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Fei Y, Bao Z, Wang Q, Zhu Y, Lu J, Ouyang L, Hu Q, Zhou Y, Chen L. CRISPR/Cas9-induced LEAP2 and GHSR1a knockout mutant zebrafish displayed abnormal growth and impaired lipid metabolism. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 355:114563. [PMID: 38830459 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Investigating the principles of fish fat deposition and conducting related research are current focal points in fish nutrition. This study explores the endocrine regulation of LEAP2 and GHSR1a in zebrafish by constructing mutantmodels andexamining the effects of the endocrine factors LEAP2 and its receptor GHSR1a on zebrafish growth, feeding, and liver fat deposition. Compared to the wild type (WT), the mutation of LEAP2 results in increased feeding and decreased swimming in zebrafish. The impact is more pronounced in adult female zebrafish, characterized by increased weight, length, width, and accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver.Incontrast, deficiency in GHSR1a significantly reduces the growth of male zebrafish and markedly decreases liver fat deposition.These research findings indicate the crucial roles of LEAP2 and GHSR1a in zebrafish feeding, growth, and intracellular fat metabolism. This study, for the first time, investigated the endocrine metabolic regulation functions of LEAP2 and GHSR1a in the model organism zebrafish, providing initial insights into their effects and potential mechanisms on zebrafish fat metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyue Fei
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonggui Bao
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jigang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linyue Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quiqin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangbiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Li HZ, Wang YF, Zheng YS, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. The ghrelin receptor GHSR has two efficient agonists in the lobe-finned fish Latimeria chalumnae. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 679:110-115. [PMID: 37677979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone ghrelin (an agonist) and LEAP2 (an antagonist) play important functions in energy metabolism via their receptor GHSR, an A-class G protein-coupled receptor. Ghrelin, LEAP2, and GHSR are widely present from fishes to mammals. However, our recent study suggested that fish GHSRs have different binding properties to ghrelin: a GHSR from the lobe-finned fish Latimeria chalumnae (coelacanth) is efficiently activated by ghrelin, but GHSRs from the ray-finned fish Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Larimichthys crocea (large yellow croaker) have lost binding to ghrelin. Do fish GHSRs use another peptide as their agonist? In the present study we tested to two fish motilins from D. rerio and L. chalumnae because motilin is distantly related to ghrelin. In ligand binding and activation assays, the fish GHSRs from D. rerio and L. crocea displayed no detectable or very low binding to all tested motilins; however, the fish GHSR from L. chalumnae bound to its motilin with high affinity and was efficiently activated by it. Therefore, it seemed that motilin is not a ligand for GHSR in the ray-finned fish D. rerio and L. crocea, but is an efficient agonist for GHSR in the lobe-finned fish L. chalumnae, one of the closest fish relatives of tetrapods. The results of present study suggested that GHSR might have two efficient agonists, ghrelin and motilin, in ancient fishes; however, this feature might be only preserved in some extant fishes with ancient evolutionary origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Fen Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Shan Zheng
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Tian J, Guo L, Wang T, Jia K, Swerdlow RH, Zigman JM, Du H. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 elevation contributes to age-associated cognitive decline. JCI Insight 2023; 8:166175. [PMID: 37212281 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.166175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Elderly individuals frequently report cognitive decline, while various studies indicate hippocampal functional declines with advancing age. Hippocampal function is influenced by ghrelin through hippocampus-expressed growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous GHSR antagonist that attenuates ghrelin signaling. Here, we measured plasma ghrelin and LEAP2 levels in a cohort of cognitively normal individuals older than 60 and found that LEAP2 increased with age while ghrelin (also referred to in literature as "acyl-ghrelin") marginally declined. In this cohort, plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratios were inversely associated with Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Studies in mice showed an age-dependent inverse relationship between plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio and hippocampal lesions. In aged mice, restoration of the LEAP2/ghrelin balance to youth-associated levels with lentiviral shRNA Leap2 downregulation improved cognitive performance and mitigated various age-related hippocampal deficiencies such as CA1 region synaptic loss, declines in neurogenesis, and neuroinflammation. Our data collectively suggest that LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio elevation may adversely affect hippocampal function and, consequently, cognitive performance; thus, it may serve as a biomarker of age-related cognitive decline. Moreover, targeting LEAP2 and ghrelin in a manner that lowers the plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio could benefit cognitive performance in elderly individuals for rejuvenation of memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Lan Guo
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Tienju Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Kun Jia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Russell H Swerdlow
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Heng Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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4
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Han YC, Leaman DW, Shepherd BS. Ghrelin Modulates Differential Expression of Genes Relevant to Immune Activities and Antimicrobial Peptides in Primary Head Kidney Cells of Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101683. [PMID: 37238114 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone/cytokine that regulates metabolic processes and plays essential roles in the immune system. To evaluate the immunomodulatory actions of ghrelin isoforms in rainbow trout (RT), an in vitro model was utilized with primary cells isolated from fish head kidney (HKD). These RT-HKD cells were treated with synthetic rainbow trout ghrelin and its truncated isoform, desVRQ-ghrelin, over time (0, 2, 4, and 24 h). Reverse transcriptase-coupled qPCR was used to measure the differential expression patterns of genes relevant to various immune processes and genes of antimicrobial peptides. Ghrelin isoform treatments resulted in functional perturbations that displayed overlapping and divergent patterns of gene expression. The differing actions between the two ghrelin isoforms on various assessed genes, and at differing time points, suggested that the two analogs may activate unique pathways, thereby eliciting distinct responses in fish immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Chiang Han
- ORISE/ORAU/USDA-ARS, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
| | - Douglas W Leaman
- College of Sciences, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA
| | - Brian S Shepherd
- USDA-ARS, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
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Quinpirole ameliorates nigral dopaminergic neuron damage in Parkinson's disease mouse model through activating GHS-R1a/D 2R heterodimers. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023:10.1038/s41401-023-01063-0. [PMID: 36899113 PMCID: PMC10374575 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) is an important G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that regulates a variety of functions by binding to ghrelin. It has been shown that the dimerization of GHS-R1a with other receptors also affects ingestion, energy metabolism, learning and memory. Dopamine type 2 receptor (D2R) is a GPCR mainly distributed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra (SN), striatum and other brain regions. In this study we investigated the existence and function of GHS-R1a/D2R heterodimers in nigral dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) models in vitro and in vivo. By conducting immunofluorescence staining, FRET and BRET analyses, we confirmed that GHS-R1a and D2R could form heterodimers in PC-12 cells and in the nigral dopaminergic neurons of wild-type mice. This process was inhibited by MPP+ or MPTP treatment. Application of QNP (10 μM) alone significantly increased the viability of MPP+-treated PC-12 cells, and administration of quinpirole (QNP, 1 mg/kg, i.p. once before and twice after MPTP injection) significantly alleviated motor deficits in MPTP-induced PD mice model; the beneficial effects of QNP were abolished by GHS-R1a knockdown. We revealed that the GHS-R1a/D2R heterodimers could increase the protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase in the SN of MPTP-induced PD mice model through the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway, ultimately promoting dopamine synthesis and release. These results demonstrate a protective role for GHS-R1a/D2R heterodimers in dopaminergic neurons, providing evidence for the involvement of GHS-R1a in PD pathogenesis independent of ghrelin.
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Li HZ, Shao XX, Wang YF, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. LEAP2 is a more conserved ligand than ghrelin for fish GHSRs. Biochimie 2023; 209:10-19. [PMID: 36669723 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Recently, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) was identified as an endogenous antagonist and an inverse agonist of the ghrelin receptor GHSR. However, its functions in lower vertebrates are not well understood. Our recent study demonstrated that both LEAP2 and ghrelin are functional towards a fish GHSR from Latimeria chalumnae, an extant coelacanth believed to be one of the closest ancestors of tetrapods. However, amino acid sequence alignment identified that the 6.58 position (Ballesteros-Weinstein numbering system) of most fish GHSRs are not occupied by an aromatic Phe residue, which is absolutely conserved in all known GHSRs from amphibians to mammals, and is responsible for human GHSR binding to its agonist, ghrelin. To test whether these unusual fish receptors are functional, we studied the ligand binding properties of three representative fish GHSRs, two from Danio rerio (zebrafish) and one from Larimichthys crocea (large yellow croaker). After overexpression in human embryonic kidney 293T cells, the three fish GHSRs retained normal binding to all tested LEAP2s, except for a second LEAP2 from L. crocea. However, they displayed almost no binding to all chemically synthesized n-octanoylated ghrelins, despite these ghrelins all retaining normal function towards human and coelacanth GHSRs. Thus, it seems that LEAP2 is a more conserved ligand than ghrelin towards fish GHSRs. Our results not only provided new insights into the interaction mechanism of GHSRs with LEAP2s and ghrelins, but also shed new light on the functions of LEAP2 and ghrelin in different fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Fen Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Wada R, Takemi S, Matsumoto M, Iijima M, Sakai T, Sakata I. Molecular cloning and analysis of the ghrelin/GHSR system in Xenopus tropicalis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 331:114167. [PMID: 36402245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a gut-derived peptide with several physiological functions, including feeding, gastrointestinal motility, and hormonal secretion. Recently, a host defense peptide, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2), was reported as an endogenous antagonist of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). The physiological relevance of the molecular LEAP2-GHS-R interaction in mammals has been explored; however, studies on non-mammals are limited. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of ghrelin and its related molecules in Western clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis), a known model organism. We first identified cDNA encoding X. tropicalis ghrelin and GHS-R. RT-qPCR revealed that ghrelin mRNA expression was most abundant in the stomach. GHS-R mRNA was widely distributed in the brain and peripheral tissues, and a relatively strong signal was observed in the stomach and intestine. In addition, LEAP2 was mainly expressed in intestinal tissues at higher levels than in the liver. In functional analysis, X. tropicalis ghrelin and human ghrelin induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization with EC50 values in the low nanomolar range in CHO-K1 cells expressing X. tropicalis GHS-R. Furthermore, ghrelin-induced GHS-R activation was antagonized with IC50 values in the nanomolar range by heterologous human LEAP2. We also validated the expression of ghrelin and feeding-related factors under fasting conditions. After 2 days of fasting, no changes in ghrelin mRNA levels were observed in the stomach, but GHS-R mRNA levels were significantly increased, associated with significant downregulation of nucb2. In addition, LEAP2 upregulation was observed in the duodenum. These results provide the first evidence that LEAP2 functions as an antagonist of GHS-R in the anuran amphibian X. tropicalis. It has also been suggested that the ghrelin/GHS-R/LEAP2 system may be involved in energy homeostasis in X. tropicalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Wada
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Shota Takemi
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Mio Matsumoto
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Mio Iijima
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakai
- Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakata
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-ohkubo, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan.
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8
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Chicken LEAP2 Level Substantially Changes with Feed Intake and May Be Regulated by CDX4 in Small Intestine. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243496. [PMID: 36552416 PMCID: PMC9774203 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), ghrelin, and GHSR have been reported to play important roles that influence feed intake in mammals. LEAP2, an endogenous antagonist of GHSR, plays an important role in the regulation of feed intake. However, chicken ghrelin has also been reported to have an inhibitory effect on feed intake. The role of the GOAT-Ghrelin-GHSR-LEAP2 axis in chicken-feed intake remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically evaluate the changes in the tissue expression levels of these genes under different energy states. In this study, broiler chicks in different energy states were subjected to starvation and feeding, and relevant gene expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Different energy states significantly modulated the expression levels of LEAP2 and GHSR but did not significantly affect the expression levels of GOAT and ghrelin. A high expression level of LEAP2 was detected in the liver and the whole small intestine. Compared to the fed group, the fasted chicks showed significantly reduced LEAP2 expression levels in the liver and the small intestine; 2 h after being refed, the LEAP2 expression of the fasted chicks returned to the level of the fed group. Transcription factor prediction and results of a dual luciferase assay indicated that the transcription factor CDX4 binds to the LEAP2 promoter region and positively regulates its expression. High expression levels of GHSR were detected in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Moreover, we detected GHSR highly expressed in the jejunum-this finding has not been previously reported. Thus, GHSR may regulate intestinal motility, and this aspect needs further investigation. In conclusion, this study revealed the function of chicken LEAP2 as a potential feed-intake regulator and identified the potential mechanism governing its intestine-specific expression. Our study lays the foundations for future studies on avian feed-intake regulation.
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Holá L, Železná B, Karnošová A, Kuneš J, Fehrentz JA, Denoyelle S, Cantel S, Blechová M, Sýkora D, Myšková A, Maletínská L. A Novel Truncated Liver Enriched Antimicrobial Peptide-2 Palmitoylated at its N-Terminal Antagonizes Effects of Ghrelin. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 383:129-136. [PMID: 36198495 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is secreted in the stomach during fasting and targets the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a) in the hypothalamus and brainstem to exert its orexigenic effect. Recently, liver enriched antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) was identified as an endogenous high-affinity GHSR1a antagonist. LEAP2 is a 40-amino acid peptide with two disulfide bridges and GHRS1a affinity in the N-terminal hydrophobic part. In this study, we tested modified truncated N-terminal peptide LEAP2 (1-14), along with its myristoylated, palmitoylated, and stearoylated analogs, to determine their affinity to and activation of GHSR1a and their anorexigenic effects after acute peripheral administration. The lipidized analogs bound GHSR1a with affinity similar to that of natural LEAP2, and lipidization significantly enhanced the affinity of LEAP2(1-14) to GHSR1a. According to the beta-lactamase reporter gene response, the natural GHSR1a agonist ghrelin activated the receptor with nanomolar EC50 LEAP2(1-14) analogs behaved as inverse agonists of GHSR1a and suppressed internal activity of the receptor with EC50 values in the 10-8 M range. LEAP2(1-14) analogs significantly lowered acute food intake in overnight fasted mice, and palmitoylated LEAP2(1-14) was the most potent. In free-fed mice, all LEAP2(1-14) analogs significantly decreased the orexigenic effect of the stable ghrelin analog [Dpr3]Ghrelin. Moreover, palmitoylated LEAP2(1-14) inhibited the growth hormone (GH) release induced by [Dpr3] Ghrelin and exhibited an increased stability in rat plasma compared with LEAP2(1-14). In conclusion, palmitoylated LEAP2(1-14) had the most pronounced affinity for GHSR1a, had an anorexigenic effect, exhibited stability in rat plasma, and attenuated [Dpr3]Ghrelin-induced GH release. Such properties render palmitoylated LEAP2(1-14) a promising substance for antiobesity treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The agonist and antagonist of one receptor are rarely found in one organism. For ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR), endogenous agonist ghrelin and endogenous antagonist/inverse agonist liver enriched antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) co-exist and differently control GHSR signaling. As ghrelin has a unique role in food intake regulation, energy homeostasis, and cytoprotection, lipidized truncated LEAP2 analogs presented in this study could serve not only to reveal the relationship between ghrelin and LEAP2 but also for development of potential anti-obesity agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Holá
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Blanka Železná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Alena Karnošová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Jaroslav Kuneš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Jean-Alain Fehrentz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Séverine Denoyelle
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Sonia Cantel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Miroslava Blechová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - David Sýkora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Aneta Myšková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
| | - Lenka Maletínská
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., B.Ž., A.K., J.K., M.B., A.M., L.M.); Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (L.H., A.K.); University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic (D.S., A.M.); and IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France (J.A.F., S.C., S.D.)
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10
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Li HZ, Shao XX, Shou LL, Li N, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Development of Esterase-Resistant and Highly Active Ghrelin Analogs via Thiol-Ene Click Chemistry. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1655-1662. [PMID: 36262400 PMCID: PMC9575166 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The orexigenic peptide ghrelin exerts important functions in energy metabolism and has therapeutic potential to treat certain diseases. Native ghrelin carries an essential O-fatty acyl moiety; however, this post-translational modification is susceptible to hydrolysis by certain esterases in circulation, representing a major route of its in vivo inactivation. In the present study, we developed a novel approach to prepare various esterase-resistant ghrelin analogs via photoinduced thiol-ene click chemistry. A recombinant unacylated human ghrelin mutant was reacted with commercially available terminal alkenes; thus, various alkyl moieties were introduced to the side chain of its unique Cys3 residue via a thioether bond. Among 11 S-alkylated ghrelin analogs, analog 11, generated by reacting with 2-methyl-1-octene, not only acquired much higher stability in serum but also retained full activity compared with native human ghrelin. Thus, the present study provided an efficient approach to prepare highly stable and highly active ghrelin analogs with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Li-Li Shou
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ning Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine
at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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11
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Bukhari SNA. An insight into the multifunctional role of ghrelin and structure activity relationship studies of ghrelin receptor ligands with clinical trials. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114308. [PMID: 35344905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a multifunctional gastrointestinal acylated peptide, primarily synthesized in the stomach and regulates the secretion of growth hormone and energy homeostasis. It plays a central role in modulating the diverse biological, physiological and pathological functions in vertebrates. The synthesis of ghrelin receptor ligands after the finding of growth hormone secretagogue developed from Met-enkephalin led to reveal the endogenous ligand ghrelin and the receptors. Subsequently, many peptides, small molecules and peptidomimetics focusing on the ghrelin receptor, GHS-R1a, were derived. In this review, the key features of ghrelin's structure, forms, its bio-physiological functions, pathological roles and therapeutic potential have been highlighted. A few peptidomimetics and pseudo peptide synthetic perspectives have also been discussed to make ghrelin receptor ligands, clinical trials and their success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf, 2014, Saudi Arabia.
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12
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Liu YL, Guo ZY. The NanoBiT-Based Homogenous Ligand-Receptor Binding Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2525:139-153. [PMID: 35836065 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2473-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT) was recently developed by Promega, based on a large NanoLuc fragment (LgBiT) and two small complementation tags, the low-affinity SmBiT tag and the high-affinity HiBiT tag. In recent studies, we applied NanoBiT to ligand-binding assays of some G protein-coupled receptors via genetic fusion of a secretory LgBiT (sLgBiT) to the extracellular N-terminus of the receptors and covalent attachment of the low-affinity SmBiT tag to an appropriate position of their peptide ligands. The NanoBiT-based homogenous ligand-receptor binding assay is convenient for use and suitable for both the wild-type and mutant receptors, representing a novel tool for interaction mechanism studies of these receptors with their ligands. In the present chapter, we provide detailed protocols for setting up the NanoBiT-based homogenous binding assay using growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a) and its endogenous agonist and antagonist as a representative model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Chu G, Peng H, Yu N, Zhang Y, Lin X, Lu Y. Involvement of POMC neurons in LEAP2 regulation of food intake and body weight. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:932761. [PMID: 36387867 PMCID: PMC9650057 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.932761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a newly discovered antagonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and is considered the first endogenous peptide that can antagonize the metabolic actions of ghrelin. The effects of ghrelin administration on feeding behavior, body weight, and energy metabolism involve the activation of orexigenic neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. It is unclear, however, if LEAP2 applied directly to the ARC of the hypothalamus affects these metabolic processes. Here, we show that overexpression of LEAP2 in the ARC through adeno-associated virus (AAV) reduced food intake and body weight in wild-type (WT) mice fed chow and a high-fat diet (HFD) and improved metabolic disorders. LEAP2 overexpression in the ARC overrides both central and peripheral ghrelin action on a chow diet. Interestingly, this AAV-LEAP2 treatment increased proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression while agouti-related peptide (AGRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) and GHSR levels remained unchanged in the hypothalamus. Additionally, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of LEAP2 decreased food intake, increased POMC neuronal activity, and repeated LEAP2 administration to mice induced body weight loss. Using chemogenetic manipulations, we found that inhibition of POMC neurons abolished the anorexigenic effect of LEAP2. These results demonstrate that central delivery of LEAP2 leads to appetite-suppressing and body weight reduction, which might require activation of POMC neurons in the ARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangpin Chu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hualing Peng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nana Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuejin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueling Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yisheng Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yisheng Lu,
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