Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis of G protein-coupled receptor dimerization in living cells

Identification of Novel Adenylyl Cyclase 5 (AC5) Signaling Networks in D1 and D2 Medium Spiny Neurons using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation Screening

Adenylyl cyclase type 5 (AC5), as the principal isoform expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs), is essential for the integration of both stimulatory and inhibitory midbrain signals that initiate from dopaminergic G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation. The spatial and temporal control of cAMP signaling is dependent upon the composition of local regulatory protein networks. However, there is little understanding of how adenylyl cyclase protein interaction networks adapt to the multifarious pressures of integrating acute versus chronic and inhibitory vs. stimulatory receptor signaling in striatal MSNs. Here, we presented the development of a novel bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC)-based protein-protein interaction screening methodology to further identify and characterize elements important for homeostatic control of dopamine-modulated AC5 signaling in a neuronal model cell line and striatal MSNs. We identified two novel AC5 modulators: the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit (PPP2CB) and the intracellular trafficking associated protein-NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein alpha (NAPA). The effects of genetic knockdown (KD) of each gene were evaluated in several cellular models, including D₁- and D₂-dopamine receptor-expressing MSNs from CAMPER mice. The knockdown of PPP2CB was associated with a reduction in acute and sensitized adenylyl cyclase activity, implicating PP2A is an important and persistent regulator of adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast, the effects of NAPA knockdown were more nuanced and appeared to involve an activity-dependent protein interaction network. Taken together, these data represent a novel screening method and workflow for the identification and validation of adenylyl cyclase protein-protein interaction networks under diverse cAMP signaling paradigms.

Insights into the Regulatory Properties of Human Adenylyl Cyclase Type 9

Membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms have distinct regulatory mechanisms that contribute to their signaling specificity and physiologic roles. Although insight into the physiologic relevance of AC9 has progressed, the understanding of AC9 regulation is muddled with conflicting studies. Currently, modes of AC9 regulation include stimulation by Gαs, protein kinase C (PKC) βII, or calcium-calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and inhibition by Gαi/o, novel PKC isoforms, or calcium-calcineurin. Conversely, the original cloning of human AC9 reported that AC9 is insensitive to Gαi inhibition. The purpose of our study was to clarify which proposed regulators of AC9 act directly or indirectly, particularly with respect to Gαi/o. The proposed regulators, including G proteins (Gαs, Gαi, Gαo, Gβγ), protein kinases (PKCβII, CaMKII), and forskolin, were systematically evaluated using classic in vitro AC assays and cell-based cAMP accumulation assays in COS-7 cells. Our studies show that AC9 is directly regulated by Gαs with weak conditional activation by forskolin; other modes of proposed regulation either occur indirectly or possibly require additional scaffolding proteins to facilitate regulation. We also show that AC9 contributes to basal cAMP production; knockdown or knockout of endogenous AC9 reduces basal AC activity in COS-7 cells and splenocytes. Importantly, although AC9 is not directly inhibited by Gαi/o, it can heterodimerize with Gαi/o-regulated isoforms, AC5 and AC6.

Investigation into the Mechanism of Homo- and Heterodimerization of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a central role in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is primarily responsible for blood pressure homeostasis. Studies have shown that ACE inhibitors yield cardiovascular benefits that cannot be entirely attributed to the inhibition of ACE catalytic activity. It is possible that these benefits are due to interactions between ACE and RAS receptors that mediate the protective arm of the RAS, such as angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2R) and the receptor MAS. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the molecular interactions of ACE, including ACE homodimerization and heterodimerization with AT2R and MAS, respectively. Molecular interactions were assessed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and bimolecular fluorescence complementation in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells transfected with vectors encoding fluorophore-tagged proteins. The specificity of dimerization was verified by competition experiments using untagged proteins. These techniques were used to study several potential requirements for the germinal isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme expressed in the testes (tACE) dimerization as well as the effect of ACE inhibitors on both somatic isoforms of angiotensin-converting enzyme expressed in the testes (sACE) and tACE dimerization. We demonstrated constitutive homodimerization of sACE and of both of its domains separately, as well as heterodimerization of both sACE and tACE with AT2R, but not MAS. In addition, we investigated both soluble sACE and the sACE N domain using size-exclusion chromatography-coupled small-angle X-ray scattering and we observed dimers in solution for both forms of the enzyme. Our results suggest that ACE homo- and heterodimerization does occur under physiologic conditions.

Sensing of biomolecular interactions using fluorescence complementing systems in living cells

Sensing biomolecule interactions in living cells allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing biological processes, and has increasing significance for improvements in clinical diagnosis. It is now possible by using molecular biosensors. One method involving molecular biosensors is called molecular fluorescence complementation, usually referred to as BiFC (bimolecular fragment/fluorescence complementary/complementation) or TriFC (trimolecular fragment complementary/complementation). This complementation method is based on the principle that two non-fluorescent fragments of a fluorescent protein are brought into sufficient lyclose proximity, upon which they are reconstructed so that fluorescence is re-established. This process relies on the interaction between the two fusion partners, which normally are proteins. This method is simple, noninvasive, sensitive, and does not require specialized tools, hence being available to most standard laboratories. Here, we selectively describe three relevant examples, although many other molecular interactions have been shown to work with this method. Recent developments of this method include multicolor BiFC, which allows for simultaneous detection of multi-biomolecule interactions, RNA-protein interactions, far red and near infrared sensing systems for deep tissue imaging. Challenges in the utilization of this method are discussed. Given the current rate of technological advancements, we believe that fluorescence fragment complementing systems have the potential to be utilized across a wide range of areas, including in routine research and clinical diagnosis.

Cofactoring and dimerization of proteinase-activated receptors

Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are G protein-coupled receptors that transmit cellular responses to extracellular proteases and have important functions in vascular physiology, development, inflammation, and cancer progression. The established paradigm for PAR activation involves proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular N terminus, which reveals a new N terminus that functions as a tethered ligand by binding intramolecularly to the receptor to trigger transmembrane signaling. Most cells express more than one PAR, which can influence the mode of PAR activation and signaling. Clear examples include murine PAR3 cofactoring of PAR4 and transactivation of PAR2 by PAR1. Thrombin binds to and cleaves murine PAR3, which facilitates PAR4 cleavage and activation. This process is essential for thrombin signaling and platelet activation, since murine PAR3 cannot signal alone. Although PAR1 and PAR4 are both competent to signal, PAR1 is able to act as a cofactor for PAR4, facilitating more rapid cleavage and activation by thrombin. PAR1 can also facilitate PAR2 activation through a different mechanism. Cleavage of the PAR1 N terminus by thrombin generates a tethered ligand domain that can bind intermolecularly to PAR2 to activate signaling. Thus, PARs can regulate each other's activity by localizing thrombin when in complex with PAR3 and PAR4 or by cleaved PAR1, providing its tethered ligand domain for PAR2 activation. The ability of PARs to cofactor or transactivate other PARs would necessitate that the two receptors be in close proximity, likely in the form of a heterodimer. Here, we discuss the cofactoring and dimerization of PARs and the functional consequences on signaling.