title: Structural dynamics and thermostabilization of neurotensin receptor 1.
abstract: The neurotensin receptor NTSR1 binds the peptide agonist neurotensin (NTS) and signals preferentially via the Gq protein. Recently, Grisshammer and co-workers reported the crystal structure of a thermostable mutant NTSR1-GW5 with NTS bound. Understanding how the mutations thermostabilize the structure would allow efficient design of thermostable mutant GPCRs for protein purification, and subsequent biophysical studies. Using microsecond scale molecular dynamics simulations (4 μs) of the thermostable mutant NTSR1-GW5 and wild type NTSR1, we have elucidated the structural and energetic factors that affect the thermostability and dynamics of NTSR1. The thermostable mutant NTSR1-GW5 is found to be less flexible and less dynamic than the wild type NTSR1. The point mutations confer thermostability by improving the interhelical hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic packing, and receptor interactions with the lipid bilayer, especially in the intracellular regions. During MD, NTSR1-GW5 becomes more hydrated compared to wild type NTSR1, with tight hydrogen bonded water clusters within the transmembrane core of the receptor, thus providing evidence that water plays an important role in improving helical packing in the thermostable mutant. Our studies provide valuable insights into the stability and functioning of NTSR1 that will be useful in future design of thermostable mutants of other peptide GPCRs.
authors: †Division of Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, California 91010, United States.
authors: Sangbae
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: †Division of Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, California 91010, United States.
authors: Supriyo
authors: S
authors: Bhattacharya
authors: ‡MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K.
authors: Christopher G
authors: CG
authors: Tate
authors: §Membrane Protein Structure Function Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States.
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Grisshammer
authors: †Division of Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, California 91010, United States.
authors: Nagarajan
authors: N
authors: Vaidehi
mesh_terms: D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D009038:Motion; D009154:Mutation; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000737:chemistry; D018583:Pliability; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D055550:Protein Stability; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin; D012997:Solvents; C114036:neurotensin type 1 receptor; D014867:Water; D009496:Neurotensin