Helix 8 in chemotactic receptors of the complement system.

Host response to infection involves activation of the complement system leading to producing of anaphylotoxins C3a and C5a. A complement factor C5a exerts its effect through activation of C5aR1, chemotactic receptor 1, and triggers the G protein-coupled signaling cascade. Orthosteric and allosteric antagonists of C5aR1 are a novel strategy for anti-inflammatory therapies. Here, we discuss recent crystal structures of inactive C5aR1 in terms of an inverted orientation of helix H8, unobserved in other GPCR structures. Analysis of mutual interactions of subunits in the C5aR1 - G protein complex has provided new insights into the activation mechanism of this distinct receptor. By comparison of C5aR1 and its homolog C5aR2 we explained differences between their signaling pathways on the molecular level. A comparison of microsecond MD trajectories started from active and inactive receptor conformations also enabled to elucidate details of local and global changes in the transmembrane domain induced by interactions with the G subunit and to explain the impact of inverted H8 on the receptor activation.