Photoaffinity Cross-Linking of the Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Type 1 with Photoreactive Urocortin Analogues

Structural and Functional Insights into CRF Peptides and Their Receptors

Corticotropin-releasing factor or hormone (CRF or CRH) and the urocortins regulate a plethora of physiological functions and are involved in many pathophysiological processes. CRF and urocortins belong to the family of CRF peptides (CRF family), which includes sauvagine, urotensin, and many synthetic peptide and non-peptide CRF analogs. Several of the CRF analogs have shown considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of various diseases. The CRF peptide family act by interacting with two types of plasma membrane proteins, type 1 (CRF1R) and type 2 (CRF2R), which belong to subfamily B1 of the family B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This work describes the structure of CRF peptides and their receptors and the activation mechanism of the latter, which is compared with that of other GPCRs. It also discusses recent structural information that rationalizes the selective binding of various ligands to the two CRF receptor types and the activation of receptors by different agonists.

Exploring Pairwise Chemical Crosslinking To Study Peptide-Receptor Interactions

Pairwise crosslinking is a powerful technique to characterize interactions between G protein coupled receptors and their ligands in the live cell. In this work, the "thiol trapping" method, which exploits the proximity-enhanced reaction between haloacetamides and cysteine, is examined to identify intermolecular pairs of vicinal positions. By incorporating cysteine into the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor and either α-chloro- or α-bromoacetamide groups into its ligands, it is shown that thiol trapping provides highly reproducible signals and a low background, and represents a valid alternative to classical "disulfide trapping". The method is advantageous if reducing agents are required during sample analysis. Moreover, it can provide partially distinct spatial constraints, thus giving access to a wider dataset for molecular modeling. Finally, by applying recombinant mini-Gs, GTPγS, and Gαs-depleted HEK293 cells to modulate Gs coupling, it is shown that yields of crosslinking increase in the presence of elevated levels of Gs.

Current understanding of the structure and function of family B GPCRs to design novel drugs

Family B of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their ligands play a central role in a number of homeostatic mechanisms in the endocrine, gastrointestinal, skeletal, immune, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Alterations in family B GPCR-regulated homeostatic mechanisms may cause a variety of potentially life-threatening conditions, signifying the necessity to develop novel ligands targeting these receptors. Obtaining structural and functional information on family B GPCRs will accelerate the development of novel drugs to target these receptors. Family B GPCRs are proteins that span the plasma membrane seven times, thus forming seven transmembrane domains (TM1-TM7) which are connected to each other by three extracellular (EL) and three intracellular (IL) loops. In addition, these receptors have a long extracellular N-domain and an intracellular C-tail. The upper parts of the TMs and ELs form the J-domain of receptors. The C-terminal region of peptides first binds to the N-domain of receptors. This 'first-step' interaction orients the N-terminal region of peptides towards the J-domain of receptors, thus resulting in a 'second-step' of ligand-receptor interaction that activates the receptor. Activation-associated structural changes of receptors are transmitted through TMs to their intracellular regions and are responsible for their interaction with the G proteins and activation of the latter, thus resulting in a biological effect. This review summarizes the current information regarding the structure and function of family B GPCRs and their physiological and pathophysiological roles.

Mapping of Protein Interfaces in Live Cells Using Genetically Encoded Crosslinkers

Understanding the topology of protein-protein interactions is a matter of fundamental importance in the biomedical field. Biophysical approaches such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance can investigate in detail only isolated protein complexes that are reconstituted in an artificial environment. Alternative methods are needed to investigate protein interactions in a physiological context, as well as to characterize protein complexes that elude the direct structural characterization. We describe here a general strategy to investigate protein interactions at the molecular level directly in the live mammalian cell, which is based on the genetic incorporation of photo- and chemical crosslinking noncanonical amino acids. First a photo-crosslinking amino acid is used to map putative interaction surfaces and determine which positions of a protein come into proximity of an associated partner. In a second step, the subset of residues that belong to the binding interface are substituted with a chemical crosslinker that reacts selectively with proximal cysteines strategically placed in the interaction partner. This allows determining inter-molecular spatial constraints that provide the basis for building accurate molecular models. In this chapter, we illustrate the detailed application of this experimental strategy to unravel the binding modus of the 40-mer neuropeptide hormone Urocortin1 to its class B G-protein coupled receptor, the corticotropin releasing factor receptor type 1. The approach is in principle applicable to any protein complex independent of protein type and size, employs established techniques of noncanonical amino acid mutagenesis, and is feasible in any molecular biology laboratory.

Structural insight into the activation of a class B G-protein-coupled receptor by peptide hormones in live human cells

The activation mechanism of class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remains largely unknown. To characterize conformational changes induced by peptide hormones, we investigated interactions of the class B corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRF1R) with two peptide agonists and three peptide antagonists obtained by N-truncation of the agonists. Surface mapping with genetically encoded photo-crosslinkers and pair-wise crosslinking revealed distinct footprints of agonists and antagonists on the transmembrane domain (TMD) of CRF1R and identified numerous ligand-receptor contact sites, directly from the intact receptor in live human cells. The data enabled generating atomistic models of CRF- and CRF(12-41)-bound CRF1R, further explored by molecular dynamics simulations. We show that bound agonist and antagonist adopt different folds and stabilize distinct TMD conformations, which involves bending of helices VI and VII around flexible glycine hinges. Conservation of these glycine hinges among all class B GPCRs suggests their general role in activation of these receptors.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.27711.001

The Life of Pi Star: Exploring the Exciting and Forbidden Worlds of the Benzophenone Photophore

The widespread applications of benzophenone (BP) photochemistry in biological chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and material science have been prominent in both academic and industrial research. BP photophores have unique photochemical properties: upon n-π* excitation at 365 nm, a biradicaloid triplet state is formed reversibly, which can abstract a hydrogen atom from accessible C-H bonds; the radicals subsequently recombine, creating a stable covalent C-C bond. This light-directed covalent attachment process is exploited in many different ways: (i) binding/contact site mapping of ligand (or protein)-protein interactions; (ii) identification of molecular targets and interactome mapping; (iii) proteome profiling; (iv) bioconjugation and site-directed modification of biopolymers; (v) surface grafting and immobilization. BP photochemistry also has many practical advantages, including low reactivity toward water, stability in ambient light, and the convenient excitation at 365 nm. In addition, several BP-containing building blocks and reagents are commercially available. In this review, we explore the "forbidden" (transitions) and excitation-activated world of photoinduced covalent attachment of BP photophores by touring a colorful palette of recent examples. In this exploration, we will see the pros and cons of using BP photophores, and we hope that both novice and expert photolabelers will enjoy and be inspired by the breadth and depth of possibilities.

Structural and functional insights into the juxtamembranous amino-terminal tail and extracellular loop regions of class B GPCRs

Class B guanine nucleotide-binding protein GPCRs share heptahelical topology and signalling via coupling with heterotrimeric G proteins typical of the entire superfamily of GPCRs. However, they also exhibit substantial structural differences from the more extensively studied class A GPCRs. Even their helical bundle region, most conserved across the superfamily, is predicted to differ from that of class A GPCRs. Much is now known about the conserved structure of the amino-terminal domain of class B GPCRs, coming from isolated NMR and crystal structures, but the orientation of that domain relative to the helical bundle is unknown, and even less is understood about the conformations of the juxtamembranous amino-terminal tail or of the extracellular loops linking the transmembrane segments. We now review what is known about the structure and function of these regions of class B GPCRs. This comes from indirect analysis of structure-function relationships elucidated by mutagenesis and/or ligand modification and from the more direct analysis of spatial approximation coming from photoaffinity labelling and cysteine trapping studies. Also reviewed are the limited studies of structure of some of these regions. No dominant theme was recognized for the structures or functional roles of distinct regions of these juxtamembranous portions of the class B GPCRs. Therefore, it is likely that a variety of molecular strategies can be engaged for docking of agonist ligands and for initiation of conformational changes in these receptors that would be expected to converge to a common molecular mechanism for activation of intracellular signalling cascades.

Genetically encoded chemical probes in cells reveal the binding path of urocortin-I to CRF class B GPCR

Molecular determinants regulating the activation of class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by native peptide agonists are largely unknown. We have investigated here the interaction between the corticotropin releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRF1R) and its native 40-mer peptide ligand Urocortin-I directly in mammalian cells. By incorporating unnatural amino acid photochemical and new click-chemical probes into the intact receptor expressed in the native membrane of live cells, 44 intermolecular spatial constraints have been derived for the ligand-receptor interaction. The data were analyzed in the context of the recently resolved crystal structure of CRF1R transmembrane domain and existing extracellular domain structures, yielding a complete conformational model for the peptide-receptor complex. Structural features of the receptor-ligand complex yield molecular insights on the mechanism of receptor activation and the basis for discrimination between agonist and antagonist function.

Mapping spatial approximations between the amino terminus of secretin and each of the extracellular loops of its receptor using cysteine trapping

While it is evident that the carboxyl-terminal region of natural peptide ligands bind to the amino-terminal domain of class B GPCRs, how their biologically critical amino-terminal regions dock to the receptor is unclear. We utilize cysteine trapping to systematically explore spatial approximations among residues in the first five positions of secretin and in every position within the receptor extracellular loops (ECLs). Only Cys(2) and Cys(5) secretin analogues exhibited full activity and retained moderate binding affinity (IC(50): 92±4 and 83±1 nM, respectively). When these peptides probed 61 human secretin receptor cysteine-replacement mutants, a broad network of receptor residues could form disulfide bonds consistent with a dynamic ligand-receptor interface. Two distinct patterns of disulfide bond formation were observed: Cys(2) predominantly labeled residues in the amino terminus of ECL2 and ECL3 (relative labeling intensity: Ser(340), 94±7%; Pro(341), 84±9%; Phe(258), 73±5%; Trp(274) 62±8%), and Cys(5) labeled those in the carboxyl terminus of ECL2 and ECL3 (Gln(348), 100%; Ile(347), 73±12%; Glu(342), 59±10%; Phe(351), 58±11%). These constraints were utilized in molecular modeling, providing improved understanding of the structure of the transmembrane bundle and interconnecting loops, the orientation between receptor domains, and the molecular basis of ligand docking. Key spatial approximations between peptide and receptor predicted by this model (H(1)-W(274), D(3)-N(268), G(4)-F(258)) were supported by mutagenesis and residue-residue complementation studies.

Calcitonin and calcitonin receptor-like receptors: common themes with family B GPCRs?

The calcitonin receptor (CTR) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) are two of the 15 human family B (or Secretin-like) GPCRs. CTR and CLR are of considerable biological interest as their pharmacology is moulded by interactions with receptor activity-modifying proteins. They also have therapeutic relevance for many conditions, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, lymphatic insufficiency, migraine and cardiovascular disease. In light of recent advances in understanding ligand docking and receptor activation in both the family as a whole and in CLR and CTR specifically, this review reflects how applicable general family B GPCR themes are to these two idiosyncratic receptors. We review the main functional domains of the receptors; the N-terminal extracellular domain, the juxtamembrane domain and ligand interface, the transmembrane domain and the intracellular C-terminal domain. Structural and functional findings from the CLR and CTR along with other family B GPCRs are critically appraised to gain insight into how these domains may function. The ability for CTR and CLR to interact with receptor activity-modifying proteins adds another level of sophistication to these receptor systems but means careful consideration is needed when trying to apply generic GPCR principles. This review encapsulates current thinking in the realm of family B GPCR research by highlighting both conflicting and recurring themes and how such findings relate to two unusual but important receptors, CTR and CLR.

Photo-cross-linkers incorporated into G-protein-coupled receptors in mammalian cells: a ligand comparison

Capturing the right ligand at the right spot: a well-balanced system for non-natural amino acid mutagenesis allows the ligand binding sites of a class II G-protein coupled receptor to be mapped and distinct binding domains to be identified for different ligands in the native environment of mammalian cells.

Molecular basis of secretin docking to its intact receptor using multiple photolabile probes distributed throughout the pharmacophore

The molecular basis of ligand binding and activation of family B G protein-coupled receptors is not yet clear due to the lack of insight into the structure of intact receptors. Although NMR and crystal structures of amino-terminal domains of several family members support consistency in general structural motifs that include a peptide-binding cleft, there are variations in the details of docking of the carboxyl terminus of peptide ligands within this cleft, and there is no information about siting of the amino terminus of these peptides. There are also no empirical data to orient the receptor amino terminus relative to the core helical bundle domain. Here, we prepared a series of five new probes, incorporating photolabile moieties into positions 2, 15, 20, 24, and 25 of full agonist secretin analogues. Each bound specifically to the receptor and covalently labeled single distinct receptor residues. Peptide mapping of labeled wild-type and mutant receptors identified that the position 15, 20, and 25 probes labeled residues within the distal amino terminus of the receptor, whereas the position 24 probe labeled the amino terminus adjacent to TM1. Of note, the position 2 probe labeled a residue within the first extracellular loop of the receptor, a region not previously labeled, providing an important new constraint for docking the amino-terminal region of secretin to its receptor core. These additional experimentally derived constraints help to refine our understanding of the structure of the secretin-intact receptor complex and provide new insights into understanding the molecular mechanism for activation of family B G protein-coupled receptors.

Refinement of glucagon-like peptide 1 docking to its intact receptor using mid-region photolabile probes and molecular modeling

The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor is an important drug target within the B family of G protein-coupled receptors. Its natural agonist ligand, GLP1, has incretin-like actions and the receptor is a recognized target for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite recent solution of the structure of the amino terminus of the GLP1 receptor and several close family members, the molecular basis for GLP1 binding to and activation of the intact receptor remains unclear. We previously demonstrated molecular approximations between amino- and carboxyl-terminal residues of GLP1 and its receptor. In this work, we study spatial approximations with the mid-region of this peptide to gain insights into the orientation of the intact receptor and the ligand-receptor complex. We have prepared two new photolabile probes incorporating a p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine into positions 16 and 20 of GLP1(7-36). Both probes bound to the GLP1 receptor specifically and with high affinity. These were each fully efficacious agonists, stimulating cAMP accumulation in receptor-bearing CHO cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Each probe specifically labeled a single receptor site. Protease cleavage and radiochemical sequencing identified receptor residue Leu(141) above transmembrane segment one as its site of labeling for the position 16 probe, whereas the position 20 probe labeled receptor residue Trp(297) within the second extracellular loop. Establishing ligand residue approximation with this loop region is unique among family members and may help to orient the receptor amino-terminal domain relative to its helical bundle region.

Exploring the binding site crevice of a family B G protein-coupled receptor, the type 1 corticotropin releasing factor receptor

Family B of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is composed of receptors that bind peptides, such as secretin, glucagon, parathyroid hormone, and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), which play critical physiological roles. These receptors, like all GPCRs, share a common structural motif of seven membrane-spanning segments, which have been proposed to bind small ligands, such as antalarmin, a nonpeptide antagonist of the type 1 receptor for CRF (CRF(1)). This leads to the hypothesis that as for family A GPCRs, the binding sites of small ligands for family B GPCRs are on the surface of a water-accessible crevice, the binding-site crevice, which is formed by the membrane-spanning segments and extends from the extracellular surface of the receptor into the plane of the membrane. To test this hypothesis we have begun to obtain structural information about family B GPCRs, using as a prototype the CRF(1), by determining the ability of sulfhydryl-specific methanethiosulfonate derivatives, such as the methanethiosulfonate-ethylammonium (MTSEA), to react with CRF(1) and thus irreversibly inhibit (125)I-Tyr(0)-sauvagine binding. We found that MTSEA inhibited (125)I-Tyr(0)-sauvagine binding to CRF(1) and that antalarmin protected against this irreversible inhibition. To identify the susceptible cysteine(s), we mutated, one at a time, four endogenous cysteines to serine. Mutation to serine of Cys211, Cys233, or Cys364 decreased the susceptibility of sauvagine binding to irreversible inhibition by MTSEA. Thus, Cys211, Cys233, and Cys364 at the cytoplasmic ends of the third, fourth, and seventh membrane-spanning segments, respectively, are exposed in the binding site crevice of CRF(1).

Spatial approximations between residues 6 and 12 in the amino-terminal region of glucagon-like peptide 1 and its receptor: a region critical for biological activity

Understanding the molecular basis of natural ligand binding and activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor may facilitate the development of agonist drugs useful for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We previously reported molecular approximations between carboxyl-terminal residues 24 and 35 within GLP1 and its receptor. In this work, we have focused on the amino-terminal region of GLP1, known to be critical for receptor activation. We developed two high-affinity, full agonist photolabile GLP1 probes having sites of covalent attachment in positions 6 and 12 of the 30-residue peptide (GLP1(7-36)). Both probes bound to the receptor specifically and covalently labeled single distinct sites. Chemical and protease cleavage of the labeled receptor identified the juxtamembrane region of its amino-terminal domain as the region of covalent attachment of the position 12 probe, whereas the region of labeling by the position 6 probe was localized to the first extracellular loop. Radiochemical sequencing identified receptor residue Tyr(145), adjacent to the first transmembrane segment, as the site of labeling by the position 12 probe, and receptor residue Tyr(205), within the first extracellular loop, as the site of labeling by the position 6 probe. These data provide support for a common mechanism for natural ligand binding and activation of family B G protein-coupled receptors. This region of interaction of peptide amino-terminal domains with the receptor may provide a pocket that can be targeted by small molecule agonists.

Residue 17 of sauvagine cross-links to the first transmembrane domain of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1)

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1) mediates the physiological actions of corticotropin-releasing factor in the anterior pituitary gland and the central nervous system. Using chemical cross-linking we have previously reported that residue 16 of sauvagine (SVG) is in a close proximity to the second extracellular loop of CRFR1. Here we introduced p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) at position 17 of a sauvagine analog, [Tyr0, Gln1, Bpa17]SVG, to covalently label CRFR1 and characterize the cross-linking site. Using a combination of receptor mutagenesis, peptide mapping, and N-terminal sequencing, we identified His117 within the first transmembrane domain (TM1) of CRFR1 as the cross-linking site for Bpa17 of 125I-[Tyr0, Gln1, Bpa17]SVG. These data indicate that, within the SVG-CRFR1 complex, residue 17 of the ligand lies within a 9 angstroms distance from residue 117 of the TM1 of CRFR1. The molecular proximity between residue 17 of the ligand and TM1 of CRFR1 described here and between residue 16 of the ligand and the CRFR1 second extracellular loop described previously provides useful molecular constraints for modeling ligand-receptor interaction in mammalian cells expressing CRFR1.

Allosteric ligands for the corticotropin releasing factor type 1 receptor modulate conformational states involved in receptor activation

Allosteric modulators of G-protein-coupled receptors can regulate conformational states involved in receptor activation ( Mol Pharmacol 58: 1412-1423, 2000 ). This hypothesis was investigated for the corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 (CRF(1)) receptor using a novel series of ligands with varying allosteric effect on CRF binding (inhibition to enhancement). For the G-protein-uncoupled receptor, allosteric modulation of CRF binding was correlated with nonpeptide ligand signaling activity; inverse agonists inhibited and agonists enhanced CRF binding. These data were quantitatively consistent with a two-state equilibrium underlying the modulation of CRF binding to the G-protein-uncoupled receptor. We next investigated the allosteric effect on CRF-stimulated G-protein coupling. Ligands inhibited CRF-stimulated cAMP accumulation regardless of their effect on the G-protein-uncoupled state. The modulators reduced CRF E(max) values, suggesting that they reduced the efficacy of a CRF-bound active state to couple to G-protein. Consistent with this hypothesis, the modulators inhibited binding to a guanine nucleotide-sensitive state. Together, the results are quantitatively consistent with a model in which 1) the receptor exists in three predominant states: an inactive state, a weakly active state, and a CRF-bound fully active state; 2) allosteric inverse agonists stabilize the inactive state, and allosteric agonists stabilize the weakly active state; and 3) antagonism of CRF signaling results from destabilization of the fully active state. These findings imply that nonpeptide ligands differentially modulate conformational states involved in CRF(1) receptor activation and suggest that different conformational states can be targeted in designing nonpeptide ligands to inhibit CRF signaling.

Photoaffinity labeling and its application in structural biology

This review contains a brief consideration of some theoretical aspects of photoaffinity (photoreactive) labeling (PAL), and the most widely used photoreactive groups, such as arylazide, benzophenone, and 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-phenyldiazirine, are characterized in comparison. Experimental methodology is described, including modern approaches of mass spectrometry for analysis of cross-linking products between the photoreactive probes and biomolecules. Examples of PAL application in diverse fields of structural biology during the last five-ten years are presented. Potential drug targets, transport processes, stereochemistry of interaction of G-protein-coupled receptors with ligands, as well as structural changes in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor are considered. Applications of photoaffinity ganglioside and phospholipid probes for studying biological membranes and of nucleotide probes in investigations of replicative and transcriptional complexes, as well as photoaffinity glycoconjugates for detecting carbohydrate-binding proteins are covered. In combination with modern techniques of instrumental analysis and computer-aided modeling, PAL remains the most important approach in studies on the organization of biological systems.

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor signaling in the central nervous system: new molecular targets

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the related urocortin peptides mediate behavioral, cognitive, autonomic, neuroendocrine and immunologic responses to aversive stimuli by activating CRF(1) or CRF(2) receptors in the central nervous system and anterior pituitary. Markers of hyperactive central CRF systems, including CRF hypersecretion and abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, have been identified in subpopulations of patients with anxiety, stress and depressive disorders. Because CRF receptors are rapidly desensitized in the presence of high agonist concentrations, CRF hypersecretion alone may be insufficient to account for the enhanced CRF neurotransmission observed in these patients. Concomitant dysregulation of mechanisms stringently controlling magnitude and duration of CRF receptor signaling also may contribute to this phenomenon. While it is well established that the CRF(1) receptor mediates many anxiety- and depression-like behaviors as well as HPA axis stress responses, CRF(2) receptor functions are not well understood at present. One hypothesis holds that CRF(1) receptor activation initiates fear and anxiety-like responses, while CRF(2) receptor activation re-establishes homeostasis by counteracting the aversive effects of CRF(1) receptor signaling. An alternative hypothesis posits that CRF(1) and CRF(2) receptors contribute to opposite defensive modes, with CRF(1) receptors mediating active defensive responses triggered by escapable stressors, and CRF(2) receptors mediating anxiety- and depression-like responses induced by inescapable, uncontrollable stressors. CRF(1) receptor antagonists are being developed as novel treatments for affective and stress disorders. If it is confirmed that the CRF(2) receptor contributes importantly to anxiety and depression, the development of small molecule CRF(2) receptor antagonists would be therapeutically useful.

Single amino acid residue determinants of non-peptide antagonist binding to the corticotropin-releasing factor1 (CRF1) receptor

The molecular interactions between non-peptide antagonists and the corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 (CRF1) receptor are poorly understood. A CRF1 receptor mutation has been identified that reduces binding affinity of the non-peptide antagonist NBI 27914 (M276I in transmembrane domain 5). We have investigated the mechanism of the mutation's effect using a combination of peptide and non-peptide ligands and receptor mutations. The M276I mutation reduced binding affinity of standard non-peptide antagonists 5-75-fold while having no effect on peptide ligand binding. We hypothesized that the side chain of isoleucine, beta-branched and so rotationally constrained when within an alpha-helix, introduces a barrier to non-peptide antagonist binding. In agreement with this hypothesis, mutation of M276 to the rotationally constrained valine produced similar reductions of affinity as M276I mutation, whereas mutation to leucine (with an unbranched beta-carbon) minimally affected non-peptide antagonist affinity. Mutation to alanine did not appreciably affect non-peptide antagonist affinity, implying the methionine side chain does not contribute directly to binding. Three observations suggested M276I/V mutations interfere with binding of the heterocyclic core of the compounds: (1) all compounds affected by M276I/V mutations possess a planar heterocyclic core. (2) None of the M276 mutations affected binding of an acylic compound. (3) The mutations differentially affected affinity of two compounds that differ only by core methylation. These findings imply that non-peptide antagonists, and specifically the heterocyclic core of such molecules, bind in the vicinity of M276 of the CRF1 receptor. M276 mutations did not affect peptide ligand binding and this residue is distant from determinants of peptide binding (predominantly in the extracellular regions), providing molecular evidence for non-overlapping (allosteric) binding sites for peptide and non-peptide ligands within the CRF1 receptor.