Primary and secondary dimer interfaces of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 transmembrane domain: characterization via multiscale molecular dynamics simulations

Biochemistry. 2014 Jan 21;53(2):323-32. doi: 10.1021/bi401576k. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinases are single-pass membrane proteins that form dimers within the membrane. The interactions of their transmembrane domains (TMDs) play a key role in dimerization and signaling. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is of interest as a G380R mutation in its TMD is the underlying cause of ~99% of the cases of achondroplasia, the most common form of human dwarfism. The structural consequences of this mutation remain uncertain: the mutation shifts the position of the TMD relative to the lipid bilayer but does not alter the association free energy. We have combined coarse-grained and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the dimerization of wild-type, heterodimer, and mutant FGFR3 TMDs. The simulations reveal that the helices pack together in the dimer to form a flexible interface. The primary packing mode is mediated by a Gx3G motif. There is also a secondary dimer interface that is more highly populated in heterodimer and mutant configurations that may feature in the molecular mechanism of pathology. Both coarse-grained and atomistic simulations reveal a significant shift of the G380R mutant dimer TMD relative to the bilayer to allow interactions of the arginine side chain with lipid headgroup phosphates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / chemistry*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3