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Mueller JS, Tescarollo FC, Sun H. DREADDs in Epilepsy Research: Network-Based Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:863003. [PMID: 35465094 PMCID: PMC9021489 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.863003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy can be interpreted as altered brain rhythms from overexcitation or insufficient inhibition. Chemogenetic tools have revolutionized neuroscience research because they allow “on demand” excitation or inhibition of neurons with high cellular specificity. Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) are the most frequently used chemogenetic techniques in epilepsy research. These engineered muscarinic receptors allow researchers to excite or inhibit targeted neurons with exogenous ligands. As a result, DREADDs have been applied to investigate the underlying cellular and network mechanisms of epilepsy. Here, we review the existing literature that has applied DREADDs to understand the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The aim of this review is to provide a general introduction to DREADDs with a focus on summarizing the current main findings in experimental epilepsy research using these techniques. Furthermore, we explore how DREADDs may be applied therapeutically as highly innovative treatments for epilepsy.
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2
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Rodd ZA, Engleman EA, Truitt WA, Burke AR, Molosh AI, Bell RL, Hauser SR. CNO administration increases dopamine and glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex of wistar rats: Further concerns for the validity of the CNO-activated DREADD procedure. Neuroscience 2022; 491:176-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Godoy LD, Prizon T, Rossignoli MT, Leite JP, Liberato JL. Parvalbumin Role in Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidities: From Mechanism to Intervention. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:765324. [PMID: 35250498 PMCID: PMC8891758 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.765324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin is a calcium-binding protein present in inhibitory interneurons that play an essential role in regulating many physiological processes, such as intracellular signaling and synaptic transmission. Changes in parvalbumin expression are deeply related to epilepsy, which is considered one of the most disabling neuropathologies. Epilepsy is a complex multi-factor group of disorders characterized by periods of hypersynchronous activity and hyperexcitability within brain networks. In this scenario, inhibitory neurotransmission dysfunction in modulating excitatory transmission related to the loss of subsets of parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneuron may have a prominent role in disrupted excitability. Some studies also reported that parvalbumin-positive interneurons altered function might contribute to psychiatric comorbidities associated with epilepsy, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Understanding the epileptogenic process and comorbidities associated with epilepsy have significantly advanced through preclinical and clinical investigation. In this review, evidence from parvalbumin altered function in epilepsy and associated psychiatric comorbidities were explored with a translational perspective. Some advances in potential therapeutic interventions are highlighted, from current antiepileptic and neuroprotective drugs to cutting edge modulation of parvalbumin subpopulations using optogenetics, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) techniques, transcranial magnetic stimulation, genome engineering, and cell grafting. Creating new perspectives on mechanisms and therapeutic strategies is valuable for understanding the pathophysiology of epilepsy and its psychiatric comorbidities and improving efficiency in clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívea Dornela Godoy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Tamiris Prizon
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Matheus Teixeira Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João Pereira Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- João Pereira Leite,
| | - José Luiz Liberato
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- *Correspondence: José Luiz Liberato,
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Prömel S, Fiedler F, Binder C, Winkler J, Schöneberg T, Thor D. Deciphering and modulating G protein signalling in C. elegans using the DREADD technology. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28901. [PMID: 27461895 PMCID: PMC4962097 DOI: 10.1038/srep28901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein signalling is an evolutionary conserved concept highlighting its fundamental impact on developmental and functional processes. Studies on the effects of G protein signals on tissues as well as an entire organism are often conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans. To understand and control dynamics and kinetics of the processes involved, pharmacological modulation of specific G protein pathways would be advantageous, but is difficult due to a lack in accessibility and regulation. To provide this option, we designed G protein-coupled receptor-based designer receptors (DREADDs) for C. elegans. Initially described in mammalian systems, these modified muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are activated by the inert drug clozapine-N-oxide, but not by their endogenous agonists. We report a novel C. elegans-specific DREADD, functionally expressed and specifically activating Gq-protein signalling in vitro and in vivo which we used for modulating mating behaviour. Therefore, this novel designer receptor demonstrates the possibility to pharmacologically control physiological functions in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Prömel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Fiedler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Binder
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Winkler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Torsten Schöneberg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Doreen Thor
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Heng BC, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. G protein-coupled receptors revisited: therapeutic applications inspired by synthetic biology. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2013; 54:227-49. [PMID: 24160705 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-011613-135921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the majority of cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters within the human body. They have much potential in the emerging field of synthetic biology, which is the rational, systematic design of biological systems with desired functionality. The responsiveness of GPCRs to a plethora of endogenous and exogenous ligands and stimuli make them ideal sensory receptor modules of synthetic gene networks. Such networks can activate target gene expression in response to a specific stimulus. Additionally, because GPCRs are important pharmacological targets of various human diseases, genes encoding their protein/peptide ligands can also be incorporated as target genes of the response output elements of synthetic gene networks. This review aims to critically examine the potential role of GPCRs in constructing therapeutic synthetic gene networks and to discuss various challenges in utilizing GPCRs for synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boon Chin Heng
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland;
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6
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Wess J, Nakajima K, Jain S. Novel designer receptors to probe GPCR signaling and physiology. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2013; 34:385-92. [PMID: 23769625 PMCID: PMC3758874 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Muscarinic receptor-based designer receptors have emerged as powerful novel tools to study G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and physiology. These new designer GPCRs, which are most frequently referred to as DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug), are unable to bind acetylcholine, the endogenous muscarinic receptor agonist, but can be activated by clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), an otherwise pharmacologically inert compound, with high potency and efficacy. The various DREADDs differ primarily in their G protein coupling preference. More recently, an arrestin-biased DREADD has also been developed. The expression of DREADDs in distinct tissues or cell types has enabled researchers to study the outcome of selective stimulation of distinct GPCR (or arrestin) signaling pathways in a temporally and spatially controlled fashion in vivo. In this review, we provide an up-to-date snapshot of where this field currently stands and which important novel insights have been gained using this new technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, 8 Center Drive MSC 0810, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Gaven F, Pellissier LP, Queffeulou E, Cochet M, Bockaert J, Dumuis A, Claeysen S. Pharmacological profile of engineered 5-HT₄ receptors and identification of 5-HT₄ receptor-biased ligands. Brain Res 2012; 1511:65-72. [PMID: 23148949 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Revised: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate simultaneously multiple signaling pathways upon agonist binding. The combined use of engineered GPCRs, such as the receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs), and of biased ligands that activate only one pathway at a time might help deciphering the physiological role of each G protein signaling. In order to find serotonin type 4 receptor (5-HT₄R) biased ligands, we analyzed the ability of several compounds to activate the Gs and G(q/11) pathways in COS-7 cells that transiently express wild type 5-HT₄R, the 5-HT₄R-D(100)A mutant (known also as 5-HT₄-RASSL, or Rs1) or the 5-HT₄R-T(104)A mutant, which modifies agonist-induced 5-HT₄R activation. This analysis allowed completing the pharmacological profile of the two mutant 5-HT₄Rs, but we did not find any biased ligand for the mutant receptors. Conversely, we identified the first biased agonists for wild type 5-HT₄R. Indeed, RS 67333 and prucalopride acted as partial agonists to induce cAMP accumulation, but as antagonists on inositol phosphate production. Moreover, they showed very different antagonist potencies that could be exploited to study the activation of the G(s) pathway, with or without concomitant block of G(q/11) signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Optogenetics (7th BRES).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Gaven
- CNRS, UMR-5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, F-34000 Montpellier, France
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8
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Abstract
Muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs; M₁-M₅) regulate the activity of an extraordinarily large number of important physiological processes. During the past 10-15 years, studies with whole-body M₁-M₅ mAChR knockout mice have provided many new insights into the physiological and pathophysiological roles of the individual mAChR subtypes. This review will focus on the characterization of a novel generation of mAChR mutant mice, including mice in which distinct mAChR genes have been excised in a tissue- or cell type-specific fashion, various transgenic mouse lines that overexpress wild-type or different mutant M₃ mAChRs in certain tissues or cells only, as well as a novel M₃ mAChR knockin mouse strain deficient in agonist-induced M₃ mAChR phosphorylation. Phenotypic analysis of these new animal models has greatly advanced our understanding of the physiological roles of the various mAChR subtypes and has identified potential targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, cognitive disorders, and several other pathophysiological conditions.
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Abstract
A significant challenge for neuroscientists is to determine how both electrical and chemical signals affect the activity of cells and circuits and how the nervous system subsequently translates that activity into behavior. Remote, bidirectional manipulation of those signals with high spatiotemporal precision is an ideal approach to addressing that challenge. Neuroscientists have recently developed a diverse set of tools that permit such experimental manipulation with varying degrees of spatial, temporal, and directional control. These tools use light, peptides, and small molecules to primarily activate ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that in turn activate or inhibit neuronal firing. By monitoring the electrophysiological, biochemical, and behavioral effects of such activation/inhibition, researchers can better understand the links between brain activity and behavior. Here, we review the tools that are available for this type of experimentation. We describe the development of the tools and highlight exciting in vivo data. We focus primarily on designer GPCRs (receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) and microbial opsins (e.g., channelrhodopsin-2, halorhodopsin, Volvox carteri channelrhodopsin) but also describe other novel techniques that use orthogonal receptors, caged ligands, allosteric modulators, and other approaches. These tools differ in the direction of their effect (activation/inhibition, hyperpolarization/depolarization), their onset and offset kinetics (milliseconds/minutes/hours), the degree of spatial resolution they afford, and their invasiveness. Although none of these tools is perfect, each has advantages and disadvantages, which we describe, and they are all still works in progress. We conclude with suggestions for improving upon the existing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Rogan
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 120 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
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Abstract
Transgenic mice have had a tremendous impact on biomedical research. Most researchers are familiar with transgenic mice that carry Cre recombinase (Cre) and how they are used to create conditional knockouts. However, some researchers are less familiar with many of the other types of transgenic mice and their applications. For example, transgenic mice can be used to study biochemical and molecular pathways in primary cultures and cell suspensions derived from transgenic mice, cell-cell interactions using multiple fluorescent proteins in the same mouse, and the cell cycle in real time and in the whole animal, and they can be used to perform deep tissue imaging in the whole animal, follow cell lineage during development and disease, and isolate large quantities of a pure cell type directly from organs. These novel transgenic mice and their applications provide the means for studying of molecular and biochemical events in the whole animal that was previously limited to cell cultures. In conclusion, transgenic mice are not just for generating knockouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lance Miller
- Epithelial Systems Biology Laboratory, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Tao PL, Law PY, Loh HH. Search for the "ideal analgesic" in pain treatment by engineering the mu-opioid receptor. IUBMB Life 2010; 62:103-11. [PMID: 20039371 DOI: 10.1002/iub.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The myriad of side effects that associate with morphine has been problematic in the clinical use to manage moderate to severe pain. It has been the holy grail of the pharmacologists to develop a compound, or treatment paradigm that could retain the analgesic effect of the drug as eliminating or reducing the side effects, mainly the tolerance and addiction development associates with chronic usage of the drug. In our earlier receptor structure/activities studies, we discovered an unique mutation of a conserved Ser in the fourth transmembrane domain of the opioid receptor that the alkaloid antagonist could activate the receptor. On the basis of this initial finding, we decide to explore the possibility of using virus to deliver the mutant mu-opioid receptor at the various sites of the nociceptive pathway and induce the antinociceptive responses with the systemic administration of opioid antagonists. In this article, we will summarize the progress of such approach and the probable advantages over the conventional approach of drug development in the treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pao-Luh Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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12
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Pei Y, Dong S, Roth BL. Generation of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) using directed molecular evolution. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; Chapter 4:Unit 4.33. [PMID: 20066658 DOI: 10.1002/0471142301.ns0433s50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their signal transductions are important for both physiological and pathological processes in neuron systems. Neuronal GPCRs activated by synthetic ligands have been created by designed mutagenesis for studying their functions and signal pathways. However, these engineered GPCRs have problems, such as their high constitutive activity. To overcome this drawback, a new generation of receptors termed designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), have been designed. DREADDs are exclusively activated by synthetic ligands, but are insensitive to their endogenous ligand and have no constitutive activity, which provides the ability to selectively modulate signal transduction of certain GPCRs in vitro and in vivo. This protocol provides detailed instructions for creating DREADDs using directed molecular evolution. The procedures to generate DREADDS include GPCR functional expression in yeast, mutant GPCR library generation, and high-throughput yeast screening. These methods are general and suitable for any GPCRs that can be functionally expressed in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Pei
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Usai I, Krueger M, Einsiedel J, Hillen W, Gmeiner P. Click-Chemistry-Derived Tetracycline-Amino Acid Conjugates Exhibiting Exceptional Potency and Exclusive Recognition of the Reverse Tet Repressor. Chembiochem 2010; 11:703-12. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200900710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Tschammer N, Dörfler M, Hübner H, Gmeiner P. Engineering a GPCR-ligand pair that simulates the activation of D(2L) by Dopamine. ACS Chem Neurosci 2010; 1:25-35. [PMID: 22778805 DOI: 10.1021/cn900001b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, engineered G-protein-coupled receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs) have been implemented as a new means to study neurotransmission, which is controlled by G-protein-coupled receptors in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we report an engineered dopamine receptor D(2L) F390(6.52)W, which is the first identified RASSL for the dopamine receptor family. The mutant receptor is characterized by a disrupted ligand binding and complete loss of efficacy for the endogenous ligand, dopamine, which is putatively due to a sterically induced perturbation of H-bonding with conserved serine residues in TM5. Based on this model, we rationally developed an aminoindane-derived set of agonists. Because these agonists forgo analogous H-bonding functionalities, their binding energy does not depend on the respective interactions. Binding affinity and potency were optimized by ligand modifications bearing molecular appendages that obviously interact with a secondary recognition site provided by four hydrophobic residues in TM2 and TM3. Thus, the ferrocenyl carboxamide 5b (FAUC 185) was identified as a synthetic agonist that is able to stimulate the mutant receptor in a manner similar to that by which endogenous dopamine activates the D(2L) wild-type receptor. The engineered dopamine receptor D(2L) F390(6.52)W in combination with FAUC 185 (5b) provides a new tool to probe GPCR functions selectively in specific cell populations in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuska Tschammer
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University, Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Miriam Dörfler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University, Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University, Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University, Schuhstrasse 19, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany
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Byerly MS, Blackshaw S. Vertebrate retina and hypothalamus development. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2009; 1:380-389. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mardi S. Byerly
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology and Ophthalamology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology and Ophthalamology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Alexander GM, Rogan SC, Abbas AI, Armbruster BN, Pei Y, Allen JA, Nonneman RJ, Hartmann J, Moy SS, Nicolelis MA, McNamara JO, Roth BL. Remote control of neuronal activity in transgenic mice expressing evolved G protein-coupled receptors. Neuron 2009; 63:27-39. [PMID: 19607790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 694] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Revised: 05/13/2009] [Accepted: 06/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Examining the behavioral consequences of selective CNS neuronal activation is a powerful tool for elucidating mammalian brain function in health and disease. Newly developed genetic, pharmacological, and optical tools allow activation of neurons with exquisite spatiotemporal resolution; however, the inaccessibility to light of widely distributed neuronal populations and the invasiveness required for activation by light or infused ligands limit the utility of these methods. To overcome these barriers, we created transgenic mice expressing an evolved G protein-coupled receptor (hM3Dq) selectively activated by the pharmacologically inert, orally bioavailable drug clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Here, we expressed hM3Dq in forebrain principal neurons. Local field potential and single-neuron recordings revealed that peripheral administration of CNO activated hippocampal neurons selectively in hM3Dq-expressing mice. Behavioral correlates of neuronal activation included increased locomotion, stereotypy, and limbic seizures. These results demonstrate a powerful chemical-genetic tool for remotely controlling the activity of discrete populations of neurons in vivo.
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Cussac D, Palmier C, Finana F, DeVries L, Tardif S, Léger C, Bernois S, Heusler P. Mutant 5-Hydroxytryptamine1A Receptor D116A Is a Receptor Activated Solely by Synthetic Ligands with a Rich Pharmacology. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2009; 331:222-33. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.109.156307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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Pei Y, Rogan SC, Yan F, Roth BL. Engineered GPCRs as tools to modulate signal transduction. Physiology (Bethesda) 2009; 23:313-21. [PMID: 19074739 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00025.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Different families of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been engineered to provide exclusive control over the activation of these receptors and thus to understand better the consequences of their signaling in vitro and in vivo. These engineered receptors, named RASSLs (receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands) and DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs), are insensitive to their endogenous ligands but can be activated by synthetic drug-like compounds. Currently, the existing RASSLs and DREADDs cover the Gi, Gq, and Gs signaling pathways. These modified GPCRs can be utilized as ideal tools to study GPCR functions selectively in specific cellular populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Pei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Nawaratne V, Leach K, Suratman N, Loiacono RE, Felder CC, Armbruster BN, Roth BL, Sexton PM, Christopoulos A. New Insights into the Function of M4 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Gained Using a Novel Allosteric Modulator and a DREADD (Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by a Designer Drug). Mol Pharmacol 2008; 74:1119-31. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.108.049353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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20
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Generation of an agonistic binding site for blockers of the M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Biochem J 2008; 412:103-12. [PMID: 18237275 DOI: 10.1042/bj20071366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) exist in a spontaneous equilibrium between active and inactive conformations that are stabilized by agonists and inverse agonists respectively. Because ligand binding of agonists and inverse agonists often occurs in a competitive manner, one can assume an overlap between both binding sites. Only a few studies report mutations in GPCRs that convert receptor blockers into agonists by unknown mechanisms. Taking advantage of a genetically modified yeast strain, we screened libraries of mutant M(3)Rs {M(3) mAChRs [muscarinic ACh (acetylcholine) receptors)]} and identified 13 mutants which could be activated by atropine (EC50 0.3-10 microM), an inverse agonist on wild-type M(3)R. Many of the mutations sensitizing M(3)R to atropine activation were located at the junction of intracellular loop 3 and helix 6, a region known to be involved in G-protein coupling. In addition to atropine, the pharmacological switch was found for other M(3)R blockers such as scopolamine, pirenzepine and oxybutynine. However, atropine functions as an agonist on the mutant M(3)R only when expressed in yeast, but not in mammalian COS-7 cells, although high-affinity ligand binding was comparable in both expression systems. Interestingly, we found that atropine still blocks carbachol-induced activation of the M(3)R mutants in the yeast expression system by binding at the high-affinity-binding site (Ki approximately 10 nM). Our results indicate that blocker-to-agonist converting mutations enable atropine to function as both agonist and antagonist by interaction with two functionally distinct binding sites.
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21
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Chang WC, Ng JK, Nguyen T, Pellissier L, Claeysen S, Hsiao EC, Conklin BR. Modifying ligand-induced and constitutive signaling of the human 5-HT4 receptor. PLoS One 2007; 2:e1317. [PMID: 18338032 PMCID: PMC2267039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2007] [Accepted: 11/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal through a limited number of G-protein pathways and play crucial roles in many biological processes. Studies of their in vivo functions have been hampered by the molecular and functional diversity of GPCRs and the paucity of ligands with specific signaling effects. To better compare the effects of activating different G-protein signaling pathways through ligand-induced or constitutive signaling, we developed a new series of RASSLs (receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands) that activate different G-protein signaling pathways. These RASSLs are based on the human 5-HT4b receptor, a GPCR with high constitutive Gs signaling and strong ligand-induced G-protein activation of the Gs and Gs/q pathways. The first receptor in this series, 5-HT4-D100A or Rs1 (RASSL serotonin 1), is not activated by its endogenous agonist, serotonin, but is selectively activated by the small synthetic molecules GR113808, GR125487, and RO110-0235. All agonists potently induced Gs signaling, but only a few (e.g., zacopride) also induced signaling via the Gq pathway. Zacopride-induced Gq signaling was enhanced by replacing the C-terminus of Rs1 with the C-terminus of the human 5-HT2C receptor. Additional point mutations (D66A and D66N) blocked constitutive Gs signaling and lowered ligand-induced Gq signaling. Replacing the third intracellular loop of Rs1 with that of human 5-HT1A conferred ligand-mediated Gi signaling. This Gi-coupled RASSL, Rs1.3, exhibited no measurable signaling to the Gs or Gq pathway. These findings show that the signaling repertoire of Rs1 can be expanded and controlled by receptor engineering and drug selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chun Chang
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jennifer K. Ng
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Lucie Pellissier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Universités de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5203, Montpellier, France
- INSERM U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvie Claeysen
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Universités de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5203, Montpellier, France
- INSERM U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Edward C. Hsiao
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Bruce R. Conklin
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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22
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Srinivasan S, Santiago P, Lubrano C, Vaisse C, Conklin BR. Engineering the melanocortin-4 receptor to control constitutive and ligand-mediated G(S) signaling in vivo. PLoS One 2007; 2:e668. [PMID: 17668051 PMCID: PMC1930153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2007] [Accepted: 06/19/2007] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular and functional diversity of G protein-coupled receptors is essential to many physiological processes. However, this diversity presents a significant challenge to understanding the G protein-mediated signaling events that underlie a specific physiological response. To increase our understanding of these processes, we sought to gain control of the timing and specificity of G(s) signaling in vivo. We used naturally occurring human mutations to develop two G(s)-coupled engineered receptors that respond solely to a synthetic ligand (RASSLs). Our G(s)-coupled RASSLs are based on the melanocortin-4 receptor, a centrally expressed receptor that plays an important role in the regulation of body weight. These RASSLs are not activated by the endogenous hormone alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone but respond potently to a selective synthetic ligand, tetrahydroisoquinoline. The RASSL variants reported here differ in their intrinsic basal activities, allowing the separation of the effects of basal signaling from ligand-mediated activation of the G(s) pathway in vivo. These RASSLs can be used to activate G(s) signaling in any tissue, but would be particularly useful for analyzing downstream events that mediate body weight regulation in mice. Our study also demonstrates the use of human genetic variation for protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Srinivasan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (SS); (BRC)
| | - Pamela Santiago
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Cecile Lubrano
- The Diabetes Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Christian Vaisse
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- The Diabetes Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Bruce R. Conklin
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (SS); (BRC)
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Walsh
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R Conklin
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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25
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Armbruster BN, Li X, Pausch MH, Herlitze S, Roth BL. Evolving the lock to fit the key to create a family of G protein-coupled receptors potently activated by an inert ligand. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:5163-8. [PMID: 17360345 PMCID: PMC1829280 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0700293104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1413] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We evolved muscarinic receptors in yeast to generate a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated solely by a pharmacologically inert drug-like and bioavailable compound (clozapine-N-oxide). Subsequent screening in human cell lines facilitated the creation of a family of muscarinic acetylcholine GPCRs suitable for in vitro and in situ studies. We subsequently created lines of telomerase-immortalized human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells stably expressing all five family members and found that each one faithfully recapitulated the signaling phenotype of the parent receptor. We also expressed a G(i)-coupled designer receptor in hippocampal neurons (hM(4)D) and demonstrated its ability to induce membrane hyperpolarization and neuronal silencing. We have thus devised a facile approach for designing families of GPCRs with engineered ligand specificities. Such reverse-engineered GPCRs will prove to be powerful tools for selectively modulating signal-transduction pathways in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark H. Pausch
- Discovery Neuroscience, Wyeth Research, Princeton, NJ 08543-8000; and
| | | | - Bryan L. Roth
- Departments of *Biochemistry
- Neurosciences, and
- Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Medical School, Chapel Hill, NC 27705
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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26
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Abstract
The G-protein-coupled receptor signaling system, consisting of a huge variety of receptors as well as of many G-proteins and effectors, operates in every cell and is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. The versatility of this system and the involvement of specific components makes G-protein-coupled receptors and their signaling pathways ideal targets for pharmacological interventions. Classical mouse knockout models have often provided important preliminary insights into the biological roles of individual receptors and signaling pathways and they are routinely used in the process of target validation. The recent development of efficient conditional mutagenesis techniques now allows a much more detailed analysis of G-protein-mediated signaling transduction processes. This review summarizes some of the areas in which progress has recently been made by applying conditional mutagenesis of genes coding for G-proteins and G-protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Offermanns
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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27
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Karpova AY, Tervo DGR, Gray NW, Svoboda K. Rapid and reversible chemical inactivation of synaptic transmission in genetically targeted neurons. Neuron 2006; 48:727-35. [PMID: 16337911 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2004] [Revised: 05/05/2005] [Accepted: 11/08/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Inducible and reversible silencing of selected neurons in vivo is critical to understanding the structure and dynamics of brain circuits. We have developed Molecules for Inactivation of Synaptic Transmission (MISTs) that can be genetically targeted to allow the reversible inactivation of neurotransmitter release. MISTs consist of modified presynaptic proteins that interfere with the synaptic vesicle cycle when crosslinked by small molecule "dimerizers." MISTs based on the vesicle proteins VAMP2/Synaptobrevin and Synaptophysin induced rapid ( approximately 10 min) and reversible block of synaptic transmission in cultured neurons and brain slices. In transgenic mice expressing MISTs selectively in Purkinje neurons, administration of dimerizer reduced learning and performance of the rotarod behavior. MISTs allow for specific, inducible, and reversible lesions in neuronal circuits and may provide treatment of disorders associated with neuronal hyperactivity.
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29
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Abstract
Chemical genetics is an emerging approach for studying biological systems using chemical tools. This strategy aims to reveal the macromolecules responsible for regulating biological systems; thus, the approach shares much in common with genetics. In both strategies, one must (a) develop an assay that reports on a biological process of interest, (b) perturb this process systematically (with mutations or small molecules), and (c) determine the target of each perturbation to reveal macromolecules (i.e., proteins and genes) regulating the process of interest. In this review, we discuss advances and challenges in this field that have emerged over the past four years. Several technologies have converged, raising the hope that it may be possible to systematically apply chemical probes to biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inese Smukste
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, Fairchild Center, New York, New York 10027, USA
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30
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Bruysters M, Jongejan A, Akdemir A, Bakker RA, Leurs R. A G(q/11)-coupled mutant histamine H(1) receptor F435A activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSL). J Biol Chem 2005; 280:34741-6. [PMID: 16027157 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m504165200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, G protein-coupled receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs) have been introduced as new tools to study Galpha(i) signaling in vivo (1, 2). Also, Galpha(s)-coupled G protein-coupled receptors have been engineered to generate Galpha(s)-coupled RASSLs (3, 4). In this study, we exploited the differences in binding pockets between different classes of H(1) receptor agonists and identified the first Galpha(q/11)-coupled RASSL. The mutant human H(1) receptor F435A (6.55) combines a strongly decreased affinity (25-fold) and potency for the endogenous ligand histamine (200-fold) with improved affinities (54-fold) and potencies (2600-fold) for 2-phenylhistamines, a synthetic class of H(1) receptor agonists. Molecular dynamics simulations provided a mechanism for distinct agonist binding to both wild-type and F435A mutant H(1) receptors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- COS Cells
- Cattle
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- DNA, Complementary/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/chemistry
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/genetics
- Genes, Reporter
- Histamine/chemistry
- Humans
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Ligands
- Models, Chemical
- Models, Molecular
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Mutation
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Phenylalanine/chemistry
- Protein Binding
- Protein Engineering
- Receptors, Histamine H1/chemistry
- Receptors, Histamine H1/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Bruysters
- Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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31
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Abstract
In systems neuroscience, advances often come from lesioning and reversible inhibition of brain regions. Dissecting the circuitry of regions involves conceptually the same approach - stop a class of cell from firing action potentials, or make the cells fire more, then deduce how these components influence the performance of the circuit and animal behaviour. To perform such cell-type-specific and reversible fine-scale analysis of circuitry, and to do so on the fast signalling timescale of the brain (milliseconds to seconds), is challenging in mammals. Ingenious and diverse methods are being developed towards this goal. These new tools will encourage further synergy between molecular biologists, systems neuroscientists and electrophysiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Wulff
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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32
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Ott D, Neldner Y, Cèbe R, Dodevski I, Plückthun A. Engineering and functional immobilization of opioid receptors. Protein Eng Des Sel 2005; 18:153-60. [PMID: 15790572 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzi012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid receptors, like many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), are notoriously unstable in detergents. We have now developed a more stable variant of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and also a method for the immobilization of solubilized, functional opioid receptors on a solid phase (magnetic beads). Starting with the intrinsically more stable kappa-opioid receptor (KOR), we optimized the conditions (i.e. detergents and stabilizing ligands) for receptor extraction from lipid bilayers of HEK293T cells to obtain maximal amounts of functional, immobilized receptor. After immobilization, the ligand binding profile remains the same as observed for the membrane-embedded receptor. For the immobilized wild-type mu-opioid receptor, however, no conditions were found under which ligand binding capacity was retained. To solve this problem, we engineered the receptor chimera KKM where the N-terminus and the first transmembrane helix (TM1) of wild-type MOR is exchanged for the homologous receptor parts of the wild-type KOR. This hybrid receptor behaves exactly as the wild-type MOR in functional assays. Interestingly, the modified MOR is expressed at six times higher levels than wild-type MOR and is similarly stable as wild-type KOR after immobilization. Hence the immobilized MOR, represented by the chimera KKM, is now also amenable for biophysical characterization. These results are encouraging for future stability engineering of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ott
- Biochemisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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33
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Scearce-Levie K, Lieberman MD, Elliott HH, Conklin BR. Engineered G protein coupled receptors reveal independent regulation of internalization, desensitization and acute signaling. BMC Biol 2005; 3:3. [PMID: 15707483 PMCID: PMC551613 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-3-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2004] [Accepted: 02/11/2005] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The physiological regulation of G protein-coupled receptors, through desensitization and internalization, modulates the length of the receptor signal and may influence the development of tolerance and dependence in response to chronic drug treatment. To explore the importance of receptor regulation, we engineered a series of Gi-coupled receptors that differ in signal length, degree of agonist-induced internalization, and ability to induce adenylyl cyclase superactivation. All of these receptors, based on the kappa opioid receptor, were modified to be receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs). This modification allows us to compare receptors that have the same ligands and effectors, but differ only in desensitization and internalization. RESULTS Removal of phosphorylation sites in the C-terminus of the RASSL resulted in a mutant that was resistant to internalization and less prone to desensitization. Replacement of the C-terminus of the RASSL with the corresponding portion of the mu opioid receptor eliminated the induction of AC superactivation, without disrupting agonist-induced desensitization or internalization. Surprisingly, removal of phosphorylation sites from this chimera resulted in a receptor that is constitutively internalized, even in the absence of agonist. However, the receptor still signals and desensitizes in response to agonist, indicating normal G-protein coupling and partial membrane expression. CONCLUSIONS These studies reveal that internalization, desensitization and adenylyl cyclase superactivation, all processes that decrease chronic Gi-receptor signals, are independently regulated. Furthermore, specific mutations can radically alter superactivation or internalization without affecting the efficacy of acute Gi signaling. These mutant RASSLs will be useful for further elucidating the temporal dynamics of the signaling of G protein-coupled receptors in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Scearce-Levie
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco CA 94158 USA
| | - Michael D Lieberman
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco CA 94158 USA
| | - Heather H Elliott
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco CA 94158 USA
| | - Bruce R Conklin
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco CA 94158 USA
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143 USA
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine N Armbruster
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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35
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Pauwels PJ. Unravelling multiple ligand-activation binding sites using RASSL receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2004; 24:504-7. [PMID: 14559400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2003.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
MESH Headings
- Binding Sites
- Humans
- Ligands
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/drug effects
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/agonists
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4/drug effects
- Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus J Pauwels
- Centre d'Immunologie Pierre Fabre 5, Avenue Napoléon III-BP 497, 74164 Saint-Julien-en-Genevois Cedex, France.
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36
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Goudet C, Gaven F, Kniazeff J, Vol C, Liu J, Cohen-Gonsaud M, Acher F, Prézeau L, Pin JP. Heptahelical domain of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 behaves like rhodopsin-like receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:378-83. [PMID: 14691258 PMCID: PMC314193 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0304699101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2003] [Accepted: 11/03/2003] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Although agonists bind directly in the heptahelical domain (HD) of most class-I rhodopsin-like G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), class-III agonists bind in the extracellular domain of their receptors. Indeed, the latter possess a large extracellular domain composed of a cysteine-rich domain and a Venus flytrap module. Both the low sequence homology and the structural organization of class-III GPCRs raised the question of whether or not the HD of these receptors functions the same way as rhodopsin-like GPCRs. Here, we show that the HD of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu(5)) displays the same agonist-independent constitutive activity as the wild-type receptor. Moreover, we show that the noncompetitive antagonist MPEP [2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine hydrochloride] and the positive allosteric modulator DFB (3,3'-difluorobenzaldazine) act as inverse agonist and full agonist, respectively, on the mGlu(5) HD in the absence of the extracellular domain. This finding illustrates that, like rhodopsin-like receptors, the HD of mGluRs can constitutively couple to G proteins and be negatively and positively regulated by ligands. These data show that the HD of mGluRs behave like any other class-I GPCRs in terms of G protein coupling and regulation by various types of ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Goudet
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Propre de Recherche 2580, CCIPE, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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37
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Srinivasan S, Vaisse C, Conklin BR. Engineering the melanocortin-4 receptor to control G(s) signaling in vivo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 994:225-32. [PMID: 12851320 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb03184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest known family of cell surface receptors, and they control many important physiological events, including sensory perception, chemotaxis, neurotransmission, and energy homeostasis. However, GPCR signaling can be difficult to study in vivo because of the multitude of GPCRs, the lack of specific synthetic agonists, and the fact that some GPCRs activate multiple signaling pathways. One method to circumvent these problems is to develop an engineered receptor that is unresponsive to its endogenous agonist, yet can be fully activated by synthetic, small-molecule drugs. Such a receptor, called a receptor activated solely by a synthetic ligand (RASSL), can be rapidly and reversibly activated by a small-molecule drug and would be a powerful tool to control G-protein signaling in vivo. Here we present the development of a G(s)-coupled RASSL based on the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). MC4R couples exclusively to G(s) at physiologically relevant concentrations of its endogenous ligand, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Data from human patients and structure-activity studies have shown that several mutations in MC4R cause a decreased affinity for alpha-MSH and can be exploited for RASSL development. Synthetic, small-molecule agonists of MC4R are now available and can be used to activate mutated receptors in vivo. We are engineering a series of mutations in MC4R to remove the peptide-binding site while retaining small-molecule binding and activation. The MC4R G(s) RASSL could be used to control many physiological responses associated with G(s) signaling such as heart rate, energy homeostasis, and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Srinivasan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California, San Francisco, California 94141, USA.
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38
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Claeysen S, Joubert L, Sebben M, Bockaert J, Dumuis A. A single mutation in the 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4-R D100(3.32)A) generates a Gs-coupled receptor activated exclusively by synthetic ligands (RASSL). J Biol Chem 2003; 278:699-702. [PMID: 12441358 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c200588200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) signaling, cellular and animal physiology, as well as gene therapy, a new tool has recently been proposed. It consists of GPCR mutants that are insensitive to endogenous ligands but sensitive to synthetic ligands. These GPCRs are called receptor activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSL). Only two examples of such engineered receptors have been described so far: one G(i)-coupled (opioid receptors) and one G(s)-coupled (beta(2)-adrenergic receptors). Here, we describe the first RASSL related to serotonin receptors (D100(3.32)A G(s)-coupled 5-HT(4) receptor or 5-HT(4)-RASSL). 5-HT(4)-RASSL is generated by a single mutation, is totally insensitive to serotonin (5-HT), and still responds to synthetic ligands. These ligands have affinities in the range of nanomolar concentrations for the mutant receptor and exhibit full efficacy. More interestingly, two synthetic ligands behave as antagonists on the wild type but as agonists on the 5-HT(4)-RASSL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Claeysen
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPR 9023, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
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39
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Li P, Slimko EM, Lester HA. Selective elimination of glutamate activation and introduction of fluorescent proteins into a Caenorhabditis elegans chloride channel. FEBS Lett 2002; 528:77-82. [PMID: 12297283 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03245-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate-gated chloride (GluCl) channels from invertebrates can be activated by ivermectin (IVM) to produce electrical silencing in mammalian neurons. To improve this GluCl/IVM strategy, we sought to mutate the Caenorhabditis elegans GluCl channels so that they become insensitive to glutamate but retain their sensitivity to IVM. Based on structure-function studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor superfamily members, we tested in oocytes 19 point mutants at 16 residues in the beta-subunit likely to be involved in the response to glutamate. Y182F reduces the glutamate response by greater than six-fold, with little change to IVM responses, when coexpressed with wild-type (WT) GluCl alpha. For GluCl alphabeta(Y182F), the EC(50) and Hill coefficient for glutamate are similar to those of WT, indicating that the mutant decreases the efficacy of glutamate, but not the potency. Also, fluorescent proteins (enhanced green fluorescent protein, enhanced yellow fluorescent protein, enhanced cyan fluorescent protein; XFP) were inserted into the M3-M4 loop of the GluCl alpha, beta and beta(Y182F). We found no significant functional difference between these XFP-tagged receptors and WT receptors. The modified GluCl channel, without glutamate sensitivity but with a fluorescent tag, may be more useful in GluCl silencing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Division of Biology, M/C 156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA
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40
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Joubert L, Claeysen S, Sebben M, Bessis AS, Clark RD, Martin RS, Bockaert J, Dumuis A. A 5-HT4 receptor transmembrane network implicated in the activity of inverse agonists but not agonists. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:25502-11. [PMID: 11976337 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m202539200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of G protein-coupled receptors is thought to involve disruption of intramolecular interactions that stabilize their inactive conformation. Such disruptions are induced by agonists or by constitutively active mutations. In the present study, novel potent inverse agonists are described to inhibit the constitutive activity of 5-HT(4) receptors. Using these compounds and specific receptor mutations, we investigated the mechanisms by which inverse agonists may reverse the disruption of intramolecular interactions that causes constitutive activation. Two mutations (D100(3.32)A in transmembrane domain (TMD)-III and F275(6.51)A in TMD-VI) were found to completely block inverse agonist effects without impairing their binding properties nor the molecular activation switches induced by agonists. Based on the rhodopsin model, we propose that these mutated receptors are in equilibrium between two states R and R* but are unable to reach a third "silent" state stabilized by inverse agonists. We also found another mutation in TMD-VI (W272(6.48)A) that stabilized this silent state. This mutant remained fully activated by agonists. Molecular modeling indicated that Asp-100, Phe-275, and Trp-272 might constitute a network required for stabilization of the silent state by the described inverse agonists. However, this network is not necessary for agonist activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Joubert
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPR 9023, Montpellier, France
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Scearce-Levie K, Coward P, Redfern CH, Conklin BR. Tools for dissecting signaling pathways in vivo: receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands. Methods Enzymol 2002; 343:232-48. [PMID: 11665570 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(02)43139-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Scearce-Levie
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94141, USA
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Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent possibly the most important target class of proteins for drug discovery. Over 30% of clinically marketed drugs are active at this receptor family. These drugs exhibit their activity at <10% of all known GPCRs. A major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry is to associate the many novel GPCRs with disease to identify the drugs of the future. This process consists of a collection of experimental paradigms that together can be loosely labelled 'target validation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Wise
- Systems Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK SG1 2NY
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