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Jørgensen AS, Larsen O, Uetz-von Allmen E, Lückmann M, Legler DF, Frimurer TM, Veldkamp CT, Hjortø GM, Rosenkilde MM. Biased Signaling of CCL21 and CCL19 Does Not Rely on N-Terminal Differences, but Markedly on the Chemokine Core Domains and Extracellular Loop 2 of CCR7. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2156. [PMID: 31572374 PMCID: PMC6753178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors play important roles in the immune system and are linked to several human diseases. Targeting chemokine receptors have so far shown very little success owing to, to some extent, the promiscuity of the immune system and the high degree of biased signaling within it. CCR7 and its two endogenous ligands display biased signaling and here we investigate the differences between the two ligands, CCL21 and CCL19, with respect to their biased activation of CCR7. We use bystander bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) based signaling assays and Transwell migration assays to determine (A) how swapping of domains between the two ligands affect their signaling patterns and (B) how receptor mutagenesis impacts signaling. Using chimeric ligands we find that the chemokine core domains are central for determining signaling outcome as the lack of β-arrestin-2 recruitment displayed by CCL21 is linked to its core domain and not N-terminus. Through a mutagenesis screen, we identify the extracellular domains of CCR7 to be important for both ligands and show that the two chemokines interact differentially with extracellular loop 2 (ECL-2). By using in silico modeling, we propose a link between ECL-2 interaction and CCR7 signal transduction. Our mutagenesis study also suggests a lysine in the top of TM3, K1303.26, to be important for G protein signaling, but not β-arrestin-2 recruitment. Taken together, the bias in CCR7 between CCL19 and CCL21 relies on the chemokine core domains, where interactions with ECL-2 seem particularly important. Moreover, TM3 selectively regulates G protein signaling as found for other chemokine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid S Jørgensen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Olav Larsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Edith Uetz-von Allmen
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lückmann
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel F Legler
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas M Frimurer
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christopher T Veldkamp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, United States
| | - Gertrud M Hjortø
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gustavsson M, Dyer DP, Zhao C, Handel TM. Kinetics of CXCL12 binding to atypical chemokine receptor 3 reveal a role for the receptor N terminus in chemokine binding. Sci Signal 2019; 12:12/598/eaaw3657. [PMID: 31506383 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw3657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines bind to membrane-spanning chemokine receptors, which signal through G proteins and promote cell migration. However, atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) does not appear to couple to G proteins, and instead of directly promoting cell migration, it regulates the extracellular concentration of chemokines that it shares with the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) CXCR3 and CXCR4, thereby influencing the responses of these receptors. Understanding how these receptors bind their ligands is important for understanding these different processes. Here, we applied association and dissociation kinetic measurements coupled to β-arrestin recruitment assays to investigate ACKR3:chemokine interactions. Our results showed that CXCL12 binding is unusually slow and driven by the interplay between multiple binding epitopes. We also found that the amino terminus of the receptor played a key role in chemokine binding and activation by preventing chemokine dissociation. It was thought that chemokines initially bind receptors through interactions between the globular domain of the chemokine and the receptor amino terminus, which then guides the chemokine amino terminus into the transmembrane pocket of the receptor to initiate signaling. On the basis of our kinetic data, we propose an alternative mechanism in which the amino terminus of the chemokine initially forms interactions with the extracellular loops and transmembrane pocket of the receptor, which is followed by the receptor amino terminus wrapping around the core of the chemokine to prolong its residence time. These data provide insight into how ACKR3 competes and cooperates with canonical GPCRs in its function as a scavenger receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gustavsson
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0684, USA
| | - Douglas P Dyer
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0684, USA
| | - Chunxia Zhao
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0684, USA
| | - Tracy M Handel
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0684, USA.
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53
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Bobkov V, Arimont M, Zarca A, De Groof TWM, van der Woning B, de Haard H, Smit MJ. Antibodies Targeting Chemokine Receptors CXCR4 and ACKR3. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:753-764. [PMID: 31481460 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.116954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the chemokine system is implicated in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as cancer. Modulation of chemokine receptor function is a very promising approach for therapeutic intervention. Despite interest from academic groups and pharmaceutical companies, there are currently few approved medicines targeting chemokine receptors. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-based molecules have been successfully applied in the clinical therapy of cancer and represent a potential new class of therapeutics targeting chemokine receptors belonging to the class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Besides conventional mAbs, single-domain antibodies and antibody scaffolds are also gaining attention as promising therapeutics. In this review, we provide an extensive overview of mAbs, single-domain antibodies, and other antibody fragments targeting CXCR4 and ACKR3, formerly referred to as CXCR7. We discuss their unique properties and advantages over small-molecule compounds, and also refer to the molecules in preclinical and clinical development. We focus on single-domain antibodies and scaffolds and their utilization in GPCR research. Additionally, structural analysis of antibody binding to CXCR4 is discussed. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Modulating the function of GPCRs, and particularly chemokine receptors, draws high interest. A comprehensive review is provided for monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and variants directed at CXCR4 and ACKR3. Their advantageous functional properties, versatile applications as research tools, and use in the clinic are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bobkov
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Marta Arimont
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Aurélien Zarca
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Bas van der Woning
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Hans de Haard
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.B., M.A., A.Z., T.W.M.D.G., M.J.S.); and argenx BVBA, Zwijnaarde, Belgium (V.B., B.W., H.H.)
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Arimont M, Hoffmann C, de Graaf C, Leurs R. Chemokine Receptor Crystal Structures: What Can Be Learned from Them? Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:765-777. [PMID: 31266800 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.117168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors belong to the class A of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are implicated in a wide variety of physiologic functions, mostly related to the homeostasis of the immune system. Chemokine receptors are also involved in multiple pathologic processes, including immune and autoimmune diseases, as well as cancer. Hence, several members of this GPCR subfamily are considered to be very relevant therapeutic targets. Since drug discovery efforts can be significantly reinforced by the availability of crystal structures, substantial efforts in the area of chemokine receptor structural biology could dramatically increase the outcome of drug discovery campaigns. This short review summarizes the available data on chemokine receptor crystal structures, discusses the numerous applications from chemokine receptor structures that can enhance the daily work of molecular pharmacologists, and describes the challenges and pitfalls to consider when relying on crystal structures for further research applications. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This short review summarizes the available data on chemokine receptor crystal structures, discusses the numerous applications from chemokine receptor structures that can enhance the daily work of molecular pharmacologists, and describes the challenges and pitfalls to consider when relying on crystal structures for further research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Arimont
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Carsten Hoffmann
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.A., R.L.); Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (C.H.); and Sosei Heptares, Great Abington, Cambridge, United Kingdom (C.d.G.)
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55
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Chemokines in COPD: From Implication to Therapeutic Use. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112785. [PMID: 31174392 PMCID: PMC6600384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) represents the 3rd leading cause of death in the world. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been the focus of extensive research in the past. The lung has a complex architecture, where structural cells interact continuously with immune cells that infiltrate into the pulmonary tissue. Both types of cells express chemokines and chemokine receptors, making them sensitive to modifications of concentration gradients. Cigarette smoke exposure and recurrent exacerbations, directly and indirectly, impact the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors. Here, we provide an overview of the evidence regarding chemokines involvement in COPD, and we hypothesize that a dysregulation of this tightly regulated system is critical in COPD evolution, both at a stable state and during exacerbations. Targeting chemokines and chemokine receptors could be highly attractive as a mean to control both chronic inflammation and bronchial remodeling. We present a special focus on the CXCL8-CXCR1/2, CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3, CCL2-CCR2, and CXCL12-CXCR4 axes that seem particularly involved in the disease pathophysiology.
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56
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Lee AW, Deruaz M, Lynch C, Davies G, Singh K, Alenazi Y, Eaton JRO, Kawamura A, Shaw J, Proudfoot AEI, Dias JM, Bhattacharya S. A knottin scaffold directs the CXC-chemokine-binding specificity of tick evasins. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11199-11212. [PMID: 31167786 PMCID: PMC6643034 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick evasins (EVAs) bind either CC- or CXC-chemokines by a poorly understood promiscuous or "one-to-many" mechanism to neutralize inflammation. Because EVAs potently inhibit inflammation in many preclinical models, highlighting their potential as biological therapeutics for inflammatory diseases, we sought to further unravel the CXC-chemokine-EVA interactions. Using yeast surface display, we identified and characterized 27 novel CXC-chemokine-binding evasins homologous to EVA3 and defined two functional classes. The first, which included EVA3, exclusively bound ELR+ CXC-chemokines, whereas the second class bound both ELR+ and ELR- CXC-chemokines, in several cases including CXC-motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) but, surprisingly, not CXCL8. The X-ray crystal structure of EVA3 at a resolution of 1.79 Å revealed a single antiparallel β-sheet with six conserved cysteine residues forming a disulfide-bonded knottin scaffold that creates a contiguous solvent-accessible surface. Swapping analyses identified distinct knottin scaffold segments necessary for different CXC-chemokine-binding activities, implying that differential ligand positioning, at least in part, plays a role in promiscuous binding. Swapping segments also transferred chemokine-binding activity, resulting in a hybrid EVA with dual CXCL10- and CXCL8-binding activities. The solvent-accessible surfaces of the knottin scaffold segments have distinctive shape and charge, which we suggest drives chemokine-binding specificity. These studies provide structural and mechanistic insight into how CXC-chemokine-binding tick EVAs achieve class specificity but also engage in promiscuous binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela W Lee
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Maud Deruaz
- Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Lynch
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Davies
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Kamayani Singh
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Yara Alenazi
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - James R O Eaton
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom.,Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Akane Kawamura
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom.,Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey Shaw
- Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - João M Dias
- Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shoumo Bhattacharya
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
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Perera SMDC, Chawla U, Shrestha UR, Bhowmik D, Struts AV, Qian S, Chu XQ, Brown MF. Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Reveals Energy Landscape for Rhodopsin Photoactivation. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:7064-7071. [PMID: 30489081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the activation principles for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is critical to development of new pharmaceuticals. Rhodopsin is the archetype for the largest GPCR family, yet the changes in protein dynamics that trigger signaling are not fully understood. Here we show that rhodopsin can be investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in fully protiated detergent micelles under contrast matching to resolve light-induced changes in the protein structure. In SANS studies of membrane proteins, the zwitterionic detergent [(cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) is advantageous because of the low contrast difference between the hydrophobic core and hydrophilic head groups as compared with alkyl glycoside detergents. Combining SANS results with quasielastic neutron scattering reveals how changes in volumetric protein shape are coupled (slaved) to the aqueous solvent. Upon light exposure, rhodopsin is swollen by the penetration of water into the protein core, allowing interactions with effector proteins in the visual signaling mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchithranga M D C Perera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Udeep Chawla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
| | - Utsab R Shrestha
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Wayne State University , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Debsindhu Bhowmik
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Wayne State University , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Andrey V Struts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
- Laboratory of Biomolecular NMR , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg 199034 , Russia
| | - Shuo Qian
- Neutron Scattering Division , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Xiang-Qiang Chu
- Graduate School of China Academy of Engineering Physics , Beijing 100193 , China
| | - Michael F Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
- Department of Physics , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721 , United States
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58
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Ghosh S, Bierig T, Lee S, Jana S, Löhle A, Schnapp G, Tautermann CS, Vaidehi N. Engineering Salt Bridge Networks between Transmembrane Helices Confers Thermostability in G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:6574-6585. [PMID: 30359017 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction of specific point mutations has been an effective strategy in enhancing the thermostability of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Our previous work showed that a specific residue position on transmembrane helix 6 (TM6) in class A GPCRs consistently yields thermostable mutants. The crystal structure of human chemokine receptor CCR5 also showed increased thermostability upon mutation of two positions, A233D6.33 and K303E7.59. With the goal of testing the transferability of these two thermostabilizing mutations in other chemokine receptors, we tested the mutations A237D6.33 and R307E7.59 in human CCR3 for thermostability and aggregation properties in detergent solution. Interestingly, the double mutant exhibited a 6-10-fold decrease in the aggregation propensity of the wild-type protein. This is in stark contrast to the two single mutants whose aggregation properties resemble the wild type (WT). Moreover, unlike in CCR5, the two single mutants separately showed no increase in thermostability compared to the wild-type CCR3, while the double-mutant A237D6.33/R307E7.59 confers an increase of 2.6 °C in the melting temperature compared to the WT. Extensive all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in detergent micelles show that a salt bridge network between transmembrane helices TM3, TM6, and TM7 that is absent in the two single mutants confers stability in the double mutant. The free energy surface of the double mutant shows conformational homogeneity compared to the single mutants. An annular n-dodecyl maltoside detergent layer packs tighter to the hydrophobic surface of the double-mutant CCR3 compared to the single mutants providing additional stability. The purification of other C-C chemokine receptors lacking such stabilizing residues may benefit from the incorporation of these two point mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumadwip Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy , Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope , 1500 East Duarte Road , Duarte , California 91010 , United States
| | - Tobias Bierig
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | | | | | | | - Gisela Schnapp
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Christofer S Tautermann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Company KG , Birkendorfer Strasse 65 , D-88397 Biberach an der Riss , Germany
| | - Nagarajan Vaidehi
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy , Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope , 1500 East Duarte Road , Duarte , California 91010 , United States
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Wedemeyer MJ, Mueller BK, Bender BJ, Meiler J, Volkman BF. Modeling the complete chemokine-receptor interaction. Methods Cell Biol 2018; 149:289-314. [PMID: 30616825 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines are soluble, secreted proteins that induce chemotaxis of leukocytes and other cells. Migratory cells can sense the chemokine concentration gradient following chemokine binding and activation of chemokine receptors, a subset of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Chemokine receptor signaling plays a central role in cell migration during inflammatory responses as well as in cancer and other diseases. Given their important role in mediating essential pathologic and physiologic processes, chemokines and their receptors are attractive targets for therapeutic development. A better understanding of the molecular basis of chemokine-GPCR interactions will aid in the understanding of the mechanistic basis for chemokine function in disease-related processes, as well as aid in the design of new therapeutics. High resolution protein structures are critical for determining these mechanisms and investigating the interactions between approximately 50 chemokines and 20 chemokine receptors. Currently, three unique structures of chemokine-GPCR complexes have been determined and have greatly broadened our knowledge of this large protein-protein interaction. While these structures represent only a small fraction of clinically relevant chemokines and receptors, they can be exploited as scaffolds for homology modeling to understand the chemokine-GPCR interactions. This chapter presents a specialized methodology to construct and validate models of chemokine-GPCR complexes using the Rosetta software suite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wedemeyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Benjamin K Mueller
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Brian J Bender
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Brian F Volkman
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
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Joseph PRB, Spyracopoulos L, Rajarathnam K. Dynamics-Derived Insights into Complex Formation between the CXCL8 Monomer and CXCR1 N-Terminal Domain: An NMR Study. Molecules 2018; 23:E2825. [PMID: 30384436 PMCID: PMC6278376 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-8 (CXCL8), a potent neutrophil-activating chemokine, exerts its function by activating the CXCR1 receptor that belongs to class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Receptor activation involves interactions between the CXCL8 N-terminal loop and CXCR1 N-terminal domain (N-domain) residues (Site-I) and between the CXCL8 N-terminal and CXCR1 extracellular/transmembrane residues (Site-II). CXCL8 exists in equilibrium between monomers and dimers, and it is known that the monomer binds CXCR1 with much higher affinity and that Site-I interactions are largely responsible for the differences in monomer vs. dimer affinity. Here, using backbone 15N-relaxation nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, we characterized the dynamic properties of the CXCL8 monomer and the CXCR1 N-domain in the free and bound states. The main chain of CXCL8 appears largely rigid on the picosecond time scale as evident from high order parameters (S²). However, on average, S² are higher in the bound state. Interestingly, several residues show millisecond-microsecond (ms-μs) dynamics only in the bound state. The CXCR1 N-domain is unstructured in the free state but structured with significant dynamics in the bound state. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data indicate that both enthalpic and entropic factors contribute to affinity, suggesting that increased slow dynamics in the bound state contribute to affinity. In sum, our data indicate a critical and complex role for dynamics in driving CXCL8 monomer-CXCR1 Site-I interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prem Raj B Joseph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Leo Spyracopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
| | - Krishna Rajarathnam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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61
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Membrane lipid environment: Potential modulation of chemokine receptor function. Cytokine 2018; 109:72-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Miles TF, Spiess K, Jude KM, Tsutsumi N, Burg JS, Ingram JR, Waghray D, Hjorto GM, Larsen O, Ploegh HL, Rosenkilde MM, Garcia KC. Viral GPCR US28 can signal in response to chemokine agonists of nearly unlimited structural degeneracy. eLife 2018; 7:35850. [PMID: 29882741 PMCID: PMC5993540 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus has hijacked and evolved a human G-protein-coupled receptor into US28, which functions as a promiscuous chemokine 'sink’ to facilitate evasion of host immune responses. To probe the molecular basis of US28’s unique ligand cross-reactivity, we deep-sequenced CX3CL1 chemokine libraries selected on ‘molecular casts’ of the US28 active-state and find that US28 can engage thousands of distinct chemokine sequences, many of which elicit diverse signaling outcomes. The structure of a G-protein-biased CX3CL1-variant in complex with US28 revealed an entirely unique chemokine amino terminal peptide conformation and remodeled constellation of receptor-ligand interactions. Receptor signaling, however, is remarkably robust to mutational disruption of these interactions. Thus, US28 accommodates and functionally discriminates amongst highly degenerate chemokine sequences by sensing the steric bulk of the ligands, which distort both receptor extracellular loops and the walls of the ligand binding pocket to varying degrees, rather than requiring sequence-specific bonding chemistries for recognition and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy F Miles
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Katja Spiess
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
| | - Kevin M Jude
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Naotaka Tsutsumi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - John S Burg
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Jessica R Ingram
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Deepa Waghray
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Gertrud M Hjorto
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
| | - Olav Larsen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
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63
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Hughes CE, Nibbs RJB. A guide to chemokines and their receptors. FEBS J 2018; 285:2944-2971. [PMID: 29637711 PMCID: PMC6120486 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 694] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The chemokines (or chemotactic cytokines) are a large family of small, secreted proteins that signal through cell surface G protein-coupled heptahelical chemokine receptors. They are best known for their ability to stimulate the migration of cells, most notably white blood cells (leukocytes). Consequently, chemokines play a central role in the development and homeostasis of the immune system, and are involved in all protective or destructive immune and inflammatory responses. Classically viewed as inducers of directed chemotactic migration, it is now clear that chemokines can stimulate a variety of other types of directed and undirected migratory behavior, such as haptotaxis, chemokinesis, and haptokinesis, in addition to inducing cell arrest or adhesion. However, chemokine receptors on leukocytes can do more than just direct migration, and these molecules can also be expressed on, and regulate the biology of, many nonleukocytic cell types. Chemokines are profoundly affected by post-translational modification, by interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM), and by binding to heptahelical 'atypical' chemokine receptors that regulate chemokine localization and abundance. This guide gives a broad overview of the chemokine and chemokine receptor families; summarizes the complex physical interactions that occur in the chemokine network; and, using specific examples, discusses general principles of chemokine function, focusing particularly on their ability to direct leukocyte migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Hughes
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Robert J B Nibbs
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
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64
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Eaton JRO, Alenazi Y, Singh K, Davies G, Geis-Asteggiante L, Kessler B, Robinson CV, Kawamura A, Bhattacharya S. The N-terminal domain of a tick evasin is critical for chemokine binding and neutralization and confers specific binding activity to other evasins. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:6134-6146. [PMID: 29487134 PMCID: PMC5912465 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick chemokine-binding proteins (evasins) are an emerging class of biologicals that target multiple chemokines and show anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical disease models. Using yeast surface display, we identified a CCL8-binding evasin, P672, from the tick Rhipicephalus pulchellus We found that P672 binds CCL8 and eight other CC-class chemokines with a Kd < 10 nm and four other CC chemokines with a Kd between 10 and 100 nm and neutralizes CCL3, CCL3L1, and CCL8 with an IC50 < 10 nm The CC chemokine-binding profile was distinct from that of evasin 1 (EVA1), which does not bind CCL8. We also show that P672's binding activity can be markedly modulated by the location of a StrepII-His purification tag. Combining native MS and bottom-up proteomics, we further demonstrated that P672 is glycosylated and forms a 1:1 complex with CCL8, disrupting CCL8 homodimerization. Homology modeling of P672 using the crystal structure of the EVA1 and CCL3 complex as template suggested that 44 N-terminal residues of P672 form most of the contacts with CCL8. Replacing the 29 N-terminal residues of EVA1 with the 44 N-terminal residues of P672 enabled this hybrid evasin to bind and neutralize CCL8, indicating that the CCL8-binding properties of P672 reside, in part, in its N-terminal residues. This study shows that the function of certain tick evasins can be manipulated simply by adding a tag. We conclude that homology modeling helps identify regions with transportable chemokine-binding functions within evasins, which can be used to construct hybrid evasins with altered properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R O Eaton
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
- the Department of Chemistry, and
| | - Yara Alenazi
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | - Kamayani Singh
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | - Graham Davies
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | | | - Benedikt Kessler
- the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | | | - Akane Kawamura
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
- the Department of Chemistry, and
| | - Shoumo Bhattacharya
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine,
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65
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Uetz-von Allmen E, Rippl AV, Farhan H, Legler DF. A unique signal sequence of the chemokine receptor CCR7 promotes package into COPII vesicles for efficient receptor trafficking. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 104:375-389. [PMID: 29603364 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2vma1217-492r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are considered to belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors that use the first transmembrane domain as signal anchor sequence for membrane insertion instead of a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence. Chemokine recognition is determined by the N-termini of chemokine receptors. Here, we show that the chemokine receptor CCR7, which is essential for directed migration of adaptive immune cells, possesses a 24 amino acids long N-terminal signal sequence that is unique among chemokine receptors. This sequence is cleaved off the mature human and mouse protein. Introducing single point mutations in the hydrophobic core h-region or in the polar C-terminal segment (c-region) of the signal sequence to interfere with its cleavage retained CCR7 in the ER and prevented its surface expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correct topology of the 35 amino acids short extracellular N-tail of CCR7 in a deletion mutant lacking the natural signal sequence. This signal sequence deletion mutant of CCR7 is fully functional as it efficiently binds its ligand, elicits chemokine-induced calcium mobilization, and directs cell migration. However, we show that the signal sequence promotes efficient recruitment of the GPCR to ER exit sites, thereby controlling efficient ER to Golgi trafficking of CCR7 on its way to reach the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Uetz-von Allmen
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra V Rippl
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Hesso Farhan
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Daniel F Legler
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg), University of Konstanz, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
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66
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Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which mediate processes as diverse as olfaction and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, have become the single most effective class of therapeutic drug targets. As a result, understanding the molecular basis for their activity is of paramount importance. Recent technological advances have made GPCR structural biology increasingly tractable, offering views of these receptors in unprecedented atomic detail. Structural and biophysical data have shown that GPCRs function as complex allosteric machines, communicating ligand-binding events through conformational change. Changes in receptor conformation lead to activation of effector proteins, such as G proteins and arrestins, which are themselves conformational switches. Here, we review how structural biology has illuminated the agonist-induced cascade of conformational changes that culminate in a cellular response to GPCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Erlandson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
| | - Conor McMahon
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
| | - Andrew C Kruse
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
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67
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Berkamp S, Park SH, De Angelis AA, Marassi FM, Opella SJ. Structure of monomeric Interleukin-8 and its interactions with the N-terminal Binding Site-I of CXCR1 by solution NMR spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2017; 69:111-121. [PMID: 29143165 PMCID: PMC5869024 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-017-0128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The structure of monomeric human chemokine IL-8 (residues 1-66) was determined in aqueous solution by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the monomer is similar to that of each subunit in the dimeric full-length protein (residues 1-72), with the main differences being the location of the N-loop (residues 10-22) relative to the C-terminal α-helix and the position of the side chain of phenylalanine 65 near the truncated dimerization interface (residues 67-72). NMR was used to analyze the interactions of monomeric IL-8 (1-66) with ND-CXCR1 (residues 1-38), a soluble polypeptide corresponding to the N-terminal portion of the ligand binding site (Binding Site-I) of the chemokine receptor CXCR1 in aqueous solution, and with 1TM-CXCR1 (residues 1-72), a membrane-associated polypeptide that includes the same N-terminal portion of the binding site, the first trans-membrane helix, and the first intracellular loop of the receptor in nanodiscs. The presence of neither the first transmembrane helix of the receptor nor the lipid bilayer significantly affected the interactions of IL-8 with Binding Site-I of CXCR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Berkamp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0307, USA
| | - Sang Ho Park
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0307, USA
| | - Anna A De Angelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0307, USA
| | - Francesca M Marassi
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Stanley J Opella
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0307, USA.
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68
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Glycosaminoglycan Interactions with Chemokines Add Complexity to a Complex System. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2017; 10:ph10030070. [PMID: 28792472 PMCID: PMC5620614 DOI: 10.3390/ph10030070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines have two types of interactions that function cooperatively to control cell migration. Chemokine receptors on migrating cells integrate signals initiated upon chemokine binding to promote cell movement. Interactions with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) localize chemokines on and near cell surfaces and the extracellular matrix to provide direction to the cell movement. The matrix of interacting chemokine–receptor partners has been known for some time, precise signaling and trafficking properties of many chemokine–receptor pairs have been characterized, and recent structural information has revealed atomic level detail on chemokine–receptor recognition and activation. However, precise knowledge of the interactions of chemokines with GAGs has lagged far behind such that a single paradigm of GAG presentation on surfaces is generally applied to all chemokines. This review summarizes accumulating evidence which suggests that there is a great deal of diversity and specificity in these interactions, that GAG interactions help fine-tune the function of chemokines, and that GAGs have other roles in chemokine biology beyond localization and surface presentation. This suggests that chemokine–GAG interactions add complexity to the already complex functions of the receptors and ligands.
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69
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Flanagan CA, Manilall A. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor Structure and GnRH Binding. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:274. [PMID: 29123501 PMCID: PMC5662886 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates reproduction. The human GnRH receptor lacks a cytoplasmic carboxy-terminal tail but has amino acid sequence motifs characteristic of rhodopsin-like, class A, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This review will consider how recent descriptions of X-ray crystallographic structures of GPCRs in inactive and active conformations may contribute to understanding GnRH receptor structure, mechanism of activation and ligand binding. The structures confirmed that ligands bind to variable extracellular surfaces, whereas the seven membrane-spanning α-helices convey the activation signal to the cytoplasmic receptor surface, which binds and activates heterotrimeric G proteins. Forty non-covalent interactions that bridge topologically equivalent residues in different transmembrane (TM) helices are conserved in class A GPCR structures, regardless of activation state. Conformation-independent interhelical contacts account for a conserved receptor protein structure and their importance in the GnRH receptor structure is supported by decreased expression of receptors with mutations of residues in the network. Many of the GnRH receptor mutations associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, including the Glu2.53(90) Lys mutation, involve amino acids that constitute the conserved network. Half of the ~250 intramolecular interactions in GPCRs differ between inactive and active structures. Conformation-specific interhelical contacts depend on amino acids changing partners during activation. Conserved inactive conformation-specific contacts prevent receptor activation by stabilizing proximity of TM helices 3 and 6 and a closed G protein-binding site. Mutations of GnRH receptor residues involved in these interactions, such as Arg3.50(139) of the DRY/S motif or Tyr7.53(323) of the N/DPxxY motif, increase or decrease receptor expression and efficiency of receptor coupling to G protein signaling, consistent with the native residues stabilizing the inactive GnRH receptor structure. Active conformation-specific interhelical contacts stabilize an open G protein-binding site. Progress in defining the GnRH-binding site has recently slowed, with evidence that Tyr6.58(290) contacts Tyr5 of GnRH, whereas other residues affect recognition of Trp3 and Gly10NH2. The surprisingly consistent observations that GnRH receptor mutations that disrupt GnRH binding have less effect on "conformationally constrained" GnRH peptides may now be explained by crystal structures of agonist-bound peptide receptors. Analysis of GPCR structures provides insight into GnRH receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen A. Flanagan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Colleen A. Flanagan,
| | - Ashmeetha Manilall
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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