Crystal structure of the human [sigma]^sub 1^ receptor

• Published in: Nature (London) 2016-04, Vol.532 (7600), p.527
• Main Authors: Schmidt, Hayden R, Zheng, Sanduo, Gurpinar, Esin, Koehl, Antoine, Manglik, Aashish, Kruse, Andrew C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Binding sites; Enzymes; Experiments; Genetics; Ligands; Mutation; Narcotics; Physiology; Proteins
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/nature17391

The human σ^sub 1^ receptor is an enigmatic endoplasmic-reticulum-resident transmembrane protein implicated in a variety of disorders including depression, drug addiction, and neuropathic pain1. Recently, an additional connection to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has emerged from studies of human genetics and mouse models2. Unlike many transmembrane receptors that belong to large, extensively studied families such as G-protein-coupled receptors or ligand-gated ion channels, the σ^sub 1^ receptor is an evolutionary isolate with no discernible similarity to any other human protein. Despite its increasingly clear importance in human physiology and disease, the molecular architecture of the σ^sub 1^ receptor and its regulation by drug-like compounds remain poorly defined. Here we report crystal structures of the human σ^sub 1^ receptor in complex with two chemically divergent ligands, PD144418 and 4-IBP. The structures reveal a trimeric architecture with a single transmembrane domain in each protomer. The carboxy-terminal domain of the receptor shows an extensive flat, hydrophobic membrane-proximal surface, suggesting an intimate association with the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane in cells. This domain includes a cupin-like β-barrel with the ligand-binding site buried at its centre. This large, hydrophobic ligand-binding cavity shows remarkable plasticity in ligand recognition, binding the two ligands in similar positions despite dissimilar chemical structures. Taken together, these results reveal the overall architecture, oligomerization state, and molecular basis for ligand recognition by this important but poorly understood protein.