The X-ray crystal structure of the human β2 adrenergic receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), covalently bound to a small-molecule agonist is solved. Comparison of this structure with structures of this GPCR in an inactive state and in an antibody-stabilized active state reveals how binding events at both the extracellular and intracellular surfaces stabilize the active conformation of the receptor. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the agonist-bound active state spontaneously relaxes to an inactive-like state in the absence of a G protein.
- Daniel M. Rosenbaum
- Cheng Zhang
- Brian K. Kobilka
