Molecular insights into ligand recognition and activation of chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR3

Z Shao, Y Tan, Q Shen, L Hou, B Yao, J Qin, P Xu… - Cell Discovery, 2022 - nature.com
Z Shao, Y Tan, Q Shen, L Hou, B Yao, J Qin, P Xu, C Mao, LN Chen, H Zhang, DD Shen…
Cell Discovery, 2022nature.com
Chemokine receptors are a family of G-protein-coupled receptors with key roles in leukocyte
migration and inflammatory responses. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy
structures of two human CC chemokine receptor–G-protein complexes: CCR2 bound to its
endogenous ligand CCL2, and CCR3 in the apo state. The structure of the CCL2–CCR2–G-
protein complex reveals that CCL2 inserts deeply into the extracellular half of the
transmembrane domain, and forms substantial interactions with the receptor through the …
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are a family of G-protein-coupled receptors with key roles in leukocyte migration and inflammatory responses. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of two human CC chemokine receptor–G-protein complexes: CCR2 bound to its endogenous ligand CCL2, and CCR3 in the apo state. The structure of the CCL2–CCR2–G-protein complex reveals that CCL2 inserts deeply into the extracellular half of the transmembrane domain, and forms substantial interactions with the receptor through the most N-terminal glutamine. Extensive hydrophobic and polar interactions are present between both two chemokine receptors and the Gα-protein, contributing to the constitutive activity of these receptors. Notably, complemented with functional experiments, the interactions around intracellular loop 2 of the receptors are found to be conserved and play a more critical role in G-protein activation than those around intracellular loop 3. Together, our findings provide structural insights into chemokine recognition and receptor activation, shedding lights on drug design targeting chemokine receptors.
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