Structural basis of Gs and Gi recognition by the human glucagon receptor

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 367 (6484) ◽  
pp. 1346-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Qiao ◽  
Shuo Han ◽  
Xinmei Li ◽  
Zhixin Li ◽  
Peishen Zhao ◽  
...  

Class B G protein–coupled receptors, an important class of therapeutic targets, signal mainly through the Gs class of heterotrimeric G proteins, although they do display some promiscuity in G protein binding. Using cryo–electron microscopy, we determined the structures of the human glucagon receptor (GCGR) bound to glucagon and distinct classes of heterotrimeric G proteins, Gs or Gi1. These two structures adopt a similar open binding cavity to accommodate Gs and Gi1. The Gs binding selectivity of GCGR is explained by a larger interaction interface, but there are specific interactions that affect Gi more than Gs binding. Conformational differences in the receptor intracellular loops were found to be key selectivity determinants. These distinctions in transducer engagement were supported by mutagenesis and functional studies.

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Polit ◽  
Paweł Mystek ◽  
Ewa Błasiak

In highly organized multicellular organisms such as humans, the functions of an individual cell are dependent on signal transduction through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and subsequently heterotrimeric G proteins. As most of the elements belonging to the signal transduction system are bound to lipid membranes, researchers are showing increasing interest in studying the accompanying protein–lipid interactions, which have been demonstrated to not only provide the environment but also regulate proper and efficient signal transduction. The mode of interaction between the cell membrane and G proteins is well known. Despite this, the recognition mechanisms at the molecular level and how the individual G protein-membrane attachment signals are interrelated in the process of the complex control of membrane targeting of G proteins remain unelucidated. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which mammalian Gα subunits of G proteins interact with lipids and the factors responsible for the specificity of membrane association. We summarize recent data on how these signaling proteins are precisely targeted to a specific site in the membrane region by introducing well-defined modifications as well as through the presence of polybasic regions within these proteins and interactions with other components of the heterocomplex.


2000 ◽  
Vol 275 (28) ◽  
pp. 21730-21736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigetomo Fukuhara ◽  
Maria Julia Marinissen ◽  
Mario Chiariello ◽  
J. Silvio Gutkind

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 1373-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Morris ◽  
Craig C. Malbon

Heterotrimeric G proteins in vertebrates constitute a family molecular switches that transduce the activation of a populous group of cell-surface receptors to a group of diverse effector units. The receptors include the photopigments such as rhodopsin and prominent families such as the adrenergic, muscarinic acetylcholine, and chemokine receptors involved in regulating a broad spectrum of responses in humans. Signals from receptors are sensed by heterotrimeric G proteins and transduced to effectors such as adenylyl cyclases, phospholipases, and various ion channels. Physiological regulation of G protein-linked receptors allows for integration of signals that directly or indirectly effect the signaling from receptor→G protein→effector(s). Steroid hormones can regulate signaling via transcriptional control of the activities of the genes encoding members of G protein-linked pathways. Posttranscriptional mechanisms are under physiological control, altering the stability of preexisting mRNA and affording an additional level for regulation. Protein phosphorylation, protein prenylation, and proteolysis constitute major posttranslational mechanisms employed in the physiological regulation of G protein-linked signaling. Drawing upon mechanisms at all three levels, physiological regulation permits integration of demands placed on G protein-linked signaling.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2712-2712
Author(s):  
Maike Rehage ◽  
Susanne Wingert ◽  
Nadine Haetscher ◽  
Sabrina Bothur ◽  
Hubert Serve ◽  
...  

Abstract Heterotrimeric G-proteins transmit signals of G-protein coupled receptors and regulate many basic cellular functions. However, their role in normal and malignant hematopoietic stem cells remains obscure. Activating mutations in the heterotrimeric G-protein Gaq were found in various cancers and its expression is enhanced in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and T-ALL. Our previous data suggested the involvement of heterotrimeric G-proteins in Flt3-ITD-mediated leukemic transformation. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 with internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is a frequent oncoprotein in acute myeloid leukemia causing constitutive active STAT5 signaling. Here, we investigated a novel role of Gaq in Flt3-ITD-induced leukemic transformation. We could show that Gaq is indispensable for aberrant FLT3-ITD activation and oncogenic function as Gaq activity is necessary to maintain the autophosphorylation of FLT3-ITD. Gaq abrogation resulted in diminished cell proliferation and colony formation as well as delayed leukemogenesis in vivo of Flt3-ITD leukemic cells. Importantly, the growth inhibition could be rescued by addition of IL3 and did not occur in the presence of FLT3 ligand-activated FLT3 wildtype receptor, demonstrating the specificity of Gaq requirement for FLT3-ITD oncogenic signaling. Interestingly, co-immunoprecipitations revealed a direct physical interaction between FLT3-ITD and Gaq which did not require phosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Hence, FLT3-ITD hyperphosphorylation seems to be rather a consequence of the interaction than a prerequisite. Flt3-ITD-induced transformation of murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) strictly depended on the presence of Gaq, and the ablation of Gaq/11 in transplanted Flt3-ITD-transduced HSPCs from conditional Gaq/11 double knock-out mice delayed leukemic burden. These findings of an unexpected, yet critical, role of Gaq place the molecule as an important target for antileukemic strategies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. F141-F158 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Raymond

The hormone-receptor-G protein complex transduces extracellular information into intracellular signals that ultimately regulate cellular functions in a highly specific manner. There are hundreds of receptor types that transduce signals through a relatively limited repertoire of heterotrimeric G proteins. Linear models of signaling specificity that require specific and highly selective coupling of hormone to receptor to G protein have proven inadequate to explain how highly particular signals are funneled through the G protein "bottleneck." Recent studies have uncovered a plethora of mechanisms that contribute to signaling specificity. This review focuses on the mechanisms that contribute to specificity in the interactions of receptors with G proteins.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (4) ◽  
pp. C930-C937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Kitamura ◽  
Naoki Shiraishi ◽  
William D. Singer ◽  
Mary E. Handlogten ◽  
Kimio Tomita ◽  
...  

Endothelin (ET) receptors activate heterotrimeric G proteins that are members of the Gi, Gq, and Gs families but may also activate members of other families such as Gα12/13. Gα13 has multiple complex cellular effects that are similar to those of ET. We studied the ability of ET receptors to activate Gα13 using an assay for G protein α-chain activation that is based on the fact that an activated (GTP-bound) α-chain is resistant to trypsinization compared with an inactive (GDP-bound) α-chain. Nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotides and AlMgF protected Gα13 from degradation by trypsin. In membranes from human embryonic kidney 293 cells that coexpress ETB receptors and α13, ET-3 and 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] increased the protection of α13 compared with Gpp(NH)p alone. The specificity of ETBreceptor-α13 coupling was documented by showing that β2receptors and isoproterenol or ETAreceptors and ET-1 did not activate α13 and that a specific antagonist for ETB receptors blocked ET-3-dependent activation of α13.


Physiology ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-161
Author(s):  
AM Brown

Signaling between cells may be accomplished or accompanied by changes in membrane potential. The latter is regulated by ion channels, which are targets for regulatory processes initiated during signaling. Cell signaling frequently involves heterotrimeric G proteins. Evidence that ion channels are G protein effectors and functional implications of such regulation are reviewed.


1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen R. Irving

Since receptor-coupled G proteins increase GTP hydrolysis (GTPase) activity upon ligands binding to the receptor, a study was undertaken to determine if abscisic acid (ABA) induced such an effect. Plasma membranes isolated from etiolated maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles were enriched in GTPase activity relative to microsomal fractions. Vanadate was included in the assay to inhibit the high levels of vanadate sensitive low affinity GTPases present. Under these conditions, GTPase activity was enhanced by Mg2+, stimulated by mastoparan, and inhibited by GTPγS indicating the presence of either monomeric or heterotrimeric G proteins. The combination of NaF and AlCl3 is expected to inhibit heterotrimeric G protein activity but had little effect on GTPase activity in maize coleoptile membranes. Cholera toxin enhanced basal GTPase activity, confirming the presence of heterotrimeric G proteins in maize plasma membranes. Pertussis toxin also slightly enhanced basal GTPase activity in maize membranes. Abscisic acid enhanced GTPase activity optimally at 5 mmol/L Mg2+ in a concentration dependent manner by 1.5-fold at 10 µmol/L and up to three-fold at 100 µmol/L ABA. Abscisic acid induced GTPase activity was inhibited by GTPγS, the combination of NaF and AlCl3, and pertussis toxin. Overall, these results are typical of a receptor-coupled G protein responding to its ligand.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (33) ◽  
pp. 16394-16403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Kalogriopoulos ◽  
Steven D. Rees ◽  
Tony Ngo ◽  
Noah J. Kopcho ◽  
Andrey V. Ilatovskiy ◽  
...  

Heterotrimeric G proteins are key molecular switches that control cell behavior. The canonical activation of G proteins by agonist-occupied G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has recently been elucidated from the structural perspective. In contrast, the structural basis for GPCR-independent G protein activation by a novel family of guanine-nucleotide exchange modulators (GEMs) remains unknown. Here, we present a 2.0-Å crystal structure of Gαi in complex with the GEM motif of GIV/Girdin. Nucleotide exchange assays, molecular dynamics simulations, and hydrogen–deuterium exchange experiments demonstrate that GEM binding to the conformational switch II causes structural changes that allosterically propagate to the hydrophobic core of the Gαi GTPase domain. Rearrangement of the hydrophobic core appears to be a common mechanism by which GPCRs and GEMs activate G proteins, although with different efficiency. Atomic-level insights presented here will aid structure-based efforts to selectively target the noncanonical G protein activation.


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