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Sadee W. Ligand-Free Signaling of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Physiology, Pharmacology, and Genetics. Molecules 2023; 28:6375. [PMID: 37687205 PMCID: PMC10489045 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ubiquitous sensors and regulators of cellular functions. Each GPCR exists in complex aggregates with multiple resting and active conformations. Designed to detect weak stimuli, GPCRs can also activate spontaneously, resulting in basal ligand-free signaling. Agonists trigger a cascade of events leading to an activated agonist-receptor G-protein complex with high agonist affinity. However, the ensuing signaling process can further remodel the receptor complex to reduce agonist affinity, causing rapid ligand dissociation. The acutely activated ligand-free receptor can continue signaling, as proposed for rhodopsin and μ opioid receptors, resulting in robust receptor activation at low agonist occupancy with enhanced agonist potency. Continued receptor stimulation can further modify the receptor complex, regulating sustained ligand-free signaling-proposed to play a role in opioid dependence. Basal, acutely agonist-triggered, and sustained elevated ligand-free signaling could each have distinct functions, reflecting multi-state conformations of GPCRs. This review addresses basal and stimulus-activated ligand-free signaling, its regulation, genetic factors, and pharmacological implications, focusing on opioid and serotonin receptors, and the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). The hypothesis is proposed that ligand-free signaling of 5-HT2A receptors mediate therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs. Research avenues are suggested to close the gaps in our knowledge of ligand-free GPCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Sadee
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Aether Therapeutics Inc., Austin, TX 78756, USA
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2
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Allosteric binding cooperativity in a kinetic context. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103441. [PMID: 36372329 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Allosteric modulators are of prime interest in drug discovery. These drugs regulate the binding and function of endogenous ligands, with some advantages over orthosteric ligands. A typical pharmacological parameter in allosteric modulation is binding cooperativity. This property can yield unexpected but illuminating results when decomposed into its kinetic parameters. Using two reference models (the allosteric ternary complex receptor model and a heterodimer receptor model), a relationship has been derived for the cooperativity rate constant parameters. This relationship allows many combinations of the cooperativity kinetic parameters for a single binding cooperativity value obtained under equilibrium conditions. This assessment may help understand striking experimental results involving allosteric modulation and suggest further investigations in the field.
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Jakubík J, Randáková A. Insights into the operational model of agonism of receptor dimers. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1181-1191. [PMID: 36369915 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2147502] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accurate ranking of efficacies and potencies of agonists is essential in the discovery of new selective agonists. For the purpose of system-independent ranking of agonists, the operational model of agonism (OMA) has become a standard. Many receptors function as oligomers which makes functional responses more complex, requiring an extension of the original OMA. AREAS COVERED Explicit equations of the operational model of agonism of receptor dimers (OMARD) were derived. The OMARD can be applied to any receptor possessing two orthosteric sites. The behavior of OMARD was analyzed to demonstrate its complexity and relation to experimental data. Properties of OMARD and OMA equations were compared to demonstrate their pros and cons. EXPERT OPINION Extension of OMA by slope factors gives simple equations of functional response that are easy to fit experimental data but results may be inaccurate because of exponentiation of operational efficacy. Also, such equations cannot accommodate bell-shaped curves. Explicit equations of OMARD give accurate results but are complex and tedious to fit experimental data. All operational models use inter-dependent parameters that are a hurdle in the fitting. A good understanding of OMARD behavior helps to overcome such obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Jakubík
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Randáková
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
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Liu J, Tang H, Xu C, Zhou S, Zhu X, Li Y, Prézeau L, Xu T, Pin JP, Rondard P, Ji W, Liu J. Biased signaling due to oligomerization of the G protein-coupled platelet-activating factor receptor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6365. [PMID: 36289206 PMCID: PMC9606269 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important drug targets that mediate various signaling pathways by activating G proteins and engaging β-arrestin proteins. Despite its importance for the development of therapeutics with fewer side effects, the underlying mechanism that controls the balance between these signaling modes of GPCRs remains largely unclear. Here, we show that assembly into dimers and oligomers can largely influence the signaling mode of the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Single-particle analysis results show that PAFR can form oligomers at low densities through two possible dimer interfaces. Stabilization of PAFR oligomers through cross-linking increases G protein activity, and decreases β-arrestin recruitment and agonist-induced internalization significantly. Reciprocally, β-arrestin prevents PAFR oligomerization. Our results highlight a mechanism involved in the control of receptor signaling, and thereby provide important insights into the relationship between GPCR oligomerization and downstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China ,grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex France
| | - Hengmin Tang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Chanjuan Xu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Shengnan Zhou
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Xunying Zhu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Laurent Prézeau
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex France
| | - Tao Xu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510005 Guangzhou, China
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex France
| | - Philippe Rondard
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex France
| | - Wei Ji
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510005 Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Cellular Signaling laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074 Wuhan, Hubei China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510005 Guangzhou, China
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Insights into the dynamics of ligand-induced dimerisation via mathematical modelling and analysis. J Theor Biol 2022; 538:110996. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lans I, Díaz Ó, Dalton JAR, Giraldo J. Exploring the Activation Mechanism of the mGlu5 Transmembrane Domain. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:38. [PMID: 32211419 PMCID: PMC7069277 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As a class C GPCR and regulator of synaptic activity, mGlu5 is an attractive drug target, potentially offering treatment for several neurologic and psychiatric disorders. As little is known about the activation mechanism of mGlu5 at a structural level, potential of mean force calculations linked to molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the mGlu5 transmembrane domain crystal structure to explore various internal mechanisms responsible for its activation. Our results suggest that the hydrophilic interactions between intracellular loop 1 and the intracellular side of TM6 have to be disrupted to reach a theoretically active-like conformation. In addition, interactions between residues that are key for mGlu5 activation (Tyr6593.44 and Ile7515.51) and mGlu5 inactivation (Tyr6593.44 and Ser8097.39) have been identified. Inasmuch as mGlu5 receptor signaling is poorly understood, potentially showing a complex network of micro-switches and subtle structure-activity relationships, the present study represents a step forward in the understanding of mGlu5 transmembrane domain activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaias Lans
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Biophysics of Tropical Diseases, Max Planck Tandem Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Óscar Díaz
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - James A R Dalton
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Unitat de Bioestadística and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
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SHBG141-161 Domain-Peptide Stimulates GPRC6A-Mediated Response in Leydig and β-Langerhans cell lines. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19432. [PMID: 31857654 PMCID: PMC6923452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55941-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
GPRC6A is acknowledged as a major regulator of energy metabolism and male fertility through the action of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOCN), representing a possible therapeutic target. We recently showed that the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) binds to GPRC6A through the likely involvement of the 141-161 domain. To confirm this model, here we investigated the possible binding and agonist activity of SHBG(141-161) domain-peptide (SHBG141-161) on GPRC6A. The binding of SHBG141-161 to GPRC6A and downstream dissociation from Gαi(GDP) protein was computationally modelled. SHBG141-161 was obtained by solid-phase synthesis, characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and the receptor binding was assessed by displacement of ucOCN on HEK-293 cells transfected with GPRC6A gene. Agonist activity of SHBG141-161 was assessed on Leydig MA-10 and Langerhans β-TC6 cell lines through the GPRC6A-mediated release of testosterone (T) and insulin. SHBG141-161 was predicted to bind to GPRC6A and to reduce the affinity for Gαi(GDP) at computational level. Conformational properties and binding to GPRC6A of the synthetic SHBG141-161 were confirmed by CD and displacement experiments. SHBG141-161 stimulated cell secretion of T and insulin, with dose dependency from 10-13 to 10-11M for T release (respectively P = 0,041 10-13M; P = 0,032 10-12M; P = 0,008 10-11M vs basal) and for 10-12 to 10-10M for insulin (respectively P = 0,041 10-12M; P = 0,007 10-11M; P = 0,047 10-10M; P = 0,045 vs basal). Blockade with anti GPRC6A IgG abolished the response to SHBG141-161, suggesting agonist specificity. SHBG141-161 showed stimulating activity on GPRC6A, representing a template peptide with possible therapeutic use for metabolic and endocrine disorders.
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Bermudez M, Nguyen TN, Omieczynski C, Wolber G. Strategies for the discovery of biased GPCR ligands. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1031-1037. [PMID: 30831262 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent important drug targets with complex pharmacological characteristics. Biased signaling represents one important dimension, describing ligand-dependent shifts of naturally imprinted signaling profiles. Because biased GPCR modulators provide potential therapeutic benefits including higher efficiencies and reduced adverse effects, the identification of such ligands as drug candidates is highly desirable. This review aims to provide an overview of the challenges and strategies in the discovery of biased ligands. We show different approaches for biased ligand discovery in the example of G-protein-biased opioid analgesics and discuss possibilities to design biased ligands by targeting extracellular receptor regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Bermudez
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Trung Ngoc Nguyen
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Omieczynski
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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