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Zhang X, Guseinov AA, Jenkins L, Li K, Tikhonova IG, Milligan G, Zhang C. Structural basis for the ligand recognition and signaling of free fatty acid receptors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj2384. [PMID: 38198545 PMCID: PMC10780892 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Free fatty acid receptors 1 to 4 (FFA1 to FFA4) are class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). FFA1 to FFA3 share substantial sequence similarity, whereas FFA4 is unrelated. However, FFA1 and FFA4 are activated by long-chain fatty acids, while FFA2 and FFA3 respond to short-chain fatty acids generated by intestinal microbiota. FFA1, FFA2, and FFA4 are potential drug targets for metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Here, we determined the active structures of FFA1 and FFA4 bound to docosahexaenoic acid, FFA4 bound to the synthetic agonist TUG-891, and butyrate-bound FFA2, each complexed with an engineered heterotrimeric Gq protein (miniGq), by cryo-electron microscopy. Together with computational simulations and mutagenesis studies, we elucidated the similarities and differences in the binding modes of fatty acid ligands to their respective GPCRs. Our findings unveiled distinct mechanisms of receptor activation and G protein coupling. We anticipate that these outcomes will facilitate structure-based drug development and underpin future research on this group of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Abdul-Akim Guseinov
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Laura Jenkins
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Kunpeng Li
- Cryo-EM Core Facility, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Irina G. Tikhonova
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Zhang X, Guseinov AA, Jenkins L, Li K, Tikhonova IG, Milligan G, Zhang C. Structural basis for the ligand recognition and signaling of free fatty acid receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.20.553924. [PMID: 37662198 PMCID: PMC10473637 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.20.553924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Free fatty acid receptors 1-4 (FFA1-4) are class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). FFA1-3 share substantial sequence similarity whereas FFA4 is unrelated. Despite this FFA1 and FFA4 are activated by the same range of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) whilst FFA2 and FFA3 are instead activated by short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generated by the intestinal microbiota. Each of FFA1, 2 and 4 are promising targets for novel drug development in metabolic and inflammatory conditions. To gain insights into the basis of ligand interactions with, and molecular mechanisms underlying activation of, FFAs by LCFAs and SCFAs, we determined the active structures of FFA1 and FFA4 bound to the polyunsaturated LCFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), FFA4 bound to the synthetic agonist TUG-891, as well as SCFA butyrate-bound FFA2, each complexed with an engineered heterotrimeric Gq protein (miniGq), by cryo-electron microscopy. Together with computational simulations and mutagenesis studies, we elucidated the similarities and differences in the binding modes of fatty acid ligands with varying chain lengths to their respective GPCRs. Our findings unveil distinct mechanisms of receptor activation and G protein coupling. We anticipate that these outcomes will facilitate structure-based drug development and underpin future research to understand allosteric modulation and biased signaling of this group of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15261, USA
| | - Abdul-Akim Guseinov
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Jenkins
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Kunpeng Li
- Cryo-EM core facility, Case Western Reserve University, OH44106, USA
| | - Irina G. Tikhonova
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15261, USA
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Fells JI, Ai X, Weinglass A, Feng W, Lei Y, Finley M, Hoveyda HR, Fraser GL, Machacek M. Identification of free fatty acid receptor 2 agonists using virtual screening. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127460. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Thirunavukkarasan M, Wang C, Rao A, Hind T, Teo YR, Siddiquee AAM, Goghari MAI, Kumar AP, Herr DR. Short-chain fatty acid receptors inhibit invasive phenotypes in breast cancer cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186334. [PMID: 29049318 PMCID: PMC5648159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Short chain fatty acids (2 to 6 carbons in length) are ubiquitous lipids that are present in human plasma at micromolar concentrations. In addition to serving as metabolic precursors for lipid and carbohydrate synthesis, they also act as cognate ligands for two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), FFAR2 and FFAR3. While there is evidence that these receptors may inhibit the progression of colorectal cancer, their roles in breast cancer cells are largely unknown. We evaluated the effects of enforced overexpression of these receptors in two phenotypically distinct breast cancer cell lines: MCF7 and MDA-MD-231. Our results demonstrate that both receptors inhibit cell invasiveness, but through different signaling processes. In invasive, mesenchymal-like MDA-MB-231 cells, FFAR2 inhibits the Hippo-Yap pathway and increases expression of adhesion protein E-cadherin, while FFAR3 inhibits MAPK signaling. Both receptors have the net effect of reducing actin polymerization and invasion of cells through a Matrigel matrix. These effects were absent in the less invasive, epithelial-like MCF7 cells. Correspondingly, there is reduced expression of both receptors in invasive breast carcinoma and in aggressive triple-negative breast tumors, relative to normal breast tissue. Cumulatively, our data suggest that the activation of cognate receptors by short chain fatty acids drives breast cancer cells toward a non-invasive phenotype and therefore may inhibit metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Angad Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tatsuma Hind
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yuan Ru Teo
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Abrar Al-Mahmood Siddiquee
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America
| | - Deron R. Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Dwivedi M, Kumar P, Laddha NC, Kemp EH. Induction of regulatory T cells: A role for probiotics and prebiotics to suppress autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2016; 15:379-92. [PMID: 26774011 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells that play a vital role in suppressing inflammation and maintaining immune tolerance. Given the crucial role of Tregs in maintaining immune homeostasis, it is probably not surprising that many microbial species and their metabolites have the potential to induce Tregs. There is now great interest in the therapeutic potential of probiotics and prebiotics based strategies for a range of autoimmune disorders. This review will summarise recent findings concerning the role of probiotics and prebiotics in induction of Tregs to ameliorate the autoimmune conditions. In addition, the article is focused to explain the different mechanisms of Treg induction and function by these probiotics and prebiotics, based on the available studies till date. The article further proposes that induction of Tregs by probiotics and prebiotics could lead to the development of new therapeutic approach towards curbing the autoimmune response and as an alternative to detrimental immunosuppressive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitesh Dwivedi
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat -394350, India
| | - Prasant Kumar
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat -394350, India
| | - Naresh C Laddha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Unipath Specialty Laboratory Ltd., Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - E Helen Kemp
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Choi YJ, Shin D, Lee JY. G-protein coupled receptor 40 agonists as novel therapeutics for type 2 diabetes. Arch Pharm Res 2015; 37:435-9. [PMID: 24234912 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-013-0283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
With growing needs for new antidiabetic drugs which are safe and effective alone or in combination with existing drugs, G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) has drawn a considerable attention as a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. As GPR40 agonist may offer advantages to commonly used agents, by acting ambient glucose dependent manner which mechanistically leads to reduced risk of developing hypoglycemia. Since deorphanization in 2003, development of small molecule GPR40 agonists has been spurred by several research groups. There are a number of lead molecules targeting GPR40, and among these molecules TAK-875 (full agonist) and AMG 837 (partial agonist) advanced into clinical stage.
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Ganapathy V, Thangaraju M, Prasad PD, Martin PM, Singh N. Transporters and receptors for short-chain fatty acids as the molecular link between colonic bacteria and the host. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2013; 13:869-74. [PMID: 23978504 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mutually beneficial relationship between colonic bacteria and the host has been recognized but the molecular aspects of the relationship remain poorly understood. Dietary fiber is critical to this relationship. The short-chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate, generated by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, serve as messengers between colonic bacteria and the host. The beneficial effects of these bacterial metabolites in colon include, but are not limited to, suppression of inflammation and prevention of cancer. Recent studies have identified the plasma membrane transporter SLC5A8 and the cell-surface receptors GPR109A and GPR43 as essential for the biologic effects of short-chain fatty acids in colon. These three proteins coded by the host genome provide the molecular link between colonic bacteria and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bollrath
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division-NDM, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
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