9V2N | pdb_00009v2n

Macimorelin bound growth hormone secretagogue receptor in complex with Gq


Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
  • Resolution: 2.63 Å
  • Aggregation State: PARTICLE 
  • Reconstruction Method: SINGLE PARTICLE 

wwPDB Validation   3D Report Full Report


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Literature

Molecular recognition of two approved drugs Macimorelin and Anamorelin by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Wang, R.L.Sun, J.Liu, H.Guo, S.M.Zhang, Y.Hu, W.Wang, J.Liu, H.Zhuang, Y.W.Jiang, Y.Xie, X.Xu, H.E.Wang, Y.

(2025) Acta Pharmacol Sin 

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-025-01606-7
  • Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
    9UY3, 9V2N

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) plays a critical role in regulating growth hormone release and metabolic homeostasis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of ligand-GHSR recognition is essential for developing therapeutic interventions. In this study, we investigated the molecular recognition mechanisms of two clinically approved drugs: Macimorelin (used for diagnosing adult growth hormone deficiency) and Anamorelin (approved in Japan for cancer cachexia). Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, we determined the structures of GHSR bound to Macimorelin and Anamorelin in complex with G q proteins at resolutions of 2.63 Å and 2.52 Å, respectively. We revealed that both drugs occupied a bifurcated binding pocket divided by a conserved salt bridge between E124 3.33 and R283 6.55 . Through systematic mutagenesis and functional studies, we identified the key residues underlying the higher binding affinity of Anamorelin compared to Macimorelin. In addition, structural comparison of GHSR in complex with different G protein subtypes elucidated the mechanisms driving G protein selectivity. Our results provide crucial insights into GHSR-drug interactions and offer valuable guidance for designing more selective and potent GHSR agonists.


  • Organizational Affiliation
    • CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.

Macromolecules
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Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Engineered G-alpha-q subunit362Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
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  • Reference Sequence
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Entity ID: 2
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-1371Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: GNB1
UniProt & NIH Common Fund Data Resources
Find proteins for P62873 (Homo sapiens)
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PHAROS:  P62873
GTEx:  ENSG00000078369 
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Entity ID: 3
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(O) subunit gamma-2C [auth G]71Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: GNG2
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Find proteins for P59768 (Homo sapiens)
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PHAROS:  P59768
GTEx:  ENSG00000186469 
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Entity ID: 4
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
NB35D [auth N]140Lama glamaMutation(s): 0 
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Entity ID: 5
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Soluble cytochrome b562,Growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1,growth hormone secretagogue receptorE [auth R]676Escherichia coliHomo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: cybCGHSR
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Find proteins for Q92847 (Homo sapiens)
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PHAROS:  Q92847
GTEx:  ENSG00000121853 
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UniProt GroupQ92847
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Entity ID: 6
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
scFv16F [auth S]303Mus musculusMutation(s): 0 
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Small Molecules
Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
  • Resolution: 2.63 Å
  • Aggregation State: PARTICLE 
  • Reconstruction Method: SINGLE PARTICLE 
EM Software:
TaskSoftware PackageVersion
MODEL REFINEMENTPHENIX1.20.1_4487

Structure Validation

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Entry History & Funding Information

Deposition Data


Funding OrganizationLocationGrant Number
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)China32171187
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)China32130022
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)China82121005

Revision History  (Full details and data files)

  • Version 1.0: 2025-07-02
    Type: Initial release