1
|
Latif R, Davies TF, Mezei M. Functional Water Channels Within the TSH Receptor: A New Paradigm for TSH Action With Disease Implications. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad146. [PMID: 37767722 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) transmembrane domain (TMD) is found in the plasma membrane and consists of lipids and water molecules. To understand the role of TSHR-associated water molecules, we used molecular dynamic simulations of the TMD and identified a network of putative receptor-associated transmembrane water channels. This result was confirmed with extended simulations of the full-length TSHR with and without TSH ligand binding. While the transport time observed in the simulations via the TSHR protein was slower than via the lipid bilayer itself, we found that significantly more water traversed via the TSHR than via the lipid bilayer, which more than doubled with the binding of TSH. Using rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) and a calcein fluorescence technique, we measured cell volumes after blockade of aquaporins 1 and 4, the major thyroid cell water transporters. TSH showed a dose-dependent ability to influence water transport, and similar effects were observed with stimulating TSHR autoantibodies. Small molecule TSHR agonists, which are allosteric activators of the TMD, also enhanced water transport, illustrating the role of the TMD in this phenomenon. Furthermore, the water channel pathway was also mapped across 2 activation motifs within the TSHR TMD, suggesting how water movement may influence activation of the receptor. In pathophysiological conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism where TSH concentrations are highly variable, this action of TSH may greatly influence water movement in thyroid cells and many other extrathyroidal sites where the TSHR is expressed, thus affecting normal cellular function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rauf Latif
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Thyroid Research Unit, New York, NY 10468, USA
| | - Terry F Davies
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Thyroid Research Unit, New York, NY 10468, USA
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Thyroid Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hong JD, Palczewski K. A short story on how chromophore is hydrolyzed from rhodopsin for recycling. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300068. [PMID: 37454357 PMCID: PMC10614701 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The photocycle of visual opsins is essential to maintain the light sensitivity of the retina. The early physical observations of the rhodopsin photocycle by Böll and Kühne in the 1870s inspired over a century's worth of investigations on rhodopsin biochemistry. A single photon isomerizes the Schiff-base linked 11-cis-retinylidene chromophore of rhodopsin, converting it to the all-trans agonist to elicit phototransduction through photoactivated rhodopsin (Rho*). Schiff base hydrolysis of the agonist is a key step in the photocycle, not only diminishing ongoing phototransduction but also allowing for entry and binding of fresh 11-cis chromophore to regenerate the rhodopsin pigment and maintain light sensitivity. Many challenges have been encountered in measuring the rate of this hydrolysis, but recent advancements have facilitated studies of the hydrolysis within the native membrane environment of rhodopsin. These techniques can now be applied to study hydrolysis of agonist in other opsin proteins that mediate phototransduction or chromophore turnover. In this review, we discuss the progress that has been made in characterizing the rhodopsin photocycle and the journey to characterize the hydrolysis of its all-trans-retinylidene agonist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D. Hong
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu A, Salom D, Hong JD, Tworak A, Watanabe K, Pardon E, Steyaert J, Kandori H, Katayama K, Kiser PD, Palczewski K. Structural basis for the allosteric modulation of rhodopsin by nanobody binding to its extracellular domain. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5209. [PMID: 37626045 PMCID: PMC10457330 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin is a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) critical for vertebrate vision. Research on GPCR signaling states has been facilitated using llama-derived nanobodies (Nbs), some of which bind to the intracellular surface to allosterically modulate the receptor. Extracellularly binding allosteric nanobodies have also been investigated, but the structural basis for their activity has not been resolved to date. Here, we report a library of Nbs that bind to the extracellular surface of rhodopsin and allosterically modulate the thermodynamics of its activation process. Crystal structures of Nb2 in complex with native rhodopsin reveal a mechanism of allosteric modulation involving extracellular loop 2 and native glycans. Nb2 binding suppresses Schiff base deprotonation and hydrolysis and prevents intracellular outward movement of helices five and six - a universal activation event for GPCRs. Nb2 also mitigates protein misfolding in a disease-associated mutant rhodopsin. Our data show the power of nanobodies to modulate the photoactivation of rhodopsin and potentially serve as therapeutic agents for disease-associated rhodopsin misfolding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arum Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - David Salom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - John D Hong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Aleksander Tworak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kohei Watanabe
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466- 8555, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Els Pardon
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466- 8555, Japan
- OptoBioTechnology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan
| | - Kota Katayama
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466- 8555, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
- OptoBioTechnology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan.
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA.
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pawnikar S, Akhter S, Miao Y. Structural dynamics of chemokine receptors. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:645-662. [PMID: 37718001 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in awide range of physiological and pathological cellular processes. Binding of extracellular signals to GPCRs, including hormones, neurotransmitters, peptides and proteins, can activate intracellular signaling cascades via G protein interaction. Chemokine receptors are key GPCRs implicated in cancers, immune responses, cell migration and inflammation. Specifically, the CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors serve as important therapeutic targets against Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry into human cells. Maraviroc and Vicriviroc, two clinically used HIV entry inhibitors, are antagonists of the CCR5 receptor. These drugs block HIV entry, but ultimately resistance develops, due to emergence of viruses that can utilize the CXCR4 co-receptor. Unfortunately, development of chemokine receptor antagonists as selective drugs of HIV infection has been greatly hindered as their target orthosteric site is conserved among different receptor subtypes. Accordingly, it is important to understand the structural dynamics of these receptors to develop more effective therapeutics. In this chapter, we describe the latest advances in studies of these two key chemokine receptors with respect to their structures, dynamics and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shristi Pawnikar
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sana Akhter
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Inukai S, Katayama K, Koyanagi M, Terakita A, Kandori H. Counterion at an atypical position: Investigating the mechanism of photoisomerization in jellyfish rhodopsin. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104726. [PMID: 37094700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The position of the counterion in animal rhodopsins plays a crucial role in maintaining visible light sensitivity and facilitating the photoisomerization of their retinal chromophore. The counterion displacement is thought to be closely related to the evolution of rhodopsins, with different positions found in invertebrates and vertebrates. Interestingly, box jellyfish rhodopsin (JelRh) acquired the counterion in transmembrane 2 (TM2) independently. This is a unique feature, as in most animal rhodopsins, the counterion is found in a different location. In this study, we used Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to examine the structural changes that occur in the early photointermediate state of JelRh. We aimed to determine whether the photochemistry of JelRh is similar to that of other animal rhodopsins by comparing its spectra to those of vertebrate bovine rhodopsin (BovRh) and invertebrate squid rhodopsin (SquRh). We observed that the N-D stretching band of the retinal Schiff base was similar to that of BovRh, indicating the interaction between the Schiff base and the counterion is similar in both rhodopsins, despite their different counterion positions. Furthermore, we found that the chemical structure of the retinal in JelRh is similar to that in BovRh, including the changes in the hydrogen-out-of-plane band that indicates a retinal distortion. Overall, the protein conformational changes induced by the photoisomerization of JelRh yielded spectra that resemble an intermediate between BovRh and SquRh, suggesting a unique spectral property of JelRh, and making it the only animal rhodopsin with a counterion in TM2 and an ability to activate Gs protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shino Inukai
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Kota Katayama
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; OptoBioTechnology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Mitsumasa Koyanagi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Akihisa Terakita
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; OptoBioTechnology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Z, Liu J, Dong F, Chang N, Huang R, Xia M, Patterson TA, Hong H. Three-Dimensional Structural Insights Have Revealed the Distinct Binding Interactions of Agonists, Partial Agonists, and Antagonists with the µ Opioid Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087042. [PMID: 37108204 PMCID: PMC10138646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The United States is experiencing the most profound and devastating opioid crisis in history, with the number of deaths involving opioids, including prescription and illegal opioids, continuing to climb over the past two decades. This severe public health issue is difficult to combat as opioids remain a crucial treatment for pain, and at the same time, they are also highly addictive. Opioids act on the opioid receptor, which in turn activates its downstream signaling pathway that eventually leads to an analgesic effect. Among the four types of opioid receptors, the µ subtype is primarily responsible for the analgesic cascade. This review describes available 3D structures of the µ opioid receptor in the protein data bank and provides structural insights for the binding of agonists and antagonists to the receptor. Comparative analysis on the atomic details of the binding site in these structures was conducted and distinct binding interactions for agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists were observed. The findings in this article deepen our understanding of the ligand binding activity and shed some light on the development of novel opioid analgesics which may improve the risk benefit balance of existing opioids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Li
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Fan Dong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Nancy Chang
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20903, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tucker A Patterson
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cui W, Dong J, Wang S, Vogel H, Zou R, Yuan S. Molecular basis of ligand selectivity for melatonin receptors. RSC Adv 2023; 13:4422-4430. [PMID: 36760312 PMCID: PMC9891099 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06693a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep disorders in adults are related to adverse health effects such as reduced quality of life and increased mortality. About 30-40% of adults are suffering from different sleep disorders. The human melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) are family A G protein-coupled receptors that respond to the neurohormone melatonin MEL which regulates circadian rhythm and sleep. Many efforts have been made to develop drugs targeting melatonin receptors to treat insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and even cancer. However, designing subtype-selective melatonergic drugs remains challenging due to their high similarities in both sequences and structures. MEL (a function-selective compound with a bulky β-naphthyl group) behaves as an MT2-selective antagonist, whereas it is an agonist of MT1. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the ligand selectivity of MT receptors at the atomic level. We found that the binding conformation of MEL differs in different melatonin receptors. In MT1, the naphthalene ring of MEL forms a structure perpendicular to the membrane surface. In contrast, there is a 130° angle between the naphthalene ring of MEL and the membrane surface in MT2. Because of this conformational difference, the MEL leads to a constant water channel in MT1 which activates the receptor. However, MEL hinders the formation of continuous water channels, resulting in an inactive state of MT2. Furthermore, we found that A1173.29 in MT2 is a crucial amino acid capable of hindering the conformational flip of the MEL molecule. These results, coupled with previous functional data, reveal that although MT1 and MT2 share highly similar orthosteric ligand-binding pockets, they also display distinctive features that could be used to design selective compounds. Our findings provide new insights into functionally selective melatonergic drug development for sleep disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Cui
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Junlin Dong
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Shiyu Wang
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Horst Vogel
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China
| | - Rongfeng Zou
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China
| | - Shuguang Yuan
- The Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen 518055 China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen L, Gong W, Han Z, Zhou W, Yang S, Li C. Key Residues in δ Opioid Receptor Allostery Explored by the Elastic Network Model and the Complex Network Model Combined with the Perturbation Method. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6727-6738. [PMID: 36073904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Opioid receptors, a kind of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), mainly mediate an analgesic response via allosterically transducing the signal of endogenous ligand binding in the extracellular domain to couple to effector proteins in the intracellular domain. The δ opioid receptor (DOP) is associated with emotional control besides pain control, which makes it an attractive therapeutic target. However, its allosteric mechanism and key residues responsible for the structural stability and signal communication are not completely clear. Here we utilize the Gaussian network model (GNM) and amino acid network (AAN) combined with perturbation methods to explore the issues. The constructed fcfGNMMD, where the force constants are optimized with the inverse covariance estimation based on the correlated fluctuations from the available DOP molecular dynamics (MD) ensemble, shows a better performance than traditional GNM in reproducing residue fluctuations and cross-correlations and in capturing functionally low-frequency modes. Additionally, fcfGNMMD can consider implicitly the environmental effects to some extent. The lowest mode can well divide DOP segments and identify the two sodium ion (important allosteric regulator) binding coordination shells, and from the fastest modes, the key residues important for structure stabilization are identified. Using fcfGNMMD combined with a dynamic perturbation-response method, we explore the key residues related to the sodium ion binding. Interestingly, we identify not only the key residues in sodium ion binding shells but also the ones far away from the perturbation sites, which are involved in binding with DOP ligands, suggesting the possible long-range allosteric modulation of sodium binding for the ligand binding to DOP. Furthermore, utilizing the weighted AAN combined with attack perturbations, we identify the key residues for allosteric communication. This work helps strengthen the understanding of the allosteric communication mechanism in δ opioid receptor and can provide valuable information for drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Weikang Gong
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zhongjie Han
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Wenxue Zhou
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Chunhua Li
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
David D, Bentulila Z, Tauber M, Ben-Chaim Y. G Protein-Coupled Receptors Regulated by Membrane Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213988. [PMID: 36430466 PMCID: PMC9696401 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a vast majority of signal transduction processes. Although they span the cell membrane, they have not been considered to be regulated by the membrane potential. Numerous studies over the last two decades have demonstrated that several GPCRs, including muscarinic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic receptors, are voltage regulated. Following these observations, an effort was made to elucidate the molecular basis for this regulatory effect. In this review, we will describe the advances in understanding the voltage dependence of GPCRs, the suggested molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon, and the possible physiological roles that it may play.
Collapse
|
10
|
Caniceiro AB, Bueschbell B, Schiedel AC, Moreira IS. Class A and C GPCR Dimers in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:2081-2141. [PMID: 35339177 PMCID: PMC9886835 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220327221830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect over 30 million people worldwide with an ascending trend. Most individuals suffering from these irreversible brain damages belong to the elderly population, with onset between 50 and 60 years. Although the pathophysiology of such diseases is partially known, it remains unclear upon which point a disease turns degenerative. Moreover, current therapeutics can treat some of the symptoms but often have severe side effects and become less effective in long-term treatment. For many neurodegenerative diseases, the involvement of G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs), which are key players of neuronal transmission and plasticity, has become clearer and holds great promise in elucidating their biological mechanism. With this review, we introduce and summarize class A and class C GPCRs, known to form heterodimers or oligomers to increase their signalling repertoire. Additionally, the examples discussed here were shown to display relevant alterations in brain signalling and had already been associated with the pathophysiology of certain neurodegenerative diseases. Lastly, we classified the heterodimers into two categories of crosstalk, positive or negative, for which there is known evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Caniceiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Beatriz Bueschbell
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Anke C. Schiedel
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Irina S. Moreira
- University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; ,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,Address correspondence to this author at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang W, Zeng W, Feng J, Li P, Wang Y, Lu H. Identification and functional assays of single-nucleotide variants of opsins genes in melanocytic tumors. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:436-449. [PMID: 35527357 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal melanocytes sense solar light via the opsin-coupled signaling pathway which is involved in a range of biological functions, including regulating pigmentation, proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. However, it remains unclear whether there are genetic variants within these opsins that affect opsin protein structure and function, and further melanocyte biological behaviors. Here, we examined single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of five opsin (RGR, OPN1SW, OPN2, OPN4, and OPN5) genes in MM (malignant melanoma; n = 76) and MN (melanocytic nevi; n = 157), using next-generation sequencing. The effects of these pathogenic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) on opsin structure and function were further investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, dynamic cross-correlation (DCC), and site-directed mutagenesis. In total, 107 SNV variants were identified. Of these variants, 14 nonsynonymous SNVs (nsSNVs) of opsin genes were detected, including three mutations in the RGR gene, three mutations in the OPN1SW gene, two mutations in the OPN2 gene, and six mutations in the OPN4 gene. The effect of these missense mutations on opsin function was then assessed using eight prediction tools to estimate the potential impact of an amino acid substitution. The impact of each nsSNV was investigated using MD simulations and DCC analysis. Furthermore, we performed in vitro fluorescence calcium imaging to assess the functional properties of nsSNV proteins using a site-directed mutagenesis method. Taken together, these results revealed that p.A103V (RGR), p.T167I (RGR), p.G141S (OPN1SW), p.R144C (OPN1SW), and p.S231F (OPN4) had more deleterious effects on protein structure and function among the 14 nsSNVs. Opsin gene alterations showed the low frequency of missense mutations in melanocytic tumors, and although rare, some mutations in these opsin genes disrupt the canonical function of opsin. Our findings provide new insight into the role of opsin variants in the loss of function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianglong Feng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Pinhao Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hongguang Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Johnson DT, Jones LM. Hydroxyl radical protein footprinting for analysis of higher order structure. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:989-991. [PMID: 35750595 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danté T Johnson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Lisa M Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Although G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) control vast physiological pathways, their activation remains chemically and physically enigmatic. Our osmotic stress studies of the visual receptor rhodopsin have redefined the standard model of GPCR signaling by revealing the essential role of bulk water. We show results consistent with a large number of water molecules flooding the rhodopsin interior during activation to stabilize the effector binding conformation. These results suggest a model of GPCR activation in which the receptor becomes solvent-swollen upon formation of the active state. We thus demonstrate the mechanism whereby water acts as a powerful allosteric modulator of a pharmacologically important membrane protein family. The Rhodopsin family of G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprises the targets of nearly a third of all pharmaceuticals. Despite structural water present in GPCR X-ray structures, the physiological relevance of these solvent molecules to rhodopsin signaling remains unknown. Here, we show experimental results consistent with the idea that rhodopsin activation in lipid membranes is coupled to bulk water movements into the protein. To quantify hydration changes, we measured reversible shifting of the metarhodopsin equilibrium due to osmotic stress using an extensive series of polyethylene glycol (PEG) osmolytes. We discovered clear evidence that light activation entails a large influx of bulk water (∼80–100 molecules) into the protein, giving insight into GPCR activation mechanisms. Various size polymer osmolytes directly control rhodopsin activation, in which large solutes are excluded from rhodopsin and dehydrate the protein, favoring the inactive state. In contrast, small osmolytes initially forward shift the activation equilibrium until a quantifiable saturation point is reached, similar to gain-of-function protein mutations. For the limit of increasing osmolyte size, a universal response of rhodopsin to osmotic stress is observed, suggesting it adopts a dynamic, hydrated sponge-like state upon photoactivation. Our results demand a rethinking of the role of water dynamics in modulating various intermediates in the GPCR energy landscape. We propose that besides bound water, an influx of bulk water plays a necessary role in establishing the active GPCR conformation that mediates signaling.
Collapse
|
14
|
Hamamura-Yasuno E, Matsushita J, Sato S, Shimada T, Tsuchiya Y, Fujimoto K, Mori K. Determination of key residues in MRGPRX2 to enhance pseudo-allergic reactions induced by fluoroquinolones. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6650. [PMID: 35459883 PMCID: PMC9033836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10549-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), expressed in human mast cells, is associated with drug-induced pseudo-allergic reactions. Dogs are highly sensitive to the anaphylactoid reactions induced by certain drugs including fluoroquinolones. Recently, dog MRGPRX2 was identified as a functional ortholog of human MRGPRX2, with dog MRGPRX2 being particularly sensitive to fluoroquinolones. The aim of this study was to determine key residues responsible for the enhanced activity of fluoroquinolone-induced histamine release associated with MRGPRX2. Firstly, a structure model of human and dog MRGPRX2 was built by homology modeling, and docking simulations with fluoroquinolones were conducted. This model indicated that E164 and D184, conserved between human and dog, are essential for the binding to fluoroquinolones. In contrast, F78 (dog: Y) and M109 (dog: W) are unconserved residues, to which the species difference in fluoroquinolone sensitivity is attributable. Intracellular calcium mobilisation assay with human MRGPRX2 mutants, in which residues at positions 78 and 109 were substituted to those of dog MRGPRX2, revealed that M109 and F78 of human MRGPRX2 are crucial residues for enhancing the fluoroquinolone-induced histamine release. In conclusion, these key residues have important clinical implications for revealing the mechanisms and predicting the risks of fluoroquinolone-mediated pseudo-allergic reactions in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eri Hamamura-Yasuno
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan
| | - Junya Matsushita
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan
| | - Seiji Sato
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-8710, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimada
- Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Tsuchiya
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan
| | - Kazunori Fujimoto
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Mori
- Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-8630, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bueschbell B, Manga P, Schiedel AC. The Many Faces of G Protein-Coupled Receptor 143, an Atypical Intracellular Receptor. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:873777. [PMID: 35495622 PMCID: PMC9039016 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.873777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
GPCRs transform extracellular stimuli into a physiological response by activating an intracellular signaling cascade initiated via binding to G proteins. Orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) hold the potential to pave the way for development of new, innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review we will introduce G protein-coupled receptor 143 (GPR143), an enigmatic receptor in terms of classification within the GPCR superfamily and localization. GPR143 has not been assigned to any of the GPCR families due to the lack of common structural motifs. Hence we will describe the most important motifs of classes A and B and compare them to the protein sequence of GPR143. While a precise function for the receptor has yet to be determined, the protein is expressed abundantly in pigment producing cells. Many GPR143 mutations cause X-linked Ocular Albinism Type 1 (OA1, Nettleship-Falls OA), which results in hypopigmentation of the eyes and loss of visual acuity due to disrupted visual system development and function. In pigment cells of the skin, loss of functional GPR143 results in abnormally large melanosomes (organelles in which pigment is produced). Studies have shown that the receptor is localized internally, including at the melanosomal membrane, where it may function to regulate melanosome size and/or facilitate protein trafficking to the melanosome through the endolysosomal system. Numerous additional roles have been proposed for GPR143 in determining cancer predisposition, regulation of blood pressure, development of macular degeneration and signaling in the brain, which we will briefly describe as well as potential ligands that have been identified. Furthermore, GPR143 is a promiscuous receptor that has been shown to interact with multiple other melanosomal proteins and GPCRs, which strongly suggests that this orphan receptor is likely involved in many different physiological actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Bueschbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Prashiela Manga
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Anke C. Schiedel
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Anke C. Schiedel,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Poudel H, Leitner DM. Activation-Induced Reorganization of Energy Transport Networks in the β 2 Adrenergic Receptor. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6522-6531. [PMID: 34106712 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We compute energy exchange networks (EENs) through the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), in inactive and active states, based on the results of molecular dynamics simulations of this membrane bound protein. We introduce a new definition for the reorganization of EENs upon activation that depends on the relative change in rates of energy transfer across noncovalent contacts throughout the protein. On the basis of the reorganized network that we obtain for β2AR upon activation, we identify a branched pathway between the agonist binding site and the cytoplasmic region, where a G-protein binds to the receptor when activated. The pathway includes all of the motifs containing molecular switches previously identified as contributing to the allosteric transition of β2AR upon agonist binding. EENs and their reorganization upon activation are compared with structure-based contact networks computed for the inactive and active states of β2AR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Humanath Poudel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| | - David M Leitner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tadi S, Misra SK, Sharp JS. Inline Liquid Chromatography-Fast Photochemical Oxidation of Proteins for Targeted Structural Analysis of Conformationally Heterogeneous Mixtures. Anal Chem 2021; 93:3510-3516. [PMID: 33560821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Structural analysis of proteins in a conformationally heterogeneous mixture has long been a difficult problem in structural biology. In structural analysis by covalent labeling mass spectrometry, conformational heterogeneity results in data reflecting a weighted average of all conformers, complicating data analysis and potentially causing misinterpretation of results. Here, we describe a method coupling size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with hydroxyl radical protein footprinting using inline fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP). Using a controlled synthetic mixture of holomyoglobin and apomyoglobin, we validate that we can achieve accurate footprints of each conformer using LC-FPOP when compared to offline FPOP of each pure conformer. We then applied LC-FPOP to analyze the adalimumab heat-shock aggregation process. We found that the LC-FPOP footprint of unaggregated adalimumab was consistent with a previously published footprint of the native IgG. The LC-FPOP footprint of the aggregation product indicated that heat-shock aggregation primarily protected the hinge region, suggesting that this region is involved with the heat-shock aggregation process of this molecule. LC-FPOP offers a new method to probe dynamic conformationally heterogeneous mixtures that can be separated by SEC such as biopharmaceutical aggregates and to obtain accurate information on the topography of each conformer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joshua S Sharp
- GenNext Technologies, Inc., Half Moon Bay, California 94037, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Orgován Z, Ferenczy GG, Keserű GM. Allosteric Molecular Switches in Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:81-93. [PMID: 32686363 PMCID: PMC7818470 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) are class C G protein-coupled receptors of eight subtypes that are omnipresently expressed in the central nervous system. mGlus have relevance in several psychiatric and neurological disorders, therefore they raise considerable interest as drug targets. Allosteric modulators of mGlus offer advantages over orthosteric ligands owing to their increased potential to achieve subtype selectivity, and this has prompted discovery programs that have produced a large number of reported allosteric mGlu ligands. However, the optimization of allosteric ligands into drug candidates has proved to be challenging owing to induced-fit effects, flat or steep structure-activity relationships and unexpected changes in theirpharmacology. Subtle structural changes identified as molecular switches might modulate the functional activity of allosteric ligands. Here we review these switches discovered in the metabotropic glutamate receptor family..
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Orgován
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
| | - György G. Ferenczy
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
| | - György M. Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research GroupResearch Centre for Natural SciencesMagyar tudósok krt. 2Budapest1117Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dehury B, Kepp KP. Membrane dynamics of γ-secretase with the anterior pharynx-defective 1B subunit. J Cell Biochem 2020; 122:69-85. [PMID: 32830360 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The four-subunit protease complex γ-secretase cleaves many single-pass transmembrane (TM) substrates, including Notch and β-amyloid precursor protein to generate amyloid-β (Aβ), central to Alzheimer's disease. Two of the subunits anterior pharynx-defective 1 (APH-1) and presenilin (PS) exist in two homologous forms APH1-A and APH1-B, and PS1 and PS2. The consequences of these variations are poorly understood and could affect Aβ production and γ-secretase medicine. Here, we developed the first complete structural model of the APH-1B subunit using the published cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of APH1-A (Protein Data Bank: 5FN2, 5A63, and 6IYC). We then performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations at 303 K in a realistic bilayer system to understand both APH-1B alone and in γ-secretase without and with substrate C83-bound. We show that APH-1B adopts a 7TM topology with a water channel topology similar to APH-1A. We demonstrate direct transport of water through this channel, mainly via Glu84, Arg87, His170, and His196. The apo and holo states closely resemble the experimental cryo-EM structures with APH-1A, however with subtle differences: The substrate-bound APH-1B γ-secretase was quite stable, but some TM helices of PS1 and APH-1B rearranged in the membrane consistent with the disorder seen in the cryo-EM data. This produces different accessibility of water molecules for the catalytic aspartates of PS1, critical for Aβ production. In particular, we find that the typical distance between the catalytic aspartates of PS1 and the C83 cleavage sites are shorter in APH-1B, that is, it represents a more closed state, due to interactions with the C-terminal fragment of PS1. Our structural-dynamic model of APH-1B alone and in γ-secretase suggests generally similar topology but some notable differences in water accessibility which may be relevant to the protein's existence in two forms and their specific function and location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Budheswar Dehury
- DTU Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper P Kepp
- DTU Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Torrens-Fontanals M, Stepniewski TM, Aranda-García D, Morales-Pastor A, Medel-Lacruz B, Selent J. How Do Molecular Dynamics Data Complement Static Structural Data of GPCRs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5933. [PMID: 32824756 PMCID: PMC7460635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are implicated in nearly every physiological process in the human body and therefore represent an important drug targeting class. Advances in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have provided multiple static structures of GPCRs in complex with various signaling partners. However, GPCR functionality is largely determined by their flexibility and ability to transition between distinct structural conformations. Due to this dynamic nature, a static snapshot does not fully explain the complexity of GPCR signal transduction. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer the opportunity to simulate the structural motions of biological processes at atomic resolution. Thus, this technique can incorporate the missing information on protein flexibility into experimentally solved structures. Here, we review the contribution of MD simulations to complement static structural data and to improve our understanding of GPCR physiology and pharmacology, as well as the challenges that still need to be overcome to reach the full potential of this technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Torrens-Fontanals
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK innovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - David Aranda-García
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Adrián Morales-Pastor
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Brian Medel-Lacruz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nikolaev DM, Shtyrov AA, Mereshchenko AS, Panov MS, Tveryanovich YS, Ryazantsev MN. An assessment of water placement algorithms in quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics modeling: the case of rhodopsins' first spectral absorption band maxima. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:18114-18123. [PMID: 32761024 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp02638g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) models are a widely used tool to obtain detailed insight into the properties and functioning of proteins. The outcome of QM/MM studies heavily depends on the quality of the applied QM/MM model. Prediction and right placement of internal water molecules in protein cavities is one of the critical parts of any QM/MM model construction. Herein, we performed a systematic study of four protein hydration algorithms. We tested these algorithms for their ability to predict X-ray-resolved water molecules for a set of membrane photosensitive rhodopsin proteins, as well as the influence of the applied water placement algorithms on the QM/MM calculated absorption maxima (λmax) of these proteins. We used 49 rhodopsins and their intermediates with available X-ray structures as the test set. We found that a proper choice of hydration algorithms and setups is needed to predict functionally important water molecules in the chromophore-binding cavity of rhodopsins, such as the water cluster in the N-H region of bacteriorhodopsin or two water molecules in the binding pocket of bovine visual rhodopsin. The QM/MM calculated λmax of rhodopsins is also quite sensitive to the applied protein hydration protocols. The best methodology allows obtaining an 18.0 nm average value for the absolute deviation of the calculated λmax from the experimental λmax. Although the major effect of water molecules on λmax originates from the water molecules located in the binding pocket, the water molecules outside the binding pocket also affect the calculated λmax mainly by causing a reorganization of the protein structure. The results reported in this study can be used for the evaluation and further development of hydration methodologies, in general, and rhodopsin QM/MM models, in particular.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii M Nikolaev
- Nanotechnology Research and Education Centre RAS, Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8/3 Khlopina Street, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mayol E, García-Recio A, Tiemann JKS, Hildebrand PW, Guixà-González R, Olivella M, Cordomí A. HomolWat: a web server tool to incorporate 'homologous' water molecules into GPCR structures. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:W54-W59. [PMID: 32484557 PMCID: PMC7319549 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal water molecules play an essential role in the structure and function of membrane proteins including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, technical limitations severely influence the number and certainty of observed water molecules in 3D structures. This may compromise the accuracy of further structural studies such as docking calculations or molecular dynamics simulations. Here we present HomolWat, a web application for incorporating water molecules into GPCR structures by using template-based modelling of homologous water molecules obtained from high-resolution structures. While there are various tools available to predict the positions of internal waters using energy-based methods, the approach of borrowing lacking water molecules from homologous GPCR structures makes HomolWat unique. The tool can incorporate water molecules into a protein structure in about a minute with around 85% of water recovery. The web server is freely available at http://lmc.uab.es/homolwat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Mayol
- Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Adrián García-Recio
- Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Johanna K S Tiemann
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical University Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen 04107, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 101179, Germany
| | - Peter W Hildebrand
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical University Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen 04107, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 101179, Germany
- Berlin Insitute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ramon Guixà-González
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Mireia Olivella
- Bioinformatics and Medical Statistics Group, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona 08500, Spain
| | - Arnau Cordomí
- Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Liu XR, Zhang MM, Gross ML. Mass Spectrometry-Based Protein Footprinting for Higher-Order Structure Analysis: Fundamentals and Applications. Chem Rev 2020; 120:4355-4454. [PMID: 32319757 PMCID: PMC7531764 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteins adopt different higher-order structures (HOS) to enable their unique biological functions. Understanding the complexities of protein higher-order structures and dynamics requires integrated approaches, where mass spectrometry (MS) is now positioned to play a key role. One of those approaches is protein footprinting. Although the initial demonstration of footprinting was for the HOS determination of protein/nucleic acid binding, the concept was later adapted to MS-based protein HOS analysis, through which different covalent labeling approaches "mark" the solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of proteins to reflect protein HOS. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX), where deuterium in D2O replaces hydrogen of the backbone amides, is the most common example of footprinting. Its advantage is that the footprint reflects SASA and hydrogen bonding, whereas one drawback is the labeling is reversible. Another example of footprinting is slow irreversible labeling of functional groups on amino acid side chains by targeted reagents with high specificity, probing structural changes at selected sites. A third footprinting approach is by reactions with fast, irreversible labeling species that are highly reactive and footprint broadly several amino acid residue side chains on the time scale of submilliseconds. All of these covalent labeling approaches combine to constitute a problem-solving toolbox that enables mass spectrometry as a valuable tool for HOS elucidation. As there has been a growing need for MS-based protein footprinting in both academia and industry owing to its high throughput capability, prompt availability, and high spatial resolution, we present a summary of the history, descriptions, principles, mechanisms, and applications of these covalent labeling approaches. Moreover, their applications are highlighted according to the biological questions they can answer. This review is intended as a tutorial for MS-based protein HOS elucidation and as a reference for investigators seeking a MS-based tool to address structural questions in protein science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael L. Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63130
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Teng D, Chen J, Li D, Wu Z, Li W, Tang Y, Liu G. Computational Insights into Molecular Activation and Positive Cooperative Mechanisms of FFAR1 Modulators. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:3214-3230. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Teng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Dongping Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zengrui Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lesca E. Light-Sensitive Membrane Proteins as Tools to Generate Precision Treatments. J Membr Biol 2020; 253:81-86. [PMID: 32248246 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION BY ANA-NICOLETA BONDAR, BIOPHYSICS SECTION HEAD EDITOR: This issue of the Journal of Membrane Biology inaugurates Up-and-Coming Scientist, in which investigators at early career stages are invited to present recent research in the broad context of their discipline. We inaugurate Up-and-Coming Scientist with the essay by Dr. Elena Lesca of the ETH Zürich and the Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland. Dr. Lesca has completed her doctoral degree at the Technical University München, Germany, in 2014, and pursued postdoctoral research at the ETH Zürich and Paul Scherrer Institut, where she is Senior Assistant since 2019. Two recent papers by Dr. Lesca et al. (references 33 and 39) have used X-ray crystallography and experimental biophysics approaches to shed light on the mechanism of action of a membrane receptor from the G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) family, Jumping Spider Rhodopsin-1 (JSR-1). JSR-1 is a visual rhodopsin activated upon absorption of light by its covalently bound retinal chromophore. Unlike the better-understood bovine rhodopsin GPCR, which is monostable, JSR-1 is bistable (i.e., in JSR-1 the Schiff base that binds retinal to the protein stays protonated throughout the reaction cycle), and absorption of a second photon resets the retinal ligand to the resting state configuration. In her essay, Dr. Lesca discusses the implications of her work on JSR-1 and, more broadly, GPCR research, for state-of-the-art applications in optogenetics and drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lesca
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Preferential Coupling of Dopamine D 2S and D 2L Receptor Isoforms with G i1 and G i2 Proteins-In Silico Study. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020436. [PMID: 31936673 PMCID: PMC7013695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine D2 receptor belongs to rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and it is an important molecular target for the treatment of many disorders, including schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Here, computational methods were used to construct the full models of the dopamine D2 receptor short (D2S) and long (D2L) isoforms (differing with 29 amino acids insertion in the third intracellular loop, ICL3) and to study their coupling with Gi1 and Gi2 proteins. It was found that the D2L isoform preferentially couples with the Gi2 protein and D2S isoform with the Gi1 protein, which is in accordance with experimental data. Our findings give mechanistic insight into the interplay between isoforms of dopamine D2 receptors and Gi proteins subtypes, which is important to understand signaling by these receptors and their mediation by pharmaceuticals, in particular psychotic and antipsychotic agents.
Collapse
|
27
|
Gupta S, Chen Y, Petzold CJ, DePonte DP, Ralston CY. Development of Container Free Sample Exposure for Synchrotron X-ray Footprinting. Anal Chem 2020; 92:1565-1573. [PMID: 31790200 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The method of X-ray footprinting and mass spectrometry (XFMS) on large protein assemblies and membrane protein samples requires high flux density to overcome the hydroxyl radical scavenging reactions produced by the buffer constituents and the total protein content. Previously, we successfully developed microsecond XFMS using microfluidic capillary flow and a microfocused broadband X-ray source at the Advanced Light Source synchrotron beamlines, but the excessive radiation damage incurred when using capillaries prevented the full usage of a high-flux density beam. Here we present another significant advance for the XFMS method: the instrumentation of a liquid injection jet to deliver container free samples to the X-ray beam. Our preliminary experiments with a liquid jet at a bending magnet X-ray beamline demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and show a significant improvement in the effective dose for both the Alexa fluorescence assay and protein samples compared to conventional capillary flow methods. The combination of precisely controlled high dose delivery, shorter exposure times, and elimination of radiation damage due to capillary effects significantly increases the signal quality of the hydroxyl radical modification products and the dose-response data. This new approach is the first application of container free sample handling for XFMS and opens up the method for even further advances, such as high-quality microsecond time-resolved XFMS studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Gupta
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - Yan Chen
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | | | - Daniel P DePonte
- Stanford Linear Accelerator Center , Menlo Park , California 94025 , United States
| | - Corie Y Ralston
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
QTY code designed thermostable and water-soluble chimeric chemokine receptors with tunable ligand affinity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25668-25676. [PMID: 31776256 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909026116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are of great interest as they play a critical role in many immunological and pathological processes. The ability to study chemokine receptors in aqueous solution without detergent would be significant because natural receptors require detergents to become soluble. We previously reported using the QTY code to design detergent-free chemokine receptors. We here report the design of 2 detergent-free chimeric chemokine receptors that were experimentally unattainable in detergent solution. We designed chimeric receptors by switching the N terminus and 3 extracellular (EC) loops between different receptors. Specifically, we replaced the N terminus and 3 EC loops of CCR5QTY with the N terminus and 3 EC loops of CXCR4. The ligand for CXCR4; namely CXCL12, binds to the chimeric receptor CCR5QTY (7TM)-CXCR4 (N terminus+3 EC loops), but with lower affinity compared to CXCR4; the CCL5 ligand of CCR5 binds the chimeric receptor with ∼20× lower affinity. The chimeric design helps to elucidate the mechanism of native receptor-ligand interaction. We also show that all detergent-free QTY-designed chemokine receptors, expressed in Escherichia coli, bind to their respective chemokines with affinities in the nanomolar (nM) range, similar to the affinities of native receptors and SF9-produced QTY variants. These QTY-designed receptors exhibit remarkable thermostability in the presence of arginine and retain ligand-binding activity after heat treatment at 60 °C for 4 h and 24 h, and at 100 °C for 10 min. Our design approach enables affordable scale-up production of detergent-free QTY variant chemokine receptors with tunable functionality for various uses.
Collapse
|
29
|
Lee C, Sekharan S, Mertz B. Theoretical Insights into the Mechanism of Wavelength Regulation in Blue-Absorbing Proteorhodopsin. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:10631-10641. [PMID: 31757123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b08189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Choongkeun Lee
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Sivakumar Sekharan
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
- XtalPi Inc, 245 Main Street, 12th Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 01242, United States
| | - Blake Mertz
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Jójárt B, Orgován Z, Márki Á, Pándy-Szekeres G, Ferenczy GG, Keserű GM. Allosteric activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:2624-2632. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1638302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Jójárt
- Institute of Food Engineering, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Orgován
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Árpád Márki
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gáspár Pándy-Szekeres
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György G. Ferenczy
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György M. Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Varma N, Mutt E, Mühle J, Panneels V, Terakita A, Deupi X, Nogly P, Schertler GFX, Lesca E. Crystal structure of jumping spider rhodopsin-1 as a light sensitive GPCR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:14547-14556. [PMID: 31249143 PMCID: PMC6642406 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902192116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Light-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)-rhodopsins-absorb photons to isomerize their covalently bound retinal, triggering conformational changes that result in downstream signaling cascades. Monostable rhodopsins release retinal upon isomerization as opposed to the retinal in bistable rhodopsins that "reisomerize" upon absorption of a second photon. Understanding the mechanistic differences between these light-sensitive GPCRs has been hindered by the scarcity of recombinant models of the latter. Here, we reveal the high-resolution crystal structure of a recombinant bistable rhodopsin, jumping spider rhodopsin-1, bound to the inverse agonist 9-cis retinal. We observe a water-mediated network around the ligand hinting toward the basis of their bistable nature. In contrast to bovine rhodopsin (monostable), the transmembrane bundle of jumping spider rhodopsin-1 as well that of the bistable squid rhodopsin adopts a more "activation-ready" conformation often observed in other nonphotosensitive class A GPCRs. These similarities suggest the role of jumping spider rhodopsin-1 as a potential model system in the study of the structure-function relationship of both photosensitive and nonphotosensitive class A GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niranjan Varma
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eshita Mutt
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Mühle
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Valérie Panneels
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Akihisa Terakita
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Osaka City University, 558-8585 Osaka, Japan
| | - Xavier Deupi
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Laboratory for Scientific Computing and Modelling, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Przemyslaw Nogly
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gebhard F X Schertler
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland;
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Lesca
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5303 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland;
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Arimont M, Hoffmann C, de Graaf C, Leurs R. Chemokine Receptor Crystal Structures: What Can Be Learned from Them? Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:765-777. [PMID: 31266800 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.117168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors belong to the class A of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are implicated in a wide variety of physiologic functions, mostly related to the homeostasis of the immune system. Chemokine receptors are also involved in multiple pathologic processes, including immune and autoimmune diseases, as well as cancer. Hence, several members of this GPCR subfamily are considered to be very relevant therapeutic targets. Since drug discovery efforts can be significantly reinforced by the availability of crystal structures, substantial efforts in the area of chemokine receptor structural biology could dramatically increase the outcome of drug discovery campaigns. This short review summarizes the available data on chemokine receptor crystal structures, discusses the numerous applications from chemokine receptor structures that can enhance the daily work of molecular pharmacologists, and describes the challenges and pitfalls to consider when relying on crystal structures for further research applications. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This short review summarizes the available data on chemokine receptor crystal structures, discusses the numerous applications from chemokine receptor structures that can enhance the daily work of molecular pharmacologists, and describes the challenges and pitfalls to consider when relying on crystal structures for further research applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Arimont
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Carsten Hoffmann
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Aguayo-Ortiz R, Dominguez L. APH-1A Component of γ-Secretase Forms an Internal Water and Ion-Containing Cavity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:2931-2938. [PMID: 30979338 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anterior pharynx-defective 1A (APH-1A) is a seven transmembrane component of γ-secretase (GS), an aspartyl protease enzyme involved in the production of toxic amyloid-β peptides in Alzheimer's disease patients. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the enzyme complex revealed a central cavity in its APH-1A component, similar to water-containing cavities in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this work, we performed molecular dynamics and umbrella sampling simulations to understand the role of the APH-1A cavity in the GS complex. Our results suggest that APH-1A is able to store water molecules in its inner cavity and transport some of them between cell spaces. Additionally, APH-1A allows the influx of extracellular cations into a central hydrophilic cavity but cannot transport them into the intracellular space. Overall, this study seeks to describe an alternative APH-1A function in GS besides its complex stabilization role and provide novel approaches to understand the functioning of the GS enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Aguayo-Ortiz
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Laura Dominguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lesca E, Panneels V, Schertler GFX. The role of water molecules in phototransduction of retinal proteins and G protein-coupled receptors. Faraday Discuss 2019; 207:27-37. [PMID: 29410984 DOI: 10.1039/c7fd00207f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a key family of membrane proteins in all eukaryotes and also very important drug targets for medical intervention. The extensively studied visual pigment rhodopsin is a prime example of a family A GPCR. Its chromophore ligand retinal is covalently linked to a lysine in helix seven forming a protonated Schiff base. Interestingly, this is the same situation in other-non-GPCR-retinal proteins, like the prototype light-driven microbial proton pump bacteriorhodopsin, albeit there is no (or only a very remote) phylogenetical link. Close to the retinal ligand, several water molecules help to organise a functionally important hydrogen bond network that undergoes significant changes during photo-activation. Such water-mediated networks are also critical for ligand binding of other GPCRs and they are becoming increasingly important in drug discovery. GPCRs also contain a partially conserved water mediated hydrogen bond network that stabilises the ground state of the receptor, and rearrangement of this network leads to the stabilization of the active state. Some water molecules have a specific role in this process to appropriately orient specific residues relative to the Schiff base, and to modulate the fine structure of the transmembrane bundle, particularly near the intracellular G protein binding site. While the atomic details of these mechanisms are still missing, the recent developments in free electron lasers (FELs) are enabling us to begin to observe the changes in waters and relevant side chains shortly after photo activation at an unprecedented level of spatial and temporal resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lesca
- Division of Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Alfonso-Prieto M, Navarini L, Carloni P. Understanding Ligand Binding to G-Protein Coupled Receptors Using Multiscale Simulations. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:29. [PMID: 31131282 PMCID: PMC6510167 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) convey a wide variety of extracellular signals inside the cell and they are one of the main targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Rational drug design requires structural information on these receptors; however, the number of experimental structures is scarce. This gap can be filled by computational models, based on homology modeling and docking techniques. Nonetheless, the low sequence identity across GPCRs and the chemical diversity of their ligands may limit the quality of these models and hence refinement using molecular dynamics simulations is recommended. This is the case for olfactory and bitter taste receptors, which constitute the first and third largest GPCR groups and show sequence identities with the available GPCR templates below 20%. We have developed a molecular dynamics approach, based on the combination of molecular mechanics and coarse grained (MM/CG), tailored to study ligand binding in GPCRs. This approach has been applied so far to bitter taste receptor complexes, showing significant predictive power. The protein/ligand interactions observed in the simulations were consistent with extensive mutagenesis and functional data. Moreover, the simulations predicted several binding residues not previously tested, which were subsequently verified by carrying out additional experiments. Comparison of the simulations of two bitter taste receptors with different ligand selectivity also provided some insights into the binding determinants of bitter taste receptors. Although the MM/CG approach has been applied so far to a limited number of GPCR/ligand complexes, the excellent agreement of the computational models with the mutagenesis and functional data supports the applicability of this method to other GPCRs for which experimental structures are missing. This is particularly important for the challenging case of GPCRs with low sequence identity with available templates, for which molecular docking shows limited predictive power.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Alfonso-Prieto
- Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Computational Biomedicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Medical Faculty, Cécile and Oskar Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Paolo Carloni
- Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Computational Biomedicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine INM-11, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Department of Physics, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,VNU Key Laboratory "Multiscale Simulation of Complex Systems", VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Structural basis for ligand modulation of the CCR2 conformational landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8131-8136. [PMID: 30975755 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814131116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is a part of the chemokine receptor family, an important class of therapeutic targets. These class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in mammalian signaling pathways and control cell migration toward endogenous CC chemokine ligands, named for the adjacent cysteine motif on their N terminus. Chemokine receptors and their associated ligands are involved in a wide range of diseases and thus have become important drug targets. CCR2, in particular, promotes the metastasis of cancer cells and is also implicated in autoimmunity-driven type-1 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, multiple sclerosis, asthma, atherosclerosis, neuropathic pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although promising, CCR2 antagonists have been largely unsuccessful to date. Here, we investigate the effect of an orthosteric and an allosteric antagonist on CCR2 dynamics by coupling long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations with Markov-state model theory. We find that the antagonists shift CCR2 into several stable inactive conformations that are distinct from the crystal structure conformation and disrupt a continuous internal water and sodium ion pathway, preventing transitions to an active-like state. Several metastable conformations present a cryptic drug-binding pocket near the allosteric site that may be amenable to targeting with small molecules. Without antagonists, the apo dynamics reveal intermediate conformations along the activation pathway that provide insight into the basal dynamics of CCR2 and may also be useful for future drug design.
Collapse
|
37
|
Tarenzi T, Calandrini V, Potestio R, Carloni P. Open-Boundary Molecular Mechanics/Coarse-Grained Framework for Simulations of Low-Resolution G-Protein-Coupled Receptor-Ligand Complexes. J Chem Theory Comput 2019; 15:2101-2109. [PMID: 30763087 PMCID: PMC6433333 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.9b00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute as much as 30% of the overall proteins targeted by FDA-approved drugs. However, paucity of structural experimental information and low sequence identity between members of the family impair the reliability of traditional docking approaches and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations for in silico pharmacological applications. We present here a dual-resolution approach tailored for such low-resolution models. It couples a hybrid molecular mechanics/coarse-grained (MM/CG) scheme, previously developed by us for GPCR-ligand complexes, with a Hamiltonian-based adaptive resolution scheme (H-AdResS) for the solvent. This dual-resolution approach removes potentially inaccurate atomistic details from the model while building a rigorous statistical ensemble-the grand canonical one-in the high-resolution region. We validate the method on a well-studied GPCR-ligand complex, for which the 3D structure is known, against atomistic simulations. This implementation paves the way for future accurate in silico studies of low-resolution ligand/GPCRs models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tarenzi
- Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center CaSToRC , The Cyprus Institute , 20 Konstaninou Kavafi Street , 2121 Aglantzia, Nicosia , Cyprus
- Departments of Physics , Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Aachen University , Otto-Blumenthal Straße , 52062 Aachen , Germany
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulations IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9 , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
| | - Vania Calandrini
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulations IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9 , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
| | - Raffaello Potestio
- Department of Physics , University of Trento , via Sommarive 14 Povo , Trento 38123 , Italy
- INFN-TIFPA, Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications , I-38123 Trento , Italy
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Departments of Physics , Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Aachen University , Otto-Blumenthal Straße , 52062 Aachen , Germany
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulations IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9 , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
- JARA-HPC, Jülich Supercomputing Center , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gupta S. Using X-ray Footprinting and Mass Spectrometry to Study the Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins. Protein Pept Lett 2019; 26:44-54. [PMID: 30484402 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666181128142401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane proteins are crucial for cellular sensory cascades and metabolite transport, and hence are key pharmacological targets. Structural studies by traditional highresolution techniques are limited by the requirements for high purity and stability when handled in high concentration and nonnative buffers. Hence, there is a growing requirement for the use of alternate methods in a complementary but orthogonal approach to study the dynamic and functional aspects of membrane proteins in physiologically relevant conditions. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of X-ray radiolytic labeling in combination with mass spectroscopy, commonly known as X-ray Footprinting and Mass Spectrometry (XFMS), which provide residue-specific information on the solvent accessibility of proteins. In combination with both lowresolution biophysical methods and high-resolution structural data, XFMS is capable of providing valuable insights into structure and dynamics of membrane proteins, which have been difficult to obtain by standalone high-resolution structural techniques. The XFMS method has also demonstrated a unique capability for identification of structural waters and their dynamics in protein cavities at both a high degree of spatial and temporal resolution, and thus capable of identifying conformational hot-spots in transmembrane proteins. CONCLUSION We provide a perspective on the place of XFMS amongst other structural biology methods and showcase some of the latest developments in its usage for studying conformational changes in membrane proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Gupta
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Katayama K, Gulati S, Ortega JT, Alexander NS, Sun W, Shenouda MM, Palczewski K, Jastrzebska B. Specificity of the chromophore-binding site in human cone opsins. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:6082-6093. [PMID: 30770468 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The variable composition of the chromophore-binding pocket in visual receptors is essential for vision. The visual phototransduction starts with the cis-trans isomerization of the retinal chromophore upon absorption of photons. Despite sharing the common 11-cis-retinal chromophore, rod and cone photoreceptors possess distinct photochemical properties. Thus, a detailed molecular characterization of the chromophore-binding pocket of these receptors is critical to understanding the differences in the photochemistry of vision between rods and cones. Unlike for rhodopsin (Rh), the crystal structures of cone opsins remain to be determined. To obtain insights into the specific chromophore-protein interactions that govern spectral tuning in human visual pigments, here we harnessed the unique binding properties of 11-cis-6-membered-ring-retinal (11-cis-6mr-retinal) with human blue, green, and red cone opsins. To unravel the specificity of the chromophore-binding pocket of cone opsins, we applied 11-cis-6mr-retinal analog-binding analyses to human blue, green, and red cone opsins. Our results revealed that among the three cone opsins, only blue cone opsin can accommodate the 11-cis-6mr-retinal in its chromophore-binding pocket, resulting in the formation of a synthetic blue pigment (B6mr) that absorbs visible light. A combination of primary sequence alignment, molecular modeling, and mutagenesis experiments revealed the specific amino acid residue 6.48 (Tyr-262 in blue cone opsins and Trp-281 in green and red cone opsins) as a selectivity filter in human cone opsins. Altogether, the results of our study uncover the molecular basis underlying the binding selectivity of 11-cis-6mr-retinal to the cone opsins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kota Katayama
- From the Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; OptoBio Technology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Sahil Gulati
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Joseph T Ortega
- From the Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Nathan S Alexander
- From the Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Wenyu Sun
- Polgenix Inc., Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Marina M Shenouda
- From the Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697; Polgenix Inc., Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
| | - Beata Jastrzebska
- From the Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent both the largest class of drug targets and the largest family of human membrane proteins. Recent three-dimensional structures have revealed the presence of many water molecules buried inside GPCRs, but the functional role of these water molecules has been unclear. Using extensive atomic-level computer simulations, we find that, although most of these waters are highly mobile, a few are stable. These stable water molecules mediate state-dependent and state-independent polar networks that are conserved across diverse GPCRs. These findings promise to help guide the rational design of GPCR-targeted drugs. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have evolved to recognize incredibly diverse extracellular ligands while sharing a common architecture and structurally conserved intracellular signaling partners. It remains unclear how binding of diverse ligands brings about GPCR activation, the common structural change that enables intracellular signaling. Here, we identify highly conserved networks of water-mediated interactions that play a central role in activation. Using atomic-level simulations of diverse GPCRs, we show that most of the water molecules in GPCR crystal structures are highly mobile. Several water molecules near the G protein-coupling interface, however, are stable. These water molecules form two kinds of polar networks that are conserved across diverse GPCRs: (i) a network that is maintained across the inactive and the active states and (ii) a network that rearranges upon activation. Comparative analysis of GPCR crystal structures independently confirms the striking conservation of water-mediated interaction networks. These conserved water-mediated interactions near the G protein-coupling region, along with diverse water-mediated interactions with extracellular ligands, have direct implications for structure-based drug design and GPCR engineering.
Collapse
|
41
|
Manilall A, Stander BA, Madziva MT, Millar RP, Flanagan CA. Glu 2.53(90) of the GnRH receptor is part of the conserved G protein-coupled receptor structure and does not form a salt-bridge with Lys 3.32(121). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 481:53-61. [PMID: 30476558 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
GnRH receptor mutations, Glu2.53(90)Lys and Glu2.53(90)Asp, cause congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The Glu2.53(90) side-chain has been proposed to form an intramolecular salt-bridge with Lys3.32(121), but conserved intramolecular interaction networks in G protein-coupled receptor crystal structures predict that it interacts with Ser3.35(124) and Trp6.48(280). We investigated interhelical interactions of Glu2.53(90) that stabilise GnRH receptor folding using functional analyses and computational modelling of mutant receptors. The Glu2.53(90)Asp mutant was non-functional, but mutants with hydrophobic amino acids or Arg substituted for Glu2.53(90) were functional, excluding a salt-bridge interaction. The Glu2.53(90)Arg and Trp6.48(280)Arg mutants had decreased affinity for GnRH. Models showed that congenital Glu2.53(90)Lys and Glu2.53(90)Asp mutations disrupt interactions with Ser3.35(124) and Trp6.48(280) respectively, whereas the Glu2.53(90)Arg and Trp6.48(280)Arg mutations preserve intramolecular contacts, but increase distance between the transmembrane helices. Our results show that disruption of interhelical contacts that are conserved in G protein-coupled receptors accounts for the effects of some disease-associated GnRH receptor mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashmeetha Manilall
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - B Andre Stander
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael T Madziva
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robert P Millar
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Colleen A Flanagan
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ghosh S, Bierig T, Lee S, Jana S, Löhle A, Schnapp G, Tautermann CS, Vaidehi N. Engineering Salt Bridge Networks between Transmembrane Helices Confers Thermostability in G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:6574-6585. [PMID: 30359017 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction of specific point mutations has been an effective strategy in enhancing the thermostability of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Our previous work showed that a specific residue position on transmembrane helix 6 (TM6) in class A GPCRs consistently yields thermostable mutants. The crystal structure of human chemokine receptor CCR5 also showed increased thermostability upon mutation of two positions, A233D6.33 and K303E7.59. With the goal of testing the transferability of these two thermostabilizing mutations in other chemokine receptors, we tested the mutations A237D6.33 and R307E7.59 in human CCR3 for thermostability and aggregation properties in detergent solution. Interestingly, the double mutant exhibited a 6-10-fold decrease in the aggregation propensity of the wild-type protein. This is in stark contrast to the two single mutants whose aggregation properties resemble the wild type (WT). Moreover, unlike in CCR5, the two single mutants separately showed no increase in thermostability compared to the wild-type CCR3, while the double-mutant A237D6.33/R307E7.59 confers an increase of 2.6 °C in the melting temperature compared to the WT. Extensive all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in detergent micelles show that a salt bridge network between transmembrane helices TM3, TM6, and TM7 that is absent in the two single mutants confers stability in the double mutant. The free energy surface of the double mutant shows conformational homogeneity compared to the single mutants. An annular n-dodecyl maltoside detergent layer packs tighter to the hydrophobic surface of the double-mutant CCR3 compared to the single mutants providing additional stability. The purification of other C-C chemokine receptors lacking such stabilizing residues may benefit from the incorporation of these two point mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soumadwip Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy , Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope , 1500 East Duarte Road , Duarte , California 91010 , United States
| | - Tobias Bierig
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | | | | | | | - Gisela Schnapp
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Christofer S Tautermann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy , Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope , 1500 East Duarte Road , Duarte , California 91010 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Rodgers J, Peirson SN, Hughes S, Hankins MW. Functional characterisation of naturally occurring mutations in human melanopsin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3609-3624. [PMID: 29700553 PMCID: PMC6133154 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2813-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melanopsin is a blue light-sensitive opsin photopigment involved in a range of non-image forming behaviours, including circadian photoentrainment and the pupil light response. Many naturally occurring genetic variants exist within the human melanopsin gene (OPN4), yet it remains unclear how these variants affect melanopsin protein function and downstream physiological responses to light. Here, we have used bioinformatic analysis and in vitro expression systems to determine the functional phenotypes of missense human OPN4 variants. From 1242 human OPN4 variants collated in the NCBI Short Genetic Variation database (dbSNP), we identified 96 that lead to non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. These 96 missense mutations were screened using sequence alignment and comparative approaches to select 16 potentially deleterious variants for functional characterisation using calcium imaging of melanopsin-driven light responses in HEK293T cells. We identify several previously uncharacterised OPN4 mutations with altered functional properties, including attenuated or abolished light responses, as well as variants demonstrating abnormal response kinetics. These data provide valuable insight into the structure-function relationships of human melanopsin, including several key functional residues of the melanopsin protein. The identification of melanopsin variants with significantly altered function may serve to detect individuals with disrupted melanopsin-based light perception, and potentially highlight those at increased risk of sleep disturbance, circadian dysfunction, and visual abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rodgers
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OMPI G, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OMPI G, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Steven Hughes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OMPI G, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Mark W Hankins
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OMPI G, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Calabrese AN, Radford SE. Mass spectrometry-enabled structural biology of membrane proteins. Methods 2018; 147:187-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
|
45
|
Bandyopadhyay A, Van Eps N, Eger BT, Rauscher S, Yedidi RS, Moroni T, West GM, Robinson KA, Griffin PR, Mitchell J, Ernst OP. A Novel Polar Core and Weakly Fixed C-Tail in Squid Arrestin Provide New Insight into Interaction with Rhodopsin. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4102-4118. [PMID: 30120952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors of the squid Loligo pealei contain a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling system that activates phospholipase C in response to light. Analogous to the mammalian visual system, signaling of the photoactivated GPCR rhodopsin is terminated by binding of squid arrestin (sArr). sArr forms a light-dependent, high-affinity complex with squid rhodopsin, which does not require prior receptor phosphorylation for interaction. This is at odds with classical mammalian GPCR desensitization where an agonist-bound phosphorylated receptor is needed to break stabilizing constraints within arrestins, the so-called "three-element interaction" and "polar core" network, before a stable receptor-arrestin complex can be established. Biophysical and mass spectrometric analysis of the squid rhodopsin-arrestin complex indicates that in contrast to mammalian arrestins, the sArr C-tail is not involved in a stable three-element interaction. We determined the crystal structure of C-terminally truncated sArr that adopts a basal conformation common to arrestins and is stabilized by a series of weak but novel polar core interactions. Unlike mammalian arrestin-1, deletion of the sArr C-tail does not influence kinetic properties of complex formation of sArr with the receptor. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies revealed the footprint of the light-activated rhodopsin on sArr. Furthermore, double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy experiments provide evidence that receptor-bound sArr adopts a conformation different from the one known for arrestin-1 and molecular dynamics simulations reveal the residues that account for the weak three-element interaction. Insights gleaned from studying this system add to our general understanding of GPCR-arrestin interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ned Van Eps
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bryan T Eger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sarah Rauscher
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Ravikiran S Yedidi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Tina Moroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Graham M West
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Kelly Ann Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jane Mitchell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Oliver P Ernst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Liu H, Kim HR, Deepak RNVK, Wang L, Chung KY, Fan H, Wei Z, Zhang C. Orthosteric and allosteric action of the C5a receptor antagonists. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:472-481. [PMID: 29867214 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-018-0067-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The C5a receptor (C5aR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that can induce strong inflammatory response to the anaphylatoxin C5a. Targeting C5aR has emerged as a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic method. However, developing potent C5aR antagonists as drugs has proven difficult. Here, we report two crystal structures of human C5aR in ternary complexes with the peptide antagonist PMX53 and a non-peptide antagonist, either avacopan or NDT9513727. The structures, together with other biophysical, computational docking and cell-based signaling data, reveal the orthosteric action of PMX53 and its effect of stabilizing the C5aR structure, as well as the allosteric action of chemically diverse non-peptide C5aR antagonists with different binding poses. Structural comparison analysis suggests the presence of similar allosteric sites in other GPCRs. We also discuss critical structural features of C5aR in activation, including a novel conformation of helix 8. On the basis of our results, we suggest novel strategies for developing C5aR-targeting drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hee Ryung Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - R N V Krishna Deepak
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ka Young Chung
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Wei
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kiselar J, Chance MR. High-Resolution Hydroxyl Radical Protein Footprinting: Biophysics Tool for Drug Discovery. Annu Rev Biophys 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-070317-033123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxyl radical footprinting (HRF) of proteins with mass spectrometry (MS) is a widespread approach for assessing protein structure. Hydroxyl radicals react with a wide variety of protein side chains, and the ease with which radicals can be generated (by radiolysis or photolysis) has made the approach popular with many laboratories. As some side chains are less reactive and thus cannot be probed, additional specific and nonspecific labeling reagents have been introduced to extend the approach. At the same time, advances in liquid chromatography and MS approaches permit an examination of the labeling of individual residues, transforming the approach to high resolution. Lastly, advances in understanding of the chemistry of the approach have led to the determination of absolute protein topologies from HRF data. Overall, the technology can provide precise and accurate measures of side-chain solvent accessibility in a wide range of interesting and useful contexts for the study of protein structure and dynamics in both academia and industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janna Kiselar
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, and Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Mark R. Chance
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, and Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large superfamily of membrane proteins that mediate cell signaling and regulate a variety of physiological processes in the human body. Structure-function studies of this superfamily were enabled a decade ago by multiple breakthroughs in technology that included receptor stabilization, crystallization in a membrane environment, and microcrystallography. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has further accelerated structural studies of GPCRs and other challenging proteins by overcoming radiation damage and providing access to high-resolution structures and dynamics using micrometer-sized crystals. Here, we summarize key technology advancements and major milestones of GPCR research using XFELs and provide a brief outlook on future developments in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Stauch
- Department of Chemistry and Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA; ,
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry and Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA; ,
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pal S, Samanta N, Das Mahanta D, Mitra RK, Chattopadhyay A. Effect of Phospholipid Headgroup Charge on the Structure and Dynamics of Water at the Membrane Interface: A Terahertz Spectroscopic Study. J Phys Chem B 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b01633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sreetama Pal
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, India
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Nirnay Samanta
- S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Debasish Das Mahanta
- S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Rajib Kumar Mitra
- S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Amitabha Chattopadhyay
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, India
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Shankar V, Goddard WA, Kim SK, Abrol R, Liu F. The 3D Structure of Human DP Prostaglandin G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Bound to Cyclopentanoindole Antagonist, Predicted Using the DuplexBiHelix Modification of the GEnSeMBLE Method. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:1624-1642. [PMID: 29268008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Prostaglandins play a critical physiological role in both cardiovascular and immune systems, acting through their interactions with 9 prostanoid G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors are important therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases including arthritis, allergies, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The DP prostaglandin receptor is of interest because it has unique structural and physiological properties. Most notably, DP does not have the 3-6 ionic lock common to Class A GPCRs. However, the lack of X-ray structures for any of the 9 prostaglandin GPCRs hampers the application of structure-based drug design methods to develop more selective and active medications to specific receptors. We predict here 3D structures for the DP prostaglandin GPCR, based on the GEnSeMBLE complete sampling with hierarchical scoring (CS-HS) methodology. This involves evaluating the energy of 13 trillion packings to finally select the best 20 that are stable enough to be relevant for binding to antagonists, agonists, and modulators. To validate the predicted structures, we predict the binding site for the Merck cyclopentanoindole (CPI) selective antagonist docked to DP. We find that the CPI binds vertically in the 1-2-7 binding pocket, interacting favorably with residues R3107.40 and K762.54 with additional interactions with S3137.43, S3167.46, S191.35, etc. This binding site differs significantly from that of antagonists to known Class A GPCRs where the ligand binds in the 3-4-5-6 region. We find that the predicted binding site leads to reasonable agreement with experimental Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR). We suggest additional mutation experiments including K762.54, E1293.49, L1233.43, M2706.40, F2746.44 to further validate the structure, function, and activation mechanism of receptors in the prostaglandin family. Our structures and binding sites are largely consistent and improve upon the predictions by Li et al. ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007 , 129 ( 35 ), 10720 ) that used our earlier MembStruk prediction methodology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu Shankar
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (139-74) , California Institute of Technology , 1200 E. California Blvd. , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - William A Goddard
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (139-74) , California Institute of Technology , 1200 E. California Blvd. , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - Soo-Kyung Kim
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (139-74) , California Institute of Technology , 1200 E. California Blvd. , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - Ravinder Abrol
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (139-74) , California Institute of Technology , 1200 E. California Blvd. , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| | - Fan Liu
- Materials and Process Simulation Center (139-74) , California Institute of Technology , 1200 E. California Blvd. , Pasadena , California 91125 , United States
| |
Collapse
|