Cholesterol binding site

Figure 6 Proposed mechanism for the formation of cholesterol-binding site from two p-CyD molecules. 

Fantini J, Barrantes FJ. How cholesterol interacts with membrane proteins an exploration of cholesterol-binding sites including CRAG, CARC, and tilted domains. Front Physiol. 2013 4 31. 

Hanson MA, Cherezov V, Griffith MT, et al. A specific cholesterol binding site is established by the 2.8 A structure of the human beta2-adrenergic receptor. Structure. 2008 16(6) 897-905. 

Three cholesterol molecules could be docked on each AQiR subunit, rendering a total of 15 cholesterol molecules per nAChR molecule. In full agreement with the results of photoaffinity labeling studies, Baier et al. found specific cholesterol-binding sites in transmembrane domains TMl, TM3, and TM4. Interestingly, once boimd to TMl, cholesterol could not interact with TM2 due to steric hindrance. Molecular models of nAchR in complex with 15 cholesterol molecules are shown in Fig. 7.2. 

---