Polar residues in the transmembrane domains of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor are required for binding and coupling. Reconstitution of the binding site by co-expression of two deficient mutants

New aspects of G-protein-coupled receptor signalling and regulation

Research on the structure, regulation and signalling properties of the family of seven-transmembrane-helix, heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) continues at a frantic pace. This reflects their central role in transmission of hormone- and neurotransmitter-encoded information across the plasma membrane of cells. The location of the ligand-binding sites on the extracellular face of the membrane has made them obvious targets for therapeutic intervention in a wide range of conditions resulting from endocrine imbalance. Furthermore, based on the identification of many novel GPCR sequences emerging from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and other DNA sequencing programmes, it has become clear that the GPCR family is likely to be considerably larger than appreciated in even the recent past. Although neither the natural ligands nor synthetic pharmaceuticals have yet been identified for these so-called ;orphan' GPCRs, they offer the potential for a plethora of new therapeutic targets. Within a short review, it is impossible to cover all the current developments in this field and the topics selected represent a personal view of recent highlights of areas that provide both novel and general insights into the function and regulation of GPCRs.

A new approach to docking in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor that exploits the domain structure of G-protein-coupled receptors

A novel technique for docking ligands to the beta 2-adrenergic receptor is described which exploits the domain structure of this class of receptors. The ligands (norepinephrine, an agonist; pindolol, a partial agonist; and propranolol, an antagonist) were docked into the receptor using the key conserved aspartate on helix 3 (D113) as an initial guide to the placement of the amino group and GRID maps (Goodford, P. J. J. Med. Chem, 1985, 28, 849) to identify the likely binding regions of the hydrophobic (and hydroxyl) moieties on the A domain (comprising of helices 1-5). The essence of the new approach involved pulling the B domain, which includes helices 6 and 7, away from the other domain by 5-7 A. During the subsequent minimization and molecular dynamics, the receptor ligand complex reformed to yield structures which were very well supported by site-directed mutagenesis data. In particular, the model predicted a number of important interactions between the antagonist and key residues on helix 7 (notably Leu311 and Asn312) which have not been described in many previous computer simulation studies. The justification for this new approach is discussed in terms of (a) phase space sampling and (b) mimicking the natural domain dynamics which may include domain swapping and dimerization to form a 5,6-domain-swapped dimer. The observed structural changes in the receptor when pindolol, the partial agonist, was docked were midway between those observed for propranolol and norepinephrine. These structural changes, particularly the changes in helix-helix interactions at the dimer interface, support the idea that the receptors have a very dynamic structure and may shed some light on the activation process. The receptor model used in these studies is well supported by experiment, including site-directed mutagenesis (helices 1-7), zinc binding studies (helices 2, 3, 5, and 6), the substituted cysteine accessibility method (helices 3, 5, and 7), and site-directed spin-labeling studies (helices 3-6).

Dimerization of the delta opioid receptor: implication for a role in receptor internalization

Dimerization of G-protein-coupled receptors has been increasingly noted in the regulation of their biological activity. However, its involvement in agonist-induced receptor internalization is not well understood. In this study, we examined the ability of mouse delta-opioid receptors to dimerize and the role of receptor dimerization in agonist-induced internalization. Using differentially (Flag and c-Myc) epitope-tagged receptors we show that delta-opioid receptors exist as dimers. The level of dimerization is agonist dependent. Increasing concentrations of agonists reduce the levels of dimer with a corresponding increase in the levels of monomer. Interestingly, morphine does not affect the levels of either form. It has been shown that morphine, unlike other opioid agonists, does not induce receptor internalization. This suggests a relationship between the ability of agonists to reduce the levels of dimer and to induce receptor internalization. The time course of the agonist-induced decrease of delta-opioid receptor dimers is shorter than the time course of internalization, suggesting that monomerization precedes the agonist-induced internalization of the receptor. Furthermore, we found that a mutant delta-opioid receptor, with a 15-residue C-terminal deletion, does not exhibit dimerization. This mutant receptor has been shown to lack the ability to undergo agonist-induced internalization. These results suggest that the interconversion between the dimeric and monomeric forms plays a role in opioid receptor internalization.

The C-terminal third intracellular loop of the rat AT1A angiotensin receptor plays a key role in G protein coupling specificity and transduction of the mitogenic signal

To identify the role(s) of the third intracellular loop of the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1A (AT1A) receptor in G protein coupling specificity and receptor activation, several chimerae were constructed and characterized. The cDNA sequence encoding the C-terminal segment of the third intracellular loop of the AT1A receptor (residues 234-240) was replaced with the homologous regions of the alpha1B adrenergic (alpha1B-AR), the beta2 adrenergic (beta2-AR), and the AngII type 2 (AT2) receptors. These chimeric receptors were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and their pharmacological and functional properties were characterized, including AngII-induced inositol phosphate and cyclic AMP (cAMP) productions, [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, and internalization. The affinities of these chimeric receptors for [Sar1]AngII, [Sar1,Ile8]AngII, and losartan were essentially normal; however, the affinity of these mutants was increased by a factor of 10-40 for the AT2-specific ligand CGP42112A. The functional properties of the alpha1B-AR chimera were essentially identical to those of the wild type AT1A receptor. On the other hand, replacement with the beta2-AR segment produced a partial reduction of the inositol phosphate production, a measurable AngII-induced cAMP accumulation, a reduced internalization, and a total impairment to transduce the mitogenic effect of AngII. The AT2 chimera presented a normal internalization, but was inactive in all the other functional tests. In conclusion, the distal segment of the third intracellular loop of the rat AT1A receptor plays a pivotal role in coupling selectivity and receptor signaling via G protein(s) as well as in the activation of the specific signaling pathways involved in the mitogenic actions of AngII.

Co-expression of defective luteinizing hormone receptor fragments partially reconstitutes ligand-induced signal generation

Gonadotropin receptors are unique members of the seven-transmembrane (TM), G protein-coupled receptor family with a large extracellular (EC) sequence forming the high-affinity ligand binding domain. In a patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia, we identified a mutant LH receptor that is truncated at TM5. This protein retains limited ligand binding ability but cannot mediate cAMP responses. To study interactions between receptor fragments defective in either ligand binding or signal transduction, we co-expressed this truncated receptor together with a chimeric receptor containing the EC region of the FSH receptor and the TM region of the LH receptor. Although the chimeric receptor could not respond to human chorionic gonadotropin in producing cAMP, co-expression with the truncated LH receptor allowed partial restoration of ligand signaling through intermolecular interactions. In addition, co-expression of the same truncated LH receptor with an N-terminally truncated LH receptor that lacked the EC ligand binding domain also partially restored ligand signaling. Further shortening of the TM region in the mutant receptor found in the patient indicated that the EC domain and TM1 were sufficient for interactions with the N terminally truncated receptor. In contrast, co-expression of the N terminally truncated receptor together with cell-associated or soluble EC region of the LH receptor did not allow ligand signaling. Unlike thrombin receptors, co-expression of the anchored EC region of the LH receptor together with the N-terminally truncated receptor did not allow ligand signaling despite moderate levels of human chorionic gonadotropin binding in transfected cells. These studies demonstrate that the co-expression of binding (+)/signaling (-) and binding (-)/signaling (+) receptor fragments partially restores ligand-induced signal generation and indicate the importance of TM1 of the LH receptor in the proper orientation of the EC ligand binding domain.

Reconstitution of mutant V2 vasopressin receptors by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Molecular basis and clinical implication

Recent studies with transfected COS-7 cells have shown that functionally inactive mutant V2 vasopressin receptors (occurring in patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) can be functionally rescued by coexpression of a carboxy-terminal V2 receptor fragment (V2-tail) spanning the region where various mutations occur [Schöneberg, T., J. Yun, D. Wenkert, and J. Wess. 1996. EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 15:1283-1291]. In this study, we set out to characterize the underlying molecular mechanism. Using a coimmunoprecipitation strategy and a newly developed sandwich ELISA system, a direct and highly specific interaction between the mutant V2 vasopressin receptor proteins and the V2-tail polypeptide was demonstrated. To study the potential therapeutic usefulness of these findings, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing low levels of functionally inactive mutant V2 vasopressin receptors were created and infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying the V2-tail gene fragment. After adenovirus infection, vasopressin gained the ability to stimulate cAMP formation with high potency and efficacy in all CHO cell clones studied. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer also proved to be a highly efficient method for achieving expression of the V2-tail fragment (as well as the wild-type V2 receptor) in Madin-Darby canine kidney tubular cells. Taken together, these studies clarify the molecular mechanisms by which receptor fragments can restore function of mutationally inactivated G protein-coupled receptors and suggest that adenovirus-mediated expression of receptor fragments may lead to novel strategies for the treatment of a variety of human diseases.

Modes of peptide binding in G protein-coupled receptors

The G-protein coupled seven transmembrane domain receptors bind a wide variety of ligands of different molecular size ranging from small monoamines to large neuropeptides and peptide hormones. This review summarises data from studies on the localisation of the binding site for a few neuropeptides in their receptors and compares this to the binding pockets for non peptide ligands. The main conclusion is that neuropeptide binding involves residues on the top of several transmembrane domains and in extracellular loops of the receptors while the non peptide type ligands to the same receptors tend to bind deeper in the plane of the membrane, between several transmembrane domains--similarly to monoamines. Thus the antagonism exerted by most of the non peptide type ligands is an allosteric phenomenon whereby binding of these to another site than the peptide binding site stablises a "non agonist" binding, and for signalling inactive, conformation of the 7 TM receptor.

Inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor signaling by expression of a splice variant of the human receptor

GnRH binds to a specific G protein-coupled receptor in the pituitary to regulate synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins. Using RT-PCR and human pituitary poly(A)+ RNA as a template, the full-length GnRH receptor (wild type) and a second truncated cDNA characterized by a 128-bp deletion between nucleotide positions 522 and 651 were cloned. The deletion causes a frame shift in the open reading frame, thus generating new coding sequence for further 75 amino acids. The truncated cDNA arises from alternative splicing by accepting a cryptic splicing acceptor site in exon 2. Distinct translation products of approximately 45-50 and 42 kDa were immunoprecipitated from COS-7 cells transfected with cDNA coding for wild type GnRH receptor and the truncated splice variant, respectively. Immunocytochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies revealed a membranous expression pattern for both receptor isoforms. Expression of the splice variant, however, occurred at a significantly lower cell surface receptor density. In terms of ligand binding and phospholipase C activation, the wild type receptor showed characteristics of a typical GnRH receptor, whereas the splice variant was incapable of ligand binding and signal transduction. Coexpression of wild type and truncated proteins in transiently or stably transfected cells, however, resulted in impaired signaling via the wild type receptor by reducing maximal agonist-induced inositol phosphate accumulation. The inhibitory effect depended on the amount of splice variant cDNA cotransfected and was specific for the GnRH receptor because signaling via other G(q/11)-coupled receptors, such as the thromboxane A2, M5 muscarinic, and V1 vasopressin receptors, was not affected. Immunological studies revealed that coexpression of the wild type receptor and the truncated splice variant resulted in impaired insertion of the wild type receptor into the plasma membrane. Thus, expression of truncated receptor proteins may highlight a novel principle of specific functional inhibition of G protein-coupled receptors.

A review of mutagenesis studies of angiotensin II type 1 receptor, the three-dimensional receptor model in search of the agonist and antagonist binding site and the hypothesis of a receptor activation mechanism

OBJECTIVE

To seek the mechanism whereby agonists, competitive antagonists and insurmountable antagonists affect the receptor function differently, by reviewing recent mutagenesis studies of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) in which the binding of the agonist and antagonists and receptor signaling were affected.

AT1 RECEPTOR STRUCTURE AND LIGAND BINDING SITES

We built a model of seven transmembrane spanning domains of the AT1 receptors using bacteriorhodopsin as a template. The carboxy terminal of angiotensin II binds to Lys199 in transmembrane domain 5, whereas the guanidinium group of Arg2 binds to Asp281 in transmembrane domain 7. Results of studies using mutagenesis supporting proposed ligand-docking models are discussed. HYPOTHESIS FOR THE LIGAND-INDUCED RECEPTOR SIGNALING MECHANISM: We submit a set of hypotheses for a mechanism whereby the ligand binding induces changes in the receptor conformation by the rotation of transmembrane helices as the initial event for the subsequent activation of a G protein. In this mechanism antagonists are not capable of rotating the helices but agonists are able to do so, which results in the formation of a hydrogen bond between Asp74 in transmembrane domain 2 and Tyr292 in transmembrane domain 7. This mechanism also provides plausible explanation for the activation of monoamine receptors.

COMPETITIVE AND INSURMOUNTABLE ANTAGONISTS

Competitive antagonists share the same binding sites with agonists, but insurmountable antagonists do not, and binding of the latter does not preclude agonist binding, for example, to Asp281.

CONCLUSION

This hypothesis of the intrareceptor signaling mechanism and the receptor model indicate that some amino acid residues essential for the signaling play their roles in the intrareceptor activation mechanism, whereas others participate directly in ligand binding.

The transmembrane 7-alpha-bundle of rhodopsin: distance geometry calculations with hydrogen bonding constraints

A 3D model of the transmembrane 7-alpha-bundle of rhodopsin-like G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) was calculated using an iterative distance geometry refinement with an evolving system of hydrogen bonds, formed by intramembrane polar side chains in various proteins of the family and collectively applied as distance constraints. The alpha-bundle structure thus obtained provides H bonding of nearly all buried polar side chains simultaneously in the 410 GPCRs considered. Forty evolutionarily conserved GPCR residues form a single continuous domain, with an aliphatic "core" surrounded by six clusters of polar and aromatic side chains. The 7-alpha-bundle of a specific GPCR can be calculated using its own set of H bonds as distance constraints and the common "average" model to restrain positions of the helices. The bovine rhodopsin model thus determined is closely packed, but has a few small polar cavities, presumably filled by water, and has a binding pocket that is complementary to 11-cis (6-s-cis, 12-s-trans, C = N anti)-retinal or to all-trans-retinal, depending on conformations of the Lys296 and Trp265 side chains. A suggested mechanism of rhodopsin photoactivation, triggered by the cis-trans isomerization of retinal, involves rotations of Glu134, Tyr223, Trp265, Lys296, and Tyr306 side chains and rearrangement of their H bonds. The model is in agreement with published electron cryomicroscopy, mutagenesis, chemical modification, cross-linking, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, NMR, and optical spectroscopy data. The rhodopsin model and the published structure of bacteriorhodopsin have very similar retinal-binding pockets.

Identification of angiotensin II-binding domains in the rat AT2 receptor with photolabile angiotensin analogs

To identify binding domains between angiotensin II (AngII) and its type 2 receptor (AT2), two different radiolabeled photoreactive analogs were prepared by replacing either the first or the last amino acid in the peptide with p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa). Digestion of photolabeled receptors with kallikrein revealed that the two photoreactive analogs label the amino-terminal part of the receptor within the first 182 amino acids. Digestion of 125I-[Bpa1]AngII.AT2 receptor complex with endoproteinase Lys-C produced a glycoprotein of 80 kDa. Deglycosylation of this 80-kDa product decreased its apparent molecular mass to 4.6 kDa and further cleavage of this 4.6-kDa product with V8 protease decreased its molecular mass to 3.6 kDa, circumscribing the labeling site of 125I-[Bpa1]AngII within amino acids 3-30 of AT2 receptor. Treatment of 125I-[Bpa8]AngII.AT2 receptor complex with cyanogen bromide produced two major receptor fragments of 3.6 and 2.6 kDa. Cyanogen bromide hydrolysis of a mutant AT2 receptor produced two major fragments of 12.6 kDa and 2.6 kDa defining the labeling site of 125I-[Bpa8]AngII within residues 129-138 of AT2 receptor. Our results indicate that the amino-terminal tail of the AT2 receptor interacts with the amino-terminal end of AngII, whereas the inner half of the third transmembrane domain of AT2 receptor interacts with the carboxyl-terminal end of AngII.

The conformational change responsible for AT1 receptor activation is dependent upon two juxtaposed asparagine residues on transmembrane helices III and VII

A model of the angiotensin AT1 receptor and site-directed mutagenesis were used to identify key residues involved in ligand binding. Receptors were stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, and their binding properties compared. Wild type receptors exhibited low and high affinity binding sites for peptides. Substitution of Asn111, situated in the third transmembrane helix, resulted in a significant alteration in ligand binding with only high affinity binding of the peptides, angiotensin II, angiotensin III, and [p-amino-Phe6]angiotensin II and a marked loss in the binding affinity of the AT1 receptor selective non-peptide antagonist losartan. From our model it was apparent that Asn111 was in close spatial proximity to Asn295 in the seventh transmembrane helix. Substitution of Asn295, produced identical changes in the receptor's pharmacological profile. Furthermore, the Ser111AT1A and Ser295AT1A mutants did not require the association of a G-protein for high affinity agonist binding. Finally, the Ser295AT1A mutant maintained higher basal generation of inositol trisphosphate than the wild type, indicating constitutive activation. We propose that substitution of these residues causes the loss of an interaction between transmembrane helices III and VII, which allows the AT1 receptor to "relax" into its active conformation.

Functional and structural complexity of signal transduction via G-protein-coupled receptors

A prerequisite for the maintenance of homeostasis in a living organism is fine-tuned communication between different cells. The majority of extracellular signaling molecules, such as hormones and neurotransmitters, interact with a three-protein transmembrane signaling system consisting of a receptor, a G protein, and an effector. These single components interact sequentially and reversibly. Considering that hundreds of G-protein-coupled receptors interact with a limited repertoire of G proteins, the question of coupling specificity is worth considering. G-protein-mediated signal transduction is a complex signaling network with diverging and converging transduction steps at each coupling interface. The recent realization that classical signaling pathways are intimately intertwined with growth-factor-signaling cascades adds another level of complexity. Elaborate studies have significantly enhanced our knowledge of the functional anatomy of G-protein-coupled receptors, and the concept has emerged that receptor function can be modulated with high specificity by coexpressed receptor fragments. These results may have significant clinical impact in the future.

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".

A peptide derived from a beta2-adrenergic receptor transmembrane domain inhibits both receptor dimerization and activation

One of the assumptions of the mobile receptor hypothesis as it relates to G protein-coupled receptors is that the stoichiometry of receptor, G protein, and effector is 1:1:1 (Bourne, H. R., Sanders, D. A., and McCormick, F.(1990) Nature 348, 125-132). Many studies on the cooperativity of agonist binding are incompatible with this notion and have suggested that both G proteins and their associated receptors can be oligomeric. However, a clear physical demonstration that G protein-coupled receptors can indeed interact as dimers and that such interactions may have functional consequences was lacking. Here, using differential epitope tagging we demonstrate that beta2-adrenergic receptors do form SDS-resistant homodimers and that transmembrane domain VI of the receptor may represent part of an interface for receptor dimerization. The functional importance of dimerization is supported by the observation that a peptide derived from this domain that inhibits dimerization also inhibits beta-adrenergic agonist-promoted stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. Moreover, agonist stimulation was found to stabilize the dimeric state of the receptor, while inverse agonists favored the monomeric species, which suggests that interconversion between monomeric and dimeric forms may be important for biological activity.