Structural Studies in Rhodopsin and G Protein Activation

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G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a universally conserved signalling mechanism by which extracellular signals can be transduced across the plasma membrane. They make up ~3% of the human genome and ~50% of all non-antimicrobial theraputics act upon GPCRs or their pathways. Upon binding of agonist, structural changes activate the GPCR, and allow the GPCR to bind and induce nucleotide exchange upon the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein complex. Rhodopsin represents perhaps the best understood GPCR for both GPCR activation by ligand and for the consequent binding and induction of nucleotide exchange upon the G alpha subunit of its cognate G protein, transducin. Furthermore, rhodopsin and the rhodopsin: transducin complex has been used as a prototypical GPCR to model the process of activation in general among all GPCRs. While structures of both the ground state and several photointermediate states of rhodopsin have been solved through a variety of structural techniques, a significant gap exists in our knowledge. In order to fully understand the process of activation in rhodopsin as well we need to determine the precise molecular interactions that are responsible for (1) the process of rhodopsin going from the ground (dark) state to the fully active (Meta II) state and (2) the structural determinants for transducin binding and nucleotide exchange and activation. A high resolution structure of the Meta II activated state is needed to fully understand the sequence of events that comprises rhodopsin activation. Similarly, a large volume of biochemical and biophysical studies on transducin and G protein activation have been conducted, but without a structure of this complex, it is dificult to understand the underlying molecular basis for binding and nucleotide exchange. This proposal seeks to determine the fundamental changes in rhodopsin structure that accompany its transition to the activated Meta II state. Furthermore, we will determine the structure of the complex between rhodopsin and transducin, which will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of G protein binding and activation.