A mutation-induced activated state of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Extending the ternary complex model

Functional consequences of constitutively active alpha2A-adrenergic receptor expression in 3T3F442A preadipocytes and adipocytes

The functional consequences of a constitutively active mutated (CAM) human alpha2C10-adrenergic receptor (AR) stably expressed in the 3T3F442A preadipose cell line were analysed at both preadipocyte and adipocyte stages. At the preadipocyte stage, CAMalpha2C10-AR reproduced (in the absence of agonist) and amplified (in the presence of agonist) most of the cellular responses promoted by agonist-stimulated wild type alpha2C10-AR (increased preadipocyte proliferation, tyrosyl-phosphorylation of the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases, resistance to serum-deprivation-induced cell retraction, inhibition of differentiation). In contrast, at the adipocyte stage, CAMalpha2C10-AR expression did not reproduced nor amplified the alpha2-adrenergic-dependent antilipolysis, but conversely led to a down-regulation of alpha i subunits of the Gi proteins and to an increase in the maximal response to lipolytic agents. Our results indicate that long term activation of intracellular signals by CAM-receptors not only lead to the expected cellular responses normally generated by agonist-stimulated wild type receptors, but can also lead to unexpected responses resulting from long term compensatory adaptations.

Cardiac muscarinic receptors. Relationship between the G protein and multiple states of affinity

An expanded version of the mobile receptor model has been assessed in studies on the binding of N-[3H]methylscopolamine and [35S]GTPgammaS to cardiac muscarinic receptors and their attendant G proteins in ventricular membranes from hamster. The model comprises two pools of receptor, one of which lacks G proteins, and a heterogeneous population of G proteins that compete for the receptor within the G protein-containing pool. To guide the formulation of the model itself and to define the various parameters, data were combined from assays performed under various conditions with native membranes and following irreversible blockade of about 80% of the receptors with propylbenzilylcholine mustard. Multiple G proteins are indicated primarily by multiple states of affinity evident in the dose-dependent effect of guanyl nucleotides on the binding of carbachol; G protein-free receptors are indicated by sites of low affinity for carbachol that survive treatment with the mustard. The expanded model generally succeeds where more frugal schemes have been inadequate, but it nevertheless fails to yield a mechanistically consistent description of the data. Guanyl nucleotides and partial alkylation do not affect the inhibitory potency of carbachol in a manner consistent with their supposed effect on the equilibrium between uncoupled and G protein-coupled receptors. As inferred from the model, G proteins are lost upon alkylation of the receptor, and their numbers are regulated by guanyl nucleotides. Parameters estimated via N-[3H]methylscopolamine are wholly inconsistent with the same parameters estimated via [35S]GTPgammaS. The failure of the model suggests that multiple states of affinity may not arise from a ligand-regulated equilibrium between free receptors and G proteins on the one hand and one or more RG complexes on the other.

Constitutive activation of the TSH receptor by spontaneous mutations affecting the N-terminal extracellular domain

Activating mutations of the TSH receptor gene have been found in toxic adenomas and hereditary toxic thyroid hyperplasia. Up to now, all mutations have been located in the serpentine portion of the receptor. We now describe two additional mutations affecting Ser-281 (Ser-281-Thr and Ser-281-Asn) in the ectodomain of the receptor. After transfection in COS cells, both mutants displayed increased constitutive activity for cAMP generation despite expression at a lower level than the wild type. The mutants were responsive to TSH. The present results are compatible with a model in which the activity of the unliganded receptor is kept at a low level by an inhibitory interaction between the N-terminal domain and the serpentine portion of the receptor.

Constitutive activation of the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling pathway by parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptors mutated at the two loci for Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

Two different activating PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor mutations, H223R and T410P, were recently identified as the most likely cause of Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. To assess the functional importance of either amino acid position in the human PTH/PTHrP receptor, H223 and T410 were individually replaced by all other amino acids. At position 223, only arginine and lysine led to agonist-independent cAMP accumulation; all other amino acid substitutions resulted in receptor mutants that lacked constitutive activity or were uninformative due to poor cell surface expression. In contrast, most amino acid substitutions at position 410 conferred constitutive cAMP accumulation and affected PTH/PTHrP receptor expression not at all or only mildly. Mutations corresponding to the H223R or T410P exchange in the human PTH/PTHrP receptor also led to constitutive activity when introduced into the opossum receptor homolog, but showed little or no change in basal cAMP accumulation when introduced into the rat PTH/PTHrP receptor. The PTH/PTHrP receptor residues mutated in Jansen's disease are conserved in all mammalian members of this family of G protein-coupled receptors. However, when the equivalent of either the H223R or the T410P mutation was introduced into several other related receptors, including the PTH2 receptor and the receptors for calcitonin, secretin, GH-releasing hormone, glucagon-like peptide I, and CRH, the resulting mutants failed to induce constitutive activity. These studies suggest that two residues in the human PTH/PTHrP receptor, 223 and 410, have critical roles in signal transduction, but with different sequence constrains.

Do recent operational studies indicate that a single state model is no longer applicable to G protein-coupled receptors?

Recent evidence suggests that unliganded G protein-coupled receptors exist in at least two states, an inactive conformation and an active conformation possessing affinity for the G protein even in the absence of agonist. The data accumulated so far for wild-type receptors imply that this is true for receptors for several hormones and receptor subtypes, and theoretically for all G protein-coupled receptors. The data now consist of studies implicating not only spontaneous receptor-G protein coupling, but also effector mechanisms and, in the case of transgenic mice over-expressing the human beta 2-adrenoceptor, physiologic responses at the level of the isolated tissue and in vivo. Furthermore, there appear to be ligands (inverse agonists) that can decrease the level of the constitutively active conformation of the receptor, and neutral antagonists can not only block classical agonist responses, but also inhibit the response of inverse agonists.

Effect of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor number on receptor affinity, coupling, degradation, and modulation

The relationship between receptor number and agonist-induced intracellular responses has been well studied in receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase; however, for receptors coupled to phospholipase C (PLC), very little is known about the effect of receptor number on receptor-mediated processes. To explore this issue, we investigated the effect of the number of receptors for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on ligand affinity and on the ability to activate intracellular messengers [PLC, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK)] and cause receptor modulation (internalization, desensitization, down-regulation) and ligand degradation. Three BALB 3T3 cell lines were made that stably expressed the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) with receptor numbers varying by 280-fold (GRP-R-Low, GRP-R-Med, and GRP-R-Hi). Each cell line had the same affinity for agonist. The efficacy for bombesin to increase [3H]inositol phosphates but not tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK correlated well with receptor number. In contrast, the EC50 value for [3H]inositol phosphate generation for bombesin was the same in each cell line. Receptor number did not alter internalization. In the absence of protease inhibitors, there was an inverse correlation between receptor number and receptor down-regulation and desensitization. However, with protease inhibitors present, GRP-R-Med and GRP-R-Hi down-regulated significantly less than the GRP-R-Low. Similarly, GRP-R-Low desensitized significantly more than GRP-R-Med or GRP-R-Hi. GRP-R-Hi caused significantly greater ligand degradation than GRP-R-Low, and protease inhibitors completely inhibited degradation by GRP-R-Low and inhibited degradation by 70% for GRP-R-Hi. In conclusion, we show that for the PLC-coupled GRP-R, receptor number had little or no effect on binding affinity, potency for activating PLC, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK, or extent of receptor internalization. In contrast, receptor number had an effect on ligand degradation, down-regulation, desensitization, and efficacy of PLC activation without altering the efficacy of tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK. These results demonstrate that the effect of receptor number differs for the different functions mediated by the GRP receptor and differs from that reported for adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors such as receptors mediating the action of adrenergic agents, secretin, and opioids.

Structure/function relationships of calcitonin analogues as agonists, antagonists, or inverse agonists in a constitutively activated receptor cell system

The structure/function relationship of salmon calcitonin (sCT) analogues was investigated in heterologous calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression systems. sCT analogues with progressive amino-terminal truncations intermediate of sCT-(1-32) to sCT-(8-32) were examined for their ability to act as agonists, antagonists, or inverse agonists. Two CTR cell clones, B8-H10 and G12-E12, which express approximately 5 million and 25,000 C1b receptors/cell, respectively, were used for this study. The B8-H10 clone has an approximately 80-fold increase in basal levels of intracellular cAMP due to constitutive activation of the overexpressed receptor. In whole-cell competition binding studies, sCT-(1-32) was more potent than any of its amino-terminally truncated analogues in competition for 125I-sCT binding. In cAMP accumulation studies, sCT-(1-32) and modified analogues sCT-(2-32) and sCT-(3-32) had agonist activities. SDZ-216-710, with an amino-terminal truncation of four amino acids, behaved as a partial agonist/antagonist, whereas amino-terminal truncations of six or seven amino acid residues produced a 16-fold reduction in basal cAMP levels and attenuated the response to the agonist sCT-(1-32) in the constitutively active CTR system. This inverse agonist effect was insensitive to pertussis toxin inhibition. In contrast, the inverse agonist activity of these peptides was not observed in the nonconstitutively active CTR system, in which sCT analogues with amino-terminal truncations of four or more amino acids behaved as neutral competitive antagonists. These results suggest that the inverse agonist activity is mediated by stabilization of the inactive state of the receptor, which does not couple to G protein, and attenuates basal signaling initiated by ligand-independent activation of the effector adenylyl cyclase.

Getting it together: signal transduction in G-protein coupled receptors by association of receptor domains

The mechanism of signal transduction by G-protein coupled receptors is unknown. Here, we propose that these receptors signal in a way that is qualitatively similar to that seen in the chemokine and endocrine hormone receptor families; the signal occurs when two domains of the receptor are brought together, although this is not the only requirement for signaling.

Constitutive activity of native thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptors revealed using a protein kinase C-responsive reporter gene

The native TRH receptor (TRH-R), which is a G protein-coupled receptor that signals via the phosphoinositide transduction pathway, has been assumed to be inactive in the absence of agonist. In contrast, a mutant mouse TRH-R (C335Stop TRH-R) was shown previously to exhibit constitutive (or agonist-independent) signaling activity. In this report, we measured signaling activity of TRH-Rs using a protein kinase C-responsive reporter gene instead of formation of inositol phosphate second messenger molecules. Using this more sensitive system, we show that native mouse TRH-Rs exhibit agonist-independent signaling activity that is directly proportional to the number of receptors expressed in COS-1 cells and is inhibited by negative antagonist benzodiazepine drugs. As expected, the basal signaling activity of native TRH-Rs is lower than C335Stop TRH-Rs. Constitutive activity of native TRH-Rs is not peculiar to COS-1 cells in which receptor density is markedly elevated, because it can also be demonstrated in Madin Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing mouse TRH-Rs and GH4C1 cells endogenously expressing rat TRH-Rs. These findings support the thesis that native TRH-Rs oscillate between active and inactive states. We suggest that demonstration of constitutive activity of native receptors may depend on the sensitivity of the signaling assay employed.

Alanine exchanges of polar amino acids in the transmembrane domains of a platelet-activating factor receptor generate both constitutively active and inactive mutants

To determine ligand-binding sites of a platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor, alanine-scanning mutagenesis was carried out. All 23 polar amino acids in the putative 7-transmembrane (TM) domains of a guinea pig PAF receptor were individually replaced with alanine. The ligand-binding properties of mutant receptors were determined after transient expression in COS-7 cells. Mutants in TM II (N58A, D63A), TM III (N100A, T101A, S104A) and TM VII (D289A) displayed higher PAF-binding affinities than seen with the wild-type receptor. In contrast, mutants in TM V (H188A), TM VI (H248A, H249A, Q252A), and TM VII (Q276A, T278A) showed lower affinities. Representative mutants were then stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells to observe PAF-induced cellular signals (arachidonate release, phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, adenylyl cyclase inhibition). An N100A mutant with the highest affinity was constitutively active and was responsive to lyso-PAF, an inactive derivative of PAF. One nanomolar PAF induced no signals in low affinity mutants, an EC50 value for the wild-type receptor. Three histidines (His-188, His-248, His-249) might form a binding pocket for the phosphate group of PAF, since zinc effectively inhibited ligand binding. Based on these results, a three-dimensional molecular model of PAF and its receptor was generated using bacteriorhodopsin as a reference protein.

The cardiac beta-adrenoceptor-mediated signaling pathway and its alterations in hypertensive heart disease

Hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy is a predictor of the development of cardiac failure. It is unknown which cellular markers contribute to the progression from compensated hypertrophy to failure. In heart failure, several signal transduction defects leading to adenylate cyclase desensitization have been demonstrated, such as beta-adrenoceptor downregulation, increase of inhibitory G protein expression, and uncoupling of beta-adrenergic receptors, presumably by an increase of receptor kinase activity. In hypertensive heart disease, most studies have been performed in rat models of hypertension. As in heart failure, heterologous adenylyl cyclase desensitization occurs. The mechanisms are often different between the heterogeneous models for acquired and genetic hypertension, but Gi protein alterations and beta-adrenoceptor downregulation have been observed frequently. The underlying mechanism for desensitization is most likely a sympathetic activation in established hypertension rather than genetic alterations of signal transduction proteins. The data available suggest that beta-adrenergic desensitization could represent a mechanism that contributes to the progression from hypertrophy to failure. The key question remains whether those hypertensive patients who develop heart failure are more prone to beta-adrenergic desensitization or whether early intervention to reduce sympathetic activity is more effective in preventing or delaying the transition from compensated hypertrophy to overt failure.

Mechanistic model of G-protein signal transduction. Determinants of efficacy and effect of precoupled receptors

Tissue-specific characteristics (e.g. receptor number) and agonist-specific characteristics (e.g. agonist binding kinetics) play roles in determining cellular response. The roles that these characteristics play are quantified by models of signal transduction. We examined signal transduction through G-protein-linked receptors, using a model based on the collision coupling model but including interconverting receptor states and the precoupling of receptors with G-proteins prior to the addition of agonist. Reaction and diffusion of molecules within the plasma membrane were simulated using Monte Carlo techniques. The G-protein activation produced by our model was compared with that produced by the collision coupling model. We quantitatively examined how the parameters characteristic of the tissue and agonist determine the midpoint and maximal response of the dose-response curve. Activation through agonist binding to precoupled receptors can produce significantly higher activation rates than does collision coupling. Tissue and agonist characteristics have qualitatively similar effects but quantitatively distinct effects on activation for the two models. Using standard experimental techniques, it may be possible to exploit these differences to determine the mechanism of G-protein activation in a specific cell system. A quantitative comparison of model predictions with published data on the beta-adrenergic receptor system (Stickle D and Barber R, Mole Pharmacol 40: 276-288, 1991) also is presented.

Pharmacology of muscarinic receptor subtypes constitutively activated by G proteins

We have examined the effects of raising G protein concentration on the pharmacology of a series of agonist and antagonist ligands at the m1, m3, and m5 muscarinic subtypes using a functional assay. Overexpression of G(alpha q) induced constitutive activity of these receptors. The constitutive activity was reversed completely by every muscarinic antagonist tested, which indicates that they are all negative antagonists (inverse agonists). The potencies of antagonists for reversing G protein-induced activity and agonist-induced activity were identical, suggesting the same mechanism of action. Overexpression of G(alpha q) increased the potencies of every tested agonist and the efficacies of all partial agonists. The fold-gains in potency were positively correlated with ligand efficacy with the most efficacious agonists displaying the greatest potency gains. In addition, the efficacies of partial agonists approached those of full agonists. Constitutive activity of receptors has been explained by allosteric models in which receptors exist in spontaneous equilibrium between active and inactive conformations that are stabilized by agonists and antagonists, respectively. In this context, drug efficacy and potency are interrelated because they both depend on the same parameters, namely the absolute and relative affinities of a compound for receptors in active and inactive states and the ratio and concentrations of receptors in active and inactive states. All of our data are consistent with this model, in which raising G protein levels favors formation of the active conformation of receptors. Based on our findings, regulation of G protein concentration may be an important means of controlling receptor activity in vivo. These results define the functional relationship between G protein levels and muscarinic receptor pharmacology.

The long cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 subtype is essential for agonist-induced desensitization

The 488-amino acid human prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 subtype, which couples to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, shares the major structural features of G protein-coupled receptors, having seven putative transmembrane domains, an extracellular amino terminus, and a cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus. The latter is composed of 156 amino acids and contains 38 serine and threonine residues, which are potential phosphorylation sites. The carboxyl terminus may be important in receptor function; in some receptors, truncation of the cytoplasmic tail abolishes desensitization. In others, truncation leads to constitutive activity, and in other receptors, truncation has no effect on receptor function. To investigate the role of the long cytoplasmic tail of the EP4 receptor, we constructed a mutant EP4 that lacks the last 138 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus, including 36 serine and threonine residues. The truncated EP4 receptor was stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells at levels comparable to that of the wild-type receptor and exhibited a Kd value for [3H]PGE2 binding similar to that of the wild-type receptor. PGE2-mediated adenylyl cyclase activity as a function of PGE2 concentration was similar in cells expressing the wild-type and truncated EP4 receptors. Neither the wild-type receptor nor the truncated form showed any constitutive activity. However, the wild-type EP4 receptor underwent PGE2-induced desensitization fully within 15-20 min, whereas the truncated EP4 receptor, lacking 36 of the 38 carboxyl-terminal serines and threonines, displayed a sustained activation. Despite the continuous presence of PGE2, the rate of cAMP synthesis via stimulation of the truncated receptor remained constant over > or = 20 min. These findings suggest that the cytoplasmic tail of EP4 plays an important role in agonist-induced desensitization.

Structural instability of a constitutively active G protein-coupled receptor. Agonist-independent activation due to conformational flexibility

Mutations in several domains can lead to agonist-independent, constitutive activation of G protein-coupled receptors. However, the nature of the structural and molecular changes that constitutively turn on a G protein-coupled receptor remains unknown. Here we show evidence that a constitutively activated mutant of the beta2 adrenergic receptor (CAM) is characterized by structural instability and an exaggerated conformational response to ligand binding. The structural instability of CAM could be demonstrated by a 4-fold increase in the rate of denaturation of purified receptor at 37 degrees C as compared with the wild type receptor. Spectroscopic analysis of purified CAM labeled with the conformationally sensitive and cysteine-reactive fluorophore, N,N'dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazol-4-yl)ethylenediamine, further indicated that both agonist and antagonist elicit more profound structural changes in CAM than in the wild type protein. We propose that the mutation that confers constitutive activity to the beta2 adrenergic receptor removes some stabilizing conformational constraints, allowing CAM to more readily undergo transitions between the inactive and the active states and making the receptor more susceptible to denaturation.

Random mutagenesis of the cAMP chemoattractant receptor, cAR1, of Dictyostelium. Evidence for multiple states of activation

cAMP receptor 1 (cAR1) of Dictyostelium couples to the G protein G2 to mediate activation of adenylyl and guanylyl cyclases, chemotaxis, and cell aggregation. Other cAR1-dependent events, including receptor phosphorylation and influx of extracellular Ca2+, do not require G proteins. To further characterize signal transduction through cAR1, we performed random mutagenesis of the third intracellular loop (24 amino acids), since the corresponding region of other seven helix receptors has been implicated in the coupling to G proteins. Mutant receptors were expressed in car1(-) cells and were characterized for G protein-dependent and -independent signal transduction. Our results demonstrate that cAR1 is remarkably tolerant to amino acid substitutions in the third intracellular loop. Of the 21 positions where amino acid substitutions were observed, one or more replacements were found that retained full biological function. However, certain alterations resulted in receptors with reduced ability to bind cAMP and/or transduce signals. There were specific signal transduction mutants that could undergo cAMP-dependent cAR1 phosphorylation but were impaired either in coupling to G proteins, in G protein-independent Ca2+ influx, or in both pathways. In addition, there were general activation mutants that failed to restore aggregation to car1(-) cells and displayed severe defects in all signal transduction events, including the most robust response, cAMP-dependent cAR1 phosphorylation. Certain of these mutant phenotypes were obtained in a complementary study, where the entire region of cAR1 from the third to the seventh transmembrane helices was randomly mutagenized. Considered together, these studies indicate that the activation cycle of cAR1 may involve a number of distinct receptor intermediates. A model of G protein-dependent and -independent signal transduction through cAR1 is discussed.

Mutation of Asn111 in the third transmembrane domain of the AT1A angiotensin II receptor induces its constitutive activation

A preliminary model of the rat AT1A angiotensin II (AII) receptor (Joseph, M. P., Maigret, B., Bonnafous J.-C., Marie, J., and Scheraga, H. A. (1995) J. Protein Chem. 14, 381-398) has predicted an interaction between Asn111 located in transmembrane domain (TM) III and Tyr292 (TM VII) in the nonactivated receptor; a disruption of this interaction upon AII activation would allow Tyr292 to interact with the conserved Asp74 (TM II). The previous verification that Tyr292 is essential for receptor coupling to phospholipase C (Marie, J., Maigret, B., Joseph, M. P., Larguier, R., Nouet, S., Lombard, C., and Bonnafous, J.-C. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 20815-20818) prompted us to check the possible alterations in receptor properties upon Asn111 --> Ala mutation. The mutated receptor (N111A) displayed: (i) strong constitutive activity, with amplification of the maximal phospholipase C response to AII; (ii) agonist behavior of the AT2-specific ligand CGP 42112A, [Sar1, Ile8]AII, and [Sar1,Ala8]AII, antagonists of the wild-type receptor; (iii) inverse agonism behavior of the non-peptide ligands DuP 753, LF 7-0156, and LF 8-0129. The results are discussed in the light of the allosteric ternary complex models and other described examples of constitutive activation of G protein-coupled receptors.

Ligand-induced overexpression of a constitutively active beta2-adrenergic receptor: pharmacological creation of a phenotype in transgenic mice

Transgenic overexpression (40- to 100-fold) of the wild-type human beta2-adrenergic receptor in the hearts of mice leads to a marked increase in cardiac contractility, which is apparently due to the low level of spontaneous (i.e., agonist-independent) activity inherent in the receptor. Here we report that transgenic mice expressing a mutated constitutively active form of the receptor (CAM) show no such phenotype, owing to its modest expression (3-fold above endogenous cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor levels). Surprisingly, treatment of the animals with a variety of beta-adrenergic receptor ligands leads to a 50-fold increase in CAM beta2-adrenergic receptor expression, by stabilizing the CAM beta2-adrenergic receptor protein. Receptor up-regulation leads in turn to marked increases in adenylate cyclase activity, atrial tension determined in vitro, and indices of cardiac contractility determined in vivo. These results illustrate a novel mechanism for regulating physiological responses, i.e., ligand-induced stabilization of a constitutively active but inherently unstable protein.

Phosphorylation of the third intracellular loop of the mouse alpha1b-adrenergic receptor by cAMP-dependent protein kinase

The third intracellular loop of adrenergic receptors has been implicated in their interaction with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). One of the mechanisms involved in the modulation of receptor function is the phosphorylation of specific residues by intracellular kinases. alpha1b-Adrenergic receptor is phosphorylated in vitro by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), although its physiological effect remains to be determined. We have produced fusion proteins formed by glutathione S-transferase and sequences of the third intracellular loop of mouse alpha1a-, alpha1b-, and alpha1d-adrenergic receptor subtypes, and used them as substrates for PKA. Only the fusion protein containing the alpha1b sequence was phosphorylated in vitro by this kinase. Site-directed mutagenesis of a serine (homologue to serine 278 of the rat sequence, RSS) to an alanine residue precluded phosphorylation by PKA.

Constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors: potential mechanisms of receptor activation

Mutations of G protein-coupled receptors can increase their constitutive (agonist-independent) activity. Some of these mutations have been artificially introduced by site-directed mutagenesis, others occur spontaneously in human diseases. The analysis of the constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors has provided important informations about the molecular mechanisms underlying receptor activation and drug action.

Denervation of pigment cells lead to a receptor that is ultrasensitive to melatonin and noradrenaline

Pigment granule aggregation and dispersal can be studied in the melanophores of isolated scales from the cuckoo wrasse (Labrus ossifagus L.). Stimulation of a melanophore alpha2-adrenoceptor or the sympathetic nerve innervating the cell causes pigment aggregation. When the stimulation ceases, the pigment granules disperse throughout the cell. Studying this migration has been a useful tool in pharmacological research, particularly in investigations of the alpha2-adrenoceptor. Denervation of melanophores creates a receptor that is ultrasensitive to noradrenaline and melatonin. After three to four weeks of isolation, the denervated melanophores exhibit a 10(9)-fold increase in sensitivity. The efficacy of melatonin is increased from a negligible pigment-aggregation ability to the level of a full agonist. The melatonin-induced aggregation can, however, be counteracted by the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, but not by alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, indicating that the ultrasensitive receptor possesses alpha2-adrenoceptor features. Consequently, we conclude that the ultrasensitive receptor may represent an alpha2-adrenoceptor that has, due to denervation of the melanophore, become sensitive to melatonin.

The active state of the AT1 angiotensin receptor is generated by angiotensin II induction

In the current model of receptor activation, the given hormone is not involved in the conversion of the inactive receptor (R) to the fully active state (R*). Rather, it preferentially selects the activated receptor conformation, thereby shifting the equilibrium toward R*. The hormone angiotensin II (Ang II) contains two residues, Tyr4 and Phe8, that are essential for agonism. We show that the conserved Asn111 in transmembrane helix III of the AT1 angiotensin receptor directly interacts with the Tyr4 side chain. A decrease in the size of the Asn111 side chain induces an intermediate activated receptor conformation (R'). The Ang II analogue [Sar1,Ile4,Ile8]Ang II fully activates the N111G mutant, indicating that either the transition from R' to R* or the stabilization of the R* state requires binding by Ang II but not its Tyr4 and Phe8 side chains. In contrast, [Sar1,Ile4,Ile8]Ang II binds to but does not activate the wild-type AT1 receptor (R), suggesting that in the wild-type receptor spontaneous occurrence of R' and R* states is rare. Thus, Ang II through interactions involving Tyr4 and Phe8 induces a transition from R to R' and through unspecified interactions induces transition from R' to R* states rather than stabilizing the spontaneously generated R* state by "conformational, selection".

Pharmacological characterization of the human P2Y4 receptor

The P2Y4 receptor is a new member of the P2Y family which functionally behaves as a pyrimidinergic receptor. The pharmacological properties of the human P2Y4 receptor have been characterized following its stable expression in 1321N1 astrocytoma cells. UTP induced a biphasic accumulation of inositol trisphosphates, with an early peak at 30 s followed by a smaller but more sustained accumulation. ATP was a pure antagonist at early times and later behaved as a partial agonist. At 20 min, the rank order of potency of various nucleotides was the following: UTP > UDP = deoxy UTP > 5-bromo-UTP > ITP > ATP. Diadenosine polyphosphates also stimulated the production of inositol trisphosphates (after 20 min), more potently than ATP, but their maximal effect represented only 20-25% of that of UTP. Pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid inhibited strongly the UTP response, whereas suramin was inactive and reactive blue 2 had an intermediate effect. Pertussis toxin inhibited the response to UTP at early times (62 +/- 5% inhibition at 30 s), but its effect was no longer observed at 5 or 20 min. It is speculated that the P2Y4 receptor can exist in two distinct activation states differing in terms of time-course, specificity for uridine nucleotides and G-protein coupling.

Ligand-induced phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the endogenous bradykinin B2 receptor from human fibroblasts

We have studied the ligand-induced phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the bradykinin B2 receptor endogenously expressed in human HF-15 fibroblasts. An antiserum (AS346) to a synthetic peptide (CRS36), derived from the extreme carboxyl terminus of the human B2 receptor, precipitated the receptor from solubilized membranes of HF-15 cells that had been labeled with [32P]orthophosphate. A low basal level of B2 receptor phosphorylation was found in the absence of a ligand. Stimulation of the cells with the B2 receptor agonists bradykinin, [Lys0,Hyp3]bradykinin, kallidin, and T-kinin resulted in a rapid and efficient phosphorylation of the receptor. The B2 receptor antagonist HOE140 and the B1 receptor agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin failed to induce significant phosphorylation of the B2 receptor. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that the B2 receptor is phosphorylated on serine and threonine, but not on tyrosine residues. The ligand-induced phosphorylation of the receptor was concentration-dependent, with an apparent EC50 of 33 nM, and peaked at 1 min after challenge. The kinin-stimulated phosphorylation of the B2 receptor was rapid and transient and paralleled the kinetics of desensitization/resensitization of the receptor as followed by [Ca2+]i release and radioligand binding assay, respectively. The ligand-induced phosphorylation of the B2 receptor was independent of the protein kinase C pathway. In vitro experiments suggest betaARK1 (beta-adrenergic receptor kinase) as a candidate kinase that could mediate the homologous B2 receptor phosphorylation. Inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A effectively blocked the dephosphorylation, but did not affect the internalization of the B2 receptor, whereas inhibitors of receptor internalization delayed its dephosphorylation. These finding point to a role of ligand-induced phosphorylation in the desensitization and redistribution of the bradykinin receptor in human fibroblasts.

The role of Asp578 in maintaining the inactive conformation of the human lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor

A constitutively activating mutation encoding Asp578-->Gly in transmembrane helix 6 of the lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) is the most common cause of gonadotropin-independent, male-limited precocious puberty. This mutant LHR produces a 4.5-fold increase in basal cAMP when expressed in COS-7 cells. To better understand the normal role of Asp578 in the LHR we studied the effect of seven other amino acid substitutions at this position. No agonist binding or response was detected with the Asp578-->Pro mutant. Agonist binding affinity was unaffected by the other substitutions and estimated receptor concentrations ranged from 11 to 184% of wild type. Substitution of Asp578 with Asn, a similarly sized, uncharged residue, did not produce agonist-independent activation. In contrast, replacement with Glu, Ser, or Leu caused 4. 9-5.6-fold stimulation of basal cAMP. Substitution with Tyr (8.5-fold) or Phe (7.5-fold) had a greater activating effect. Only the Tyr, Phe, and Leu mutants showed constitutive activation of the inositol phosphate pathway. Our data suggest that it is the ability of the Asp578 side chain to serve as a properly positioned hydrogen bond acceptor, rather than its negative charge, that is important for stabilizing the inactive state of the LHR. A bulky aromatic side chain at position 578 may further destabilize the inactive receptor conformation.

Up-regulation of a constitutively active form of the beta2-adrenoceptor by sustained treatment with inverse agonists but not antagonists

In neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid, NG1O8-15, cells transfected to stably express a constitutively active mutant (CAM) form of the human beta2-adrenoceptor, the beta-adrenoceptor ligands sotalol and betaxolol functioned as inverse agonists as they reduced basal adenylyl cyclase activity whereas the antagonists dihydroalprenolol and propranolol did not. Maintained presence of the CAMbeta2-adrenoceptor inverse agonists but not the antagonists in the culture medium of the cells resulted in a substantial, concentration-dependent, up-regulation of the CAMbeta2-adrenoceptor. Up-regulation of the CAMbeta2-adrenoceptor by the inverse agonists was prevented by co-incubation of the cells with either propranolol or dihydroalprenolol. Neither maintained elevation of cAMP levels nor the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity altered the ability of the inverse agonist ligands to cause receptor up-regulation.

Activation of multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways by the endothelin B receptor requires the cytoplasmic tail

Endothelin is a 21-amino acid peptide with remarkably diverse biological properties, including potent vasoconstriction, induction of mitogenesis, and a role in the development of blood vessels. In the present study, stimulation of the endothelin B receptor was found to activate three distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways, the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK), and p38 kinase. These mitogen-activated protein kinase isozymes are thought to mediate very different biological outcomes, suggesting that the observed pattern of kinases activation may be important for the diverse biological properties of endothelin. The cytoplasmic tail of the endothelin B receptor was found to be required for activation of all three mitogen-activated protein kinases and stimulation of intracellular calcium levels. An endothelin B receptor truncated at the C-terminal tail was not able to stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases or increase cytosolic free calcium. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the cytoplasmic tail attenuated signaling through the wild type receptor. The observed ERK activation appeared to be mediated by heterotrimeric G proteins, since ectopic expression of a transducin alpha-subunit inhibited endothelin-stimulated ERK activation. The data suggest that the cytosolic tail of the endothelin B receptor is involved in calcium mobilization and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation via a G protein-dependent mechanism.

Discrete steps in binding and signaling of interleukin-8 with its receptor

The mechanisms by which chemokines bind and signal through their receptors are complex and poorly understood. In the present study, we sought to dissect these processes and to map important functional domains of the two CXC chemokine (interleukin-8) receptors, CXCR1 (formally IL-8RA) and CXCR2 (formally IL-8RB), using blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the receptors and a series of chimeras between CXCR1 and CXCR2. A panel of specific mAbs against CXCR1 or CXCR2, generated by immunizing mice with transfectants expressing either receptor, were shown to effectively block IL-8- and/or growth-related oncogene alpha (GROalpha) -mediated ligand binding, chemotaxis, elastase release, and VCAM-1 binding in CXCR1 and CXCR2 transfectants and/or human neutrophils. Of particular interest was an anti-CXCR1 mAb, 7D9, that inhibited chemotaxis, elastase release, and VCAM-1 binding but had no detectable effects on ligand binding. The epitopes of these blocking mAbs were mapped by using a series of CXCR1/2 chimera transfectants and synthetic peptides. Most of the anti-CXCR1 antibodies, except 7D9, mapped to the amino acid sequence WDFDDL (CXCR1 residues 10-15), and all the anti-CXCR2 antibodies mapped to the amino acid sequence FEDFW (CXCR2 residues 6-10). The epitope of mAb 7D9 mainly involved a region within the first 45 residues of CXCR1, and it appeared to be conformation-sensitive. These results support a model in which the binding and signaling of IL-8 with its receptor occur in at least two discrete steps involving distinct domains of the receptor. This model is consistent with the notion that discrete conformational changes of the receptor secondary to ligand binding are required to trigger various biological responses. Moreover, the ligand binding and chemotaxis properties of each CXCR1/2 chimeric receptor to IL-8 and GROalpha were determined. It was found that each is distinct in its ability to confer ligand binding and chemotactic response to IL-8 and GROalpha, and two conclusions could be made. 1) The N-terminal segment of CXCR1 is a dominant determinant of receptor subtype selectivity, consistent with previous studies using rabbit/human CXCR1/2 chimeras; and 2) the specificity determinant for GROalpha binding in CXCR2 involves sequences in the N terminus, distal to the first 15 residues, as well as other parts of the receptor.

Experimental design and estimation of parameters in complex radioligand binding systems

A computer was used to simulate data from typical radioligand binding experiments with a 2-site competitive-allosteric model of a receptor. The 4 equilibrium parameters of this model cannot be estimated by fitting the model to equilibrium data. Data from simulations of association experiments give satisfactory estimates of the 9 competitive-allosteric model parameters. From the kinetic parameters, equilibrium constants may be calculated. Combining data from equilibrium simulations with data from association simulations provided estimates of the model parameters with smaller standard deviations. A further improvement in design was shown possible by including simulated experiments in which receptor was preincubated with inhibitor before adding ligand. This improvement was documented using Monte Carlo replications of parameter estimates using competing experimental designs. Replications also revealed certain biases in the parameter estimates and could provide a means of estimating those biases when parameter estimates are made using experimental rather than simulated data. Simulations offer a powerful tool in planning experiments designed to estimate kinetic parameters of a receptor system. This is especially true with complex systems that may require pooling data from different kinds of experiments in order to estimate the kinetic parameters.

Structure and expression of the mouse oxytocin receptor gene

To determine the structure of the mouse oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene, we have screened a mouse genomic library and confirmed cDNA sequence with rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Southern blot using human OTR cDNA probes indicated that the mouse genome has a single copy of the gene. The predicted amino acid sequence is 91% identical to human OTR. The gene contains 4 exons and 3 introns. Exons 1 and 2 contain the 5' untranslated region, with exons 3 and 4 encoding the amino acids of the receptor. Intron 3 interrupts the coding at the same location, after transmembrane domain 6, as in OTR genes of other species. The promoter region lacks an apparent TATA box but contains multiple putative interleukin-response elements and estrogen responsive elements. Expression of OTR gene in the uterus during pregnancy reached maximum at day 20 gestation. The information obtained from the mouse OTR gene facilitates further comparative and biochemical analysis for protein structure-function relationships and gene regulatory mechanisms.

Activation of the alpha1b-adrenergic receptor is initiated by disruption of an interhelical salt bridge constraint

Rhodopsin receptor activation involves the disruption of a salt bridge constraint between glutamic acid 113 on transmembrane 3 and a lysine 296 in transmembrane 7, which forms a Schiff's base with retinal. Light-induced isomerization of cis-retinal to the all trans form breaks this rhodopsin salt bridge leading to receptor activation. The analogous residues in alpha1b-adrenergic receptors, aspartic acid 125 and lysine 331, also have the potential of forming a constraining salt bridge holding the receptor to an inactive protein configuration. This alpha1b-adrenergic receptor salt bridge constraint is then released upon binding by the receptor agonist. To test this hypothesis, site-directed mutagenesis was used to eliminate the positive charge at position 331 by substitution of an alanine. The expressed alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutant demonstrated a 6-fold increased epinephrine binding affinity with no alterations of affinity values for selective adrenergic receptor antagonists. Furthermore, an increased epinephrine potency for total soluble inositol phosphate production along with an elevated basal inositol triphosphate level was observed in COS-1 cells transfected with mutant versus wild-type alpha1b-adrenergic receptors. Similar results were obtained for a lysine to a glutamic acid alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutation. In addition, increased basal inositol triphosphate levels were also observed for two aspartic acid 125 alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutations, consistent with this residue's role as the counterion of the salt bridge. Taken together, these alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutations suggest a molecular mechanism by which the positively charged lysine 331 stabilizes the negatively charged aspartic acid 125 via a salt bridge constraint until bound by the receptor agonist.

Silencing of the constitutive activity of the dopamine D1B receptor. Reciprocal mutations between D1 receptor subtypes delineate residues underlying activation properties

Recently, we have shown that the dopamine D1B/D5 receptor displays binding and coupling properties that are reminiscent of those of the constitutively activated G protein-coupled receptors when compared with the related D1A/D1 receptor subtype (Tiberi, M., and Caron, M. G. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 27925-27931). The carboxyl-terminal region of the third cytoplasmic loop of several G protein-coupled receptors has been demonstrated to be important for the regulation of the equilibrium between inactive and active receptor conformations. In this cytoplasmic region, the primary structure of dopamine D1A and D1B receptors differs by only two residues: Phe264/Arg266 are present in D1A receptor compared with Ile288/Lys290 in the D1B receptor. To investigate whether these structural differences could account for the distinct binding and coupling properties of these dopamine receptor subtypes, we swapped the variant residues located in the carboxyl-terminal region by site-directed mutagenesis. The exchange of the D1A receptor residue Phe264 by the D1B receptor counterpart isoleucine led to a D1A receptor mutant exhibiting D1B-like constitutive properties. In contrast, substitution of D1B receptor Ile288 by the D1A receptor counterpart phenylalanine resulted in a loss of constitutive activation of the D1B receptor with binding and coupling properties similar to the D1A receptor. The Arg/Lys substitution had no effect on the function of either receptor. These results demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal region, and in particular residue Ile288, is a major determinant of the constitutive activity of the dopamine D1B receptor. Moreover, these results establish that not only can agonist-independent activity of a receptor be induced, but when given the appropriate mutation, it can be reversed or silenced.

Novel (R)-2-amino-5-fluorotetralins: dopaminergic antagonists and inverse agonists

A series of secondary and tertiary N-alkyl derivatives of (R)-2-amino-5-fluorotetralin have been prepared. The affinities of the compounds for [3H]raclopride-labeled cloned human dopamine (DA) D2 and D3 receptors as well as [3H]-8-OH-DPAT-labeled rat hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors were determined. In order to selectively determine affinities for the high-affinity agonist binding site at DA D2 receptors, the agonist [3H]quinpirole was used. The intrinsic activities of the compounds at DA D2 and D3 receptors were evaluated in a [35S]GTP gamma S binding assay. The novel compounds were characterized as dopaminergic antagonists or inverse agonists. The antagonist (R)-2-(butylpropylamino)-5-fluorotetralin (16) bound with high affinity (Ki = 4.4 nM) to the DA D3 receptor and was the most D3-selective compound (10-fold). (R)-2-[[4-(8-Aza-7, 9-dioxospiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)butyl]propylamino]-5-fluorote tralin (18) bound with very high affinity to both DA D3 and 5-HT1A receptors (Ki = 0.2 nM) and was also characterized as a dopaminergic antagonist. (R)-2-(Benzylpropylamino)-5-fluorotetralin (10) behaved as an inverse agonist at both DA D2 and D3 receptors. It decreased the basal [35S]GTP gamma S binding and potently inhibited the DA-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding. It is apparent that the intrinsic activity of a 2-aminotetralin derivative may be modified by varying the N-alkyl substituents.

Na+ ions binding to the bradykinin B2 receptor suppress agonist-independent receptor activation

Control of the balance between receptor activation and inactivation is a prerequisite for seven transmembrane domain (7TM) receptor function. We asked for a mechanism to stabilize the inactive receptor conformation which prevents agonist-independent receptor activation. Na+ ions have reciprocal effects on agonist versus antagonist interaction with various 7TM receptors. To investigate the Na+ dependence of receptor activation we chose the bradykinin B2 receptor as a prototypic 7TM receptor. Decrease of the intracellular Na+ content from 40 mM to 10 mM of COS-1 cells transiently expressing rat B2 receptors activated the B2 receptor in the absence of agonist as shown by a 3-fold increase in the basal release of inositolphosphates and increased the intrinsic activity of bradykinin to 1.2. In contrast, under increased intracellular Na+ (148 mM) the intrinsic activity of bradykinin decreased to 0.72. When the interaction of Na+ with the B2 receptor was prevented by exchanging a conserved aspartate in transmembrane domain II for asparagine the B2 receptor was also constitutively-activated in the absence of agonist. Agonist-independence B2 receptor activation under decreased intracellular Na+ was similarly observed with primary human fibroblasts endogenously expressing human B2 receptors by a 2.5-fold increase in basal inositolphosphates. Activation of human B2 receptors in the absence of agonist under decreased intracellular Na+ was further evident by an increased basal phosphorylation of the B2 receptor protein. Thus our data suggest that the interaction of Na+ ions with the B2 receptor stabilizes or induces an inactive receptor conformation thereby providing a mechanism to suppress agonist-independent receptor activation in vivo.

The third intracellular domain of the platelet-activating factor receptor is a critical determinant in receptor coupling to phosphoinositide phospholipase C-activating G proteins. Studies using intracellular domain minigenes and receptor chimeras

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid mediator which elicits a diverse array of biological actions by interacting with G protein-coupled PAF receptors (PAFR). Binding of PAF to PAFRs leads to activation of G protein(s) that stimulate phosphoinositide phospholipase C and subsequent intracellular signaling responses. To identify the potential role of intracellular domains of the rat PAFR (rPAFR) in signaling, we examined effects of transfecting minigenes encompassing rPAFR intracellular domains 1 (1i), 2 (2i), and 3 (3i) on inositol phosphate (IP) production mediated by the co-transfected rPAFR cDNA. Although transfection of the rPAFR1i and rPAFR2i minigenes had no effects on PAF-stimulated signaling, transfection of the rPAFR3i minigene inhibited PAF-stimulated IP production by approximately 50% compared to controls. The rPAFR3i domain did not inhibit IP production mediated by the multifunctional rat pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (rPACAPR), demonstrating the specificity of the competition by the rPAFR3i domain. In further experiments, the rPAFR3i domain was engineered onto the homologous domain of a monofunctional transmembrane variant of the rPACAPR (rPACAPR2) that activates only adenylyl cyclase. The rPACAPR2/rPAFR3i chimera responded to PACAP with increases in IP production which were attenuated nearly completely in cells cotransfected with the rPAFR3i domain. In contrast, PACAP had no effects on IP production in a receptor chimera expressing a mutated form of the rPAFR3i domain (rPACAPR2/rPAFR3imut). These results demonstrate the ability of the rPAFR3i domain to confer a phospholipase C-signaling phenotype to a receptor deficient in this activity and show that this activity is specific for the engineered rPAFR3i domain. These results suggest that the third intracellular loop of the rPAFR is a primary determinant in its coupling to phosphoinositide phospholipase C-activating G proteins, providing the first insight into the molecular basis of interaction of PAFRs with signal-transducing G proteins.

Transmembrane regions V and VI of the human luteinizing hormone receptor are required for constitutive activation by a mutation in the third intracellular loop

Gonadotropin receptors are members of the seven-transmembrane (TM) receptor family. Several point mutations in TM V and VI and the intracellular loop 3 (i3) have been identified in the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor gene, leading to constitutive activation of the receptor. Because gonadotropin receptors are highly conserved, we mutated the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor at the corresponding amino acids. However, the FSH receptor mutants showed minimal increases in basal cAMP production. Taking advantage of this difference between the two receptors, we designed chimeric receptors with or without a point mutation in the i3 to identify the region in the LH receptor important for its constitutive activation. Introduction of the point mutation into chimeric receptors containing only TM V to VI from the LH receptor led to major increases in ligand-independent cAMP production. Furthermore, a chimeric receptor with only TM V and VI derived from the LH receptor can be rendered constitutively active by the mutation in the i3 from the FSH receptor. These results suggest that interactions between TM V and VI of the FSH receptor are essential for maintaining the receptor in the more constrained state, whereas interactions between these domains of the LH receptor are permissive for constitutively activating mutations in the i3.

Coexpression of alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors in the liver of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

The alpha 1-adrenoceptors present in the liver of rhesus monkeys was characterized using [3H]prazosin. This radioligand binds to monkey liver membranes with high affinity (KD 0.33 nM) to a moderately abundant number of sites (97 fmol/mg of protein). These sites were characterized pharmacologically, by binding competition, observing two affinities for most ligands. The order of potency for agonists was: (a) for the high affinity sites: oximetazoline > epinephrine = norepinephrine > methoxamine; and (b) for the other sites (low affinity for the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor-selective agonists): oximetazoline > or = epinephrine = norepinephrine > > methoxamine. For antagonists the orders of potency were: (a) for the high affinity sites: R-(-)-5[2-[[2-(ethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]propyl]-2-metoxybenzen esulfonamide HCl (tamsulosin) > or = 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane (WB4101) > or = prazosin > or = (+)-niguldipine > 5-methylurapidil = benoxathian > phentolamine > 8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4,5]deca ne-7,9- dione dihydrochloride (BMY 7378); (b) for the other sites (low affinity for the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor-selective antagonists): prazosin > tamsulosin > phentolamine = WB4101 > (+)-niguldipine > or = 5-methyl-urapidil = benoxathian > BMY 7378. These data strongly suggest that Macaca mulatta liver cells coexpress alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors. Expression of the mRNA for these receptors was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions.

Characterization of the beta 2 adrenoceptors of dog liver

The beta-adrenoceptors present in dog liver were characterized by radioligand binding techniques. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol bound with high affinity (KD 0.9 nM) to a relatively low number of sites (approximately 68 fmol/mg protein) in partially purified dog liver plasma membranes. These sites were characterized by binding competition; the orders of affinity were: (a) for agonists: (-)isoproterenol > or = salbutamol > epinephrine > or = terbutaline > norepinephrine > (+)isoproterenol and (b) for antagonists: propranolol > ICI 118551 >> metoprolol >> atenolol. These data indicate that dog liver expresses beta-adrenoceptors of the beta2 subtype.

Impaired activation of adenylyl cyclase in lung of the Basenji-greyhound model of airway hyperresponsiveness: decreased numbers of high affinity beta-adrenoceptors

1. To evaluate mechanisms involved in the impaired beta-adrenoceptor stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in tissues from the Basenji-greyhound (BG) dog model of airway hyperresponsiveness, we compared agonist and antagonist binding affinity of beta-adrenoceptors, beta-adrenoceptor subtypes, percentage of beta-adrenoceptors sequestered, and coupling of the beta-adrenoceptor to Gs alpha in lung membranes from BG and control mongrel dogs. We found that lung membranes from the BG dog had higher total numbers of beta-adrenoceptors with a greater percentage of receptors of the beta 2 subtype as compared to mongrel lung membranes. 2. Agonist and antagonist binding affinity and the percentage of beta-adrenoceptors sequestered were not different in BG and mongrel dog lung membranes. However, the percentage of beta-adrenoceptors in the high affinity state for agonist was decreased in BG lung membranes suggesting an uncoupling of the receptor from Gs alpha. 3. Impaired coupling between the beta-adrenoceptor and G protein documented by the decreased numbers of beta-adrenoceptors in the high affinity state in BG lung membranes, is a plausible explanation for the reduced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and the resultant reduction in airway smooth muscle relaxation in this model.

Recent advances in the molecular pharmacology of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors

This review is intended to discuss recent developments in the molecular pharmacology of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (alpha 1-AR) subtypes. After a brief historical development, we will focus on the more contemporary issues having to do with this receptor family. Emphasis will be put on recent data regarding the cloning, nomenclature, signalling mechanisms, and genomic organization of the alpha 1-AR subtypes. We will also highlight recent mutational studies that identify key amino acid residues involved in ligand binding, as well as the role of the alpha 1-AR subtypes in regulating physiologic processes.

Identification of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation sites in the human beta2-adrenergic receptor

Rapid desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors is mediated, at least in part, by their phosphorylation by the G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). However, only in the case of rhodopsin have the actual sites of receptor phosphorylation been unambiguously determined. Although previous studies have implicated the cytoplasmic tail of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) as the site of GRK-mediated phosphorylation, the identities of the phosphorylated residues were unknown. Here we report the identification of the sites of GRK2- and GRK5-mediated beta2AR phosphorylation. The phosphorylation sites of both serine/threonine kinases reside exclusively in a 40-amino acid peptide located at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the beta2AR. Of the seven phosphorylatable residues within this peptide, six are phosphorylated by GRK5 (Thr-384, Thr-393, Ser-396, Ser-401, Ser-407, and Ser-411) and four are phosphorylated by GRK2 (Thr-384, Ser-396, Ser-401, and Ser-407) at equivalent phosphorylation stoichiometries (approximately 1.0 mol Pi/mol receptor). In addition to the GRK5-specific phosphorylation of Thr-393 and Ser-411, differences in the distribution of phosphate between sites are observed for GRK2 and GRK5. Increasing the stoichiometry of GRK2-mediated beta2AR phosphorylation from approximately 1.0 to 5.0 mol Pi/mol receptor increases the stoichiometry of phosphorylation of Thr-384, Ser-396, Ser-401, and Ser-407 rather than increasing the number of phosphoacceptor sites. The location of multiple GRK2 and GRK5 phosphoacceptor sites at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the beta2AR is highly reminiscent of GRK1-mediated phosphorylation of rhodopsin.