Chemical Sciences Seminars

Peptide Ligand G Protein-Coupled Receptors are Dynamic Molecules in Lipid Membrane

by Prof. Daniel Huster (Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Leipzig University, Germany)

Friday, April 20, 2018 from to (Asia/Kolkata)
at AG-66
Description
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large group of membrane proteins, known to undergo a set of well-defined structural transitions upon activation and signaling. In our work, we address the molecular dynamics of peptide ligand GPCRs using solution and solid-state NMR. We work with human class A GPCRs that are activated by peptide hormones, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY) or ghrelin. The GPCRs are expressed in prokaryotic systems or by cell-free synthesis. In the talk, results on three research topics will be discussed. (i) Studies on the equilibrium dynamics of GPCRs using static 15N CP NMR, 15N NMR spectra acquired as a function of the CP contact time, and 13C MAS NMR experiments confirm the high molecular dynamics of three peptide ligand GPCRs. Quantitative determination of 1H-13C order parameters through measurement of the 1H-13C dipolar couplings in separated local field NMR experiments revealed axially symmetric motions of the GPCRs and molecular fluctuations of large amplitude [1, 2]. (ii) Data will be reported that led to the development of structural models of NPY bound to the Y1 and the Y2 receptors. Isotope-labeled NPY was used to determine the secondary structure of the receptor bound ligand. Upon receptor binding, the C-terminal α‑helix of NPY, formed in membrane environment in the absence of receptor, is unwound starting at Thr32 to make optimal contact of the C‑terminal residues within the binding pocket. The NMR signals of several hydrophobic residues in the α-helical region of NPY were broadened upon receptor binding. The ligands are tethered to the second extracellular loop by hydrophobic contacts, with the N-terminal part of its helix facing the solvent. The C‑terminal pentapeptide of NPY inserts deeply into the transmembrane bundle, making optimal contacts to the Y2 receptor including a contact NPY’s amidated C‑terminus with Gln3.32 in a polar cluster within helices 2 and 3 of the receptor [3, 4]. (iii) We will report data on the dynamics and ligand binding of the human GHS receptor, which plays a key role in the development of obesity [5].
 
[1] Schmidt et al. Chemistry 2014, 20, 4986.
[2] Thomas et al. J. Biomol. NMR 2015, 61, 347.
[3] Kaiser et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 52, 7446.
[4] Yang et al. Nature 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0046-x, in press.
[5] Schrottke et al. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 46128.