1
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Chen X, Yuan Y, Chen Y, Yu J, Wang J, Chen J, Guo Y, Pu X. Biased Activation Mechanism Induced by GPCR Heterodimerization: Observations from μOR/δOR Dimers. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:5581-5600. [PMID: 36377848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
GPCRs regulate multiple intracellular signaling cascades. Biasedly activating one signaling pathway over the others provides additional clinical utility to optimize GPCR-based therapies. GPCR heterodimers possess different functions from their monomeric states, including their selectivity to different transducers. However, the biased signaling mechanism induced by the heterodimerization remains unclear. Motivated by the issue, we select an important GPCR heterodimer (μOR/δOR heterodimer) as a case and use microsecond Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulation coupled with potential of mean force and protein structure network (PSN) to probe mechanisms regarding the heterodimerization-induced constitutive β-arrestin activity and efficacy change of the agonist DAMGO. The results show that only the lowest energy state of the μOR/δOR heterodimer, which adopts a slightly outward shift of TM6 and an ICL2 conformation close to the receptor core, can selectively accommodate β-arrestins. PSN further reveals important roles of H8, ICL1, and ICL2 in regulating the constitutive β-arrestin-biased activity for the apo μOR/δOR heterodimer. In addition, the heterodimerization can allosterically alter the binding mode of DAMGO mainly by means of W7.35. Consequently, DAMGO transmits the structural signal mainly through TM6 and TM7 in the dimer, rather than TM3 similar to the μOR monomer, thus changing the efficacy of DAMGO from a balanced agonist to the β-arrestin-biased one. On the other side, the binding of DAMGO to the heterodimer can stabilize μOR/δOR heterodimers through a stronger interaction of TM1/TM1 and H8/H8, accordingly enhancing the interaction of μOR with δOR and the binding affinity of the dimer to the β-arrestin. The agonist DAMGO does not change main compositions of the regulation network from the dimer interface to the transducer binding pocket of the μOR protomer, but induces an increase in the structural communication of the network, which should contribute to the enhanced β-arrestin coupling. Our observations, for the first time, reveal the molecular mechanism of the biased signaling induced by the heterodimerization for GPCRs, which should be beneficial to more comprehensively understand the GPCR bias signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- College of Management, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Yichi Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California92697, United States
| | - Jingzhou Wang
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
| | - Jianfang Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
| | - Yanzhi Guo
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
| | - Xuemei Pu
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu610064, China
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2
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Root-Bernstein R, Churchill B. Co-Evolution of Opioid and Adrenergic Ligands and Receptors: Shared, Complementary Modules Explain Evolution of Functional Interactions and Suggest Novel Engineering Possibilities. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111217. [PMID: 34833093 PMCID: PMC8623292 DOI: 10.3390/life11111217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-talk between opioid and adrenergic receptors is well-characterized and involves second messenger systems, the formation of receptor heterodimers, and the presence of extracellular allosteric binding regions for the complementary ligand; however, the evolutionary origins of these interactions have not been investigated. We propose that opioid and adrenergic ligands and receptors co-evolved from a common set of modular precursors so that they share binding functions. We demonstrate the plausibility of this hypothesis through a review of experimental evidence for molecularly complementary modules and report unexpected homologies between the two receptor types. Briefly, opioids form homodimers also bind adrenergic compounds; opioids bind to conserved extracellular regions of adrenergic receptors while adrenergic compounds bind to conserved extracellular regions of opioid receptors; opioid-like modules appear in both sets of receptors within key ligand-binding regions. Transmembrane regions associated with homodimerization of each class of receptors are also highly conserved across receptor types and implicated in heterodimerization. This conservation of multiple functional modules suggests opioid–adrenergic ligand and receptor co-evolution and provides mechanisms for explaining the evolution of their crosstalk. These modules also suggest the structure of a primordial receptor, providing clues for engineering receptor functions.
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3
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García-Recio A, Navarro G, Franco R, Olivella M, Guixà-González R, Cordomí A. DIMERBOW: exploring possible GPCR dimer interfaces. Bioinformatics 2020; 36:3271-3272. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Motivation
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can form homo-, heterodimers and larger order oligomers that exert different functions than monomers. The pharmacological potential of such complexes is hampered by the limited information available on the type of complex formed and its quaternary structure. Several GPCR structures in the Protein Data Bank display crystallographic interfaces potentially compatible with physiological interactions.
Results
Here, we present DIMERBOW, a database and web application aimed to visually browse the complete repertoire of potential GPCR dimers present in solved structures. The tool is suited to help finding the best possible structural template to model GPCR homomers.
Availability and implementation
DIMERBOW is available at http://lmc.uab.es/dimerbow/.
Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián García-Recio
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CiberNed, Centro De Investigacion En Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Centro De Investigacion En Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Olivella
- Bioinformatics and Medical Statistics Group, Biosciences Department, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Guixà-González
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen PSI 5232, Switzerland
| | - Arnau Cordomí
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadistica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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4
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Fuladi S, Jannat RW, Shen L, Weber CR, Khalili-Araghi F. Computational Modeling of Claudin Structure and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030742. [PMID: 31979311 PMCID: PMC7037046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight junctions form a barrier to control passive transport of ions and small molecules across epithelia and endothelia. In addition to forming a barrier, some of claudins control transport properties of tight junctions by forming charge- and size-selective ion channels. It has been suggested claudin monomers can form or incorporate into tight junction strands to form channels. Resolving the crystallographic structure of several claudins in recent years has provided an opportunity to examine structural basis of claudins in tight junctions. Computational and theoretical modeling relying on atomic description of the pore have contributed significantly to our understanding of claudin pores and paracellular transport. In this paper, we review recent computational and mathematical modeling of claudin barrier function. We focus on dynamic modeling of global epithelial barrier function as a function of claudin pores and molecular dynamics studies of claudins leading to a functional model of claudin channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Fuladi
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (S.F.); (R.-W.J.)
| | - Ridaka-Wal Jannat
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (S.F.); (R.-W.J.)
| | - Le Shen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Christopher R. Weber
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
- Correspondence: (C.R.W.); (F.K.-A.)
| | - Fatemeh Khalili-Araghi
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (S.F.); (R.-W.J.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.W.); (F.K.-A.)
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5
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Investigating targets for neuropharmacological intervention by molecular dynamics simulations. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:909-918. [PMID: 31085614 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Medical research has identified over 500 brain disorders. Among these, there are still only very few neuropathologies whose causes are fully understood and, consequently, very few drugs whose mechanism of action is known. No FDA drug has been identified for major neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. We still lack effective treatments and strategies for modulating progression or even early neurodegenerative disease onset diagnostic tools. A great support toward the highly needed identification of neuroactive drugs comes from computer simulation methods and, in particular, from molecular dynamics (MD). This provides insight into structure-function relationship of a target and predicts structure, dynamics and energetics of ligand/target complexes under biologically relevant conditions like temperature and physiological saline concentration. Here, we present examples of the predictive power of MD for neuroactive ligands/target complexes. This brief survey from our own research shows the usefulness of partnerships between academia and industry, and from joint efforts between experimental and theoretical groups.
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Gahbauer S, Pluhackova K, Böckmann RA. Closely related, yet unique: Distinct homo- and heterodimerization patterns of G protein coupled chemokine receptors and their fine-tuning by cholesterol. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006062. [PMID: 29529028 PMCID: PMC5864085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors, a subclass of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), play essential roles in the human immune system, they are involved in cancer metastasis as well as in HIV-infection. A plethora of studies show that homo- and heterodimers or even higher order oligomers of the chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR5, and CCR2 modulate receptor function. In addition, membrane cholesterol affects chemokine receptor activity. However, structural information about homo- and heterodimers formed by chemokine receptors and their interplay with cholesterol is limited. Here, we report homo- and heterodimer configurations of the chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR5, and CCR2 at atomistic detail, as obtained from thousands of molecular dynamics simulations. The observed homodimerization patterns were similar for the closely related CC chemokine receptors, yet they differed significantly between the CC receptors and CXCR4. Despite their high sequence identity, cholesterol modulated the CC homodimer interfaces in a subtype-specific manner. Chemokine receptor heterodimers display distinct dimerization patterns for CXCR4/CCR5 and CXCR4/CCR2. Furthermore, associations between CXCR4 and CCR5 reveal an increased cholesterol-sensitivity as compared to CXCR4/CCR2 heterodimerization patterns. This work provides a first comprehensive structural overview over the complex interaction network between chemokine receptors and indicates how heterodimerization and the interaction with the membrane environment diversifies the function of closely related GPCRs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chemokines/metabolism
- Cholesterol/metabolism
- Computer Simulation
- Dimerization
- Humans
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Receptors, CCR2/chemistry
- Receptors, CCR2/metabolism
- Receptors, CCR2/ultrastructure
- Receptors, CCR5/chemistry
- Receptors, CCR5/metabolism
- Receptors, CCR5/ultrastructure
- Receptors, CXCR4/chemistry
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, CXCR4/ultrastructure
- Receptors, Chemokine/chemistry
- Receptors, Chemokine/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Gahbauer
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kristyna Pluhackova
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer A. Böckmann
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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7
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Guidolin D, Marcoli M, Tortorella C, Maura G, Agnati LF. G protein-coupled receptor-receptor interactions give integrative dynamics to intercellular communication. Rev Neurosci 2018; 29:703-726. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2017-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The proposal of receptor-receptor interactions (RRIs) in the early 1980s broadened the view on the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in the dynamics of the intercellular communication. RRIs, indeed, allow GPCR to operate not only as monomers but also as receptor complexes, in which the integration of the incoming signals depends on the number, spatial arrangement, and order of activation of the protomers forming the complex. The main biochemical mechanisms controlling the functional interplay of GPCR in the receptor complexes are direct allosteric interactions between protomer domains. The formation of these macromolecular assemblies has several physiologic implications in terms of the modulation of the signaling pathways and interaction with other membrane proteins. It also impacts on the emerging field of connectomics, as it contributes to set and tune the synaptic strength. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the transfer of GPCR and GPCR complexes between cells via the exosome pathway could enable the target cells to recognize/decode transmitters and/or modulators for which they did not express the pertinent receptors. Thus, this process may also open the possibility of a new type of redeployment of neural circuits. The fundamental aspects of GPCR complex formation and function are the focus of the present review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience , University of Padova, via Gabelli 65 , I-35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research , University of Genova , I-16126 Genova , Italy
| | - Cinzia Tortorella
- Department of Neuroscience , University of Padova, via Gabelli 65 , I-35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research , University of Genova , I-16126 Genova , Italy
| | - Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , I-41121 Modena , Italy
- Department of Neuroscience , Karolinska Institutet , S-17177 Stockholm , Sweden
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8
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Excessive aggregation of membrane proteins in the Martini model. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187936. [PMID: 29131844 PMCID: PMC5683612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The coarse-grained Martini model is employed extensively to study membrane protein oligomerization. While this approach is exceptionally promising given its computational efficiency, it is alarming that a significant fraction of these studies demonstrate unrealistic protein clusters, whose formation is essentially an irreversible process. This suggests that the protein-protein interactions are exaggerated in the Martini model. If this held true, then it would limit the applicability of Martini to study multi-protein complexes, as the rapidly clustering proteins would not be able to properly sample the correct dimerization conformations. In this work we first demonstrate the excessive protein aggregation by comparing the dimerization free energies of helical transmembrane peptides obtained with the Martini model to those determined from FRET experiments. Second, we show that the predictions provided by the Martini model for the structures of transmembrane domain dimers are in poor agreement with the corresponding structures resolved using NMR. Next, we demonstrate that the first issue can be overcome by slightly scaling down the Martini protein-protein interactions in a manner, which does not interfere with the other Martini interaction parameters. By preventing excessive, irreversible, and non-selective aggregation of membrane proteins, this approach renders the consideration of lateral dynamics and protein-lipid interactions in crowded membranes by the Martini model more realistic. However, this adjusted model does not lead to an improvement in the predicted dimer structures. This implicates that the poor agreement between the Martini model and NMR structures cannot be cured by simply uniformly reducing the interactions between all protein beads. Instead, a careful amino-acid specific adjustment of the protein-protein interactions is likely required.
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9
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Marino KA, Shang Y, Filizola M. Insights into the function of opioid receptors from molecular dynamics simulations of available crystal structures. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 175:2834-2845. [PMID: 28266020 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The opioid receptors are key targets in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, and the development of novel analgesics with reduced side effects is crucial in the search for more effective medications. The crystal structures of opioid receptors have provided a wealth of knowledge on many aspects of opioid receptor pharmacology and function, including ligand binding poses, location of the sodium allosteric binding site, conformational changes associated with activation and putative dimeric interfaces. These crystal structures also offer a starting point for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to capture one aspect of drug design that static structures cannot resolve, namely protein dynamics. With the increase in computing power, MD simulations of crystal structures have become an influential tool in understanding the function of GPCRs in general. Here, we discuss lessons learned from MD simulations of opioid receptor crystal structures with reference to (i) the binding pathway of sodium to its crystallographic allosteric site, (ii) the dynamics of ligand-receptor and receptor-receptor interactions, both at the ligand- and G protein-binding sites, (iii) the binding pathway and binding pose of novel ligands, and (iv) opioid receptor oligomerization. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Marino
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yi Shang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Marta Filizola
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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10
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Farran B. An update on the physiological and therapeutic relevance of GPCR oligomers. Pharmacol Res 2017; 117:303-327. [PMID: 28087443 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The traditional view on GPCRs held that they function as single monomeric units composed of identical subunits. This notion was overturned by the discovery that GPCRs can form homo- and hetero-oligomers, some of which are obligatory, and can further assemble into receptor mosaics consisting of three or more protomers. Oligomerisation exerts significant impacts on receptor function and physiology, offering a platform for the diversification of receptor signalling, pharmacology, regulation, crosstalk, internalization and trafficking. Given their involvement in the modulation of crucial physiological processes, heteromers could constitute important therapeutic targets for a wide range of diseases, including schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, substance abuse or obesity. This review aims at depicting the current developments in GPCR oligomerisation research, documenting various class A, B and C GPCR heteromers detected in vitro and in vivo using biochemical and biophysical approaches, as well as recently identified higher-order oligomeric complexes. It explores the current understanding of dimerization dynamics and the possible interaction interfaces that drive oligomerisation. Most importantly, it provides an inventory of the wide range of physiological processes and pathophysiological conditions to which GPCR oligomers contribute, surveying some of the oligomers that constitute potential drug targets. Finally, it delineates the efforts to develop novel classes of ligands that specifically target and tether to receptor oligomers instead of a single monomeric entity, thus ameliorating their ability to modulate GPCR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batoul Farran
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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11
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Periole X. Interplay of G Protein-Coupled Receptors with the Membrane: Insights from Supra-Atomic Coarse Grain Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Chem Rev 2016; 117:156-185. [PMID: 28073248 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are central to many fundamental cellular signaling pathways. They transduce signals from the outside to the inside of cells in physiological processes ranging from vision to immune response. It is extremely challenging to look at them individually using conventional experimental techniques. Recently, a pseudo atomistic molecular model has emerged as a valuable tool to access information on GPCRs, more specifically on their interactions with their environment in their native cell membrane and the consequences on their supramolecular organization. This approach uses the Martini coarse grain (CG) model to describe the receptors, lipids, and solvent in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in enough detail to allow conserving the chemical specificity of the different molecules. The elimination of unnecessary degrees of freedom has opened up large-scale simulations of the lipid-mediated supramolecular organization of GPCRs. Here, after introducing the Martini CGMD method, we review these studies carried out on various members of the GPCR family, including rhodopsin (visual receptor), opioid receptors, adrenergic receptors, adenosine receptors, dopamine receptor, and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor. These studies have brought to light an interesting set of novel biophysical principles. The insights range from revealing localized and heterogeneous deformations of the membrane bilayer at the surface of the protein, specific interactions of lipid molecules with individual GPCRs, to the effect of the membrane matrix on global GPCR self-assembly. The review ends with an overview of the lessons learned from the use of the CGMD method, the biophysical-chemical findings on lipid-protein interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Periole
- Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Huang J, Lakkaraju SK, Coop A, MacKerell AD. Conformational Heterogeneity of Intracellular Loop 3 of the μ-opioid G-protein Coupled Receptor. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:11897-11904. [PMID: 27801588 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b09351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the μ-opioid receptor, interact with G-proteins and other proteins via their intracellular face as required for signal transduction. However, characterization of the structure of the intracellular face of GPCRs is complicated by the experimental methods used for structural characterization. In the present study we undertook a series of long-time molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ranging from 1 to 5 μs, on the μ-opioid receptor in both the dimeric and monomeric states. Results show intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) to sample an equilibrium between coiled and helical states. Intracellular loop 3 (ICL3) samples a wider range of conformations. Previously unobserved β-sheet structures were primarily sampled in the simulations initiated from the inactive dimer conformation. In contrast, helical structures were sampled in simulations initiated from the active, monomer conformation. Notably, in the dimeric form of the receptor, both intramolecular and intermolecular β-sheet structures were sampled, with the latter occurring between the two monomers. These results indicate that the sampling of β-sheet structures can maintain the ICL3 in an inactive conformation that contributes to stabilization of the dimeric form of the receptor via interchain β-sheet structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Sirish Kaushik Lakkaraju
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Andrew Coop
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Alexander D MacKerell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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13
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Baltoumas FA, Theodoropoulou MC, Hamodrakas SJ. Molecular dynamics simulations and structure-based network analysis reveal structural and functional aspects of G-protein coupled receptor dimer interactions. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2016; 30:489-512. [PMID: 27349423 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-016-9919-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A significant amount of experimental evidence suggests that G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) do not act exclusively as monomers but also form biologically relevant dimers and oligomers. However, the structural determinants, stoichiometry and functional importance of GPCR oligomerization remain topics of intense speculation. In this study we attempted to evaluate the nature and dynamics of GPCR oligomeric interactions. A representative set of GPCR homodimers were studied through Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics simulations, combined with interface analysis and concepts from network theory for the construction and analysis of dynamic structural networks. Our results highlight important structural determinants that seem to govern receptor dimer interactions. A conserved dynamic behavior was observed among different GPCRs, including receptors belonging in different GPCR classes. Specific GPCR regions were highlighted as the core of the interfaces. Finally, correlations of motion were observed between parts of the dimer interface and GPCR segments participating in ligand binding and receptor activation, suggesting the existence of mechanisms through which dimer formation may affect GPCR function. The results of this study can be used to drive experiments aimed at exploring GPCR oligomerization, as well as in the study of transmembrane protein-protein interactions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotis A Baltoumas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
| | - Margarita C Theodoropoulou
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Central Greece, 35131, Lamia, Greece
| | - Stavros J Hamodrakas
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701, Athens, Greece.
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants). This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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15
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Capitani G, Duarte JM, Baskaran K, Bliven S, Somody JC. Understanding the fabric of protein crystals: computational classification of biological interfaces and crystal contacts. Bioinformatics 2015; 32:481-9. [PMID: 26508758 PMCID: PMC4743631 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btv622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern structural biology still draws the vast majority of information from crystallography, a technique where the objects being investigated are embedded in a crystal lattice. Given the complexity and variety of those objects, it becomes fundamental to computationally assess which of the interfaces in the lattice are biologically relevant and which are simply crystal contacts. Since the mid-1990s, several approaches have been applied to obtain high-accuracy classification of crystal contacts and biological protein–protein interfaces. This review provides an overview of the concepts and main approaches to protein interface classification: thermodynamic estimation of interface stability, evolutionary approaches based on conservation of interface residues, and co-occurrence of the interface across different crystal forms. Among the three categories, evolutionary approaches offer the strongest promise for improvement, thanks to the incessant growth in sequence knowledge. Importantly, protein interface classification algorithms can also be used on multimeric structures obtained using other high-resolution techniques or for protein assembly design or validation purposes. A key issue linked to protein interface classification is the identification of the biological assembly of a crystal structure and the analysis of its symmetry. Here, we highlight the most important concepts and problems to be overcome in assembly prediction. Over the next few years, tools and concepts of interface classification will probably become more frequently used and integrated in several areas of structural biology and structural bioinformatics. Among the main challenges for the future are better addressing of weak interfaces and the application of interface classification concepts to prediction problems like protein–protein docking. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact:guido.capitani@psi.ch
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Capitani
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/110, 5232 Villigen PSI, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jose M Duarte
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/110, 5232 Villigen PSI, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kumaran Baskaran
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/110, 5232 Villigen PSI
| | - Spencer Bliven
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/110, 5232 Villigen PSI, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA and
| | - Joseph C Somody
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/110, 5232 Villigen PSI, Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Rossetti G, Dibenedetto D, Calandrini V, Giorgetti A, Carloni P. Structural predictions of neurobiologically relevant G-protein coupled receptors and intrinsically disordered proteins. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 582:91-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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17
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Shang Y, Filizola M. Opioid receptors: Structural and mechanistic insights into pharmacology and signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 763:206-13. [PMID: 25981301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are important drug targets for pain management, addiction, and mood disorders. Although substantial research on these important subtypes of G protein-coupled receptors has been conducted over the past two decades to discover ligands with higher specificity and diminished side effects, currently used opioid therapeutics remain suboptimal. Luckily, recent advances in structural biology of opioid receptors provide unprecedented insights into opioid receptor pharmacology and signaling. We review here a few recent studies that have used the crystal structures of opioid receptors as a basis for revealing mechanistic details of signal transduction mediated by these receptors, and for the purpose of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shang
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, One Gustave, L. Levy Place, Box 1677, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Marta Filizola
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, One Gustave, L. Levy Place, Box 1677, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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18
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Provasi D, Boz MB, Johnston JM, Filizola M. Preferred supramolecular organization and dimer interfaces of opioid receptors from simulated self-association. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004148. [PMID: 25822938 PMCID: PMC4379167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence in support of the formation of opioid receptor (OR) di-/oligomers suggests previously unknown mechanisms used by these proteins to exert their biological functions. In an attempt to guide experimental assessment of the identity of the minimal signaling unit for ORs, we conducted extensive coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of different combinations of the three major OR subtypes, i.e., μ-OR, δ-OR, and κ-OR, in an explicit lipid bilayer. Specifically, we ran multiple, independent MD simulations of each homomeric μ-OR/μ-OR, δ-OR/δ-OR, and κ-OR/κ-OR complex, as well as two of the most studied heteromeric complexes, i.e., δ-OR/μ-OR and δ-OR/κ-OR, to derive the preferred supramolecular organization and dimer interfaces of ORs in a cell membrane model. These simulations yielded over 250 microseconds of accumulated data, which correspond to approximately 1 millisecond of effective simulated dynamics according to established scaling factors of the CG model we employed. Analysis of these data indicates similar preferred supramolecular organization and dimer interfaces of ORs across the different receptor subtypes, but also important differences in the kinetics of receptor association at specific dimer interfaces. We also investigated the kinetic properties of interfacial lipids, and explored their possible role in modulating the rate of receptor association and in promoting the formation of filiform aggregates, thus supporting a distinctive role of the membrane in OR oligomerization and, possibly, signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Provasi
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mustafa Burak Boz
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Johnston
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Marta Filizola
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kaczor AA, Guixà-González R, Carrió P, Poso A, Dove S, Pastor M, Selent J. Multi-Component Protein - Protein Docking Based Protocol with External Scoring for Modeling Dimers of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Mol Inform 2015; 34:246-55. [PMID: 27490170 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201400088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to apply structure-based drug design techniques to GPCR complexes, it is essential to model their 3D structure. For this purpose, a multi-component protocol was derived based on protein-protein docking which generates populations of dimers compatible with membrane integration, considering all reasonable interfaces. At the next stage, we applied a scoring procedure based on up to eleven different parameters including shape or electrostatics complementarity. Two methods of consensus scoring were performed: (i) average scores of 100 best scored dimers with respect to each interface, and (ii) frequencies of interfaces among 100 best scored dimers. In general, our multi-component protocol gives correct indications for dimer interfaces that have been observed in X-ray crystal structures of GPCR dimers (opsin dimer, chemokine CXCR4 and CCR5 dimers, κ opioid receptor dimer, β1 adrenergic receptor dimer and smoothened receptor dimer) but also suggests alternative dimerization interfaces. Interestingly, at times these alternative interfaces are scored higher than the experimentally observed ones suggesting them to be also relevant in the life cycle of studied GPCR dimers. Further results indicate that GPCR dimer and higher-order oligomer formation may involve transmembrane helices (TMs) TM1-TM2-TM7, TM3-TM4-TM5 or TM4-TM5-TM6 but not TM1-TM2-TM3 or TM2-TM3-TM4 which is in general agreement with available experimental and computational data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A Kaczor
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland phone: +48815357365; fax: +48815357366. .,Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances with Computer Modeling Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division for Medical Analytics, 4A Chodźki St., PL-20059 Lublin, Poland. .,Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), PRBB, Dr Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry II, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, DE-93040 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Ramon Guixà-González
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), PRBB, Dr Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Carrió
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), PRBB, Dr Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antti Poso
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland phone: +48815357365; fax: +48815357366
| | - Stefan Dove
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry II, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, DE-93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Pastor
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), PRBB, Dr Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), PRBB, Dr Aiguader 88, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
The publication of high-resolution structures for all of the opioid receptor subfamilies has unveiled exciting opportunities for mechanistic insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of nociception, reward, and higher cognitive functions, as well as promises for progress in several clinical areas such as pain management, physiological dependence, addiction, and mood disorders. To turn this promise into novel and improved therapeutic entities, however, this information needs to be supplemented with research strategies that explore the dynamic behavior of the proteins and their interactions with other receptors and ligands in their physiological environment.Here we describe state-of-the-art molecular dynamics computational protocols, based on all-atom and coarse-grained modeling techniques, designed to estimate crucial thermodynamic and kinetic parameters describing the binding of small-molecule ligands and the formation of supramolecular complexes.
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21
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Schonenbach NS, Hussain S, O'Malley MA. Structure and function of G protein‐coupled receptor oligomers: implications for drug discovery. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 7:408-27. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Schonenbach
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCAUSA
| | - Sunyia Hussain
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCAUSA
| | - Michelle A. O'Malley
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCAUSA
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