Beta2 adrenergic receptor-Gs protein complex

Introduction

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of protein receptors which have seven-transmembrane helices and are found over a large array on eukaryotic cells. These receptors take major part in a multitude of signal transduction pathways, including amongst others responses to hormones and neurotransmitters, sensing light, taste and smell, and many other responses. These receptors are also involved in many different types of diseases and are the target of almost 50% of current medical drugs. The Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptors are a type of GPCRs which are activated by catecholamine hormone ligands such as adrenaline (epinephrine). These receptors are responsible for many of the adrenaline related (“fight-or-flight”) responses and functions, and are used as a common model system for the GPCR family. GPCRs bind their ligand and overcome a conformational change which allows a Guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) to detach from the cellular end of the receptor and start the different signal transduction pathways. Since these receptors have seven transmembrane helices as well as inner and outer cell regions, they are very difficult to purify and crystalize. Some crystal structures have been determined for the inactive receptors as well as for the G protein that they bind. 3sn6 is the first structure of the full complex of the Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor bound to Gs in their active state, and it provides the first high-resolution insight into the mechanism of signal transduction across the plasma membrane by a GPCR.

G Protein Cycle

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The figure shows the G Protein cycle ^[1] - an extracellular agonist binds to the β2AR leads that enable the Gs heterotrimer to bind the receptor. GDP is released from the α subunit upon formation of β2AR–Gs complex. The GTP binds to the nucleotide-free α subunit resulting in dissociation of the α and βγ subunits from the receptor. The subunits regulate their respective effector proteins adenylyl cyclase (AC) and Ca2+ channels. The Gs heterotrimer reassembles from α and βγ subunits following hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in the α subunit.

The Gαs subunit consists of two domains, the Ras domain (αRas) and the α-helical domain (αAH). Both are involved in nucleotide binding. In the nucleotide-free state, the αAH domain has a variable position relative the αRas domain.

See Also

• Adrenergic receptor
• Antibody
• Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• GTP-binding protein
• Guanine nucleotide-binding protein
• Hormone
• Lysozyme 3D structures
• Nobel Prizes for 3D Molecular Structure
• Suggestions for new articles
• Transducin
• User:Wayne Decatur/UNH BCHEM833 Structural Analysis Workshop Session Fall 2012
• User:Wayne Decatur/UNH BCHEM833 Structural Proteomics Introductory Lecture Fall 2012
• 3sn6