Valerie M. Tesmer

Snapshot of Activated G Proteins at the Membrane: The Gαq-GRK2-Gßγ Complex

G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) plays a key role in the desensitization of G protein–coupled receptor signaling by phosphorylating activated heptahelical receptors and by sequestering heterotrimeric G proteins. We report the atomic structure of GRK2 in complex with Gαq and Gβγ, in which the activated Gα subunit of Gq is fully dissociated from Gβγ and dramatically reoriented from its position in the inactive Gαβγ heterotrimer. Gαq forms an effector-like interaction with the GRK2 regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) homology domain that is distinct from and does not overlap with that used to bind RGS proteins such as RGS4.

Snapshot of activated G proteins at the membrane: the Galphaq-GRK2-Gbetagamma complex.

G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) plays a key role in the desensitization of G protein–coupled receptor signaling by phosphorylating activated heptahelical receptors and by sequestering heterotrimeric G proteins. We report the atomic structure of GRK2 in complex with Gαq and Gβγ, in which the activated Gα subunit of Gq is fully dissociated from Gβγ and dramatically reoriented from its position in the inactive Gαβγ heterotrimer. Gαq forms an effector-like interaction with the GRK2 regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) homology domain that is distinct from and does not overlap with that used to bind RGS proteins such as RGS4.

The Structure of G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase (GRK)-6 Defines a Second Lineage of GRKs.

We describe the 2.6-Å crystal structure of human G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-6, a key regulator of dopaminergic signaling and lymphocyte chemotaxis. GRK6 is a member of the GRK4 subfamily of GRKs, which is represented in most, if not all, metazoans. Comparison of GRK6 with GRK2 confirms that the catalytic core of all GRKs consists of intimately associated kinase and regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) homology domains. Despite being in complex with an ATP analog, the kinase domain of GRK6 remains in an open, presumably inactive conformation, suggesting that G protein-coupled receptors activate GRKs by inducing kinase domain closure. The structure reveals a putative phospholipid-binding site near the N terminus of GRK6 and structural elements within the kinase substrate channel that likely influence G protein-coupled receptor access and specificity. The crystalline GRK6 RGS homology domain forms an extensive dimer interface using conserved hydrophobic residues distinct from those in GRK2 that bind Gαq, although dimerization does not appear to occur in solution and is not required for receptor phosphorylation.

Heterotrimeric G protein β1γ2 subunits change orientation upon complex formation with G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) on a model membrane

Few experimental techniques can assess the orientation of peripheral membrane proteins in their native environment. Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was applied to study the formation of the complex between G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinase 2 (GRK2) and heterotrimeric G protein β1γ2 subunits (Gβγ) at a lipid bilayer, without any exogenous labels. The most likely membrane orientation of the GRK2-Gβγ complex differs from that predicted from the known protein crystal structure, and positions the predicted receptor docking site of GRK2 such that it would more optimally interact with GPCRs. Gβγ also appears to change its orientation after binding to GRK2. The developed methodology is widely applicable for the study of other membrane proteins in situ.

An autoinhibitory helix in the C-terminal region of phospholipase C-β mediates Gαq activation

The enzyme phospholipase C-β (PLCβ) is a crucial regulator of intracellular calcium levels whose activity is controlled by heptahelical receptors that couple to members of the Gq family of heterotrimeric G proteins. We have determined atomic structures of two invertebrate homologs of PLCβ (PLC21) from cephalopod retina and identified a helix from the C-terminal regulatory region that interacts with a conserved surface of the catalytic core of the enzyme. Mutations designed to disrupt the analogous interaction in human PLCβ3 considerably increase basal activity and diminish stimulation by Gαq. Gαq binding requires displacement of the autoinhibitory helix from the catalytic core, thus providing an allosteric mechanism for activation of PLCβ.

Structure of human G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 in complex with the kinase inhibitor balanol

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a pharmaceutical target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. To better understand how nanomolar inhibition and selectivity for GRK2 might be achieved, we have determined crystal structures of human GRK2 in complex with Gbetagamma in the presence and absence of the AGC kinase inhibitor balanol. The selectivity of balanol among human GRKs is assessed.

Assembly of High Order Gαq-Effector Complexes with RGS Proteins

Transmembrane signaling through Gαq-coupled receptors is linked to physiological processes such as cardiovascular development and smooth muscle function. Recent crystallographic studies have shown how Gαq interacts with two activation-dependent targets, p63RhoGEF and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2). These proteins bind to the effector-binding site of Gαq in a manner that does not appear to physically overlap with the site on Gαq bound by regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins, which function as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Herein we confirm the formation of RGS-Gαq-GRK2/p63RhoGEF ternary complexes using flow cytometry protein interaction and GAP assays. RGS2 and, to a lesser extent, RGS4 are negative allosteric modulators of Gαq binding to either p63RhoGEF or GRK2. Conversely, GRK2 enhances the GAP activity of RGS4 but has little effect on that of RGS2. Similar but smaller magnitude responses are induced by p63RhoGEF. The fact that GRK2 and p63RhoGEF respond similarly to these RGS proteins supports the hypothesis that GRK2 is a bona fide Gαq effector. The results also suggest that signal transduction pathways initiated by GRK2, such as the phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptors, and by p63RhoGEF, such as the activation of gene transcription, can be regulated by RGS proteins via both allosteric and GAP mechanisms.

Structural and functional consequences of a disease mutation in the telomere protein TPP1

Significance Telomerase is an enzyme that replicates chromosome ends to facilitate continued stem cell division. Mutations in telomerase or in telomerase-related genes result in stem cell-dysfunction diseases, such as dyskeratosis congenita (DC). Despite its devastating nature, DC currently has no cure. Here we report the crystal structure of a mutant protein implicated in DC to reveal how the mutation disrupts a region of the protein essential for telomerase function. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this mutation, when introduced into a human cell line, is sufficient to cause the cellular underpinnings of DC. Our results therefore make the strong prediction that correcting the mutation in the stem cells of the patient will reverse the cellular symptoms of disease. Telomerase replicates chromosome ends to facilitate continued cell division. Mutations that compromise telomerase function result in stem cell failure diseases, such as dyskeratosis congenita (DC). One such mutation (K170Δ), residing in the telomerase-recruitment factor TPP1, provides an excellent opportunity to structurally, biochemically, and genetically dissect the mechanism of such diseases. We show through site-directed mutagenesis and X-ray crystallography that this TPP1 disease mutation deforms the conformation of two critical amino acids of the TEL [TPP1’s glutamate (E) and leucine-rich (L)] patch, the surface of TPP1 that binds telomerase. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, we demonstrate that introduction of this mutation in a heterozygous manner is sufficient to shorten telomeres in human cells. Our findings rule out dominant-negative effects of the mutation. Instead, these findings implicate reduced TEL patch dosage in causing telomere shortening. Our studies provide mechanistic insight into telomerase-deficiency diseases and encourage the development of gene therapies to counter such diseases.

Dissecting the telomere-inner nuclear membrane interface formed in meiosis

Tethering telomeres to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) allows homologous chromosome pairing during meiosis. The meiosis-specific protein TERB1 binds the telomeric protein TRF1 to establish telomere–INM connectivity and is essential for mouse fertility. Here we solve the structure of the human TRF1–TERB1 interface to reveal the structural basis for telomere–INM linkage. Disruption of this interface abrogates binding and compromises telomere–INM attachment in mice. An embedded CDK-phosphorylation site within the TRF1-binding region of TERB1 provides a mechanism for cap exchange, a late-pachytene phenomenon involving the dissociation of the TRF1–TERB1 complex. Indeed, further strengthening this interaction interferes with cap exchange. Finally, our biochemical analysis implicates distinct complexes for telomere–INM tethering and chromosome-end protection during meiosis. Our studies unravel the structure, stoichiometry, and physiological implications underlying telomere–INM tethering, thereby providing unprecedented insights into the unique function of telomeres in meiosis.