Conformational Characterization of the Co-Activator Binding Site Revealed the Mechanism to Achieve the Bioactive State of FXR

Abstract

FXR bioactive states are responsible for the regulation of metabolic pathways, which are modulated by agonists and co-activators. The synergy between agonist binding and ‘co-activator’ recruitment is highly conformationally driven. The characterization of conformational dynamics is essential for mechanistic and therapeutic understanding. To shed light on the conformational ensembles, dynamics, and structural determinants that govern the activation process of FXR, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation is employed. Atomic insights into the ligand binding domain (LBD) of FXR revealed significant differences in inter/intra molecular bonding patterns, leading to structural anomalies in different systems of FXR. The sole presence of an agonist or ‘co-activator’ fails to achieve the essential bioactive conformation of FXR. However, the presence of both establishes the bioactive conformation of FXR as they modulate the internal wiring of key residues that coordinate allosteric structural transitions and their activity. We provide a precise description of critical residue positioning during conformational changes that elucidate the synergy between its binding partners to achieve an FXR activation state. Our study offers insights into the associated modulation occurring in FXR at bound and unbound forms. Thereafter, we also identified hot-spots that are critical to arrest the activation mechanism of FXR that would be helpful for the rational design of its agonists.