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Molecular Pharmacology

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Research ArticleArticle

First High-Resolution Crystal Structures of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain-PGC1lower case Greek alpha Complex with Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Xu Liu, Yashuo Wang and Eric A Ortlund
Molecular Pharmacology August 7, 2019, mol.119.116806; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.119.116806
Xu Liu
Emory University
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Yashuo Wang
Emory University
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Eric A Ortlund
Emory University
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Abstract

Both synthetic and endogenous glucocorticoids are important pharmaceutical drugs known to bind to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. Ligand binding induces conformational changes within GR, resulting in subsequent DNA binding and differential co-regulator recruitment, ultimately activating or repressing target gene expression. One of the most crucial co-regulators is peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma coactivator 1-lower case Greek alpha (PGC1lower case Greek alpha), which acts to regulate energy metabolism by directly interacting with GR to modulate gene expression. However, the mechanisms through which PGC1lower case Greek alpha senses GR conformation to drive transcription are not completely known. Here, an ancestral variant of the GR (AncGR2) LBD was utilized as a tool to produce stable protein for biochemical and structural studies. PGC1α is found to interact more tightly and form a more stable complex with AncGR2 LBD than Tif2. We report the first high resolution X-ray crystal structures of AncGR2 LBD in complex with PGC1α and dexamethasone or hydrocortisone. Structural analyses reveal how distinct steroid drugs bind to GR with different affinities by unique hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Important charge clamps are formed between the activation function-2 (AF-2) and PGC1lower case Greek alpha to mediate their specific interactions. These interactions lead to a high level of protection from hydrogen-deuterium exchange at the coregulator interaction site and strong intramolecular allosteric communication to ligand binding site. This is the first structure detailing the GR- PGC1lower case Greek alpha interaction providing a foundation for future design of specific therapeutic agents targeting these critical metabolic regulators.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High resolution structures of AncGR2 LBD bound to DEX and HCY in complex with PGC1α are determined, which reveal the molecular mechanism of PGC1α binding to AncGR2 LBD as well as the distinct affinities between DEX and HCY binding. Identifying the structural mechanisms that drive drug affinity is of pharmacological interest to the glucocorticoid receptor field as an avenue to guide future drug design targeting GR-PGC1α signaling that plays crucial roles in controlling hepatic glucose output.

  • Corticosteroids
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Nuclear receptors
  • Receptor structure
  • X-ray crystallography
  • The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Molecular Pharmacology: 104 (4)
Molecular Pharmacology
Vol. 104, Issue 4
1 Oct 2023
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Research ArticleArticle

First High-Resolution Crystal Structures of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain-PGC1lower case Greek alpha Complex with Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Xu Liu, Yashuo Wang and Eric A Ortlund
Molecular Pharmacology August 7, 2019, mol.119.116806; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.119.116806

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Research ArticleArticle

First High-Resolution Crystal Structures of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain-PGC1lower case Greek alpha Complex with Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Xu Liu, Yashuo Wang and Eric A Ortlund
Molecular Pharmacology August 7, 2019, mol.119.116806; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.119.116806
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