title: Clusters of transmembrane residues are critical for human prostacyclin receptor activation.
abstract: Relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and prevention of blood coagulation are mediated by ligand-induced activation of the human prostacyclin (hIP) receptor, a seven-transmembrane-domain G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In this study, we elucidate the molecular requirements for receptor activation within the region of the ligand-binding pocket, identifying transmembrane residues affecting potency. Eleven of 30 mutated residues in the region of the ligand-binding domain exhibited defective activation (decreased potency). These critical residues localized to four distinct clusters (analysis via a rhodopsin-based human prostacyclin receptor homology model). Residues Y75(2.65) (TMII), F95(3.28) (TMIII), and R279(7.40) (TMVII) comprised the immediate binding-pocket cluster and were shown to be essential for proper receptor activation, compared to equivalent expression levels of the wild-type hIP (WT EC(50) = 1.2 +/- 0.1 nM; Y75(2.65)A EC(50) = 347.3 +/- 62.8 nM, p < 0.001; F95(3.28)A EC(50) = 8.0 +/- 0.6 nM, p < 0.001; R279(7.40)A EC(50) = 130 +/- 63.0 nM, p < 0.001). Residues S20(1.39) (TMI), F24(1.43) (TMI), and F72(2.62) (TMII) were localized to a cluster involving P17(1.36), a critical residue thought to facilitate transmembrane movement during changes in activation conformation. A third cluster formed around amino acid D60(2.50) (TMII), containing the highly conserved (100% of prostanoid receptors) D288(7.49)/P289(7.50) motif located in TMVII. Last, a large hydrophobic cluster composed of aromatic residues F146(4.52) (TMIV), F150(4.56) (TMIV), F184(5.40) (TMV), and Y188(5.44) (TMV) was observed away from the ligand-binding pocket, but still necessary for hIP activation. These results assist in delineating the potential molecular requirements for agonist-induced signaling through the transmembrane domain. Such observations may be generally applicable, as many of these clusters are highly conserved among the prostanoid receptors as well as other class A GPCRs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stitham
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stojanovic
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Blount
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwa
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D044006:Receptors, Epoprostenol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C113936:PTGIR protein, human; D044006:Receptors, Epoprostenol; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin