Reciprocal mutations of highly conserved residues in transmembrane helices 2 and 7 of the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor restore agonist activation of G(i1)alpha

Cell Signal. 2002 Feb;14(2):139-44. doi: 10.1016/s0898-6568(01)00218-2.

Abstract

Fusion proteins were constructed between the alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor and the alpha-subunit of the G-protein G(i1). Mutation of the highly conserved Asp(79) in transmembrane (TM) helix 2 of the receptor to Asn reduced the capacity of agonists to activate G(i1)alpha by 95% without altering [3H]antagonist or agonist ligand-binding affinity. A reciprocal mutation in TM helix 7 (Asn(422)Asp) was without effect on signalling effectiveness. Combination of these two mutations overcame the effect of the Asp(79)Asp mutation. By examining alterations in this helix 2-helix 7 microdomain, we further demonstrate the utility of receptor-G-protein fusion proteins to quantitate mutational effects on receptor-G-protein interactions and information transfer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists*
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / metabolism
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Asparagine / genetics
  • Aspartic Acid / genetics
  • COS Cells
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Epinephrine / metabolism
  • Epinephrine / pharmacology
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / metabolism*
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / pharmacology
  • Isoquinolines / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Naphthyridines / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Isoquinolines
  • Naphthyridines
  • RS 79948-197
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)
  • Asparagine
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go
  • Epinephrine