Cited by 3,009Receptor Mechanisms and SignalingProtein Kinase Regulation and GTPase SignalingNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Crystal structure of the β2 adrenergic receptor–Gs protein complex

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Rasmussen, Søren G. F., DeVree, Brian T., Zou, Yaozhong, Kruse, Andrew C., Chung, Ka Young, Kobilka, Tong Sun, Thian, Foon Sun, Chae, Pil Seok +12 more·2011·Nature

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are responsible for the majority of cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters as well as the senses of sight, olfaction and taste. The paradigm of GPCR signalling is the activation of a heterotrimeric GTP binding protein (G protein) by an agonist-occupied receptor. The β(2) adrenergic receptor (β(2)AR) activation of Gs, the stimulatory G protein for adenylyl cyclase, has long been a model system for GPCR signalling. Here we present the crystal structure of the active state ternary complex composed of agonist-occupied monomeric β(2)AR and nucleotide-free Gs heterotrimer. The principal interactions between the β(2)AR and Gs involve the amino- and carboxy-terminal α-helices of Gs, with conformational changes propagating to the nucleotide-binding pocket. The largest conformational changes in the β(2)AR include a 14 Å outward movement at the cytoplasmic end of transmembrane segment 6 (TM6) and an α-helical extension of the cytoplasmic end of TM5. The most surprising observation is a major displacement of the α-helical domain of Gαs relative to the Ras-like GTPase domain. This crystal structure represents the first high-resolution view of transmembrane signalling by a GPCR.

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Authors
Rasmussen, S. G. F., DeVree, B. T., Zou, Y., Kruse, A. C., Chung, K. Y., Kobilka, T. S., Thian, F. S., Chae, P. S., Pardon, E., Calinski, D., Mathiesen, J. M., Shah, S. T. A., Lyons, J. A., Caffrey, M., Gellman, S. H., Steyaert, J., Skiniotis, G., Weis, W. I., Sunahara, R. K., & Kobilka, B. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • University of Michigan (US)
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
  • Trinity College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
  • Sunahara, Roger K.
  • Kobilka, Brian K.
Venue
Nature
Published
2011-07-19
Volume
477
Issue
7366
Pages
549-555
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2167857702
Cited by
3,009
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 93 · 2025: 145 · 2024: 159 · 2023: 147 · 2022: 161 · 2021: 168 · 2020: 177 · 2019: 195 · 2018: 212 · 2017: 234 · 2016: 238 · 2015: 258 · 2014: 255 · 2013: 301 · 2012: 202
FWCI
107.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Scopus (Elsevier) (submittedVersion)
  • VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Sundhed og Sygdom, Det Frie Forskningsråd
  • Science Foundation Ireland (07/IN.1/B1836)
  • Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • Lundbeckfonden (R19-2008-2113, R37-2009-3457)
  • Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond
  • Vlaamse regering
  • H. Lundbeck A/S
  • National Institutes of Health (GM56169, GM75915)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM075915, U54GM094599, GM083118, GM 56169, P01GM075913, P01 GM75913, R01GM083118, P50GM073210, T32GM008270, GM75915, R01GM056169, R01GM068603)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P60DK020572, P60 DK 20572)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS-028471, R01NS028471, R37NS028471)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
beta2-adrenergic receptor, Gs protein, G protein-coupled receptors, G protein-coupled receptor signaling, adenylate cyclase, GPCR crystal structures, protein dynamics
MeSH terms
Animals, Cattle, Crystallization, Enzyme Activation, Models, Molecular, Protein Binding, Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2, Crystallography, X-Ray, GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs, Catalytic Domain, Multiprotein Complexes, Rats, Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists

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