Gαs slow conformational transition upon GTP binding and a novel Gαs regulator

Abstract

G proteins are major signaling partners for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although stepwise structural changes during GPCR-G protein complex formation and guanosine diphosphate (GDP) release have been reported, no information is available with regard to guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding. Here, we used a novel Bayesian integrative modeling framework that combines data from hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, tryptophan-induced fluorescence quenching, and metadynamics simulations to derive a kinetic model and atomic-level characterization of stepwise conformational changes incurred by the {beta}2-adrenergic receptor ({beta}2AR)-Gs complex after GDP release and GTP binding. Our data suggest rapid GTP binding and GTP-induced dissociation of Gs from {beta}2AR and G{beta}{gamma}, as opposed to a slow closing of the Gs -helical domain (AHD). Yeast-two-hybrid screening using Gs AHD as bait identified melanoma-associated antigen D2 (MAGE D2) as a novel AHD-binding protein, which was also shown to accelerate the GTP-induced closing of the Gs AHD.