Identification and dissection of Ca(2+)-binding sites in the extracellular domain of Ca(2+)-sensing receptor

J Biol Chem. 2007 Jun 29;282(26):19000-10. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M701096200. Epub 2007 May 3.

Abstract

Ca(2+)-sensing receptors (CaSRs) represent a class of receptors that respond to changes in the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](o)) and activate multiple signaling pathways. A major barrier to advancing our understanding of the role of Ca(2+) in regulating CaSRs is the lack of adequate information about their Ca(2+)-binding locations, which is largely hindered by the lack of a solved three-dimensional structure and rapid off rates due to low Ca(2+)-binding affinities. In this paper, we have reported the identification of three potential Ca(2+)-binding sites in a modeled CaSR structure using computational algorithms based on the geometric description and surface electrostatic potentials. Mutation of the predicted ligand residues in the full-length CaSR caused abnormal responses to [Ca(2+)](o), similar to those observed with naturally occurring activating or inactivating mutations of the CaR, supporting the essential role of these predicted Ca(2+)-binding sites in the sensing capability of the CaSR. In addition, to probe the intrinsic Ca(2+)-binding properties of the predicted sequences, we engineered two predicted continuous Ca(2+)-binding sequences individually into a scaffold protein provided by a non-Ca(2+)-binding protein, CD2. We report herein the estimation of the metal-binding affinities of these predicted sites in the CaSR by monitoring aromatic-sensitized Tb(3+) fluorescence energy transfer. Removing the predicted Ca(2+)-binding ligands resulted in the loss of or significantly weakened cation binding. The potential Ca(2+)-binding residues were shown to be involved in Ca(2+)/Ln(3+) binding by high resolution NMR and site-directed mutagenesis, further validating our prediction of Ca(2+)-binding sites within the extracellular domain of the CaSR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / physiology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Mice
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Engineering
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / genetics
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / chemistry
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1
  • Calcium