Crystal structure of rhodopsin: A G protein-coupled receptor

Science. 2000 Aug 4;289(5480):739-45. doi: 10.1126/science.289.5480.739.

Abstract

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) respond to a variety of different external stimuli and activate G proteins. GPCRs share many structural features, including a bundle of seven transmembrane alpha helices connected by six loops of varying lengths. We determined the structure of rhodopsin from diffraction data extending to 2.8 angstroms resolution. The highly organized structure in the extracellular region, including a conserved disulfide bridge, forms a basis for the arrangement of the seven-helix transmembrane motif. The ground-state chromophore, 11-cis-retinal, holds the transmembrane region of the protein in the inactive conformation. Interactions of the chromophore with a cluster of key residues determine the wavelength of the maximum absorption. Changes in these interactions among rhodopsins facilitate color discrimination. Identification of a set of residues that mediate interactions between the transmembrane helices and the cytoplasmic surface, where G-protein activation occurs, also suggests a possible structural change upon photoactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Light
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Retinaldehyde / chemistry
  • Retinaldehyde / metabolism
  • Rhodopsin / chemistry*
  • Rhodopsin / metabolism
  • Schiff Bases
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Vision, Ocular

Substances

  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Schiff Bases
  • Rhodopsin
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Retinaldehyde

Associated data

  • PDB/1F88