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G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can modulate diverse signaling pathways, often in a ligand-specific manner. The full range of functionally relevant GPCR conformations is poorly understood. Here, we use NMR spectroscopy to characterize the conformational dynamics of the transmembrane core of the β(2)-adrenergic receptor (β(2)AR), a prototypical GPCR. We labeled β(2)AR with (13)CH(3)ε-methionine and obtained HSQC spectra of unliganded receptor as well as receptor bound to an inverse agonist, an agonist, and a G-protein-mimetic nanobody. These studies provide evidence for conformational states not observed in crystal structures, as well as substantial conformational heterogeneity in agonist- and inverse-agonist-bound preparations. They also show that for β(2)AR, unlike rhodopsin, an agonist alone does not stabilize a fully active conformation, suggesting that the conformational link between the agonist-binding pocket and the G-protein-coupling surface is not rigid. The observed heterogeneity may be important for β(2)AR's ability to engage multiple signaling and regulatory proteins.

Cholesterol oxidase is immobilized in electrode-supported lipid bilayer membranes. Platinum electrodes are initially modified with a self-assembled monolayer of thiolipid. A vesicle fusion method is used to deposit an outer leaflet of phospholipids onto the thiolipid monolayer forming a thiolipid/lipid bilayer membrane on the electrode surface. Cholesterol oxidase spontaneously inserts into the electrode-supported lipid bilayer membrane from solution and is consequently immobilized to the electrode surface. Cholesterol partitions into the membrane from buffer solutions containing cyclodextrin. Cholesterol oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of cholesterol by molecular oxygen, forming hydrogen peroxide as a product. Amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide for continuous solution flow experiments are presented, where flow was alternated between cholesterol solution and buffer containing no cholesterol. Steady-state anodic currents were observed during exposures of cholesterol solutions ranging in concentration from 10 to 1000 μM. These data are consistent with the Michaelis–Menten kinetic model for oxidation of cholesterol as catalyzed by cholesterol oxidase immobilized in the lipid bilayer membrane. The cholesterol detection limit is below 1 μM for cholesterol solution prepared in buffered cyclodextrin. The response of the electrodes to low density lipoprotein solutions is increased upon addition of cyclodextrin. Evidence for adsorption of low density lipoprotein to the electrode surface is presented.

Recent crystal structures reveal the inactive states of non-rhodopsin G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in beautiful detail. Solution NMR spectroscopy is ideally suited to contribute dynamic information regarding GPCR activation. However, these eukaryotically-expressed membrane proteins remain challenging NMR targets. We apply selective labeling with [13C]methyl probes and two-dimensional NMR to analyze ligand-induced conformational changes in beta2-adrenergic receptor (b2AR).Lysine side chains were labeled with [13C]dimethyl probes to explore conformational changes in the b2AR extracellular surface. Lys305 forms a salt bridge connecting the extracellular end of transmembrane (TM) helix 7 with extracellular loop 2. The Lys305 NMR resonances are sensitive to conformational changes in the receptor extracellular surface. Using NMR, we observe disruption of the Lys305 salt bridge upon receptor activation by agonist. Computational modeling suggests that a lateral displacement of TM7 occurs in concert with an inward motion at the extracellular end of TM6 (thus extending the “global toggle switch” model of Schwartz (2006) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.) Different conformational changes occur upon inverse agonist binding. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that a conserved phenylalanine (Phe193) in the orthosteric ligand binding site is key for inverse agonism. Taken as a whole, these results demonstrate conformational coupling between the GPCR extracellular surface and orthosteric ligand binding site within the transmembrane domains (Ahuja (2009) Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.) This provides rationale for developing allosteric pharmaceuticals targeting the GPCR extracellular surface.Conformational changes within the b2AR transmembrane core are also observed by NMR using selective epsilon-[13CH3] labeling of methionines. While assignments are pending, clear conformational changes are seen with activation or inverse agonist binding. [13C]methyl NMR spectroscopy, in combination with crystal structures and molecular dynamics simulation, provides a dynamic view of the conformational changes intrinsic to GPCR function.