Human GLP-1 receptor transmembrane domain structure in complex with allosteric modulators

Nature. 2017 Jun 8;546(7657):312-315. doi: 10.1038/nature22378. Epub 2017 May 17.

Abstract

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the glucagon receptor (GCGR) are members of the secretin-like class B family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and have opposing physiological roles in insulin release and glucose homeostasis. The treatment of type 2 diabetes requires positive modulation of GLP-1R to inhibit glucagon secretion and stimulate insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Here we report crystal structures of the human GLP-1R transmembrane domain in complex with two different negative allosteric modulators, PF-06372222 and NNC0640, at 2.7 and 3.0 Å resolution, respectively. The structures reveal a common binding pocket for negative allosteric modulators, present in both GLP-1R and GCGR and located outside helices V-VII near the intracellular half of the receptor. The receptor is in an inactive conformation with compounds that restrict movement of the intracellular tip of helix VI, a movement that is generally associated with activation mechanisms in class A GPCRs. Molecular modelling and mutagenesis studies indicate that agonist positive allosteric modulators target the same general region, but in a distinct sub-pocket at the interface between helices V and VI, which may facilitate the formation of an intracellular binding site that enhances G-protein coupling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Allosteric Site / drug effects
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Aminopyridines / chemistry
  • Aminopyridines / metabolism
  • Aminopyridines / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / chemistry
  • Benzamides / metabolism
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / agonists
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / chemistry*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phenylurea Compounds / chemistry
  • Phenylurea Compounds / metabolism
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology
  • Protein Domains

Substances

  • Aminopyridines
  • Benzamides
  • GLP1R protein, human
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • NNC0640
  • PF-06372222
  • Phenylurea Compounds