1
|
Sajkowska JJ, Tsang CH, Kozielewicz P. Application of FRET- and BRET-based live-cell biosensors in deorphanization and ligand discovery studies on orphan G protein-coupled receptors. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100174. [PMID: 39084335 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.100174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Bioluminescence- and fluorescence-based resonance energy transfer assays have gained considerable attention in pharmacological research as high-throughput scalable tools applicable to drug discovery. To this end, G protein-coupled receptors represent the biggest target class for marketed drugs, and among them, orphan G protein-coupled receptors have the biggest untapped therapeutic potential. In this review, the cases where biophysical methods, BRET and FRET, were employed for deorphanization and ligand discovery studies on orphan G protein-coupled receptors are listed and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna J Sajkowska
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Choi Har Tsang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paweł Kozielewicz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology of GPCRs, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Janicot R, Garcia-Marcos M. Get Ready to Sharpen Your Tools: A Short Guide to Heterotrimeric G Protein Activity Biosensors. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 106:129-144. [PMID: 38991745 PMCID: PMC11331509 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.124.000949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of transmembrane receptors encoded in the human genome, and they initiate cellular responses triggered by a plethora of extracellular stimuli ranging from neurotransmitters and hormones to photons. Upon stimulation, GPCRs activate heterotrimeric G proteins (Gαβγ) in the cytoplasm, which then convey signals to their effectors to elicit cellular responses. Given the broad biological and biomedical relevance of GPCRs and G proteins in physiology and disease, there is great interest in developing and optimizing approaches to measure their signaling activity with high accuracy and across experimental systems pertinent to their functions in cellular communication. This review provides a historical perspective on approaches to measure GPCR-G protein signaling, from quantification of second messengers and other indirect readouts of activity to biosensors that directly detect the activity of G proteins. The latter is the focus of a more detailed overview of the evolution of design principles for various optical biosensors of G protein activity with different experimental capabilities. We will highlight advantages and limitations of biosensors that detect different G protein activation hallmarks, like dissociation of Gα and Gβγ or nucleotide exchange on Gα, as well as their suitability to detect signaling mediated by endogenous versus exogenous signaling components or in physiologically relevant systems like primary cells. Overall, this review intends to provide an assessment of the state-of-the-art for biosensors that directly measure G protein activity to allow readers to make informed decisions on the selection and implementation of currently available tools. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: G protein activity biosensors have become essential and widespread tools to assess GPCR signaling and pharmacology. Yet, investigators face the challenge of choosing from a growing list of G protein activity biosensors. This review provides an overview of the features and capabilities of different optical biosensor designs for the direct detection of G protein activity in cells, with the aim of facilitating the rational selection of systems that align with the specific scientific questions and needs of investigators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Remi Janicot
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (R.J., M.G.-M.) and Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences (M.G.-M.), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mikel Garcia-Marcos
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (R.J., M.G.-M.) and Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences (M.G.-M.), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Raskovalov A, Kim D, Cherezov V. ONE-GO: Direct detection of context-dependent GPCR activity. Cell Res 2024; 34:543-544. [PMID: 38688989 PMCID: PMC11291849 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-024-00966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Raskovalov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Donggyun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tóth AD, Szalai B, Kovács OT, Garger D, Prokop S, Soltész-Katona E, Balla A, Inoue A, Várnai P, Turu G, Hunyady L. G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis generates spatiotemporal bias in β-arrestin signaling. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadi0934. [PMID: 38917219 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adi0934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The stabilization of different active conformations of G protein-coupled receptors is thought to underlie the varying efficacies of biased and balanced agonists. Here, profiling the activation of signal transducers by angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) agonists revealed that the extent and kinetics of β-arrestin binding exhibited substantial ligand-dependent differences, which were lost when receptor internalization was inhibited. When AT1R endocytosis was prevented, even weak partial agonists of the β-arrestin pathway acted as full or near-full agonists, suggesting that receptor conformation did not exclusively determine β-arrestin recruitment. The ligand-dependent variance in β-arrestin translocation was much larger at endosomes than at the plasma membrane, showing that ligand efficacy in the β-arrestin pathway was spatiotemporally determined. Experimental investigations and mathematical modeling demonstrated how multiple factors concurrently shaped the effects of agonists on endosomal receptor-β-arrestin binding and thus determined the extent of functional selectivity. Ligand dissociation rate and G protein activity had particularly strong, internalization-dependent effects on the receptor-β-arrestin interaction. We also showed that endocytosis regulated the agonist efficacies of two other receptors with sustained β-arrestin binding: the V2 vasopressin receptor and a mutant β2-adrenergic receptor. In the absence of endocytosis, the agonist-dependent variance in β-arrestin2 binding was markedly diminished. Our results suggest that endocytosis determines the spatiotemporal bias in GPCR signaling and can aid in the development of more efficacious, functionally selective compounds.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Endocytosis/physiology
- Humans
- Signal Transduction
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/genetics
- beta-Arrestins/metabolism
- beta-Arrestins/genetics
- HEK293 Cells
- Receptors, Vasopressin/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasopressin/genetics
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/genetics
- Endosomes/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Animals
- Ligands
- Protein Binding
- Protein Transport
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- András D Tóth
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi utca 46, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bence Szalai
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya T Kovács
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel Garger
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Computational Health Center, Helmholtz Munich, Ingolstaedter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Prokop
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Soltész-Katona
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Balla
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Hungarian Research Network, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Péter Várnai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SE Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Hungarian Research Network, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Turu
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Hunyady
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Centre of Excellence of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó utca 37-47, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wright SC, Avet C, Gaitonde SA, Muneta-Arrate I, Le Gouill C, Hogue M, Breton B, Koutsilieri S, Diez-Alarcia R, Héroux M, Lauschke VM, Bouvier M. Conformation- and activation-based BRET sensors differentially report on GPCR-G protein coupling. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadi4747. [PMID: 38889226 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adi4747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate cellular signaling processes by coupling to diverse combinations of heterotrimeric G proteins composed of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits. Biosensors based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) have advanced our understanding of GPCR functional selectivity. Some BRET biosensors monitor ligand-induced conformational changes in the receptor or G proteins, whereas others monitor the recruitment of downstream effectors to sites of G protein activation. Here, we compared the ability of conformation-and activation-based BRET biosensors to assess the coupling of various class A and B GPCRs to specific Gα proteins in cultured cells. These GPCRs included serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT7 receptors, the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and the M3 muscarinic receptor. We observed different signaling profiles between the two types of sensors, highlighting how data interpretation could be affected by the nature of the biosensor. We also found that the identity of the Gβγ subunits used in the assay could differentially influence the selectivity of a receptor toward Gα subtypes, emphasizing the importance of the receptor-Gβγ pairing in determining Gα coupling specificity. Last, the addition of epitope tags to the receptor could affect stoichiometry and coupling selectivity and yield artifactual findings. These results highlight the need for careful sensor selection and experimental design when probing GPCR-G protein coupling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane C Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Avet
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Supriya A Gaitonde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Itziar Muneta-Arrate
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Le Gouill
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Mireille Hogue
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Billy Breton
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Stefania Koutsilieri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Madeleine Héroux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Volker M Lauschke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang M, Chen T, Lu X, Lan X, Chen Z, Lu S. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): advances in structures, mechanisms, and drug discovery. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:88. [PMID: 38594257 PMCID: PMC11004190 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01803-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of human membrane proteins and an important class of drug targets, play a role in maintaining numerous physiological processes. Agonist or antagonist, orthosteric effects or allosteric effects, and biased signaling or balanced signaling, characterize the complexity of GPCR dynamic features. In this study, we first review the structural advancements, activation mechanisms, and functional diversity of GPCRs. We then focus on GPCR drug discovery by revealing the detailed drug-target interactions and the underlying mechanisms of orthosteric drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in the past five years. Particularly, an up-to-date analysis is performed on available GPCR structures complexed with synthetic small-molecule allosteric modulators to elucidate key receptor-ligand interactions and allosteric mechanisms. Finally, we highlight how the widespread GPCR-druggable allosteric sites can guide structure- or mechanism-based drug design and propose prospects of designing bitopic ligands for the future therapeutic potential of targeting this receptor family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Xun Lu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiaobing Lan
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, Peptide & Protein Drug Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xu C, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Lin L, Liu P, Wang X, Xu Z, Pin JP, Rondard P, Liu J. Specific pharmacological and G i/o protein responses of some native GPCRs in neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1990. [PMID: 38443355 PMCID: PMC10914727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46177-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane proteins and are important drug targets. The discovery of drugs targeting these receptors and their G protein signaling properties are based on assays mainly performed with modified receptors expressed in heterologous cells. However, GPCR responses may differ in their native environment. Here, by using highly sensitive Gi/o sensors, we reveal specific properties of Gi/o protein-mediated responses triggered by GABAB, α2 adrenergic and cannabinoid CB1 receptors in primary neurons, different from those in heterologous cells. These include different profiles in the Gi/o protein subtypes-mediated responses, and differences in the potencies of some ligands even at similar receptor expression levels. Altogether, our results show the importance of using biosensors compatible with primary cells for evaluating the activities of endogenous GPCRs in their native environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chanjuan Xu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, 510005, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwei Zhou
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Kindstar Global Precision Medicine Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxuan Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Lin
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhengyuan Xu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Rondard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, 510005, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gross F, Mancini A, Breton B, Kobayashi H, Pereira PHS, Le Gouill C, Bouvier M, Schann S, Leroy X, Sabbagh L. EGFR signaling and pharmacology in oncology revealed with innovative BRET-based biosensors. Commun Biol 2024; 7:250. [PMID: 38429428 PMCID: PMC10907714 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05965-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are associated with the development of many cancers by modifying receptor signaling and contributing to drug resistance in clinical settings. We present enhanced bystander bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors providing new insights into RTK biology and pharmacology critical for the development of more effective RTK-targeting drugs. Distinct SH2-specific effector biosensors allow for real-time and spatiotemporal monitoring of signal transduction pathways engaged upon RTK activation. Using EGFR as a model, we demonstrate the capacity of these biosensors to differentiate unique signaling signatures, with EGF and Epiregulin ligands displaying differences in efficacy, potency, and responses within different cellular compartments. We further demonstrate that EGFR single point mutations found in Glioblastoma or non-small cell lung cancer, impact the constitutive activity of EGFR and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The BRET-based biosensors are compatible with microscopy, and more importantly characterize the next generation of therapeutics directed against RTKs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence Gross
- Domain Therapeutics North America Inc., 7171 Frederick-Banting, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1Z9, Canada
| | - Arturo Mancini
- Domain Therapeutics North America Inc., 7171 Frederick-Banting, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1Z9, Canada
| | - Billy Breton
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2950 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2950 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pedro Henrique Scarpelli Pereira
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2950 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Christian Le Gouill
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2950 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2950 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Stephan Schann
- Domain Therapeutics SA, 220 Boulevard Gonthier D'Andernach, 67400, Strasbourg-Illkirch, France
| | - Xavier Leroy
- Domain Therapeutics SA, 220 Boulevard Gonthier D'Andernach, 67400, Strasbourg-Illkirch, France
| | - Laurent Sabbagh
- Domain Therapeutics North America Inc., 7171 Frederick-Banting, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1Z9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scharf MM, Humphrys LJ, Berndt S, Di Pizio A, Lehmann J, Liebscher I, Nicoli A, Niv MY, Peri L, Schihada H, Schulte G. The dark sides of the GPCR tree - research progress on understudied GPCRs. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38339984 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16325] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A large portion of the human GPCRome is still in the dark and understudied, consisting even of entire subfamilies of GPCRs such as odorant receptors, class A and C orphans, adhesion GPCRs, Frizzleds and taste receptors. However, it is undeniable that these GPCRs bring an untapped therapeutic potential that should be explored further. Open questions on these GPCRs span diverse topics such as deorphanisation, the development of tool compounds and tools for studying these GPCRs, as well as understanding basic signalling mechanisms. This review gives an overview of the current state of knowledge for each of the diverse subfamilies of understudied receptors regarding their physiological relevance, molecular mechanisms, endogenous ligands and pharmacological tools. Furthermore, it identifies some of the largest knowledge gaps that should be addressed in the foreseeable future and lists some general strategies that might be helpful in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena M Scharf
- Karolinska Institutet, Dept. Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura J Humphrys
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Berndt
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Juliane Lehmann
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Liebscher
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Masha Y Niv
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Peri
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Karolinska Institutet, Dept. Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pándy-Szekeres G, Taracena Herrera LP, Caroli J, Kermani AA, Kulkarni Y, Keserű GM, Gloriam DE. GproteinDb in 2024: new G protein-GPCR couplings, AlphaFold2-multimer models and interface interactions. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D466-D475. [PMID: 38000391 PMCID: PMC10767870 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
G proteins are the major signal proteins of ∼800 receptors for medicines, hormones, neurotransmitters, tastants and odorants. GproteinDb offers integrated genomic, structural, and pharmacological data and tools for analysis, visualization and experiment design. Here, we present the first major update of GproteinDb greatly expanding its coupling data and structural templates, adding AlphaFold2 structure models of GPCR-G protein complexes and advancing the interactive analysis tools for their interfaces underlying coupling selectivity. We present insights on coupling agreement across datasets and parameters, including constitutive activity, agonist-induced activity and kinetics. GproteinDb is accessible at https://gproteindb.org.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gáspár Pándy-Szekeres
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, HUN-REN Research Center for Natural Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Luis P Taracena Herrera
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jimmy Caroli
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali A Kermani
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yashraj Kulkarni
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - György M Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, HUN-REN Research Center for Natural Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - David E Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alabdali R, Franchini L, Orlandi C. G α Protein Signaling Bias at Serotonin 1A Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:230-238. [PMID: 37567783 PMCID: PMC10586511 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) is a clinically relevant target because of its involvement in several central and peripheral functions, including sleep, temperature homeostasis, processing of emotions, and response to stress. As a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activating numerous Gα i/o/z family members, 5-HT1AR can potentially modulate multiple intracellular signaling pathways in response to different therapeutics. Here, we applied a cell-based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay to quantify how ten structurally diverse 5-HT1AR agonists exert biased signaling by differentially stimulating Gα i/o/z family members. Our concentration-response analysis of the activation of each Gα i/o/z protein revealed unique potency and efficacy profiles of selected agonists when compared with the reference 5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin. Overall, our analysis of signaling bias identified groups of ligands sharing comparable G protein activation selectivity and also drugs with unique selectivity profiles. We observed, for example, a strong bias of F-15599 toward the activation of Gα i3 that was unique among the agonists tested: we found a biased factor of +2.19 when comparing the activation of Gα i3 versus Gα i2 by F-15599, while it was -0.29 for 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin. Similarly, vortioxetine showed a biased factor of +1.06 for Gα z versus Gα oA, while it was -1.38 for vilazodone. Considering that alternative signaling pathways are regulated downstream of each Gα protein, our data suggest that the unique pharmacological properties of the tested agonists could result in multiple unrelated cellular outcomes. Further investigation is needed to reveal how this type of ligand bias could affect cellular responses and to illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic profile and side effects of each drug. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Serotonin 1a receptor (5-HT1AR) activates several members of the Gi/o/z protein family. Here, we examined ten structurally diverse and clinically relevant agonists acting on 5-HT1AR and identified distinctive bias patterns among G proteins. Considering the diversity of their intracellular effectors and signaling properties, this data reveal novel mechanisms underlying both therapeutic and undesirable effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Alabdali
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Luca Franchini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Cesare Orlandi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wright SC, Motso A, Koutsilieri S, Beusch CM, Sabatier P, Berghella A, Blondel-Tepaz É, Mangenot K, Pittarokoilis I, Sismanoglou DC, Le Gouill C, Olsen JV, Zubarev RA, Lambert NA, Hauser AS, Bouvier M, Lauschke VM. GLP-1R signaling neighborhoods associate with the susceptibility to adverse drug reactions of incretin mimetics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6243. [PMID: 37813859 PMCID: PMC10562414 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41893-4] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors are important drug targets that engage and activate signaling transducers in multiple cellular compartments. Delineating therapeutic signaling from signaling associated with adverse events is an important step towards rational drug design. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a validated target for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, but drugs that target this receptor are a frequent cause of adverse events. Using recently developed biosensors, we explored the ability of GLP-1R to activate 15 pathways in 4 cellular compartments and demonstrate that modifications aimed at improving the therapeutic potential of GLP-1R agonists greatly influence compound efficacy, potency, and safety in a pathway- and compartment-selective manner. These findings, together with comparative structure analysis, time-lapse microscopy, and phosphoproteomics, reveal unique signaling signatures for GLP-1R agonists at the level of receptor conformation, functional selectivity, and location bias, thus associating signaling neighborhoods with functionally distinct cellular outcomes and clinical consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane C Wright
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Aikaterini Motso
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefania Koutsilieri
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian M Beusch
- Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
| | - Pierre Sabatier
- Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 75185, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Berghella
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Élodie Blondel-Tepaz
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Kimberley Mangenot
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | | | | | - Christian Le Gouill
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Jesper V Olsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roman A Zubarev
- Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119146, Russia
- The National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - Nevin A Lambert
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Alexander S Hauser
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Volker M Lauschke
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany.
- University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cullum SA, Veprintsev DB, Hill SJ. Kinetic analysis of endogenous β 2 -adrenoceptor-mediated cAMP GloSensor™ responses in HEK293 cells. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:1304-1315. [PMID: 36495270 PMCID: PMC10952559 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Standard pharmacological analysis of agonist activity utilises measurements of receptor-mediated responses at a set time-point, or at the peak response level, to characterise ligands. However, the occurrence of non-equilibrium conditions may dramatically impact the properties of the response being measured. Here we have analysed the initial kinetic phases of cAMP responses to β2 -adrenoceptor agonists in HEK293 cells expressing the endogenous β2 -adrenoceptor at extremely low levels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The kinetics of β2 -adrenoceptor agonist-stimulated cAMP responses were monitored in real-time, in the presence and absence of antagonists, in HEK293 cells expressing the cAMP GloSensor™ biosensor. Potency (EC50 ) and efficacy (Emax ) values were determined at the peak of the agonist GloSensor™ response and compared to kinetic parameters L50 and IRmax values derived from initial response rates. KEY RESULTS The partial agonists salbutamol and salmeterol displayed reduced relative IRmax values (with respect to isoprenaline) when compared with their Emax values. Except for the fast dissociating bisoprolol, preincubation with β2 -adrenoceptor antagonists produced a large reduction in the isoprenaline peak response due to a state of hemi-equilibrium in this low receptor reserve system. This effect was exacerbated when IRmax parameters were measured. Furthermore, bisoprolol produced a large reduction in isoprenaline IRmax consistent with its short residence time. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Kinetic analysis of real-time signalling data can provide valuable insights into the hemi-equilibria that can occur in low receptor reserve systems with agonist-antagonist interactions, due to incomplete dissociation of antagonist whilst the peak agonist response is developing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean A. Cullum
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Dmitry B. Veprintsev
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Stephen J. Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and ReceptorsUniversity of Birmingham and NottinghamNottinghamUK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
A multi-dimensional view of context-dependent G protein-coupled receptor function. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:13-20. [PMID: 36688421 PMCID: PMC9987931 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210650] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family members can sense an extraordinary variety of biomolecules to activate intracellular signalling cascades that modulate key aspects of cell physiology. Apart from their crucial role in maintaining cell homeostasis, these critical sensory and modulatory properties have made GPCRs the most successful drug target class to date. However, establishing direct links between receptor activation of specific intracellular partners and individual physiological outcomes is still an ongoing challenge. By studying this receptor signalling complexity at increasing resolution through the development of novel biosensors and high-throughput techniques, a growing number of studies are revealing how receptor function can be diversified in a spatial, temporal or cell-specific manner. This mini-review will introduce recent examples of this context-dependent receptor signalling and discuss how it can impact our understanding of receptor function in health and disease, and contribute to the search of more selective, efficacious and safer GPCR drug candidates.
Collapse
|
15
|
Carrión-Antolí Á, Mallor-Franco J, Arroyo-Urea S, García-Nafría J. Structural insights into promiscuous GPCR-G protein coupling. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 195:137-152. [PMID: 36707152 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Carrión-Antolí
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI) and Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Mallor-Franco
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI) and Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sandra Arroyo-Urea
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI) and Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier García-Nafría
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI) and Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hillman T. A Predictive Model for Identifying the Most Effective Anti-CCR5 Monoclonal Antibody. ARCHIVES OF PHARMACY PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.51847/d9m2zufqr4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
|
17
|
Kowalski-Jahn M, Schihada H, Schulte G. Conformational GPCR BRET Sensors Based on Bioorthogonal Labeling of Noncanonical Amino Acids. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2676:201-213. [PMID: 37277635 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3251-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we describe the application of genetic code expansion and site-specific incorporation of noncanonical amino acids that serve as anchor points for fluorescent labeling to generate bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based conformational sensors. Using a receptor with an N-terminal NanoLuciferase (Nluc) and a fluorescently labeled noncanonical amino acid in the receptor's extracellular part allows to analyze receptor complex formation, dissociation, and conformational rearrangements over time and in living cells. These BRET sensors can be used to investigate ligand-induced intramolecular (cysteine-rich domain [CRD] dynamics), but also intermolecular (dimer dynamics) receptor rearrangements. With the design of BRET conformational sensors based on the minimally invasive bioorthogonal labeling procedure, we describe a method that can be used in a microtiter plate format and can be easily adopted to investigate ligand-induced dynamics in various membrane receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kowalski-Jahn
- Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gaitonde SA, Bouvier M. Enhanced Bystander BRET (ebBRET) Biosensors as Biophysical Tools to Map the Signaling Profile of Neuropsychiatric Drugs Targeting GPCRs. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2687:15-30. [PMID: 37464159 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3307-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) is a non-radiative energy transfer between a bioluminescent donor and a fluorescent acceptor with far-reaching applications in detecting physiologically relevant protein-protein interactions. The recently developed enhanced bystander BRET (ebBRET) biosensors have made it possible to rapidly determine the signaling profile of a series of ligands across a large number of GPCRs and their signaling repertoires, which has tremendous implications in the drug discovery process. Here we describe BRET and the ebBRET biosensors as investigational tools in establishing functional selectivity downstream of GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Supriya A Gaitonde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Salas-Estrada L, Fiorillo B, Filizola M. Metadynamics simulations leveraged by statistical analyses and artificial intelligence-based tools to inform the discovery of G protein-coupled receptor ligands. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1099715. [PMID: 36619585 PMCID: PMC9816996 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1099715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of membrane proteins with pluridimensional signaling profiles. They undergo ligand-specific conformational changes, which in turn lead to the differential activation of intracellular signaling proteins and the consequent triggering of a variety of biological responses. This conformational plasticity directly impacts our understanding of GPCR signaling and therapeutic implications, as do ligand-specific kinetic differences in GPCR-induced transducer activation/coupling or GPCR-transducer complex stability. High-resolution experimental structures of ligand-bound GPCRs in the presence or absence of interacting transducers provide important, yet limited, insights into the highly dynamic process of ligand-induced activation or inhibition of these receptors. We and others have complemented these studies with computational strategies aimed at characterizing increasingly accurate metastable conformations of GPCRs using a combination of metadynamics simulations, state-of-the-art algorithms for statistical analyses of simulation data, and artificial intelligence-based tools. This minireview provides an overview of these approaches as well as lessons learned from them towards the identification of conformational states that may be difficult or even impossible to characterize experimentally and yet important to discover new GPCR ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marta Filizola
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li M, Stevens DL, Arriaga M, Townsend EA, Mendez RE, Blajkevch NA, Selley DE, Banks ML, Negus SS, Dewey WL, Zhang Y. Characterization of a Potential KOR/DOR Dual Agonist with No Apparent Abuse Liability via a Complementary Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Nalfurafine Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3608-3628. [PMID: 36449691 PMCID: PMC10243363 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovery of analgesics void of abuse liability is critical to battle the opioid crisis in the United States. Among many strategies to achieve this goal, targeting more than one opioid receptor seems promising to minimize this unwanted side effect while achieving a reasonable therapeutic profile. In the process of understanding the structure-activity relationship of nalfurafine, we identified a potential analgesic agent, NMF, as a dual kappa opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor agonist with minimum abuse liability. Further characterizations, including primary in vitro ADMET studies (hERG toxicity, plasma protein binding, permeability, and hepatic metabolism), and in vivo pharmacodynamic and toxicity profiling (time course, abuse liability, tolerance, withdrawal, respiratory depression, body weight, and locomotor activity) further confirmed NMF as a promising drug candidate for future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengchu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - David L. Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Michelle Arriaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - E. Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Rolando E. Mendez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Nadejda A. Blajkevch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Dana E. Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Matthew L. Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - S. Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - William L. Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, 203 East Cary Street, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sénéchal C, Fujita R, Jamet S, Maiga A, Dort J, Orfi Z, Dumont NA, Bouvier M, Crist C. The adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr116 is essential to maintain the skeletal muscle stem cell pool. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111645. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
22
|
Olson KM, Campbell A, Alt A, Traynor JR. Finding the Perfect Fit: Conformational Biosensors to Determine the Efficacy of GPCR Ligands. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:694-709. [PMID: 36110374 PMCID: PMC9469492 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly druggable targets that adopt numerous conformations. A ligand's ability to stabilize specific conformation(s) of its cognate receptor determines its efficacy or ability to produce a biological response. Identifying ligands that produce different receptor conformations and potentially discrete pharmacological effects (e.g., biased agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, allosteric modulators) is a major goal in drug discovery and necessary to develop drugs with better effectiveness and fewer side effects. Fortunately, direct measurements of ligand efficacy, via receptor conformational changes are possible with the recent development of conformational biosensors. In this review, we discuss classical efficacy models, including the two-state model, the ternary-complex model, and multistate models. We describe how nanobody-, transducer-, and receptor-based conformational biosensors detect and/or stabilize specific GPCR conformations to identify ligands with different levels of efficacy. In particular, conformational biosensors provide the potential to identify and/or characterize therapeutically desirable but often difficult to measure conformations of receptors faster and better than current methods. For drug discovery/development, several recent proof-of-principle studies have optimized conformational biosensors for high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms. However, their widespread use is limited by the fact that few sensors are reliably capable of detecting low-frequency conformations and technically demanding assay conditions. Nonetheless, conformational biosensors do help identify desirable ligands such as allosteric modulators, biased ligands, or partial agonists in a single assay, representing a distinct advantage over classical methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith M. Olson
- Department
of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Andra Campbell
- Department
of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Andrew Alt
- Department
of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Life
Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - John R. Traynor
- Department
of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United
States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Normand C, Breton B, Salze M, Barbeau E, Mancini A, Audet M. A systematic analysis of prostaglandin E2 type 3 receptor isoform signaling reveals isoform- and species-dependent L798106 Gαz-biased agonist responses. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 927:175043. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
24
|
Quantitative live-cell imaging of GPCR downstream signaling dynamics. Biochem J 2022; 479:883-900. [PMID: 35383830 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an important role in sensing various extracellular stimuli, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and tastants, and transducing the input information into the cell. While the human genome encodes more than 800 GPCR genes, only four Gα-proteins (Gαs, Gαi/o, Gαq/11, and Gα12/13) are known to couple with GPCRs. It remains unclear how such divergent GPCR information is translated into the downstream G-protein signaling dynamics. To answer this question, we report a live-cell fluorescence imaging system for monitoring GPCR downstream signaling dynamics. Genetically encoded biosensors for cAMP, Ca2+, RhoA, and ERK were selected as markers for GPCR downstream signaling, and were stably expressed in HeLa cells. GPCR was further transiently overexpressed in the cells. As a proof-of-concept, we visualized GPCR signaling dynamics of 5 dopamine receptors and 12 serotonin receptors, and found heterogeneity between GPCRs and between cells. Even when the same Gα proteins were known to be coupled, the patterns of dynamics in GPCR downstream signaling, including the signal strength and duration, were substantially distinct among GPCRs. These results suggest the importance of dynamical encoding in GPCR signaling.
Collapse
|
25
|
Hauser AS, Avet C, Normand C, Mancini A, Inoue A, Bouvier M, Gloriam DE. Common coupling map advances GPCR-G protein selectivity. eLife 2022; 11:74107. [PMID: 35302494 PMCID: PMC9005189 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-thirds of human hormones and one-third of clinical drugs act on membrane receptors that couple to G proteins to achieve appropriate functional responses. While G protein transducers from literature are annotated in the Guide to Pharmacology database, two recent large-scale datasets now expand the receptor-G protein ‘couplome’. However, these three datasets differ in scope and reported G protein couplings giving different coverage and conclusions on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-G protein signaling. Here, we report a common coupling map uncovering novel couplings supported by both large-scale studies, the selectivity/promiscuity of GPCRs and G proteins, and how the co-coupling and co-expression of G proteins compare to the families from phylogenetic relationships. The coupling map and insights on GPCR-G protein selectivity will catalyze advances in receptor research and cellular signaling toward the exploitation of G protein signaling bias in design of safer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charlotte Avet
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, Montréal, Canada
| | - David E Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ballet S. Call for Papers for a Virtual Special Issue on GPCR Signaling. ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
27
|
Hanson J. [G proteins: privileged transducers of 7-transmembrane spanning receptors]. Biol Aujourdhui 2022; 215:95-106. [PMID: 35275054 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2021011] [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] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors or GPCR are the most abundant membrane receptors in our genome with around 800 members. They play an essential role in most physiological and pathophysiological phenomena. In addition, they constitute 30% of the targets of currently marketed drugs and remain an important reservoir for new innovative therapies. Their main effectors are heterotrimeric G proteins. These are composed of 3 subunits, α, β and γ, which, upon coupling with a GPCR, dissociate into Gα and Gβγ to activate numerous signaling pathways. This article describes some of the recent advances in understanding the function and role of heterotrimeric G proteins. After a short introduction to GPCRs, the history of the discovery of G proteins is briefly described. Then, the fundamental mechanisms of activation, signaling and regulation of G proteins are reviewed. New paradigms concerning intracellular signaling, specific recognition of G proteins by GPCRs as well as biased signaling are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Hanson
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Moléculaire, GIGA-Molecular Biology of Diseases, Université de Liège, CHU, B34, Tour GIGA (+4), Avenue de l'Hôpital 11, B-4000 Liège, Belgique
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
|
29
|
Kolb P, Kenakin T, Alexander SPH, Bermudez M, Bohn LM, Breinholt CS, Bouvier M, Hill SJ, Kostenis E, Martemyanov K, Neubig RR, Onaran HO, Rajagopal S, Roth BL, Selent J, Shukla AK, Sommer ME, Gloriam DE. Community Guidelines for GPCR Ligand Bias: IUPHAR Review XX. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3651-3674. [PMID: 35106752 PMCID: PMC7612872 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors modulate a plethora of physiological processes and mediate the effects of one-third of FDA-approved drugs. Depending on which ligand activates a receptor, it can engage different intracellular transducers. This 'biased signaling' paradigm requires that we now characterize physiological signaling not just by receptors but by ligand-receptor pairs. Ligands eliciting biased signaling may constitute better drugs with higher efficacy and fewer adverse effects. However, ligand bias is very complex, making reproducibility and description challenging. Here, we provide guidelines and terminology for any scientists to design and report ligand bias experiments. The guidelines will aid consistency and clarity, as the basic receptor research and drug discovery communities continue to advance our understanding and exploitation of ligand bias. Scientific insight, biosensors, and analytical methods are still evolving and should benefit from and contribute to the implementation of the guidelines, together improving translation from in vitro to disease-relevant in vivo models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kolb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Terry Kenakin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, North, Carolina, USA
| | | | - Marcel Bermudez
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Laura M Bohn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Christian S Breinholt
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stephen J Hill
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular, and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kirill Martemyanov
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Rick R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - H Ongun Onaran
- Molecular Biology and Technology Development Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sudarshan Rajagopal
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, North, Carolina, USA
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arun K Shukla
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Martha E Sommer
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Current affiliation: ISAR Bioscience Institute, Munich-Planegg, Germany
| | - David E Gloriam
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nakajima K, Nakabayashi H, Kawahara M. Cell fate‐inducing CARs orthogonally control multiple signaling pathways. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100463. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Nakajima
- Laboratory of Cell Vaccine Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research (CVAR) National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) 7‐6‐8 Saito‐Asagi Ibaraki‐shi Osaka 567‐0085 Japan
| | - Hideto Nakabayashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology Graduate School of Engineering The University of Tokyo 7‐3‐1 Hongo Bunkyo‐ku Tokyo 113–8656 Japan
| | - Masahiro Kawahara
- Laboratory of Cell Vaccine Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research (CVAR) National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN) 7‐6‐8 Saito‐Asagi Ibaraki‐shi Osaka 567‐0085 Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology Graduate School of Engineering The University of Tokyo 7‐3‐1 Hongo Bunkyo‐ku Tokyo 113–8656 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Hoare SRJ, Tewson PH, Sachdev S, Connor M, Hughes TE, Quinn AM. Quantifying the Kinetics of Signaling and Arrestin Recruitment by Nervous System G-Protein Coupled Receptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:814547. [PMID: 35110998 PMCID: PMC8801586 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.814547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons integrate inputs over different time and space scales. Fast excitatory synapses at boutons (ms and μm), and slow modulation over entire dendritic arbors (seconds and mm) are all ultimately combined to produce behavior. Understanding the timing of signaling events mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action of therapeutics targeting the nervous system. Measuring signaling kinetics in live cells has been transformed by the adoption of fluorescent biosensors and dyes that convert biological signals into optical signals that are conveniently recorded by microscopic imaging or by fluorescence plate readers. Quantifying the timing of signaling has now become routine with the application of equations in familiar curve fitting software to estimate the rates of signaling from the waveform. Here we describe examples of the application of these methods, including (1) Kinetic analysis of opioid signaling dynamics and partial agonism measured using cAMP and arrestin biosensors; (2) Quantifying the signaling activity of illicit synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists measured using a fluorescent membrane potential dye; (3) Demonstration of multiplicity of arrestin functions from analysis of biosensor waveforms and quantification of the rates of these processes. These examples show how temporal analysis provides additional dimensions to enhance the understanding of GPCR signaling and therapeutic mechanisms in the nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam R. J. Hoare
- Pharmechanics LLC, Owego, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Sam R. J. Hoare
| | | | - Shivani Sachdev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Connor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abrol R, Serrano E, Santiago LJ. Development of enhanced conformational sampling methods to probe the activation landscape of GPCRs. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 128:325-359. [PMID: 35034722 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) make up the largest superfamily of integral membrane proteins and play critical signal transduction roles in many physiological processes. Developments in molecular biology, biophysical, biochemical, pharmacological, and computational techniques aimed at these important therapeutic targets are beginning to provide unprecedented details on the structural as well as functional basis of their pleiotropic signaling mediated by G proteins, β arrestins, and other transducers. This pleiotropy presents a pharmacological challenge as the same ligand-receptor interaction can cause a therapeutic effect as well as an undesirable on-target side-effect through different downstream pathways. GPCRs don't function as simple binary on-off switches but as finely tuned shape-shifting machines described by conformational ensembles, where unique subsets of conformations may be responsible for specific signaling cascades. X-ray crystallography and more recently cryo-electron microscopy are providing snapshots of some of these functionally-important receptor conformations bound to ligands and/or transducers, which are being utilized by computational methods to describe the dynamic conformational energy landscape of GPCRs. In this chapter, we review the progress in computational conformational sampling methods based on molecular dynamics and discrete sampling approaches that have been successful in complementing biophysical and biochemical studies on these receptors in terms of their activation mechanisms, allosteric effects, actions of biased ligands, and effects of pathological mutations. Some of the sampled simulation time scales are beginning to approach receptor activation time scales. The list of conformational sampling methods and example uses discussed is not exhaustive but includes representative examples that have pushed the limits of classical molecular dynamics and discrete sampling methods to describe the activation energy landscape of GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Abrol
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States.
| | - Erik Serrano
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States
| | - Luis Jaimes Santiago
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|