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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Modeling Ligands into Maps Derived from Electron Cryomicroscopy
Published on: July 19, 2024
Crystal structure of the kainate receptor GluR5 ligand-binding core in complex with (S)-glutamate
Peter Naur1, Bente Vestergaard, Lars K Skov
1Biostructural Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
The X-ray structure of the ligand-binding core of the kainate receptor GluR5 (GluR5-S1S2) in complex with (S)-glutamate was determined to 1.95 A resolution. The overall GluR5-S1S2 structure comprises two domains and is similar to the related AMPA receptor GluR2-S1S2J. (S)-glutamate binds as in GluR2-S1S2J. Distinct features are observed for Ser741, which stabilizes a highly coordinated network of water molecules and forms an interdomain bridge. The GluR5 complex exhibits a high degree of domain closure (26 degrees) relative to apo GluR2-S1S2J. In addition, GluR5-S1S2 forms a novel dimer interface with a different arrangement of the two protomers compared to GluR2-S1S2J.
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