Structure of the dopamine D receptor in complex with the antipsychotic drug spiperone.

In addition to the serotonin 5-HT receptor (5-HTR), the dopamine D receptor (DR) is a key therapeutic target of antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia. The inactive state structures of DR have been described in complex with the inverse agonists risperidone (DR) and haloperidol (DR). Here we describe the structure of human DR in complex with spiperone (DR).

Structure and selectivity engineering of the M muscarinic receptor toxin complex.

Muscarinic toxins (MTs) are natural toxins produced by mamba snakes that primarily bind to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (MAChRs) and modulate their function. Despite their similar primary and tertiary structures, MTs show distinct binding selectivity toward different MAChRs. The molecular details of how MTs distinguish MAChRs are not well understood.

Low response in eliciting neuraminidase inhibition activity of sera among recipients of a split, monovalent pandemic influenza vaccine during the 2009 pandemic.

Antibodies against influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) protein prevent releasing of the virus from host cells and spreading of infection foci and are considered the 'second line of defence' against influenza. Haemagglutinin inhibition antibody-low responders (HI-LRs) are present among influenza split vaccine recipients. The NA inhibition (NAI) antibody response in vaccinees is worth exploring, especially those in the HI-LRs population.

Cryo-EM structure of the human PAC1 receptor coupled to an engineered heterotrimeric G protein.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide hormone. The PACAP receptor PAC1R, which belongs to the class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), is a drug target for mental disorders and dry eye syndrome. Here, we present a cryo-EM structure of human PAC1R bound to PACAP and an engineered G heterotrimer.

Fluctuations in Antibody Titers against Enterovirus D68 in Pediatric Sera Collected in a Community before, during, and after a Possible Outbreak.

We previously reported a hospital-based epidemiological study on enterovirus (EV)-D68 infection among children during the autumn of 2015, which indirectly inferred an outbreak in Sendai, Japan. In this study, stocked sera of children (aged 0-6 years; without symptoms of infectious diseases) in the Sendai community collected during 4 periods (1 year before, 6 months before, immediately after, and 1 year after the possible outbreak period) were analyzed using the neutralization antibody titer assay to determine community children's immunity levels against EV-D68 infection. The immunity levels were confirmed to have increased during the possible outbreak period and to have gradually waned over 1 year without another outbreak.

Rare, functional, somatic variants in gene families linked to cancer genes: GPCR signaling as a paradigm.

Oncodriver genes are usually identified when mutations recur in multiple tumours. Different drivers often converge in the activation or repression of key cancer-relevant pathways. However, as many pathways contain multiple members of the same gene family, individual mutations might be overlooked, as each family member would necessarily have a lower mutation frequency and thus not identified as significant in any one-gene-at-a-time analysis.

Crystal structure of human endothelin ET receptor in complex with peptide inverse agonist IRL2500.

Endothelin receptors (ET and ET) are G-protein-coupled receptors activated by endothelin-1 and are involved in blood pressure regulation. IRL2500 is a peptide-mimetic of the C-terminal tripeptide of endothelin-1, and has been characterized as a potent ET-selective antagonist, which has preventive effects against brain edema. Here, we report the crystal structure of the human ET receptor in complex with IRL2500 at 2.

Conformational transitions of a neurotensin receptor 1-G complex.

Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that engages multiple subtypes of G protein, and is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, body temperature, weight and the response to pain. Here we present structures of human NTSR1 in complex with the agonist JMV449 and the heterotrimeric G protein, at a resolution of 3 Å. We identify two conformations: a canonical-state complex that is similar to recently reported GPCR-G complexes (in which the nucleotide-binding pocket adopts more flexible conformations that may facilitate nucleotide exchange), and a non-canonical state in which the G protein is rotated by about 45 degrees relative to the receptor and exhibits a more rigid nucleotide-binding pocket.

Illuminating G-Protein-Coupling Selectivity of GPCRs.

Heterotrimetic G proteins consist of four subfamilies (G, G, G, and G) that mediate signaling via G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), principally by receptors binding Gα C termini. G-protein-coupling profiles govern GPCR-induced cellular responses, yet receptor sequence selectivity determinants remain elusive. Here, we systematically quantified ligand-induced interactions between 148 GPCRs and all 11 unique Gα subunit C termini.

Structures of the 5-HT receptor in complex with the antipsychotics risperidone and zotepine.

Many drugs target the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR), including second-generation antipsychotics that also target the dopamine D receptor (DR). These drugs often produce severe side effects due to non-selective binding to other aminergic receptors. Here, we report the structures of human 5-HTR in complex with the second-generation antipsychotics risperidone and zotepine.

Crystal structures of human ET receptor provide mechanistic insight into receptor activation and partial activation.

Endothelin receptors (ET and ET) are class A GPCRs activated by vasoactive peptide endothelins, and are involved in blood pressure regulation. ET-selective signalling induces vasorelaxation, and thus selective ET agonists are expected to be utilized for improved anti-tumour drug delivery and neuroprotection. Here, we report the crystal structures of human ET receptor in complex with ET-selective agonist, endothelin-3 and an ET-selective endothelin analogue IRL1620.

Case study-based time-course analysis of symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus infections followed by acute sinusitis in otherwise-healthy adults.

Reports on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are abundant in pediatric and geriatric populations but not many in healthy adults, and particularly, those which demonstrated the illness throughout its time course are rare. We report two otherwise-healthy adult cases, showing a number of evidence essential for confirmation of exclusive infections with RSV, and document their clinical features from the onset of the disease to recovery, including secondary sinusitis with magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) images. The infection was proven by isolating RSV belonging to subgroup B and by observing elevated anti-RSV antibody titer in the paired sera.

X-ray structures of endothelin ET receptor bound to clinical antagonist bosentan and its analog.

Endothelin receptors (ETRs) have crucial roles in vascular control and are targets for drugs designed to treat circulatory-system diseases and cancer progression. The nonpeptide dual-ETR antagonist bosentan is the first oral drug approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here we report crystal structures of human endothelin ET receptor bound to bosentan and to the ET-selective analog K-8794, at 3.

Differences in viral load among human respiratory syncytial virus genotypes in hospitalized children with severe acute respiratory infections in the Philippines.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading viral etiologic agent of pediatric lower respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Two antigenic subgroups, HRSV-A and B, each contain several genotypes. While viral load may vary among HRSV genotypes and affect the clinical course of disease, data are scarce regarding the actual differences among genotypes.