Structure of the class D GPCR Ste2 dimer coupled to two G proteins

Nature. 2021 Jan;589(7840):148-153. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2994-1. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are divided phylogenetically into six classes1,2, denoted A to F. More than 370 structures of vertebrate GPCRs (belonging to classes A, B, C and F) have been determined, leading to a substantial understanding of their function3. By contrast, there are no structures of class D GPCRs, which are found exclusively in fungi where they regulate survival and reproduction. Here we determine the structure of a class D GPCR, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pheromone receptor Ste2, in an active state coupled to the heterotrimeric G protein Gpa1-Ste4-Ste18. Ste2 was purified as a homodimer coupled to two G proteins. The dimer interface of Ste2 is formed by the N terminus, the transmembrane helices H1, H2 and H7, and the first extracellular loop ECL1. We establish a class D1 generic residue numbering system (CD1) to enable comparisons with orthologues and with other GPCR classes. The structure of Ste2 bears similarities in overall topology to class A GPCRs, but the transmembrane helix H4 is shifted by more than 20 Å and the G-protein-binding site is a shallow groove rather than a cleft. The structure provides a template for the design of novel drugs to target fungal GPCRs, which could be used to treat numerous intractable fungal diseases4.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy*
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / metabolism
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism
  • Receptors, Mating Factor / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Mating Factor / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
  • MF(ALPHA)1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Protein Precursors
  • Receptors, Mating Factor
  • STE18 protein, S cerevisiae
  • STE2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Ste4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • GPA1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins