The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are key receptors in the modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Here we have determined three different crystal structures of the extracellular ligand-binding region of mGluR1--in a complex with glutamate and in two unliganded forms. They all showed disulphide-linked homodimers, whose 'active' and 'resting' conformations are modulated through the dimeric interface by a packed alpha-helical structure. The bi-lobed protomer architectures flexibly change their domain arrangements to form an 'open' or 'closed' conformation. The structures imply that glutamate binding stabilizes both the 'active' dimer and the 'closed' protomer in dynamic equilibrium. Movements of the four domains in the dimer are likely to affect the separation of the transmembrane and intracellular regions, and thereby activate the receptor. This scheme in the initial receptor activation could be applied generally to G-protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors that possess extracellular ligand-binding sites.

No abstract

No abstract

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is the principal growth factor regulating the maturation, proliferation and differentiation of the precursor cells of neutrophilic granulocytes and is used to treat neutropenia. GCSF is a member of the long-chain subtype of the class 1 cytokine superfamily, which includes growth hormone, erythropoietin, interleukin 6 and oncostatin M. Here we have determined the crystal structure of GCSF complexed to the BN-BC domains, the principal ligand-binding region of the GCSF receptor (GCSFR). The two receptor domains form a complex in a 2:2 ratio with the ligand, with a non-crystallographic pseudo-twofold axis through primarily the interdomain region and secondarily the BC domain. This structural view of a gp130-type receptor-ligand complex presents a new molecular basis for cytokine-receptor recognition.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Bcl-x L is a member of the Bcl-2 protein family, which regulates apoptosis. Preparation of recombinant rat Bcl-x L yielded two forms, one deamidated at -Asn-Glysequences to produce isoaspartates and the other not deamidated. The crystal structures of the two forms show that they both adopt an essentially identical backbone structure which resembles the fold of human Bclx L : three layers of two ␣-helices each, capped at one end by two short helices. Both forms have a long disordered region, which contains the potential deamidation sites. The molecular structure exhibits a low level of interhelical interactions, the presence of three cavities, and a notable hydrophobic cleft surrounded by walls rich in basic residues. These unique structural features may be favorable for its accommodation into membranes or for possible rearrangement to modulate homo-/heterodimerization. Homology modeling of Bcl-2 and Bax, based on the Bcl-x L structure, suggests that Bax has the strongest potential for membrane insertion. Furthermore, we found a possible interface for interaction with non-Bcl-2 family member proteins, such as CED-4 homologues.