): The first step in vision is the interaction of light with rhodopsin, a protein bound to a light absorbing chromophore, 11-cis retinal. Photo absorption causes retinal to convert from a cis to trans conformational change, and this change in structure is transmitted to the surrounding protein. A series of protein-protein interactions are altered by the structural change, and a G-protein cascade is induced, eventually leading to a nerve impulse. This process is very well studied and its role in human perception and disease is understood at the basic level. However, the three-dimensional, atomic level structure of rhodopsin is not yet known. This is because the protein is a transmembrane receptor. Membrane proteins are very difficult to study using NMR or X-ray crystallography, the latter because of difficulties in obtaining crystals. Recently, crystals of bovine rhodopsin have been generated that are the focus of this proposal. X-ray crystal structure analysis has been initiated using these crystals, and a low resolution structure is available confirming the presence of seven transmembrane helices. In this project, more ordered crystals will be grown to provide a higher resolution view of the structure, including the inter-membrane polypeptide loops important for interactions with G-proteins. Trapped photostates of rhodopsin, several of its derivatives with altered chromophores, and mutants for the protein will also be studied crystallographically. These three-dimensional molecular structures will be used to correlate the biochemical and biophysical information about rhodopsin and its interactions with other molecules. In addition, this first structure of a G-protein coupled receptor will provide a base for homology modeling of other members of this pharmaceutically important protein family.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM063020-03
Application #
6636636
Study Section
Biophysical Chemistry Study Section (BBCB)
Program Officer
Chin, Jean
Project Start
2001-05-01
Project End
2005-04-30
Budget Start
2003-05-01
Budget End
2004-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$275,535
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
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