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NMR structure of a human homologous methuselah gene receptor peptide.

Kikkou T, Matsumoto O, Ohkubo T, Kobayashi Y, Tsujimoto G

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba Institute of Science, Choshi, Chiba 288-0025, Japan.

Human APG1 gene is homologous to Drosophila methuselah gene associated with extended life span. A peptide (APG1: RNGKRSNRTLREE) corresponding to a predicted region of the intracellular third loop of G protein-coupled receptor coded in human APG1 gene could activate Gi protein alpha subunit directly. The three-dimensional molecular structure of the peptide in SDS-d25 micelles was determined by 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy. APG1 formed an alpha-helical structure at the C-terminal site and a positive charge cluster at the N-terminal site. The cluster was also found in several other Gi protein-coupled receptor peptides. Therefore, the positive charge cluster on the helical structure might be engaged in G protein activation.

Published 4 December 2006 in Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 352(1): 17-20.
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