Key result
Cryo-EM structures of PAR1 and PAR2 bound to their endogenous tethered ligands reveal a shallow orthosteric binding pocket and a common activation mechanism driven by TM7 movements.
Why the study?
Direct structural visualization of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR) ligand-receptor complexes has been limited.
Cryo-EM structures of PAR1 and PAR2 bound to their tethered ligands reveal a conserved activation mechanism, providing a structural basis for designing novel therapeutics targeting these receptors.
Structural insights into PAR1/PAR2 may inform biased ligand design; leaves open clinical translation for thrombosis therapies.
Members of the proteinase-activated receptor (PAR) subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play critical roles in processes like hemostasis, thrombosis, development, wound healing, inflammation, and cancer progression. Comprising PAR1-PAR4, these receptors are specifically activated by protease cleavage at their extracellular amino terminus, revealing a ‘tethered ligand’ that self-activates the receptor. This triggers complex intracellular signaling via G proteins and beta-arrestins, linking external protease signals to cellular functions. To date, direct structural visualization of these ligand-receptor complexes has been limited. Here, we present structural snapshots of activated PAR1 and PAR2 bound to their endogenous tethered ligands, revealing a shallow and constricted orthosteric binding pocket. Comparisons with antagonist-bound structures show minimal conformational changes in the TM6 helix and larger movements of TM7 upon activation. These findings reveal a common activation mechanism for PAR1 and PAR2, highlighting critical residues involved in ligand recognition. Additionally, the structure of PAR2 bound to a pathway selective antagonist, GB88, demonstrates how potent orthosteric engagement can be achieved by a small molecule mimicking the endogenous tethered ligand’s interactions. Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) regulate thrombosis, inflammation, and wound healing. Here, authors present PAR1 and PAR2 structures, revealing conserved activation mechanisms and ligand interactions within their orthosteric pockets, providing insights into PAR functionality.
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Lyu et al. (2025) studied this question. Cryo-EM structures of PAR1 and PAR2 bound to their endogenous tethered ligands reveal a shallow orthosteric binding pocket and a common activation mechanism driven by TM7 movements.
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