Optimizing cryo-EM structural analysis of Gi-coupling receptors via engineered Gt and Nb35 application

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 Jan 22:693:149361. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149361. Epub 2023 Dec 7.

Abstract

Cryo-EM single particle analysis has recently facilitated the high-resolution structural determination of numerous GPCR-G complexes. Diverse methodologies have been devised with this trend, and in the case of GPCR-Gi complexes, scFv16, an antibody that recognizes the intricate interface of the complex, has been mainly implemented to stabilize the complex. However, owing to their flexibility and heterogeneity, structural determinations of GPCR-Gi complexes remain both challenging and resource-intensive. By employing eGαt, which exhibits binding affinity to modified nanobody Nb35, the cryo-EM structure of Rhodopsin-eGαt complex was previously reported. Using this modified G protein, we determined the structure of the ETB-eGt complex bound to the modified Nb35. The determined structure of ETB receptor was the same as the previously reported ETB-Gi complex, and the resulting dataset demonstrated significantly improved anisotropy. This modified G protein will be utilized for the structural determination of other GPCR-Gi complexes.

Keywords: Anisotropy; Cryo-EM; GPCR; GPCR-G-protein complex.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / metabolism
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • GTP-Binding Proteins* / metabolism
  • Rhodopsin* / metabolism

Substances

  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Rhodopsin
  • Antibodies