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Unlabelled: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a member of the calcitonin (CT) family of peptides. It is a widely distributed neuropeptide implicated in conditions such as neurogenic inflammation. With other members of the CT family, it shares an N-terminal disulphide-bonded ring which is essential for biological activity, an area of potential α-helix, and a C-terminal amide. CGRP binds to the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) in complex with receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), a member of the family B (or secretin-like) GPCRs. It can also activate other CLR or calcitonin-receptor/RAMP complexes. This 37 amino acid peptide comprises the N-terminal ring that is required for receptor activation (residues 1-7); an α-helix (residues 8-18), a region incorporating a β-bend (residues 19-26) and the C-terminal portion (residues 27-37), that is characterized by bends between residues 28-30 and 33-34. A few residues have been identified that seem to make major contributions to receptor binding and activation, with a larger number contributing either to minor interactions (which collectively may be significant), or to maintaining the conformation of the bound peptide. It is not clear if CGRP follows the pattern of other family B GPCRs in binding largely as an α-helix.Linked Articles: This article is part of a themed section on Neuropeptides. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue-7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcitonin receptor (CTR) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) are two of the 15 human family B (or Secretin-like) GPCRs. CTR and CLR are of considerable biological interest as their pharmacology is moulded by interactions with receptor activity-modifying proteins. They also have therapeutic relevance for many conditions, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, lymphatic insufficiency, migraine and cardiovascular disease. In light of recent advances in understanding ligand docking and receptor activation in both the family as a whole and in CLR and CTR specifically, this review reflects how applicable general family B GPCR themes are to these two idiosyncratic receptors. We review the main functional domains of the receptors; the N-terminal extracellular domain, the juxtamembrane domain and ligand interface, the transmembrane domain and the intracellular C-terminal domain. Structural and functional findings from the CLR and CTR along with other family B GPCRs are critically appraised to gain insight into how these domains may function. The ability for CTR and CLR to interact with receptor activity-modifying proteins adds another level of sophistication to these receptor systems but means careful consideration is needed when trying to apply generic GPCR principles. This review encapsulates current thinking in the realm of family B GPCR research by highlighting both conflicting and recurring themes and how such findings relate to two unusual but important receptors, CTR and CLR. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Secretin Family (Class B) G Protein-Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The extracellular loops (ECLs) in Family A GPCRs are important for ligand binding and receptor activation, but little is known about the function of Family B GPCR ECLs, especially ECL3. Calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), a Family B GPCR, functions as a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and an adrenomedullin (AM) receptor in association with three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). Here, we examined the function of the ECL3 of human CLR within the CGRP and AM receptors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A CLR ECL3 chimera, in which the ECL3 of CLR was substituted with that of VPAC2 (a Family B GPCR that is unable to interact with RAMPs), and CLR ECL3 point mutants were constructed and transiently transfected into HEK-293 cells along with each RAMP. Cell-surface expression of each receptor complex was then measured by flow cytometry; [125I]-CGRP and [125I]-AM binding and intracellular cAMP accumulation were also measured. KEY RESULTS Co-expression of the CLR ECL3 chimera with RAMP2 or RAMP3 led to significant reductions in the induction of cAMP signalling by AM, but CGRP signalling was barely affected, despite normal cell-surface expression of the receptors and normal [125I]-AM binding. The chimera had significantly decreased AM, but not CGRP, responses in the presence of RAMP1. Not all CLR ECL3 mutants supported these findings. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The human CLR ECL3 is crucial for AM-induced cAMP responses via three CLR/RAMP heterodimers, and activation of these heterodimers probably relies on AM-induced conformational changes. This study provides a clue to the molecular basis of the activation of RAMP-based Family B GPCRs. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Secretin Family (Class B) G Protein-Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 The structural determinants of catechol hydroxyl interactions with adrenergic receptors were examined using 12 α[sub2]-adrenergic agonists and a panel of mutated human α[sub2A]-adrenoceptors. The α[sub2A]Ser201 mutant had a Cys→Ser201 (position 5.43) amino-acid substitution, and α[sub2A]Scr201Cys200 and α[sub2A]Ser201Cys204 had Ser→Cys200 (5.42) and Ser →Cys204 (5.46) substitutions, respectively, in addition to the Cys→Ser201 substitution. 2 Automated docking methods were used to predict the receptor interactions of the ligands. Radioligand-binding assays and functional [[sub35]GTPγS-binding assays were performed using transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells to experimentally corroborate the predicted binding modes. 3 The hydroxyl groups of phenethylamines were found to have different effects on ligand affinity towards the activated and resting forms of the wild-type α[sub2A]-adrenoceptor. Substitution of Ser200 or Ser204 with cysteine caused a deterioration in the capability of catecholamines to activate the &alpha[sub2A];-adrenoceptor. The findings indicate that (i) Cys20l plays a significant role in the binding of catecholamine ligands and UK 14.304 (for the latter. by a hydrophobic interaction), but Cys20l is not essential for receptor activation: (ii) Ser200 interacts with the meta-hydroxyl group of phenethylamine ligands, affecting both catecholamine binding and receptor activation; while (iii) substituting Ser204 with a cysteine interferes both with the binding of catecholamine ligands and with receptor activation, due to an interaction between Ser204 and the para-hydroxyl group of the calecholic ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]