Download MendeleyThe dynamic basis of G-protein recognition and activation by a GPCR.
Kobayashi, K., Kawakami, K., Matsui, T.E., Yokoi, S., Fukuda, M., Narita, T.J., Arai, H., Tambo, M., Sumikama, T., Tatsumi, M., Yamashita, K., Koyanagi, J., Kugawa, M., Ikeda, H., Sumino, A., Mitsutake, A., Kobilka, B.K., Inoue, A., Kato, H.E.(2026) Nature 652: 812-821
- PubMed: 41813902 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10228-w
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
20ZC, 20ZD, 20ZG, 20ZH, 20ZI, 20ZJ, 20ZK, 20ZL, 9VAT, 9VAU, 9VAV, 9VAW, 9VAX, 9VAY, 9VAZ, 9VB0, 9VB1, 9VB2, 9VB3, 9VB4, 9VB5, 9VB6, 9VB7, 9VBA - PubMed Abstract:
G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling occurs through heterotrimeric G proteins, whose selective activation leads to distinct cellular outcomes 1 . Although more than 200 GPCR-G protein complex structures have been determined 2 , these static snapshots provide limited insight into the dynamics of G-protein association and dissociation. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of human neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTSR1) with minimally modified G o and G q , showing how the receptor's intracellular surface dynamically rearranges to accommodate each G-protein subtype. Furthermore, time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy analyses of NTSR1-G i visualized G-protein dissociation processes on GDP/GTP binding. Characterization of more than 20 intermediates, complemented by mutational and computational analyses, identifies four key mechanistic features. First, GDP/GTP induces G i release from both canonical and non-canonical active conformations with distinct kinetics. Second, NTSR1 uses common intracellular rearrangements to recognize different G-protein subtypes and to promote activation of a single subtype. Third, separation from Gβγ involves stepwise remodelling of the Gα switches I-III. Finally, G i dissociates from the receptor through a pathway that is distinct from that of G s , and the canonical and non-canonical NTSR1-G i complexes further diverge in their dissociation trajectories. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding GPCR signalling dynamics and guiding signal-targeted therapeutic development.
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan.
Organizational Affiliation:
