Characterization of de novo synthesized GPCRs supported in nanolipoprotein discs

PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44911. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044911. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

The protein family known as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprises an important class of membrane-associated proteins, which remains a difficult family of proteins to characterize because their function requires a native-like lipid membrane environment. This paper focuses on applying a single step method leading to the formation of nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) capable of solubilizing functional GPCRs for biophysical characterization. NLPs were used to demonstrate increased solubility for multiple GPCRs such as the Neurokinin 1 Receptor (NK1R), the Adrenergic Receptor â2 (ADRB2) and the Dopamine Receptor D1 (DRD1). All three GPCRs showed affinity for their specific ligands using a simple dot blot assay. The NK1R was characterized in greater detail to demonstrate correct folding of the ligand pocket with nanomolar specificity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy validated the correct folding of the NK1R binding pocket for Substance P (SP). Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was used to identify SP-bound NK1R-containing NLPs and measure their dissociation rate in an aqueous environment. The dissociation constant was found to be 83 nM and was consistent with dot blot assays. This study represents a unique combinational approach involving the single step de novo production of a functional GPCR combined with biophysical techniques to demonstrate receptor association with the NLPs and binding affinity to specific ligands. Such a combined approach provides a novel path forward to screen and characterize GPCRs for drug discovery as well as structural studies outside of the complex cellular environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Genetic Engineering / instrumentation
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Lipoproteins / chemistry*
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism*
  • Nanostructures*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Solubility
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Lipoproteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

Grants and funding

This work was supported by funding from the University of California Discovery Grant Program, which is jointly funded by the University of California and Life Technologies Corporation. Funding was also provided by the National Science Foundation through the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology Center, managed by the University of California, Davis under Cooperative Agreement No. PHY 0120999. Work was also performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract number DE-AC52-07NA27344. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.