Structural basis for recognition of antihistamine drug by human histamine receptor

Crystal structure of human histamine receptor H3R bound to an antagonist PF-03654746 reveals the unexpected binding modes of the antagonist and allosteric cholesterol, which could facilitate the structure-based design of novel antihistamines. The histamine receptors belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, and play important roles in the regulation of histamine and other neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, as potential targets for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Here we report the crystal structure of human histamine receptor H3R bound to an antagonist PF-03654746 at 2.6 angstrom resolution. Combined with the computational and functional assays, our structure reveals binding modes of the antagonist and allosteric cholesterol. Molecular dynamic simulations and molecular docking of different antihistamines further elucidate the conserved ligand-binding modes. These findings are therefore expected to facilitate the structure-based design of novel antihistamines.