Deep learning reveals endogenous sterols as allosteric modulators of the GPCR–Gα interface

Abstract

Endogenous intracellular allosteric modulators of GPCRs remain largely unexplored, with limited binding and phenotype data available. This gap arises from the lack of robust computational methods for unbiased cavity identification, cavity-specific ligand design, synthesis, and validation across GPCR topology. Here, we developed Gcoupler, an AI-driven generalized computational toolkit that leverages an integrative approach combining de novo ligand design, statistical methods, Graph Neural Networks, and bioactivity-based ligand prioritization for rationally predicting high-affinity ligands. Using Gcoupler, we interrogated intracellular metabolites that target and regulate the GPCR–Gα interface (Ste2p–Gpa1p), affecting pheromone-induced programmed cell death in yeast. Our computational analysis, complemented by experimental validations, including genetic screening, multi-omics, site-directed mutagenesis, biochemical assays, and physiological readouts, identified endogenous hydrophobic metabolites, notably sterols, as direct intracellular allosteric modulators of Ste2p. Molecular simulations coupled with biochemical signaling assessment in site-directed Ste2p mutants further confirmed that metabolites binding to GPCR–Gα obstruct downstream signaling, possibly via a cohesive effect. Finally, by utilizing isoproterenol-induced, GPCR-mediated human and neonatal rat cardiac hypertrophy models, we observed that elevated metabolite levels attenuate hypertrophic response, reinforcing the evolutionary relevance of this mechanism.