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| Title | Molecular architecture of OXGR1 reveals an evolutionary conserved mechanisms for metabolite surveillance. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | EMBO J, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Jun 3, 2026 |
Authors | Xinyue Zhang / Yujie Lu / Xinheng He / Shimeng Guo / Changyao Li / Yu Wang / Yuan Gao / Juxia Yao / Qingning Yuan / Yinshan Tang / Jing Hu / Wen Hu / Zijuan Luo / Kai Wu / Yue Wang / Wanchao Yin / Xin Xie / H Eric Xu / Heng Liu / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | The ability of cells to sense and respond to metabolic signals is fundamental to life, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolite surveillance remain incompletely understood. Here, we ...The ability of cells to sense and respond to metabolic signals is fundamental to life, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolite surveillance remain incompletely understood. Here, we elucidate the structural basis of metabolite recognition by OXGR1, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) that senses key intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we determined cryo-EM structures of OXGR1 bound to α-ketoglutarate (AKG), itaconate (ITA), and structurally related metabolites succinate (SUC) and maleate (MA). These structures reveal a positively charged binding pocket and an extensive hydrogen-bond network that mediate selective recognition of dicarboxylic acids. In addition, we identify a distinct arrangement of hydrophobic residues that modulates ligand potency and selectivity. Mutational analysis and molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrate that noncanonical micro-switch motifs, including FRY and NLxxY, are essential for ligand recognition and receptor activation. Comparative structural and evolutionary analyses indicate that these mechanisms are conserved across species, underscoring the critical role of OXGR1 in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Together, our findings define a mechanistic framework for metabolite sensing by OXGR1 and provide a framework for therapeutic modulation of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. |
External links | EMBO J / PubMed:42236546 |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 2.64 - 2.97 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-63580, PDB-9m1r: EMDB-63581, PDB-9m1s: EMDB-63583, PDB-9m1u: EMDB-64587, PDB-9uxn: EMDB-64588, PDB-9uxo: EMDB-64589, PDB-9uxp: EMDB-64590, PDB-9uxq: EMDB-80947, PDB-26xh: |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-MAE: ![]() ChemComp-AKG: ![]() ChemComp-ITN: ![]() ChemComp-SIN: ![]() ChemComp-HOH: |
| Source |
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Keywords | MEMBRANE PROTEIN/IMMUNE SYSTEM / GPR99 / OXGR1 / Maleic Acid / GPCR / MEMBRANE PROTEIN-IMMUNE SYSTEM complex / MEMBRANE PROTEIN / 2-ketoglutarate; AKG; OXGR1; cryo-EM / Itaconic acid; ITA; OXGR1; cryo-EM / Succinic Acid; OXGR1; cryo-EM / SIGNALING PROTEIN / 2-oxoglutarate / AKG / 2-oxoglutarate receptor 1 / cryo-EM / MA / Itaconate acid / ITA |
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homo sapiens (human)
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