A Ligand Channel through the G Protein Coupled Receptor Opsin
Author Information
Author(s): Hildebrand Peter W., Scheerer Patrick, Park Jung Hee, Choe Hui-Woog, Piechnick Ronny, Ernst Oliver P., Hofmann Klaus Peter, Heck Martin
Primary Institution: Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Hypothesis
The study investigates the structural properties of the G protein coupled receptor opsin and its ligand channel.
Conclusion
The study identifies a continuous channel through the opsin receptor that facilitates the uptake of 11-cis-retinal and the release of all-trans-retinal.
Supporting Evidence
- The channel connects the retinal binding pocket with two openings in the opsin structure.
- The conformation of Lys296 determines whether the channel is continuous or divided.
- Molecular docking experiments suggest that both 11-cis- and all-trans-retinal can fit into the channel.
Takeaway
The opsin receptor has a special channel that helps it take in and release a molecule called retinal, which is important for vision.
Methodology
The study used molecular dynamics simulations and docking experiments to analyze the structure and function of the opsin receptor.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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