Lipid-mediated dimerization of beta2-adrenergic receptor reveals important clues for cannabinoid receptors

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2008 Aug;65(15):2277-9. doi: 10.1007/s00018-008-8139-6.

Abstract

The high-resolution crystal structure of an engineered human beta2-adrenergic receptor has recently been resolved, suggesting a molecular mechanism by which cholesterol may mediate receptor dimerization. Here, we present a critical examination of new structural and functional insights derived from unprecedented preliminary homology modeling of cannabinoid receptors, obtained using the crystal structure of beta2-adrenergic receptor as a template. The structural comparison between the two cannabinoid receptor subtypes and the beta2-adrenergic receptor may be of particular interest, by providing important clues for the elucidation of the structural determinants involved in cholesterol binding. In addition, the implications of G protein coupled receptor dimerization, as well as the role of cholesterol in this process, are briefly discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / chemistry
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Cholesterol