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Title: Crystal structure of the human NK1 tachykinin receptor

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

The NK1 tachykinin G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) binds substance P, the first neuropeptide to be discovered in mammals. Through activation of NK1R, substance P modulates a wide variety of physiological and disease processes including nociception, inflammation, and depression. Human NK1R (hNK1R) modulators have shown promise in clinical trials for migraine, depression, and emesis. However, the only currently approved drugs targeting hNK1R are inhibitors for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). To better understand the molecular basis of ligand recognition and selectivity, we solved the crystal structure of hNK1R bound to the inhibitor L760735, a close analog of the drug aprepitant. Our crystal structure reveals the basis for antagonist interaction in the deep and narrow orthosteric pocket of the receptor. We used our structure as a template for computational docking and molecular-dynamics simulations to dissect the energetic importance of binding pocket interactions and model the binding of aprepitant. Furthermore, the structure of hNK1R is a valuable tool in the further development of tachykinin receptor modulators for multiple clinical applications.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Welch Foundation; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1493430
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 115, Issue 52; ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher:
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC (United States)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 20 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (4)

Gingerol inhibits cisplatin-induced acute and delayed emesis in rats and minks by regulating the central and peripheral 5-HT, SP, and DA systems journal November 2019
Human substance P receptor binding mode of the antagonist drug aprepitant by NMR and crystallography journal February 2019
The Significance of NK1 Receptor Ligands and Their Application in Targeted Radionuclide Tumour Therapy journal September 2019
Human substance P receptor binding mode of the antagonist drug aprepitant by NMR and crystallography. text January 2019

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