Structure, function and pharmacology of human itch GPCRs

C Cao, HJ Kang, I Singh, H Chen, C Zhang, W Ye… - Nature, 2021 - nature.com
C Cao, HJ Kang, I Singh, H Chen, C Zhang, W Ye, BW Hayes, J Liu, RH Gumpper
Nature, 2021nature.com
The MRGPRX family of receptors (MRGPRX1–4) is a family of mas-related G-protein-
coupled receptors that have evolved relatively recently. Of these, MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX4
are key physiological and pathological mediators of itch and related mast cell-mediated
hypersensitivity reactions,,–. MRGPRX2 couples to both Gi and Gq in mast cells. Here we
describe agonist-stabilized structures of MRGPRX2 coupled to Gi1 and Gq in ternary
complexes with the endogenous peptide cortistatin-14 and with a synthetic agonist probe …
Abstract
The MRGPRX family of receptors (MRGPRX1–4) is a family of mas-related G-protein-coupled receptors that have evolved relatively recently. Of these, MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX4 are key physiological and pathological mediators of itch and related mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, , –. MRGPRX2 couples to both Gi and Gq in mast cells. Here we describe agonist-stabilized structures of MRGPRX2 coupled to Gi1 and Gq in ternary complexes with the endogenous peptide cortistatin-14 and with a synthetic agonist probe, respectively, and the development of potent antagonist probes for MRGPRX2. We also describe a specific MRGPRX4 agonist and the structure of this agonist in a complex with MRGPRX4 and Gq. Together, these findings should accelerate the structure-guided discovery of therapeutic agents for pain, itch and mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity.
nature.com