Living-Cell Diffracted X-ray Tracking Analysis Confirmed Internal Salt Bridge Is Critical for Ligand-Induced Twisting Motion of Serotonin Receptors

Serotonin receptors play important roles in neuronal excitation, emotion, platelet aggregation, and vasoconstriction. The serotonin receptor subtype 2A (5-HT(2A)R) is a Gq-coupled GPCR, which activate phospholipase C. Although the structures and functions of 5-HT(2A)Rs have been well studied, little has been known about their real-time dynamics. In this study, we analyzed the intramolecular motion of the 5-HT(2A)R in living cells using the diffracted X-ray tracking (DXT) technique. The DXT is a very precise single-molecular analytical technique, which tracks diffraction spots from the gold nanocrystals labeled on the protein surface. Trajectory analysis provides insight into protein dynamics. The 5-HT(2A)Rs were transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells, and the gold nanocrystals were attached to the N-terminal introduced FLAG-tag via anti-FLAG antibodies. The motions were recorded with a frame rate of 100 μs per frame. A lifetime filtering technique demonstrated that the unliganded receptors contain high mobility population with clockwise twisting. This rotation was, however, abolished by either a full agonist α-methylserotonin or an inverse agonist ketanserin. Mutation analysis revealed that the “ionic lock” between the DRY motif in the third transmembrane segment and a negatively charged residue of the sixth transmembrane segment is essential for the torsional motion at the N-terminus of the receptor.