Structural comparison of ligand-binding domains in estrogen-related receptors

Abstract

Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), orphan nuclear receptors, share a significant amino acid sequence homology with estrogen receptors (ERs), yet their ligands do not respond in the same manner. In fact, some of the ligands that are known as agonists of ERs show antagonistic effect in ERRs. Accordingly, the current study investigated the structures of the ligand-binding domains using homology model building and docking studies. The results showed clear differences between the ligand-binding pockets of ERRs and ERs, thereby providing structural insights into the activities related to the ligands.