Structural features of activated GPCR signaling complexes

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2020 Aug:63:82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.04.008. Epub 2020 May 30.

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) couple to diverse heterotrimeric G protein subtypes and then activate downstream signaling pathways in classical GPCR activation. It has also been found that GPCRs transduce signals through different regulatory proteins, such as arrestins. Recently, owing to the breakthroughs in cryo-electron macroscopy (Cryo-EM), numerous structures of GPCR-G protein or GPCR-arrestin complexes have been deciphered. In this review, we summarize most of reported GPCR signaling complex structures, with an emphasis on the structural features of rhodopsin-like GPCR activation and G protein-binding/arrestin-binding modes, to illustrate the activation and signaling mechanism of rhodopsin-like GPCRs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arrestin / chemistry
  • Arrestin / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Arrestin
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • GTP-Binding Proteins