scholarly journals Structures of active melanocortin-4 receptor–Gs-protein complexes with NDP-α-MSH and setmelanotide

Cell Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas A. Heyder ◽  
Gunnar Kleinau ◽  
David Speck ◽  
Andrea Schmidt ◽  
Sarah Paisdzior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
Biased Signaling ◽  
Gs Protein

AbstractThe melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a hypothalamic master regulator of energy homeostasis and appetite, is a class A G-protein-coupled receptor and a prime target for the pharmacological treatment of obesity. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of MC4R–Gs-protein complexes with two drugs recently approved by the FDA, the peptide agonists NDP-α-MSH and setmelanotide, with 2.9 Å and 2.6 Å resolution. Together with signaling data from structure-derived MC4R mutants, the complex structures reveal the agonist-induced origin of transmembrane helix (TM) 6-regulated receptor activation. The ligand-binding modes of NDP-α-MSH, a high-affinity linear variant of the endogenous agonist α-MSH, and setmelanotide, a cyclic anti-obesity drug with biased signaling toward Gq/11, underline the key role of TM3 in ligand-specific interactions and of calcium ion as a ligand-adaptable cofactor. The agonist-specific TM3 interplay subsequently impacts receptor–Gs-protein interfaces at intracellular loop 2, which also regulates the G-protein coupling profile of this promiscuous receptor. Finally, our structures reveal mechanistic details of MC4R activation/inhibition, and provide important insights into the regulation of the receptor signaling profile which will facilitate the development of tailored anti-obesity drugs.

scholarly journals Structures of active melanocortin-4 receptor—Gs-protein complexes with NDP-α-MSH and setmelanotide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas A. Heyder ◽  
Gunnar Kleinau ◽  
David Speck ◽  
Andrea Schmidt ◽  
Sarah Paisdzior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
Biased Signaling ◽  
Gs Protein ◽  
Approved Drugs

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a hypothalamic master regulator of energy homeostasis and appetite, is a G-protein coupled receptor and a prime target for the treatment of obesity. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of MC4R—Gs-protein complexes with two recently FDA-approved drugs, the peptide agonists NDP-α-MSH and setmelanotide, with 2.9 Å and 2.6 Å resolution. Together with signaling data, the complex structures reveal the agonist-induced origin of transmembrane helix (TM) 6 regulated receptor activation. In both structures, different ligand binding modes of NDP-α-MSH, a high-affinity variant of the endogenous agonist, and setmelanotide, an anti-obesity drug with biased signaling, underline the key role of TM3 for ligand-specific interactions and of calcium ion as a ligand-adaptable cofactor. The agonist-TM3 interplay subsequently impacts the receptor—Gs-protein interfaces, mainly at intracellular loop 2. These structures reveal mechanistic details of MC4R activation or inhibition and provide important insights into receptor selectivity that will facilitate the development of tailored anti-obesity drugs.

scholarly journals The Role of ICL1 and H8 in Class B1 GPCRs; Implications for Receptor Activlation

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Winfield ◽  
Kerry Barkan ◽  
Sarah Routledge ◽  
Nathan J. Robertson ◽  
Matthew Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Cgrp Receptor ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Glucagon Receptor ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The first intracellular loop (ICL1) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has received little attention, although there is evidence that, with the 8th helix (H8), it is involved in early conformational changes following receptor activation as well as contacting the G protein β subunit. In class B1 GPCRs, the distal part of ICL1 contains a conserved R12.48KLRCxR2.46b motif that extends into the base of the second transmembrane helix; this is weakly conserved as a [R/H]12.48KL[R/H] motif in class A GPCRs. In the current study, the role of ICL1 and H8 in signaling through cAMP, iCa2+ and ERK1/2 has been examined in two class B1 GPCRs, using mutagenesis and molecular dynamics. Mutations throughout ICL1 can either enhance or disrupt cAMP production by CGRP at the CGRP receptor. Alanine mutagenesis identified subtle differences with regard elevation of iCa2+, with the distal end of the loop being particularly sensitive. ERK1/2 activation displayed little sensitivity to ICL1 mutation. A broadly similar pattern was observed with the glucagon receptor, although there were differences in significance of individual residues. Extending the study revealed that at the CRF1 receptor, an insertion in ICL1 switched signaling bias between iCa2+ and cAMP. Molecular dynamics suggested that changes in ICL1 altered the conformation of ICL2 and the H8/TM7 junction (ICL4). For H8, alanine mutagenesis showed the importance of E3908.49b for all three signal transduction pathways, for the CGRP receptor, but mutations of other residues largely just altered ERK1/2 activation. Thus, ICL1 may modulate GPCR bias via interactions with ICL2, ICL4 and the Gβ subunit.

scholarly journals Inhibition of melanocortin-4 receptor dimerization by substitutions in intracellular loop 2

2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin L Piechowski ◽  
Anne Rediger ◽  
Christina Lagemann ◽  
Jessica Mühlhaus ◽  
Anne Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Receptor Dimerization ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
New Information ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Loop 2 ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Obesity is one of the most challenging global health problems. One key player in energy homeostasis is the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), which is a family A G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). It has recently been shown that MC4R has the capacity to form homo- or heterodimers. Dimerization of GPCRs is of great importance for signaling regulation, with major pharmacological implications. Unfortunately, not enough is yet known about the detailed structural properties of MC4R dimers or the functional consequences of receptor dimerization. Our goal, therefore, was to explore specific properties related to MC4R dimerization. First, we aimed to induce the dissociation of dimers to monomers and to compare the functional parameters of wild-type and MC4R variants. To inhibit homodimerization, we designed MC4R chimeras with the cannabinoid-1 receptor, a receptor that does not interact with MC4R. Indeed, we identified several substitutions in the intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) and adjacent regions of transmembrane helix 3 (TMH3) and TMH4 that lead to partial dimer dissociation. Interestingly, the capacity for signaling activity was generally increased in these MC4R variants, although receptor expression remained unchanged. This increase in activity for dissociated receptors might indicate a link between receptor dimerization and signaling capacity. Moreover, dimer dissociation was also observed in a naturally occurring activating MC4R mutation in ICL2. Taken together, this study provides new information on the structural prerequisites for MC4R dimerization and identifies an approach to induce the dissociation of MC4R dimers. This might be useful for further investigation of pharmacological properties.

scholarly journals Modulation of A2aR Oligomerisation by Conformational State and PIP2 Interactions Revealed by MD Simulations and Markov Models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanling Song ◽  
Anna L. Duncan ◽  
Mark S.P. Sansom
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Membrane Lipid ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Gpcr Activation ◽  
State Models

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play key roles in cellular signalling. GPCRs are suggested to form dimers and higher order oligomers in response to activation. However, we do not fully understand GPCR activation at larger scales and in an in vivo context. We have characterised oligomeric configurations of the adenosine 2a receptor (A2aR) by combining large-scale molecular dynamics simulations with Markov state models. Receptor activation results in enhanced oligomerisation, more diverse oligomer populations, and a more connected oligomerisation network. The active state conformation of the A2aR shifts protein-protein association interfaces to those involving intracellular loop ICL3 and transmembrane helix TM6. Binding of PIP2 to A2aR stabilises protein-protein interactions via PIP2-mediated association interfaces. These results indicate that A2aR oligomerisation is responsive to the local membrane lipid environment. This in turn suggests a modulatory effect on A2aR whereby a given oligomerisation profile favours the dynamic formation of specific supra-molecular signalling complexes.

scholarly journals A structural basis for how ligand binding site changes can allosterically regulate GPCR signaling and engender functional selectivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (617) ◽  
pp. eaaw5885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Sanchez-Soto ◽  
Ravi Kumar Verma ◽  
Blair K. A. Willette ◽  
Elizabeth C. Gonye ◽  
Annah M. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Ligand Binding Site ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Gpcr Signaling ◽  
Biased Signaling ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Signaling bias is the propensity for some agonists to preferentially stimulate G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling through one intracellular pathway versus another. We previously identified a G protein–biased agonist of the D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) that results in impaired β-arrestin recruitment. This signaling bias was predicted to arise from unique interactions of the ligand with a hydrophobic pocket at the interface of the second extracellular loop and fifth transmembrane segment of the D2R. Here, we showed that residue Phe189 within this pocket (position 5.38 using Ballesteros-Weinstein numbering) functions as a microswitch for regulating receptor interactions with β-arrestin. This residue is relatively conserved among class A GPCRs, and analogous mutations within other GPCRs similarly impaired β-arrestin recruitment while maintaining G protein signaling. To investigate the mechanism of this signaling bias, we used an active-state structure of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2R) to build β2R-WT and β2R-Y1995.38A models in complex with the full β2R agonist BI-167107 for molecular dynamics simulations. These analyses identified conformational rearrangements in β2R-Y1995.38A that propagated from the extracellular ligand binding site to the intracellular surface, resulting in a modified orientation of the second intracellular loop in β2R-Y1995.38A, which is predicted to affect its interactions with β-arrestin. Our findings provide a structural basis for how ligand binding site alterations can allosterically affect GPCR-transducer interactions and result in biased signaling.

scholarly journals The single pass membrane protein MRAP2 regulates energy homeostasis by promoting primary cilia localization of the G protein-coupled receptor MC4R

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adélaïde Bernard ◽  
Irene Ojeda Naharros ◽  
Florence Bourgain-Guglielmetti ◽  
Jordi Ciprin ◽  
Xinyu Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Primary Cilia ◽  
Melanocortin Receptor ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptor ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Receptor Associated Protein ◽  
Extracellular Signals ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
G Protein Coupled

ABSTRACTThe G protein-coupled receptor MC4R (Melanocortin-4 Receptor) and its associated protein MRAP2 (Melanocortin Receptor-Associated Protein 2) are both essential for the regulation of food intake and body weight in humans and mice. MC4R localizes and functions at the neuronal primary cilium, a microtubule-based organelle that senses and relays extracellular signals. Here, we demonstrate that MRAP2 is critical for the ciliary localization and weight-regulating function of MC4R. Our data reveal that GPCR localization to primary cilia can require specific accessory proteins that may not be present in heterologous cell systems. Our findings also demonstrate the essential role of neuronal primary cilia localization of MC4R for adequate control of energy homeostasis and the obesity-promoting effect of genetic disruption of this pathway.

scholarly journals Structural insights into ligand efficacy and activation of the glucagon receptor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hilger ◽  
Kaavya Krishna Kumar ◽  
Hongli Hu ◽  
Mie Fabricius Pedersen ◽  
Lise Giehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Glucagon Receptor ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Class B ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes ◽  
Sugar Levels

AbstractThe glucagon receptor family comprises Class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. Receptors of this family represent important therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Despite intensive structural studies, we only have a poor understanding of the mechanism of peptide hormone-induced Class B receptor activation. This process involves the formation of a sharp kink in transmembrane helix 6 that moves out to allow formation of the nucleotide-free G protein complex. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of the glucagon receptor (GCGR), a prototypical Class B GPCR, in complex with an engineered soluble glucagon derivative and the heterotrimeric G-protein, Gs. Comparison with the previously determined crystal structures of GCGR bound to a partial agonist reveals a structural framework to explain the molecular basis of ligand efficacy that is further supported by mutagenesis data.

scholarly journals Structure and dynamics of semaglutide and taspoglutide bound GLP-1R-Gs complexes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Matthew J. Belousoff ◽  
Yi-Lynn Liang ◽  
Radostin Danev ◽  
Patrick M. Sexton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Information ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
Gs Protein ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

SUMMARYThe glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) regulates insulin secretion, carbohydrate metabolism and appetite, and is an important target for treatment of type II diabetes and obesity. Multiple GLP-1R agonists have entered into clinical trials, such as semaglutide, progressing to approval. Others, including taspoglutide, failed through high incidence of side-effects or insufficient efficacy. GLP-1R agonists have a broad spectrum of signalling profiles. However, molecular understanding is limited by a lack of structural information on how different GLP-1R agonists engage with the GLP-1R. In this study, we determined cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of GLP-1R-Gs protein complexes bound with semaglutide and taspoglutide. These revealed similar peptide binding modes to that previously observed for GLP-1. However, 3D variability analysis of the cryo-EM micrographs revealed different motions within the bound peptides and the receptor relative to when GLP-1 is bound. This work provides novel insights into the molecular determinants of peptide engagement with the GLP-1R.

scholarly journals Role of the ERC motif in the proximal part of the second intracellular loop and the C-terminal domain of the human prostaglandin F2α receptor (hFP-R) in G-protein coupling control

2005 ◽  
Vol 388 (1) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea PATHE-NEUSCHÄFER-RUBE ◽  
Frank NEUSCHÄFER-RUBE ◽  
Gerhard P. PÜSCHEL
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesion Kinase ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Inositol Trisphosphate ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Prostanoid Receptors ◽  
Constitutive Activation ◽  
Terminal Domain

The human FP-R (F2α prostaglandin receptor) is a Gq-coupled heptahelical ectoreceptor, which is of significant medical interest, since it is a potential target for the treatment of glaucoma and preterm labour. On agonist exposure, it mediates an increase in intracellular inositol phosphate formation. Little is known about the structures that govern the agonist-dependent receptor activation. In other prostanoid receptors, the C-terminal domain has been inferred in the control of agonist-dependent receptor activation. A DRY motif at the beginning of the second intracellular loop is highly conserved throughout the G-protein-coupled receptor family and appears to be crucial for controlling agonist-dependent receptor activation. It is replaced by an ERC motif in the FP-R and no evidence for the relevance of this motif in ligand-dependent activation of prostanoid receptors has been provided so far. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the potential role of the C-terminal domain and the ERC motif in agonist-controlled intracellular signalling in FP-R mutants generated by site-directed mutagenesis. It was found that substitution of the acidic Glu132 in the ERC motif by a threonine residue led to full constitutive activation, whereas truncation of the receptor's C-terminal domain led to partial constitutive activation of all three intracellular signal pathways that had previously been shown to be activated by the FP-R, i.e. inositol trisphosphate formation, focal adhesion kinase activation and T-cell factor signalling. Inositol trisphosphate formation and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation were further enhanced by ligand binding in cells expressing the truncation mutant but not the E132T (Glu132→Thr) mutant. Thus C-terminal truncation appeared to result in a receptor with partial constitutive activation, whereas substitution of Glu132 by threonine apparently resulted in a receptor with full constitutive activity.

scholarly journals Alanine Scanning Mutagenesis of the DRYxxI Motif and Intracellular Loop 2 of Human Melanocortin-4 Receptor

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 7611
Author(s):  
Li-Kun Yang ◽  
Ya-Xiong Tao
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Alanine Scanning Mutagenesis ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Alanine Scanning ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
Loop 2

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, which has been extensively studied in obesity pathogenesis due to its critical role in regulating energy homeostasis. Both the Gs-cAMP and ERK1/2 cascades are known as important intracellular signaling pathways initiated by the MC4R. The DRYxxI motif at the end of transmembrane domain 3 and the intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) are thought to be crucial for receptor function in several GPCRs. To study the functions of this domain in MC4R, we performed alanine-scanning mutagenesis on seventeen residues. We showed that one residue was critical for receptor cell surface expression. Eight residues were important for ligand binding. Mutations of three residues impaired Gs-cAMP signaling without changing the binding properties. Investigation on constitutive activities of all the mutants in the cAMP pathway revealed that six residues were involved in constraining the receptor in inactive states and five residues were important for receptor activation in the absence of an agonist. In addition, mutations of four residues impaired the ligand-stimulated ERK1/2 signaling pathway without affecting the binding properties. We also showed that some mutants were biased to the Gs-cAMP or ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In summary, we demonstrated that the DRYxxI motif and ICL2 were important for MC4R function.

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