Feeling at home: Structure of the NTSR1-Gi complex in a lipid environment

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2021 Apr;28(4):331-333. doi: 10.1038/s41594-021-00581-x.

Abstract

The interaction of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with heterotrimeric G proteins plays a critical role in signal transduction processes, and multiple GPCR–G protein complexes reconstituted in detergent micelles have been visualized using cryo-EM. A new study reports the structure of neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) in complex with the heterotrimeric Gi protein, assembled in a lipid environment using circularized nanodiscs. The structure sheds light on how the lipid context may influence receptor–G protein coupling and activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Multiprotein Complexes / ultrastructure
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Receptors, Neurotensin / chemistry
  • Receptors, Neurotensin / genetics
  • Receptors, Neurotensin / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Receptors, Neurotensin
  • neurotensin type 1 receptor
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go