Sato T. et al. Medical Research Archives, vol. 6, issue 9, September 2018 Page 1 of 25 ARTICLE Initial, transient, and specific interaction between G protein-coupled receptor and target G protein in parallel signal processing: a case of olfactory discrimination of cancer-induced odors Takaaki Sato1, Mutsumi Matsukawa2, Yoichi Mizutani3, Toshio Iijima4, Hiroyoshi Matsumura5 Authors’ affiliations: 1 Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Osaka, Japan 2 Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan 3 Department of Medical Engineering, Faculty of Health Science, Aino University, Osaka, Japan 4 Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan 5 College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan * Corresponding author: Takaaki Sato, Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Ad- vanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-8-31 Midorioka, Ikeda, Osaka 563-8577, Japan, E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) detect and distinguish between various subtypes of extracellular sig- nals, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, light, and odorous chemicals. As determinants for robust and appropriate cellular responses, common and unique features of interactions between GPCRs and their target G proteins provide insights into structure-based drug design for treatment of GPCR-related diseases. Re- cently, we found that the hydrophobic core buried between GPCR helix 8 and TM1–2 is essential for acti- vation of both specific and nonspecific G proteins. Furthermore, the 2nd residue of helix 8 is responsible for initial, transient, and specific interaction with a target G protein. Analysis of human and murine olfactory receptors (ORs) and other class-A GPCRs revealed that several amino acids, such as Glu, Gln, and Asp, are conserved at this position.