Structure of the human M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor bound to an antagonist

HANDLE Open Access

Abstract

The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system regulates the activity ofmultiple organ systems.Muscarinic receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors that mediate the response to acetylcholine released from parasympathetic nerves1–5. Their role in the unconscious regulation of organ and central nervous system function makes them potential therapeutic targets for a broad spectrum of diseases. The M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M2 receptor) is essential for the physiological control of cardiovascular function through activation of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassiumchannels, and is of particular interest because of its extensive pharmacological characterization with both orthosteric and allosteric ligands.Herewe report the structure of the antagonistbound humanM2 receptor, the first human acetylcholine receptor to be characterized structurally, to our knowledge. The antagonist 3-quinuclidinyl-benzilate binds in the middle of a long aqueous channel extending approximately two-thirds through the membrane. The orthosteric binding pocket is formed by amino acids that are identical in all five muscarinic receptor subtypes, and shares structural homology with other functionally unrelated acetylcholine binding proteins from different species. A layer of tyrosine residues forms an aromatic cap restricting dissociation of the bound ligand. A binding site for allosteric ligands has been mapped to residues at the entrance to the binding pocket near this aromatic cap. The structure of the M2 receptor provides insights into the challenges of developing subtype-selective ligands for muscarinic receptors and their propensity for allosteric regulation.

Journal

  • Nature

    Nature 482 (7386), 547-551, 2012-01-25

    Nature Publishing Group

Details 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1050001335726296832
  • NII Article ID
    120003752107
  • ISSN
    00280836
  • HANDLE
    2433/152410
  • Text Lang
    en
  • Article Type
    journal article
  • Data Source
    • IRDB
    • CiNii Articles

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