Molecular Modeling of Structures and Interaction of Human Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) Binding Protein and CRF Type-2 Receptor

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system is a key mediator of the stress response and addictive behavior. The CRF system includes four peptides: The CRF system includes four peptides: CRF, urocortins I–III, CRF binding protein (CRF-BP) that binds CRF with high affinity, and two class B G-protein coupled receptors CRF(1)R and CRF(2)R. CRF-BP is a secreted protein without significant sequence homology to CRF receptors or to any other known class of protein. Recently, it has been described a potentiation role of CRF-BP over CRF signaling through CRF(2)R in addictive-related neuronal plasticity and behavior. In addition, it has been described that CRF-BP is capable to physically interact specifically with the α isoform of CRF(2)R and acts like an escort protein increasing the amount of the receptor in the plasma membrane. At present, there are no available structures for CRF-BP or for full-length CRFR. Knowing and studying the structure of these proteins could be beneficial in order to characterize the CRF-BP/CRF(2α)R interaction. In this work, we report the modeling of CRF-BP and of full-length CRF(2α)R and CRF(2β)R based on the recently solved crystal structures of the transmembrane domains of the human glucagon receptor and human CRF(1)R, in addition with the resolved N-terminal extracellular domain of CRFRs. These models were further studied using molecular dynamics simulations and protein–protein docking. The results predicted a higher possibility of interaction of CRF-BP with CRF(2α)R than CRF(2β)R and yielded the possible residues conforming the interacting interface. Thus, the present study provides a framework for further investigation of the CRF-BP/CRF(2α)R interaction.