Real-time visualization of heterotrimeric G protein Gq activation in living cells

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy techniques allow the quantification of fluorescent molecules present at the nanomolar concentration level. After a brief introduction to the technique, this chapter presents a protocol including background information in order to measure and quantify the molecular interaction of two signaling proteins inside the living cell using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy.

EFR3s are palmitoylated plasma membrane proteins that control responsiveness to G-protein-coupled receptors

The yeast Efr3p protein is a main regulator of the Stt4p phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase at contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. A mutation in its fly homologue Rbo, leads to diminished light responses in the eye attributed to progressively impaired PLC signaling. Here, we find that Efr3s plays a role in maintaining responsiveness to the type-I angiotensin II (AngII) receptors. siRNA-mediated depletion of EFR3A and EFR3B impaired the sustained phase of cytosolic Ca(2+) response to high concentration of AngII in HEK293 cells that express wild type but not truncated AGTR1 (AT1a receptor), missing the phosphorylation sites. Efr3 depletion had minimal effect on the recovery of plasma membrane phosphoinositides during stimulation, and AT1 receptors still underwent ligand-induced internalization. A higher level of basal receptor phosphorylation and a larger response was observed after stimulation. Moreover, Gq activation more rapidly desensitized after AngII stimulation in Efr3 downregulated cells. A similar but less pronounced effect of EFR3 depletion was observed on the desensitization of the cAMP response after stimulation with isoproterenol. These data suggest that mammalian Efr3s contribute to the control of the phosphorylation state and, hence, desensitization of AT1a receptors, and could affect responsiveness of G-protein-coupled receptors in higher eukaryotes.

Dynamics of Gαq-protein-p63RhoGEF interaction and its regulation by RGS2

Some G-protein-coupled receptors regulate biological processes via Gα12/13- or Gαq/11-mediated stimulation of RhoGEFs (guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors). p63RhoGEF is known to be specifically activated by Gαq/11 and mediates a major part of the acute response of vascular smooth muscle cells to angiotensin II treatment. In order to gain information about the dynamics of receptor-mediated activation of p63RhoGEF, we developed a FRET-based assay to study interactions between Gαq-CFP and Venus-p63RhoGEF in single living cells. Upon activation of histaminergic H1 or muscarinic M3 receptors, a robust FRET signal occurred that allowed for the first time the analysis of the kinetics of this interaction in detail. On- and off-set kinetics of Gαq-p63RhoGEF interactions closely resembled the kinetics of Gαq activity. Analysis of the effect of RGS2 (regulator of G-protein signalling 2) on the dynamics of Gαq activity and their interaction with p63RhoGEF showed that RGS2 is able to accelerate both deactivation of Gαq proteins and dissociation of Gαq and p63RhoGEF to a similar extent. Furthermore, we were able to detect activation-dependent FRET between RGS2 and p63RhoGEF and observed a reduced p63RhoGEF-mediated downstream signalling in the presence of RGS2. In summary, these observations support the concept of a functional activation-dependent p63RhoGEF-Gαq-RGS2 complex.

Extensive use of FRET in biological imaging

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a phenomenon used for bioimaging ranging from single molecules to in vivo scale. A large variety of organic dyes and fluorescent proteins are available for FRET probes. In this review, we introduce the representative pairs of FRET probes developed thus far. The efficiency of FRET is depending on the spectral overlap of donor emission and acceptor absorption, the orientation of donor and acceptor and their distance. For FRET-based indicators composed of fluorescent proteins, their orientation and dimeric property of donor and acceptor largely affect the FRET efficiency, indicating the effect for the performance of indicators. In addition, three major applications of FRET, including genetically encoded indicators, single-molecule FRET, and enhancement of chemiluminescent proteins, have been introduced and their functions have also been discussed.

Subcellular fractionation and localization studies reveal a direct interaction of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) with nucleolin

Fragile X mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is a well-known regulator of local translation of its mRNA targets in neurons. However, despite its ubiquitous expression, the role of FMRP remains ill-defined in other cell types. In this study we investigated the subcellular distribution of FMRP and its protein complexes in HeLa cells using confocal imaging as well as detergent-free fractionation and size exclusion protocols. We found FMRP localized exclusively to solid compartments, including cytosolic heavy and light membranes, mitochondria, nuclear membrane and nucleoli. Interestingly, FMRP was associated with nucleolin in both a high molecular weight ribosomal and translation-associated complex (≥6 MDa) in the cytosol, and a low molecular weight complex (∼200 kDa) in the nucleoli. Consistently, we identified two functional nucleolar localization signals (NoLSs) in FMRP that are responsible for a strong nucleolar colocalization of the C-terminus of FMRP with nucleolin, and a direct interaction of the N-terminus of FMRP with the arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) domain of nucleolin. Taken together, we propose a novel mechanism by which a transient nucleolar localization of FMRP underlies a strong nucleocytoplasmic translocation, most likely in a complex with nucleolin and possibly ribosomes, in order to regulate translation of its target mRNAs.

Development of FRET biosensors for mammalian and plant systems

Genetically encoded biosensors are increasingly used in visualising signalling processes in different organisms. Sensors based on green fluorescent protein technology are providing a great opportunity for using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) as a tool that allows for monitoring dynamic processes in living cells. The development of these FRET biosensors requires careful selection of fluorophores, substrates and recognition domains. In this review, we will discuss recent developments, strategies to create and optimise FRET biosensors and applications of FRET-based biosensors for use in the two major eukaryotic kingdoms and elaborate on different methods for FRET detection.

Signaling efficiency of Gαq through its effectors p63RhoGEF and GEFT depends on their subcellular location

The p63RhoGEF and GEFT proteins are encoded by the same gene and both members of the Dbl family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors. These proteins can be activated by the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit Gαq. We show that p63RhoGEF is located at the plasma membrane, whereas GEFT is confined to the cytoplasm. Live-cell imaging studies yielded quantitative information on diffusion coefficients, association rates and encounter times of GEFT and p63RhoGEF. Calcium signaling was examined as a measure of the signal transmission, revealing more efficient signaling through the membrane-associated p63RhoGEF. A rapamycin dependent recruitment system was used to dynamically alter the subcellular location and concentration of GEFT, showing efficient signaling through GEFT only upon membrane recruitment. Together, our results show efficient signal transmission through membrane located effectors, and highlight a role for increased concentration rather than increased encounter times due to membrane localization in the Gαq mediated pathways to p63RhoGEF and PLCβ.

Gαq signalling: the new and the old

In the last few years the interactome of Gαq has expanded considerably, contributing to improve our understanding of the cellular and physiological events controlled by this G alpha subunit. The availability of high-resolution crystal structures has led the identification of an effector-binding region within the surface of Gαq that is able to recognise a variety of effector proteins. Consequently, it has been possible to ascribe different Gαq functions to specific cellular players and to identify important processes that are triggered independently of the canonical activation of phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ), the first identified Gαq effector. Novel effectors include p63RhoGEF, that provides a link between G protein-coupled receptors and RhoA activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), implicated in the regulation of the Akt pathway, or the cold-activated TRPM8 channel, which is directly inhibited upon Gαq binding. Recently, the activation of ERK5 MAPK by Gq-coupled receptors has also been described as a novel PLCβ-independent signalling axis that relies upon the interaction between this G protein and two novel effectors (PKCζ and MEK5). Additionally, the association of Gαq with different regulatory proteins can modulate its effector coupling ability and, therefore, its signalling potential. Regulators include accessory proteins that facilitate effector activation or, alternatively, inhibitory proteins that downregulate effector binding or promote signal termination. Moreover, Gαq is known to interact with several components of the cytoskeleton as well as with important organisers of membrane microdomains, which suggests that efficient signalling complexes might be confined to specific subcellular environments. Overall, the complex interaction network of Gαq underlies an ever-expanding functional diversity that puts forward this G alpha subunit as a major player in the control of physiological functions and in the development of different pathological situations.

FRET and BRET-based biosensors in live cell compound screens

Live cell compound screening with genetically encoded fluorescence or bioluminescence-based biosensors offers a potentially powerful approach to identify novel regulators of a signaling event of interest. In particular, compound screening in living cells has the added benefit that the entire signaling network remains intact, and thus the screen is not just against a single molecule of interest but against any molecule within the signaling network that may modulate the distinct signaling event reported by the biosensor in use. Furthermore, only molecules that are cell permeable or act at cell surface receptors will be identified as "hits," thus reducing further optimization of the compound in terms of cell penetration. Here we discuss a detailed protocol for using genetically encoded biosensors in living cells in a 96-well format for the execution of high throughput compound screens and the identification of small molecules which modulate a signaling event of interest.

Biarsenical ligands bind to endogenous G-protein α-subunits and enable allosteric sensing of nucleotide binding

BACKGROUND

Heterotrimeric G-proteins relay extracellular signals to intracellular effector proteins. Multiple methods have been developed to monitor their activity; including labeled nucleotides and biosensors based on genetically engineered G-proteins. Here we describe a method for monitoring unlabeled nucleotide binding to endogenous G-proteins α-subunits in a homogeneous assay based on the interaction of 4',5'-bis(1,2,3-dithioarsolan-2-yl)-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (F2FlAsH) with G-protein α-subunits.

RESULTS

The biarsenic fluorescent ligand F2FlAsH binds to various wild-type G-protein α-subunits (αi1, αi2, αi3, αslong, αsshort, αolf, αq, α13) via high affinity As-cysteine interactions. This allosteric label enables real time monitoring of the nucleotide bound states of α-subunits via changes in fluorescence anisotropy and intensity of their F2FlAsH-complexes. We have found that different α-subunits displayed different signal amplitudes when interacting with F2FlAsH, being more sensitive to nucleotide binding to αi, αs, αolf and αq than to α13. Addition of nucleotides to F2FlAsH-labeled α-subunits caused concentration-dependent effects on their fluorescence anisotropy. pEC50 values of studied nucleotides depended on the subtype of the α-subunit and were from 5.7 to 8.2 for GTPγS, from 5.4 to 8.1 for GppNHp and from 4.8 to 8.2 for GDP and lastly up to 5.9 for GMP. While GDP and GMP increased the fluorescence anisotropy of F2FlAsH complexes with αi-subunits, they had the opposite effect on the other αβγM complexes studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Biarsenical ligands interact allosterically with endogenous G-protein α-subunits in a nucleotide-sensitive manner, so the presence or absence of guanine nucleotides has an effect on the fluorescence anisotropy, intensity and lifetime of F2FlAsH-G-protein complexes.

Agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization in smooth muscle: redundancy of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) and response kinetics, a caged compound study

Many agonists, acting through G-protein-coupled receptors and Gα subunits of the heterotrimeric G-proteins, induce contraction of smooth muscle through an increase of [Ca(2+)]i as well as activation of the RhoA/RhoA-activated kinase pathway that amplifies the contractile force, a phenomenon known as Ca(2+) sensitization. Gα12/13 subunits are known to activate the regulator of G-protein signaling-like family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), which includes PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG) and leukemia-associated RhoGEF (LARG). However, their contributions to Ca(2+)-sensitized force are not well understood. Using permeabilized blood vessels from PRG(-/-) mice and a new method to silence LARG in organ-cultured blood vessels, we show that both RhoGEFs are activated by the physiologically and pathophysiologically important thromboxane A2 and endothelin-1 receptors. The co-activation is the result of direct and independent activation of both RhoGEFs as well as their co-recruitment due to heterodimerization. The isolated recombinant C-terminal domain of PRG, which is responsible for heterodimerization with LARG, strongly inhibited Ca(2+)-sensitized force. We used photolysis of caged phenylephrine, caged guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) in solution, and caged GTPγS or caged GTP loaded on the RhoA·RhoGDI complex to show that the recruitment and activation of RhoGEFs is the cause of a significant time lag between the initial Ca(2+) transient and phasic force components and the onset of Ca(2+)-sensitized force.

Calcium sensing receptor signalling in physiology and cancer

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) is a class C G-protein-coupled receptor that is crucial for the feedback regulation of extracellular free ionised calcium homeostasis. While extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)o) is considered the primary physiological ligand, the CaSR is activated physiologically by a plethora of molecules including polyamines and l-amino acids. Activation of the CaSR by different ligands has the ability to stabilise unique conformations of the receptor, which may lead to preferential coupling of different G proteins; a phenomenon termed 'ligand-biased signalling'. While mutations of the CaSR are currently not linked with any malignancies, altered CaSR expression and function are associated with cancer progression. Interestingly, the CaSR appears to act both as a tumour suppressor and an oncogene, depending on the pathophysiology involved. Reduced expression of the CaSR occurs in both parathyroid and colon cancers, leading to loss of the growth suppressing effect of high Ca(2+)o. On the other hand, activation of the CaSR might facilitate metastasis to bone in breast and prostate cancer. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving CaSR signalling in different tissues, aided by a systems biology approach, will be instrumental in developing novel drugs that target the CaSR or its ligands in cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 12th European Symposium on Calcium.

p63RhoGEF: a new switch for G(q)-mediated activation of smooth muscle

In normal and diseased vascular smooth muscle (SM), the RhoA pathway, which is activated by multiple agonists through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), plays a central role in regulating basal tone and peripheral resistance. Multiple RhoA GTP exchange factors (GEFs) are expressed in SM, raising the possibility that specific agonists coupled to specific GPCRs may couple to distinct RhoGEFs and provide novel therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the function and mechanisms of activation of p63RhoGEF (Arhgef 25; GEFT) recently identified in SM and its possible role in selective targeting of RhoA-mediated regulation of basal blood pressure through agonists that couple through G(αq/11).

Comparison of the activation kinetics of the M3 acetylcholine receptor and a constitutively active mutant receptor in living cells

Activation of G-protein-coupled receptors is the first step of the signaling cascade triggered by binding of an agonist. Here we compare the activation kinetics of the G(q)-coupled M(3) acetylcholine receptor (M(3)-AChR) with that of a constitutively active mutant receptor (M(3)-AChR-N514Y) using M(3)-AChR constructs that report receptor activation by changes in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal. We observed a leftward shift in the concentration-dependent FRET response for acetylcholine and carbachol with M(3)-AChR-N514Y. Consistent with this result, at submaximal agonist concentrations, the activation kinetics of M(3)-AChR-N514Y were significantly faster, whereas at maximal agonist concentrations the kinetics of receptor activation were identical. Receptor deactivation was significantly faster with carbachol than with acetylcholine and was significantly delayed by the N514Y mutation. Receptor-G-protein interaction was measured by FRET between M(3)-AChR-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-Gγ(2). Agonist-induced receptor-G-protein coupling was of a time scale similar to that of receptor activation. As observed for receptor deactivation, receptor-G-protein dissociation was slower for acetylcholine than that for carbachol. Acetylcholine-stimulated increases in receptor-G-protein coupling of M(3)-AChR-N514Y reached only 12% of that of M(3)-AChR and thus cannot be kinetically analyzed. G-protein activation was measured using YFP-tagged Gα(q) and CFP-tagged Gγ(2). Activation of G(q) was significantly slower than receptor activation and indistinguishable for the two agonists. However, G(q) deactivation was significantly prolonged for acetylcholine compared with that for carbachol. Consistent with decreased agonist-stimulated coupling to G(q), agonist-stimulated G(q) activation by M(3)-AChR-N514Y was not detected. Taken together, these results indicate that the N514Y mutation produces constitutive activation of M(3)-AChR by decreasing the rate of receptor deactivation, while having minimal effect on receptor activation.

Fluorescence/bioluminescence resonance energy transfer techniques to study G-protein-coupled receptor activation and signaling

Fluorescence and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET and BRET) techniques allow the sensitive monitoring of distances between two labels at the nanometer scale. Depending on the placement of the labels, this permits the analysis of conformational changes within a single protein (for example of a receptor) or the monitoring of protein-protein interactions (for example, between receptors and G-protein subunits). Over the past decade, numerous such techniques have been developed to monitor the activation and signaling of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in both the purified, reconstituted state and in intact cells. These techniques span the entire spectrum from ligand binding to the receptors down to intracellular second messengers. They allow the determination and the visualization of signaling processes with high temporal and spatial resolution. With these techniques, it has been demonstrated that GPCR signals may show spatial and temporal patterning. In particular, evidence has been provided for spatial compartmentalization of GPCRs and their signals in intact cells and for distinct physiological consequences of such spatial patterning. We review here the FRET and BRET technologies that have been developed for G-protein-coupled receptors and their signaling proteins (G-proteins, effectors) and the concepts that result from such experiments.

Intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors of the orexin OX1 and OX2 receptors identify slow kinetics of agonist activation

Intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors able to detect changes in distance or orientation between the 3rd intracellular loop and C-terminal tail of the human orexin OX(1) and OX(2) G protein-coupled receptors following binding of agonist ligands were produced and expressed stably. These were directed to the plasma membrane and, despite the substantial sequence alterations introduced, in each case were able to elevate [Ca(2+)](i), promote phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAP kinases and become internalized effectively upon addition of the native orexin peptides. Detailed characterization of the OX(1) sensor demonstrated that it was activated with rank order of potency orexin A > orexin B > orexin A 16-33, that it bound antagonist ligands with affinity similar to the wild-type receptor, and that mutation of a single residue, D203A, greatly reduced the binding and function of orexin A but not antagonist ligands. Addition of orexin A to individual cells expressing an OX(1) sensor resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent reduction in FRET signal consistent with mass-action and potency/affinity estimates for the peptide. Compared with the response kinetics of a muscarinic M(3) acetylcholine receptor sensor upon addition of agonist, response of the OX(1) and OX(2) sensors to orexin A was slow, consistent with a multistep binding and activation process. Such sensors provide means to assess the kinetics of receptor activation and how this may be altered by mutation and sequence variation of the receptors.

Switching heterotrimeric G protein subunits with a chemical dimerizer

The selective manipulation of single intracellular-signaling events remains one of the key tasks when studying signaling networks. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the stimulation of FKBP fusions of various subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins by the simple addition of the chemical dimerizer rapamycin. Activation of constitutively active Gα(q), but not its GDP-bound form, leads to sustained oscillations of intracellular calcium and myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) levels in HEK cells, independent of the activation of endogenous Gα(q), in full agreement with the InsP(3)-Ca(2+) cross-coupling model of calcium oscillations. Rapamycin-induced translocation of wild-type Gα(s) to the plasma membrane results in elevated cAMP levels. Activation of rapamycin-inducible Gα(s) or Gβ(1)γ(2) evokes extensive modulation of ATP-induced calcium transients. The results demonstrate that inducible heterotrimeric G protein subunits will provide ways for dissecting G protein-coupled receptor signaling.

Quantitative imaging with fluorescent biosensors

Molecular activities are highly dynamic and can occur locally in subcellular domains or compartments. Neighboring cells in the same tissue can exist in different states. Therefore, quantitative information on the cellular and subcellular dynamics of ions, signaling molecules, and metabolites is critical for functional understanding of organisms. Mass spectrometry is generally used for monitoring ions and metabolites; however, its temporal and spatial resolution are limited. Fluorescent proteins have revolutionized many areas of biology-e.g., fluorescent proteins can report on gene expression or protein localization in real time-yet promoter-based reporters are often slow to report physiologically relevant changes such as calcium oscillations. Therefore, novel tools are required that can be deployed in specific cells and targeted to subcellular compartments in order to quantify target molecule dynamics directly. We require tools that can measure enzyme activities, protein dynamics, and biophysical processes (e.g., membrane potential or molecular tension) with subcellular resolution. Today, we have an extensive suite of tools at our disposal to address these challenges, including translocation sensors, fluorescence-intensity sensors, and Förster resonance energy transfer sensors. This review summarizes sensor design principles, provides a database of sensors for more than 70 different analytes/processes, and gives examples of applications in quantitative live cell imaging.

Quantitative co-expression of proteins at the single cell level--application to a multimeric FRET sensor

Background

Co-expression of proteins is generally achieved by introducing two (or more) independent plasmids into cells, each driving the expression of a different protein of interest. However, the relative expression levels may vary strongly between individual cells and cannot be controlled. Ideally, co-expression occurs at a defined ratio, which is constant among cells. This feature is of particular importance for quantitative single cell studies, especially those employing bimolecular Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) sensors.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Four co-expression strategies based on co-transfection, a dual promotor plasmid, an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and a viral 2A peptide were selected. Co-expression of two spectrally separable fluorescent proteins in single living cells was quantified. It is demonstrated that the 2A peptide strategy can be used for robust equimolar co-expression, while the IRES sequence allows expression of two proteins at a ratio of approximately 3:1. Combined 2A and IRES elements were used for the construction of a single plasmid that drives expression of three individual proteins, which generates a FRET sensor for measuring heterotrimeric G-protein activation. The plasmid drives co-expression of donor and acceptor tagged subunits, with reduced heterogeneity, and can be used to measure G-protein activation in single living cells.

Conclusions/Significance

Quantitative co-expression of two or more proteins can be achieved with little cell-to-cell variability. This finding enables reliable co-expression of donor and acceptor tagged proteins for FRET studies, which is of particular importance for the development of novel bimolecular sensors that can be expressed from single plasmid.