Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor
This crystallography study analyzed the structure of LSD bound to a serotonin receptor and found that a branch of the receptor folds over the molecule while it is lodged into the binding pocket, and this lid-like structure secures LSD in place. This contributes to a slow dissociation rate of LSD, which forms the basis for its long-lasting effect. The authors suggest ways of introducing molecular mutations to selectively alter receptor signaling by increasing the mobility of this lid structure.
Authors
- David Nichols
- John McCorvy
- Bryan Roth
Published
Abstract
Introduction
The prototypical hallucinogen LSD acts via serotonin receptors, and ...
Methods
… here we describe the crystal structure of LSD in complex with the human serotonin receptor 5-HT2B.
Results
The complex reveals conformational rearrangements to accommodate LSD, providing a structural explanation for the conformational selectivity of LSD’s key diethylamide moiety. LSD dissociates exceptionally slow from both 5-HT2BR and 5-HT2AR-a major target for its psychoactivity. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that LSD’s slow binding kinetics may be due to a “lid” formed by extracellular loop 2 (EL2) at the entrance to the binding pocket. A mutation predicted to increase the mobility of this lid greatly accelerates LSD’s binding kinetics and selectively dampens LSD-mediated β-arrestin2 recruitment.
Discussion
This study thus reveals an unexpected binding mode of LSD; illuminates key features of its kinetics, stereochemistry, and signaling; and provides a molecular explanation for LSD’s actions at human serotonin receptors.
Research Summary of 'Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor'
Introduction
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a highly potent psychoactive ergoline that produces prolonged changes in perception and mood and has historically informed both clinical and basic research into consciousness. Earlier work established that LSD interacts with many aminergic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and that its psychedelic effects are primarily mediated via 5-HT2-family serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A. Beyond canonical G-protein signalling, more recent studies have shown that LSD strongly engages b-arrestin pathways at biogenic amine GPCRs, a phenomenon of ‘‘biased agonism’’ whereby ligands stabilise receptor conformations that favour particular intracellular signalling cascades. The structural determinants that underlie LSD's signalling bias, potency and unusually long apparent duration of action remained unclear. Wacker and colleagues set out to clarify the molecular mechanisms of LSD action at serotonin receptors. Their aims were to (1) determine the crystal structure of LSD bound to human 5-HT2B receptor as a model for 5-HT2A, (2) provide a detailed functional characterisation of LSD's biased signalling profile, and (3) use the 5-HT2B/LSD structure to infer structural features relevant to LSD's activity at the homologous 5-HT2A receptor, the major in vivo target for psychedelic effects. The work combined X-ray crystallography, mutagenesis and functional assays, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and homology modelling/docking to link ligand chemistry, receptor conformation, binding kinetics and functional selectivity.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Authors
- APA Citation
Wacker, D., Wang, S., McCorvy, J. D., Betz, R. M., Venkatakrishnan, A., Levit, A., Lansu, K., Schools, Z. L., Che, T., Nichols, D. E., Shoichet, B. K., Dror, R. O., & Roth, B. L. (2017). Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor. Cell, 168(3), 377-389.e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.12.033
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