High-resolution crystal structure of an engineered human beta2-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptor

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors constitute the largest family of eukaryotic signal transduction proteins that communicate across the membrane. We report the crystal structure of a human beta2-adrenergic receptor-T4 lysozyme fusion protein bound to the partial inverse agonist carazolol at 2.4 angstrom resolution. The structure provides a high-resolution view of a human G protein-coupled receptor bound to a diffusible ligand. Ligand-binding site accessibility is enabled by the second extracellular loop, which is held out of the binding cavity by a pair of closely spaced disulfide bridges and a short helical segment within the loop. Cholesterol, a necessary component for crystallization, mediates an intriguing parallel association of receptor molecules in the crystal lattice. Although the location of carazolol in the beta2-adrenergic receptor is very similar to that of retinal in rhodopsin, structural differences in the ligand-binding site and other regions highlight the challenges in using rhodopsin as a template model for this large receptor family.     

Cloning of complementary DNA encoding a functional human interleukin-8 receptor

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an inflammatory cytokine that activates neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation, and the respiratory burst. Neutrophils express receptors for IL-8 that are coupled to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins); binding of IL-8 to its receptor induces the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores. A cDNA clone from HL-60 neutrophils, designated p2, has now been isolated that encodes a human IL-8 receptor. When p2 is expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis, the oocytes bind 125I-labeled IL-8 specifically and respond to IL-8 by mobilizing calcium stores with an EC50 of 20 nM. This IL-8 receptor has 77% amino acid identity with a second human neutrophil receptor isotype that binds IL-8 with higher affinity. It also exhibits 69% amino acid identity with a protein reported to be an N-formyl peptide receptor from rabbit neutrophils, but less than 30% identity with all other known G protein-coupled receptors, including the human N-formyl peptide receptor.     

A G protein-coupled receptor is a plasma membrane receptor for the plant hormone abscisic acid

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates many physiological and developmental processes in plants. The mechanism of ABA perception at the cell surface is not understood. Here, we report that a G protein-coupled receptor genetically and physically interacts with the G protein alpha subunit GPA1 to mediate all known ABA responses in Arabidopsis. Overexpressing this receptor results in an ABA-hypersensitive phenotype. This receptor binds ABA with high affinity at physiological concentration with expected kinetics and stereospecificity. The binding of ABA to the receptor leads to the dissociation of the receptor-GPA1 complex in yeast. Our results demonstrate that this G protein-coupled receptor is a plasma membrane ABA receptor.     

An estrogen-binding protein and endogenous ligand in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: possible hormone receptor system

A protein macromolecule in the cytosol of the unicellular eukaryotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae selectively binds the vertebrate estrogen hormone 17 beta-estradiol with high affinity. Lipid extracts of the yeast cells or the conditioned growth medium yield a substance that can bind competitively to the tritiated estradiol-binding sites in the yeast and to mammalian estrogen receptors. These findings suggest that the binding protein may be a primitive hormone receptor and that the lipid-extractable substance represents the endogenous ligand.     

Molecular characterization of a functional cDNA encoding the rat substance P receptor

Substance P is a member of the tachykinin peptide family and participates in the regulation of diverse biological processes. The polymerase chain reaction and conventional library screening were used to isolate a complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the rat substance P receptor from brain and submandibular gland. By homology analysis, this receptor belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. The receptor cDNA was expressed in a mammalian cell line and the ligand binding properties of the encoded receptor were pharmacologically defined by Scatchard analysis and tachykinin peptide displacement as those of a substance P receptor. The distribution of the messenger RNA for this receptor is highest in urinary bladder, submandibular gland, striatum, and spinal cord, which is consistent with the known distribution of substance P receptor binding sites. Thus, this receptor appears to mediate the primary actions of substance P in various brain regions and peripheral tissues.     

A chimeric, ligand-binding v-erbB/EGF receptor retains transforming potential

Comparison of amino acid sequences from human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and avian erythroblastosis virus erbB oncogene product suggests that v-erbB represents a truncated avian EGF receptor gene product. Although both proteins are transmembrane tyrosine kinases, the v-erbB protein lacks most of the extracellular ligand-binding domain and a 32-amino acid cytoplasmic sequence present in the human EGF receptor. To test the validity of the proposed origin of v-erbB and to investigate the functional significance of the deleted extracellular sequences, a chimeric gene encoding the extracellular and the transmembrane domain of the human EGF receptor joined to sequences coding for the cytoplasmic domain of the avian erbB oncogene product was constructed. When expressed in Rat1 fibroblasts, this reconstituted gene product (HER-erbB) was transported to the cell surface and bound EGF. Its autophosphorylation activity was stimulated by interaction with the ligand. Expression of the HER-erbB chimera led to anchorage-independent cell growth in soft agar and EGF-induced focus formation in Rat1 monolayers. Thus, it appears that v-erbB protein sequences in the chimeric receptor retain their transforming activity under the influence of the human extracellular EGF-binding domain.     

低温条件下日本医蛭各组织基因表达转录组测序及qPCR验证

为解析日本医蛭(Hirudo nippnica Whitman)繁殖的分子机理,研究不同温度下饲养的日本医蛭各组织基因表达差异情况。利用转录组学测序检测不同温度饲养条件下日本医蛭肌肉、环带和头部组织的基因表达情况,筛选出11个差异表达基因,并对其进行qPCR验证。qPCR结果显示一种具有去饱和酶功能的膜蛋白编码基因G6,在日本医蛭环带中的表达随温度的升高而降低,与转录测序结果一致,暗示G6基因可能为日本医蛭繁殖相关的关键基因。进一步对G6蛋白进行功能域预测,结果显示其属于一种跨膜蛋白。其他10个差异表达基因的转录组测序结果和qPCR结果基本保持一致,通过蛋白功能域预测结果显示预测出假定蛋白均含有的功能结构域;通过miRNA亲和预测,非编码RNA(G13)具有高亲和miRNAs特性。研究发现了10个潜在的功能基因和一个非编码RNA基因。     

The 2.6 angstrom crystal structure of a human A2A adenosine receptor bound to an antagonist

The adenosine class of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediates the important role of extracellular adenosine in many physiological processes and is antagonized by caffeine. We have determined the crystal structure of the human A2A adenosine receptor, in complex with a high-affinity subtype-selective antagonist, ZM241385, to 2.6 angstrom resolution. Four disulfide bridges in the extracellular domain, combined with a subtle repacking of the transmembrane helices relative to the adrenergic and rhodopsin receptor structures, define a pocket distinct from that of other structurally determined GPCRs. The arrangement allows for the binding of the antagonist in an extended conformation, perpendicular to the membrane plane. The binding site highlights an integral role for the extracellular loops, together with the helical core, in ligand recognition by this class of GPCRs and suggests a role for ZM241385 in restricting the movement of a tryptophan residue important in the activation mechanism of the class A receptors.     

Functional links between Aβ toxicity, endocytic trafficking, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors in yeast

Aβ (beta-amyloid peptide) is an important contributor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We modeled Aβ toxicity in yeast by directing the peptide to the secretory pathway. A genome-wide screen for toxicity modifiers identified the yeast homolog of phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) and other endocytic factors connected to AD whose relationship to Aβ was previously unknown. The factors identified in yeast modified Aβ toxicity in glutamatergic neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans and in primary rat cortical neurons. In yeast, Aβ impaired the endocytic trafficking of a plasma membrane receptor, which was ameliorated by endocytic pathway factors identified in the yeast screen. Thus, links between Aβ, endocytosis, and human AD risk factors can be ascertained with yeast as a model system.     

Regulation of phagocytosis and [Ca2+]i flux by distinct regions of an Fc receptor.

The binding of multivalent immunoglobulin G complexes to Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) on macrophages activates multiple immune functions. A murine macrophage cell line, but not a fibroblast cell line, that was transfected with human Fc gamma RIIA mediated phagocytosis and an intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) flux upon cross-linking of human Fc gamma RIIA. Transfected macrophages that expressed a truncated receptor lacking 17 carboxy-terminal amino acids phagocytosed small antibody complexes. However, only wild-type transfectants phagocytosed labeled erythrocytes and fluxed [Ca2+]i. Thus, the cytoplasmic domain of human Fc gamma RIIA contains distinct functional regions.     

A subset of yeast snRNA's contains functional binding sites for the highly conserved Sm antigen

Autoimmune sera of the Sm specificity react with the major class of small nuclear RNA (snRNA)-containing ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNP's) from organisms as evolutionarily divergent as insects and dinoflagellates but have been reported not to recognize snRNP's from yeast. The Sm antigen is thought to bind to a conserved snRNA motif that includes the sequence A(U3-6)G. The hypothesis was tested that yeast also contains functional analogues of Sm snRNA's, but that the Sm binding site in the RNA is more strictly conserved than the Sm antigenic determinant. After microinjection of labeled yeast snRNA's into Xenopus eggs or oocytes, two snRNA's from Saccharomyces cerevisiae become strongly immunoprecipitable with human auto-antibodies known as anti-Sm. These each contain the sequence A(U5-6)G, are essential for viability, and are constituents of the spliceosome. At least six other yeast snRNA's do not become immunoprecipitable and lack this sequence; these non-Sm snRNA's are all dispensable.     

拟南芥高迁移率族蛋白B族基因At2G34450在毕赤酵母中的表达及纯化(英文)

[目的]观察拟南芥高迁移率族蛋白B族基因At2G34450在毕赤酵母体系中的表达,获得重组蛋白。[方法]将At2G34450基因插入含AOX1启动子和α分泌信号肽序列的酵母表达载体pPIC9K中,用SalⅠ将重组质粒线性化,电击转化毕赤酵母GS115感受态细胞,筛选阳性整合子进行甲醇诱导表达。[结果]拟南芥At2G34450在酵母培养基中实现了表达,表达产物经SDS-AGE鉴定为重组蛋白。[结论]在毕赤酵母真核系统中实现了拟南芥At2G34450蛋白的表达,为进一步研究拟南芥HMGB家族蛋白打下了基础。     

Molecular characterization of the human beta 3-adrenergic receptor

Since the classification of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) into beta 1 and beta 2 subtypes, additional beta-ARs have been implicated in the control of various metabolic processes by catecholamines. A human gene has been isolated that encodes a third beta-AR, here referred to as the "beta 3-adrenergic receptor." Exposure of eukaryotic cells transfected with this gene to adrenaline or noradrenaline promotes the accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate; only 2 of 11 classical beta-AR blockers efficiently inhibited this effect, whereas two others behaved as beta 3-AR agonists. The potency order of beta-AR agonists for the beta 3-AR correlates with their rank order for stimulating various metabolic processes in tissues where atypical adrenergic sites are thought to exist. In particular, novel beta-AR agonists having high thermogenic, antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities in animal models are among the most potent stimulators of the beta 3-AR.     

猫血管紧张素转换酶2的三维结构模拟与真核表达

家猫能自然及人工感染SARS病毒,本研究旨在探讨家猫ACE2潜在的SARS病毒受体功能。以人血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)序列为模板,用同源模建法模拟了家猫ACE2的三维空间结构,发现家猫ACE2与人ACE2结构十分相似,其结合严重急性呼吸综合症(SARS)病毒囊膜纤突(S)蛋白的关键氨基酸的同源性很高(15/18)。将家猫血管紧张素转换酶2基因N端1-367 aa对应的基因片段及其跨膜区克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1/myc-his( )B中,构建了表达质粒pcDNA-mA367,转染HeLa细胞,间接免疫荧光检测表明fACE2的N端片段已在细胞膜上成功表达。     

狂犬病病毒G蛋白的原核表达及反应原性分析

为优化狂犬病病毒G蛋白的原核表达条件,探究其反应原性,参照狂犬病病毒CTN-1V10株编码G蛋白基因序列,采用生物工程合成的方法合成编码G蛋白的基因片段,并将该片段命名为G5F。将该片段与pET-28a原核表达载体连接,构建重组表达质粒pET-G5F,并将重组质粒进行诱导表达,在IPTG浓度为0.2 mmol/L、温度为20℃、诱导12 h时,重组蛋白表达量最高。SDS-PAGE电泳及Western blot分析表明,G5F重组蛋白可溶性表达量高,且可以被抗狂犬病病毒单克隆抗体识别,反应原性良好。     

Creating a protein-based element of inheritance

Proteins capable of self-perpetuating changes in conformation and function (known as prions) can serve as genetic elements. To test whether novel prions could be created by recombinant methods, a yeast prion determinant was fused to the rat glucocorticoid receptor. The fusion protein existed in different heritable functional states, switched between states at a low spontaneous rate, and could be induced to switch by experimental manipulations. The complete change in phenotype achieved by transferring a prion determinant from one protein to another confirms the protein-only nature of prion inheritance and establishes a mechanism for engineering heritable changes in phenotype that should be broadly applicable.     

拟南芥高迁移率族蛋白B族基因At2G34450在毕赤酵母中的表达及纯化

[目的]观察拟南芥高迁移率族蛋白B族基因At2G34450在毕赤酵母体系中的表达,获得重组蛋白。[方法]将At2G34450基因插入含AOX1启动子和α分泌信号肽序列的酵母表达载体pPIC9K中,用SaⅠl将重组质粒线性化,电击转化毕赤酵母GS115感受态细胞,筛选阳性整合子进行甲醇诱导表达。[结果]拟南芥At2G34450在酵母培养基中实现了表达,表达产物经SDS-PAGE鉴定为重组蛋白。[结论]在毕赤酵母真核系统中实现了拟南芥At2G34450蛋白的表达,为进一步研究拟南芥HMGB家族蛋白打下了基础。     

Structurally homologous ligand binding of integrin Mac-1 and viral glycoprotein C receptors

Three spatially distant surface loops were found to mediate the interaction of the coagulation protein factor X with the leukocyte integrin Mac-1. This interacting region, which by computational modeling defines a three-dimensional macromotif in the catalytic domain, was also recognized by glycoprotein C (gC), a factor X receptor expressed on herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected endothelial cells. Peptidyl mimicry of each loop inhibited factor X binding to Mac-1 and gC, blocked monocyte generation of thrombin, and prevented monocyte adhesion to HSV-infected endothelium. These data link the ligand recognition of Mac-1 to established mechanisms of receptor-mediated vascular injury.     

Receptors for dopamine and somatostatin: formation of hetero-oligomers with enhanced functional activity

Somatostatin and dopamine are two major neurotransmitter systems that share a number of structural and functional characteristics. Somatostatin receptors and dopamine receptors are colocalized in neuronal subgroups, and somatostatin is involved in modulating dopamine-mediated control of motor activity. However, the molecular basis for such interaction between the two systems is unclear. Here, we show that dopamine receptor D2R and somatostatin receptor SSTR5 interact physically through hetero-oligomerization to create a novel receptor with enhanced functional activity. Our results provide evidence that receptors from different G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein)-coupled receptor families interact through oligomerization. Such direct intramembrane association defines a new level of molecular crosstalk between related G protein-coupled receptor subfamilies.