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Allosteric interactions between GB1 and GB2 subunits are required for optimal GABA B receptor function
Author(s) -
Galvez Thierry,
Duthey Béatrice,
Kniazeff Julie,
Blahos Jaroslav,
Rovelli Giorgio,
Bettler Bernhard,
Prézeau Laurent,
Pin JeanPhilippe
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/20.9.2152
Subject(s) - allosteric regulation , biology , czech , receptor , philosophy , genetics , linguistics
Recent studies on G‐protein‐coupled receptors revealed that they can dimerize. However, the role of each subunit in the activation process remains unclear. The γ‐amino‐ n ‐butyric acid type B (GABA B ) receptor is comprised of two subunits: GB1 and GB2. Both consist of an extracellular domain (ECD) and a heptahelical domain composed of seven transmembrane α‐helices, loops and the C‐terminus (HD). Whereas GB1 ECD plays a critical role in ligand binding, GB2 is required not only to target GB1 subunit to the cell surface but also for receptor activation. Here, by analysing chimeric GB subunits, we show that only GB2 HD contains the determinants required for G‐protein signalling. However, the HD of GB1 improves coupling efficacy. Conversely, although GB1 ECD is sufficient to bind GABA B ligands, the ECD of GB2 increases the agonist affinity on GB1, and is necessary for agonist activation of the receptor. These data indicate that multiple allosteric interactions between the two subunits are required for wild‐type functioning of the GABA B receptor and highlight further the importance of the dimerization process in GPCR activation.