Veli-Pekka Jaakola

The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) belongs to the melanocortin receptor family of G-protein coupled receptors and is a key switch in the leptin-melanocortin molecular axis that controls hunger and satiety. Brain-produced hormones such as α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (agonist) and agouti-related peptide (inverse agonist) regulate the molecular communication of the MC4R axis but are promiscuous for melanocortin receptor subtypes and induce a wide array of biological effects. Here, we use a chimeric construct of conformation-selective, nanobody-based binding domain (a ConfoBody Cb80) and active state-stabilized MC4R-β2AR hybrid for efficient de novo discovery of a sequence diverse panel of MC4R-specific, potent and full agonistic nanobodies. We solve the active state MC4R structure in complex with the full agonistic nanobody pN162 at 3.4 Å resolution. The structure shows a distinct interaction with pN162 binding deeply in the orthosteric pocket. MC4R peptide agonists, such as the marketed setmelanotide, lack receptor selectivity and show off-target effects. In contrast, the agonistic nanobody is highly specific and hence can be a more suitable agent for anti-obesity therapeutic intervention via MC4R.

The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) belongs to the melanocortin receptor family of G-protein coupled receptors and is a key switch in the leptin-melanocortin molecular axis that controls hunger and satiety. Brain-produced hormones such as α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (agonist) and agouti-related peptide (inverse agonist) regulate the molecular communication of the MC4R axis but are promiscuous for melanocortin receptor subtypes and induce a wide array of biological effects. Using a conformation-selective ConfoBody, the use of active state-stabilized MC4R facilitated efficient de novo discovery of a sequence diverse panel of MC4R-specific, potent and full agonistic nanobodies. We solved the active state MC4R structure in complex with the full agonistic nanobody pN162 at 3.4 Å resolution. The structure shows a unique interaction with pN162 binding deeply in the orthosteric pocket of MC4R and lacking the structural interactions of MC4R agonists reported to date. MC4R peptide agonists, such as the marketed setmelanotide, lack receptor selectivity and show off-target effects. In contrast, the agonistic nanobody is highly specific and hence can be a more suitable agent for anti-obesity therapeutic intervention via MC4R.

Membrane proteins are relatively challenging targets for structural and other biophysical studies. Insufficient expression in various expression systems, inherent flexibility, and instability in the detergents that are required for membrane extraction are the main reasons for this limited success. Therefore, identification of suitable conditions and membrane protein variants that can help stabilize functional protein for extended periods of time is critical for structural studies. Here, we describe a western blot-based assay that simplifies identification of thermostabilizing conditions for membrane proteins. We show successful testing of a variety of parameters such as additive lipids, ligands and detergents.

The C-terminus of the human adenosine A_2A receptor differs from the other human adenosine receptors by its exceptional length and lack of a canonical cysteine residue. We have previously structurally characterized this C-terminal domain and its interaction with calmodulin. It was shown to be structurally disordered and flexible, and to bind calmodulin with high affinity in a calcium-dependent manner. Interaction with calmodulin takes place at the N-terminal end of the A_2A C-terminal domain without major conformational changes in the latter. NMR was one of the biophysical methods used in the study. Here we present the H^N, N, C^α, C^β and C′ chemical shift assignments of the free form of the C-terminus residues 293–412, used in the NMR spectroscopic characterization of the domain.