Functionally discrete mimics of light-activated rhodopsin identified through expression of soluble cytoplasmic domains.
Numerous studies on the seven-helix receptor rhodopsin have implicated the cytoplasmic loops and carboxyl-terminal region in the binding and activation of proteins involved in visual transduction and desensitization. In our continuing studies on rhodopsin folding, assembly, and structure, we have attempted to reconstruct the interacting surface(s) for these proteins by inserting fragments corresponding to the cytoplasmic loops and/or the carboxyl-terminal tail of bovine opsin either singly, or in combination, onto a surface loop in thioredoxin. The purpose of the thioredoxin fusion is to provide a soluble scaffold for the cytoplasmic fragments thereby allowing them sufficient conformational freedom to fold to a structure that mimics the protein-binding sites on light-activated rhodopsin. All of the fusion proteins are expressed to relatively high levels in Escherichia coli and can be purified using a two- or three-step chromatography procedure. Biochemical studies show that some of the fusion proteins effectively mimic the activated conformation(s) of rhodopsin in stimulating G-protein or competing with the light-activated rhodopsin/G-protein interaction, in supporting phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal opsin fragment by rhodopsin kinase, and/or phosphopeptide-stimulated arrestin binding. These results suggest that specific segments of the cytoplasmic surface of rhodopsin can adopt functionally discrete conformations in the absence of the connecting transmembrane helices and retinal chromophore.
Abdulaev
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Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Ngo
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Chen
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Lu
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Ridge
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D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019393:Arrestin / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002845:Chromatography; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins; D051606:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 1; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D010748:Phosphopeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000737:chemistry*; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000737:chemistry; D013879:Thioredoxins / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D019393:Arrestin; D005136:Eye Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D010748:Phosphopeptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D017299:Rod Opsins; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D013879:Thioredoxins; D012243:Rhodopsin; D011494:Protein Kinases; D051606:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 1; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins