Download MendeleyExtension of Drosophila melanogaster life span with a GPCR peptide inhibitor.
Ja, W.W., West, A.P., Delker, S.L., Bjorkman, P.J., Benzer, S., Roberts, R.W.(2007) Nat Chem Biol 3: 415-419
- PubMed: 17546039
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.2007.2
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
2PZX - PubMed Abstract:
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate signaling from extracellular ligands to intracellular signal transduction proteins. Methuselah (Mth) is a class B (secretin-like) GPCR, a family typified by their large, ligand-binding, N-terminal extracellular domains. Downregulation of mth increases the life span of Drosophila melanogaster; inhibitors of Mth signaling should therefore enhance longevity. We used mRNA display selection to identify high-affinity (K(d) = 15 to 30 nM) peptide ligands that bind to the N-terminal ectodomain of Mth. The selected peptides are potent antagonists of Mth signaling, and structural studies suggest that they perturb the interface between the Mth ecto- and transmembrane domains. Flies constitutively expressing a Mth antagonist peptide have a robust life span extension, which suggests that the peptides inhibit Mth signaling in vivo. Our work thus provides new life span-extending ligands for a metazoan and a general approach for the design of modulators of this important class of GPCRs.
Organizational Affiliation:
Division of Biology, 1200 E. California Blvd. 156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
