaction with acetylcholine (AcCh). Alignment of the probable AcCh binding site regions of the nAcChR and mAcChR protein sequences revealed the presence of ten nearly identically spaced consensus residues, six of which contain potentially ligand-interactive side chains. Important elements of the consensus residues also were found in one unique sequence region of the AcChEases. Alignments among the two receptors and AcChEase outside the apparent binding region were rare, and the consensus AcCh binding residues were largely substituted in the homologous proteins, which do not bind AcCh. The consensus residues include two possible anionic subsite Asp residues and a Ser that may hydrogen bond to the AcCh carbonyl in the receptors. These residues correspond to positions Asp-166, Ser-173, and Asp-200 in the neuromuscular nAcChR; Asp-71, Ser-78, and Asp-105 in the M1 mAcChR; and Asp-93 and Asp-128 in Torpedo AcChEase. No corresponding consensus Ser is found in the AcChEase sequence; this is expected because of a downstream esterase active-site Ser-200 (Torpedo). A receptor-conserved and disulfide-linked Cys corresponding to neuromuscular nAcChR residue 193 and M1 mAcChR residue 97 may be important in energy transduction associated with agonist-mediated events. The presence of additional binding-site aromatic residues that may form a hydrophobic environment near the anionic subsite are aligned within, but not between, the three cholinergic protein groups. These observations target specific regions and residues within these proteins for structure-function studies of the cholinergic binding domain.

Genetic analysis of the molecular basis for beta-adrenergic receptor subtype specificity

Pharmacological analysis of ligand binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) has revealed the existence of two distinct receptor subtypes (beta 1 and beta 2) which are the products of different genes. The predicted amino acid sequences of the beta 1 and beta 2 receptors differ by 48%. To identify the regions of the proteins responsible for determining receptor subtype, chimeras were constructed from domains of the human beta 1 and hamster beta 2 receptors. Analysis of the ligand-binding characteristics of these hybrid receptors revealed that residues in the middle portion of the beta AR sequence, particularly around transmembrane regions 4 and 5, contribute to the subtype specific binding of agonists. Smaller molecular replacements of regions of the hamster beta 2 AR with the analogous regions from the avian beta 1 AR, however, failed to identify any single residue substitution capable of altering the subtype specificity of the receptor. These data indicate that, whereas sequences around transmembrane regions 4 and 5 may contribute to conformations which influence the ligand-binding properties of the receptor, the subtype-specific differences in amine-substituted agonist binding cannot be attributed to a single molecular interaction between the ligand and any amino acid residue which is divergent between the beta 1 and beta 2 receptors.