Brian Kobilka talks with
ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about
this month's Fast Breaking Paper in the field of Biology
& Biochemistry. The author has also sent along
images of their work.
Article Title: High-resolution crystal structure of
an engineered human beta(2)-adrenergic G protein-coupled
receptor
Authors: Cherezov, V;Rosenbaum, DM;Hanson, MA;Rasmussen,
SGF;Thian, FS;Kobilka, TS;Choi, HJ;Kuhn, P;Weis,
WI;Kobilka,
BK;Stevens, RC
Journal: SCIENCE
Figure 1:
Structures of the ß2AR. Crystals of
the ß2AR have been grown using two
different approaches: (a) Wild-type
ß2AR in complex with Fab5 (Rasmussen
et al.). (b) Engineered
ß2AR-T4-lysozyme fusion protein
(described in Rosenbaum et al, and applied
in Cherezof et al). Fab5 and T4 lysozyme
sever similar functions in these two
crystal structures. They both stabilize
interactions between TM5 and TM6, and
provide additional polar surface area for
crystal lattice contacts. TM, transmembrane
segment; ICL2, second intracellular loop.