Structure of a Beta1-Adrenergic G-Protein-Coupled Receptor.
Warne, A., Serrano-Vega, M.J., Baker, J.G., Moukhametzianov, R., Edwards, P.C., Henderson, R., Leslie, A.G.W., Tate, C.G., Schertler, G.F.X.(2008) Nature 454: 486
- PubMed: 18594507 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07101
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2VT4 - PubMed Abstract: 
G-protein-coupled receptors have a major role in transmembrane signalling in most eukaryotes and many are important drug targets. Here we report the 2.7 A resolution crystal structure of a beta(1)-adrenergic receptor in complex with the high-affinity antagonist cyanopindolol. The modified turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) receptor was selected to be in its antagonist conformation and its thermostability improved by earlier limited mutagenesis. The ligand-binding pocket comprises 15 side chains from amino acid residues in 4 transmembrane alpha-helices and extracellular loop 2. This loop defines the entrance of the ligand-binding pocket and is stabilized by two disulphide bonds and a sodium ion. Binding of cyanopindolol to the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor and binding of carazolol to the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor involve similar interactions. A short well-defined helix in cytoplasmic loop 2, not observed in either rhodopsin or the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor, directly interacts by means of a tyrosine with the highly conserved DRY motif at the end of helix 3 that is essential for receptor activation.
Organizational Affiliation: 
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.