10 research outputs found
The effect of epigenetic modifications on the secondary structures and possible binding positions of the N-terminal tail of histone H3 in the nucleosome: a computational study
The Use of Amphipols for Solution NMR Studies of Membrane Proteins: Advantages and Constraints as Compared to Other Solubilizing Media
Evidence for functional pre-coupled complexes of receptor heteromers and adenylyl cyclase
Biosynthesis and NMR-studies of a double transmembrane domain from the Y4 receptor, a human GPCR
Asymmetric conformational changes in a GPCR dimer controlled by G-proteins
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key players in cell communication. Although long considered as monomeric, it now appears that these heptahelical proteins can form homo- or heterodimers. Here, we analyzed the conformational changes in each subunit of a receptor dimer resulting from agonist binding to either one or both subunits by measuring the fluorescent properties of a leukotriene B(4) receptor dimer with a single 5-hydroxytryptophan-labeled protomer. We show that a receptor dimer with only a single agonist-occupied subunit can trigger G-protein activation. We also show that the two subunits of the receptor dimer in the G-protein-coupled state differ in their conformation, even when both are liganded by the agonist. No such asymmetric conformational changes are observed in the absence of G-protein, indicating that the interaction of the G-protein with the receptor dimer brings specific constraints that prevent a symmetric functioning of this dimer. These data open new options for the differential signaling properties of GPCR dimers