分类: 药物科学 >> 结构生物学 提交时间: 2024-04-27
摘要: The norepinephrine transporter (NET) plays a pivotal role in regulating neurotransmitter balance and is critical for normal physiology and neurobiology. Dysfunction of NET has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric diseases including depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Parkinson’s disease. Here we report cryo-EM structures of NET in apo and substrate-bound forms, as well as complexes with six antidepressants. The structures reveal an unexpected NET dimer interface predominantly mediated by cholesterol and lipid molecules. The substrate norepinephrine is found to bind deep within the central binding pocket, with its amine group interacting with a conserved aspartate. The structures also provide insight into antidepressant recognition, including how subtle differences in binding poses confer selectivity over other monoamine transporters. Together these breakthrough findings significantly advance our understanding of NET regulation and inhibition, providing templates for designing improved antidepressants to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
分类: 药物科学 >> 结构生物学 提交时间: 2024-04-17
摘要: The adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR) belongs to a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and is an important therapeutic target for conditions including inflammation and cancer. The clinical compounds CF101 and CF102 are potent and selective A3AR agonists, but the structural basis of their recognition was unknown. Here we present the cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the full-length human A3AR bound to CF101 and CF102 at 3.3-3.2 Å resolution in complex with heterotrimeric Gi protein. These agonists bind within the orthosteric pocket, with their adenine components engaging in conserved interactions while their substituted 3-iodobenzyl groups exhibit different orientations. Swapping extracellular loop 3 (ECL3) of A3AR onto other adenosine receptor subtypes enabled CF101/CF102 binding and receptor activaton, and mutations in key residues, including His3.37, Ser5.42 and Ser6.52 that form a unique subpocket in A3AR, abolished receptor activation, highlighting these structural elements are critical for ligand selectivity. Compared to inactive A2AAR, the A3AR structures reveal conserved mechanism of receptor activation, including an outward shift of TM6. These structures provide key insights into molecular recognition and signaling mechanisms of A3AR, which should aid rational design of subtype-selective ligands targeting this important class of adenosine receptors.
分类: 药物科学 >> 结构生物学 提交时间: 2024-02-29
摘要: Succinic acid, a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediate, significantly influences mitochondrial reactive oxygen species homeostasis through the G protein-coupled succinate receptor (SUCR1, also called GPR91), linking it to various physiological and pathological processes. Despite SUCR1’s pivotal role in mediating effects leading to liver fibrosis, hypertension, angiogenesis, inflammation, and offering a therapeutic target for multiple diseases, its activation mechanism by diverse ligands and interaction with downwards G protein remains poorly understood. This study presents the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of SUCR1 in complex with inhibitory G protein (Gi) bound to succinic acid, maleic acid, and compound 31, a high-affinity agonist. These structures elucidate the distinct ligand binding modes, uncover the activation signal cascade, and detail the G protein coupling mechanism of SUCR1. Our findings provide a comprehensive structural basis for SUCR1 activation, paving the way for structure-based drug design aimed at SUCR1-related pathologies.
分类: 药物科学 >> 结构生物学 提交时间: 2024-02-24
摘要: The orphan receptor GPR30, previously classified as a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), has been a subject of debate regarding its ligand specificity. Through an integrative approach combining structure elucidation, biochemical binding, and cell signaling assays, we demonstrate that estrogen does not directly bind to or activate GPR30. Cryo-EM structures of GPR30 reveal an unexpected hydrophilic ligand-binding pocket, with striking differences from classical hydrophobic steroid-binding sites, inconsistent with estrogen binding. We further confirmed hydrophilic agonists like Lys05 as true activators of GPR30, providing structural insights into their binding mechanism and receptor activation. Our findings necessitate a paradigm shift in defining GPR30’s role in estrogen signaling, indicating that its activation occurs through mechanisms independent of estrogen binding. This study opens new avenues for developing targeted GPR30 ligands and reinterpreting its role in estrogen-mediated processes.
分类: 药物科学 >> 结构生物学 提交时间: 2024-02-21
摘要: Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS3) is an important orphan G protein-coupled receptor that regulates energy homeostasis and insulin secretion. As a member of the bombesin receptor (BnR) family, which includes neuromedin B receptor (NMBR) and gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), the lack of known endogenous ligands and high-resolution structure has impeded understanding of BRS3 signaling and function. Here, we present cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of BRS3 in complex with heterotrimeric Gq protein in three states: apo, bound to the pan-BnR agonist, BA1, and bound to the synthetic BRS3-specific agonist MK-5046. These structures reveal the architecture of the orthosteric ligand pocket underpinning molecular recognition. Comparisons with BnR members provide insights into the structural basis for BRS3’s selectivity and low affinity for bombesin peptides. Examination of conserved micro-switches suggests a shared activation mechanism among BnRs. Together our results enable deeper exploration of BRS3’s ligand selectivity, signaling, and therapeutic targeting for diabetes and obesity.