Dynamics of bovine opsin bound to G-protein fragments

Abstract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large class of membrane proteins that mediate communication of the cell with the outer environment. Upon activation by an agonist, GPCRs undergo large-scale conformational changes that enable binding of the G protein to the receptor. A key open question concerns the mechanism of the long-distance coupling between the agonist-binding site and the cytoplasmic site where G protein binds. Here we address this question by exploring the molecular dynamics of bovine opsin bound to three different fragments of G-proteins. We find that an extended network of hydrogen bonds connects the agonist retinal binding site to the G protein binding site via conserved amino acid residues. The dynamics of the hydrogen-bonding network inside opsin couples to interactions at the G protein binding site.