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Cao B, Wang J, Feng J. Signaling pathway mechanisms of neurological diseases induced by G protein-coupled receptor 39. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:1470-1483. [PMID: 36942516 PMCID: PMC10173710 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) is a transmembrane zinc receptor with two splice variants, which belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor growth hormone-releasing peptide family. Its expression is induced by zinc, which activates GPR39, and its activation mediates cell proliferation, ion homeostasis, and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pathophysiological effects via different signaling pathways. AIMS The article reviews the latest literature in this field. In particular, the role of GPR39 in nervous system is discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS GPR39 can be a promising target in neurological diseases for targeted therapy, which will help doctors overcome the associated problems. DISCUSSION GPR39 is expressed in vivo at several sites. Increasing evidence suggests that GPR39 plays an important role as a neuroprotective agent in vivo and regulates various neurological functions, including neurodegeneration, neuroelectrophysiology, and neurovascular homeostasis. CONCLUSION This review aims to provide an overview of the functions, signal transduction pathways, and pathophysiological role of GPR39 in neurological diseases and summarize the GPR39 agonists that have been identified in the recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Cao
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Zhang L, Song J, Zang Z, Tang H, Li W, Lai S, Deng C. Adaptive evolution of GPR39 in diverse directions in vertebrates. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 299:113610. [PMID: 32916170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an important role in physiology and disease and represent productive drug targets. Orphan GPCRs, which have unknown endogenous ligands, are considered drug targets and consequently have attracted great interest in identifying their endogenous cognate ligands for deorphanization. However, additional studies have shown that GPCRs, including many orphan GPCRs, can constitutively activate G protein signaling in a ligand-independent manner. GPR39 is such an orphan GPCR with constitutive activity. Here, we performed a phylogenetic and selection analysis of GPR39 in vertebrates, and we found that GPR39 underwent positive selection in different branches of vertebrates. Using luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that human, frog and chicken GPR39 can constitutively activate Gq and G12 signaling pathways in a ligand-independent manner. Zebrafish GPR39 can constitutively activate Gs, Gq and G12 signaling pathways in a ligand-independent manner. We further found that the zebrafish-H2967.35 site is crucial for the activity of the Gs signaling pathway. In addition, our mutagenesis studies indicated that the positive selection sites of GPR39 from different species had important effects on the constitutive activity of the receptor. Our results revealed the adaptive evolution of GPR39 in diverse directions, which led to differences in constitutive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuqing Zang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huihao Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shanshan Lai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Cheng Deng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Bhagwat S, Sontakke S, K. D, Parte P, Jadhav S. Chemotactic behavior of spermatozoa captured using a microfluidic chip. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:024112. [PMID: 29657656 PMCID: PMC5876040 DOI: 10.1063/1.5023574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemotaxis, as a mechanism for sperm guidance in vivo, is an enigma which has been difficult to demonstrate. To address this issue, various devices have been designed to study sperm chemotaxis in vitro. Limitations of traditional chemotaxis devices were related to the inability to maintain a stable concentration gradient as well as track single sperm over long times. Microfluidics technology, which provides superior control over fluid flow, has been recently used to generate stable concentration gradients for investigating the chemotactic behavior of several cell types including spermatozoa. However, the chemotactic behavior of sperm has not been unequivocally demonstrated even in these studies due to the inability to distinguish it from rheotaxis, thermotaxis, and chemokinesis. For instance, the presence of fluid flow in the microchannels not only destabilizes the concentration gradient but also elicits a rheotactic response from sperm. In this work, we have designed a microfluidic device which can be used to establish both, a uniform concentration and a uniform concentration gradient in a stationary fluid. By facilitating measurement of sperm response in ascending, descending ,and uniform chemoattractant concentration, the assay could isolate sperm chemotactic response from rheotaxis and chemokinesis. The device was validated using acetylcholine, a known chemoattractant and further tested with rat oviductal fluid from the estrus phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Bhagwat
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | | | - Deekshith K.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Priyanka Parte
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Sameer Jadhav
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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Hershfinkel M. The Zinc Sensing Receptor, ZnR/GPR39, in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020439. [PMID: 29389900 PMCID: PMC5855661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A distinct G-protein coupled receptor that senses changes in extracellular Zn2+, ZnR/GPR39, was found in cells from tissues in which Zn2+ plays a physiological role. Most prominently, ZnR/GPR39 activity was described in prostate cancer, skin keratinocytes, and colon epithelial cells, where zinc is essential for cell growth, wound closure, and barrier formation. ZnR/GPR39 activity was also described in neurons that are postsynaptic to vesicular Zn2+ release. Activation of ZnR/GPR39 triggers Gαq-dependent signaling and subsequent cellular pathways associated with cell growth and survival. Furthermore, ZnR/GPR39 was shown to regulate the activity of ion transport mechanisms that are essential for the physiological function of epithelial and neuronal cells. Thus, ZnR/GPR39 provides a unique target for therapeutically modifying the actions of zinc in a specific and selective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Hershfinkel
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, POB 653, Ben-Gurion Ave. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel.
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Que EL, Duncan FE, Bayer AR, Philips SJ, Roth EW, Bleher R, Gleber SC, Vogt S, Woodruff TK, O'Halloran TV. Zinc sparks induce physiochemical changes in the egg zona pellucida that prevent polyspermy. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:135-144. [PMID: 28102396 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00212a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During fertilization or chemically-induced egg activation, the mouse egg releases billions of zinc atoms in brief bursts known as 'zinc sparks.' The zona pellucida (ZP), a glycoprotein matrix surrounding the egg, is the first structure zinc ions encounter as they diffuse away from the plasma membrane. Following fertilization, the ZP undergoes changes described as 'hardening', which prevent multiple sperm from fertilizing the egg and thereby establish a block to polyspermy. A major event in zona hardening is cleavage of ZP2 proteins by ovastacin; however, the overall physiochemical changes contributing to zona hardening are not well understood. Using X-ray fluorescence microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and biological function assays, we tested the hypothesis that zinc release contributes to ZP hardening. We found that the zinc content in the ZP increases by 300% following activation and that zinc exposure modulates the architecture of the ZP matrix. Importantly, zinc-induced structural changes of the ZP have a direct biological consequence; namely, they reduce the ability of sperm to bind to the ZP. These results provide a paradigm-shifting model in which fertilization-induced zinc sparks contribute to the polyspermy block by altering conformations of the ZP matrix. This adds a previously unrecognized factor, namely zinc, to the process of ZP hardening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Que
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Amanda R Bayer
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Steven J Philips
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Eric W Roth
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Reiner Bleher
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sophie C Gleber
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Stefan Vogt
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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