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Title: Structure of a Signaling Cannabinoid Receptor 1-G Protein Complex

Journal Article · · Cell
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [4];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3]
  1. Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (United States)
  2. Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (United States); Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA (United States)
  3. Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (United States); Stanford Univ., Menlo Park, CA (United States). SLAC National Accelerator Lab
  4. Oregon Health Sciences Univ., Portland, OR (United States)

Cannabis elicits its mood-enhancing and analgesic effects through the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that signals primarily through the adenylyl cyclase-inhibiting heterotrimeric G protein Gi. Activation of CB1-Gi signaling pathways holds potential for treating a number of neurological disorders and is thus crucial to understand the mechanism of Gi activation by CB1. Here, we present the structure of the CB1-Gi signaling complex bound to the highly potent agonist MDMB-Fubinaca (FUB), a recently emerged illicit synthetic cannabinoid infused in street drugs that have been associated with numerous overdoses and fatalities. The structure illustrates how FUB stabilizes the receptor in an active state to facilitate nucleotide exchange in Gi. Furthermore the results compose the structural framework to explain CB1 activation by different classes of ligands and provide insights into the G protein coupling and selectivity mechanisms adopted by the receptor.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515; R37DA036246; R01GM083118
OSTI ID:
1503451
Journal Information:
Cell, Vol. 176, Issue 3; ISSN 0092-8674
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 247 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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In vitro determination of the efficacy of illicit synthetic cannabinoids at CB 1 receptors journal December 2019
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Adding more “spice” to the pot: A review of the chemistry and pharmacology of newly emerging heterocyclic synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists journal January 2020