A Single Point Mutation Blocks the Entrance of Ligands to the Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor via the Lipid Bilayer

J Chem Inf Model. 2022 Nov 28;62(22):5771-5779. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00865. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

Abstract

Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations have become a common tool to study the pathway of ligand entry to the orthosteric binding site of G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we have combined MD simulations and site-directed mutagenesis to study the binding process of the potent JWH-133 agonist to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R). In CB2R, the N-terminus and extracellular loop 2 fold over the ligand binding pocket, blocking access to the binding cavity from the extracellular environment. We, thus, hypothesized that the binding pathway is a multistage process consisting of the hydrophobic ligand diffusing in the lipid bilayer to contact a lipid-facing vestibule, from which the ligand enters an allosteric site inside the transmembrane bundle through a tunnel formed between TMs 1 and 7 and finally moving from the allosteric to the orthosteric binding cavity. This pathway was experimentally validated by the Ala2827.36Phe mutation that blocks the entrance of the ligand, as JWH-133 was not able to decrease the forskolin-induced cAMP levels in cells expressing the mutant receptor. This proposed ligand entry pathway defines transient binding sites that are potential cavities for the design of synthetic modulators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Cannabinoids*
  • Ligands
  • Lipid Bilayers* / chemistry
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / genetics
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • 1,1-dimethylbutyl-1-deoxy-Delta(9)-THC
  • Cannabinoids
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1