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Zhang MY, Ao JY, Liu N, Chen T, Lu SY. Exploring the constitutive activation mechanism of the class A orphan GPR20. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01385-7. [PMID: 39256608 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01385-7] [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: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
GPR20, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), shows significant expression in intestinal tissue and represents a potential therapeutic target to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors. GPR20 performs high constitutive activity when coupling with Gi. Despite the pharmacological importance of GPCR constitutive activation, determining the mechanism has long remained unclear. In this study, we explored the constitutive activation mechanism of GPR20 through large-scale unbiased molecular dynamics simulations. Our results unveil the allosteric nature of constitutively activated GPCR signal transduction involving extracellular and intracellular domains. Moreover, the constitutively active state of the GPR20 requires both the N-terminal cap and Gi protein. The N-terminal cap of GPR20 functions like an agonist and mediates long-range activated conformational shift. Together with the previous study, this study enhances our knowledge of the self-activation mechanism of the orphan receptor, facilitates the drug discovery efforts that target GPR20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yang 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
| | - Jian-Yang Ao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Ning Liu
- 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
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.
| | - Shao-Yong 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.
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2
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Lou JS, Su M, Wang J, Do HN, Miao Y, Huang XY. Distinct binding conformations of epinephrine with α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Exp Mol Med 2024:10.1038/s12276-024-01296-x. [PMID: 39218975 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Agonists targeting α2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) are used to treat diverse conditions, including hypertension, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, pain, panic disorders, opioid and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and cigarette cravings. These receptors transduce signals through heterotrimeric Gi proteins. Here, we elucidated cryo-EM structures that depict α2A-AR in complex with Gi proteins, along with the endogenous agonist epinephrine or the synthetic agonist dexmedetomidine. Molecular dynamics simulations and functional studies reinforce the results of the structural revelations. Our investigation revealed that epinephrine exhibits different conformations when engaging with α-ARs and β-ARs. Furthermore, α2A-AR and β1-AR (primarily coupled to Gs, with secondary associations to Gi) were compared and found to exhibit different interactions with Gi proteins. Notably, the stability of the epinephrine-α2A-AR-Gi complex is greater than that of the dexmedetomidine-α2A-AR-Gi complex. These findings substantiate and improve our knowledge on the intricate signaling mechanisms orchestrated by ARs and concurrently shed light on the regulation of α-ARs and β-ARs by epinephrine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Shu Lou
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Minfei Su
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jinan Wang
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - Hung Nguyen Do
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - Xin-Yun Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Huang R, Yu Q, Tamalunas A, Stief CG, Hennenberg M. Ligand-Receptor Interactions and Structure-Function Relationships in Off-Target Binding of the β 3-Adrenergic Agonist Mirabegron to α 1A-Adrenergic Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7468. [PMID: 39000575 PMCID: PMC11242030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The β3-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron is available for the treatment of storage symptoms of overactive bladder, including frequency, urgency, and incontinence. The off-target effects of mirabegron include binding to α1-adrenoceptors, which are central in the treatment of voiding symptoms. Here, we examined the structure-function relationships in the binding of mirabegron to a cryo-electron microscopy structure of α1A. The binding was simulated by docking mirabegron to a 3D structure of a human α1A-adrenoceptor (7YMH) using Autodock Vina. The simulations identified two binding states: slope orientation involving 10 positions and horizontal binding to the receptor surface involving 4 positions. No interactions occurred with positions constituting the α1A binding pocket, including Asp-106, Ser-188, or Phe-312, despite the positioning of the phenylethanolamine moiety in transmembrane regions close to the binding pocket by contact with Phe-288, -289, and Val-107. Contact with the unique positions of α1A included the transmembrane Met-292 during slope binding and exosite Phe-86 during horizontal binding. Exosite binding in slope orientation involved contact of the anilino part, rather than the aminothiazol end, to Ile-178, Ala-103, and Asn-179. In conclusion, contact with Met-292 and Phe-86, which are unique positions of α1A, accounts for mirabegron binding to α1A. Because of its lack of interactions with the binding pocket, mirabegron has lower affinity compared to α1A-blockers and no effects on voiding symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510180, China; (R.H.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Qingfeng Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510180, China; (R.H.); (Q.Y.)
| | - Alexander Tamalunas
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (A.T.)
| | - Christian G. Stief
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (A.T.)
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany; (A.T.)
- Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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4
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Liu HL, Zhong HY, Zhang YX, Xue HR, Zhang ZS, Fu KQ, Cao XD, Xiong XC, Guo D. Structural basis of tolvaptan binding to the vasopressin V 2 receptor. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01325-5. [PMID: 38902502 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01325-5] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) is a validated therapeutic target for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), with tolvaptan being the first FDA-approved antagonist. Herein, we used Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the spontaneous binding of tolvaptan to both active and inactive V2R conformations at the atomic-level. Overall, the binding process consists of two stages. Tolvaptan binds initially to extracellular loops 2 and 3 (ECL2/3) before overcoming an energy barrier to enter the pocket. Our simulations result highlighted key residues (e.g., R181, Y205, F287, F178) involved in this process, which were experimentally confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. This work provides structural insights into tolvaptan-V2R interactions, potentially aiding the design of novel antagonists for V2R and other G protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Li Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Hai-Yang Zhong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Yi-Xiao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Hua-Rui Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Zheng-Shuo Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Ke-Quan Fu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Xu-Dong Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Xiao-Chun Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Dong Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
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Mastos C, Xu X, Keen AC, Halls ML. Signalling of Adrenoceptors: Canonical Pathways and New Paradigms. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 285:147-184. [PMID: 38227198 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_704] [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] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The concept of G protein-coupled receptors initially arose from studies of the β-adrenoceptor, adenylyl cyclase, and cAMP signalling pathway. Since then both canonical G protein-coupled receptor signalling pathways and emerging paradigms in receptor signalling have been defined by experiments focused on adrenoceptors. Here, we discuss the evidence for G protein coupling specificity of the nine adrenoceptor subtypes. We summarise the ability of each of the adrenoceptors to activate proximal signalling mediators including cAMP, calcium, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and protein kinase C pathways. Finally, we highlight the importance of precise spatial and temporal control of adrenoceptor signalling that is controlled by the localisation of receptors at intracellular membranes and in larger protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantel Mastos
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaomeng Xu
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alastair C Keen
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Li J, Che M, Zhang B, Zhao K, Wan C, Yang K. The association between the neuroendocrine system and the tumor immune microenvironment: Emerging directions for cancer immunotherapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189007. [PMID: 37907132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189007] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes emerging evidence that the neuroendocrine system is involved in the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to influence cancer progression. The basis of the interaction between the neuroendocrine system and cancer is usually achieved by the infiltration of nerve fibers into the tumor tissue, which is called neurogenesis; the migration of cancer cells toward nerve fibers, which is called perineural invasion (PNI), and the neurotransmitters. In addition to the traditional role of neurotransmitters in neural communications, neurotransmitters are increasingly recognized as mediators of crosstalk between the nervous system, cancer cells, and the immune system. Recent studies have revealed that not only nerve fibers but also cancer cells and immune cells within the TIME can secrete neurotransmitters, exerting influence on both neurons and themselves. Furthermore, immune cells infiltrating the tumor environment have been found to express a wide array of neurotransmitter receptors. Hence, targeting these neurotransmitter receptors may promote the activity of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and exert anti-tumor immunity. Herein, we discuss the crosstalk between the neuroendocrine system and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, which may provide feasible cancer immunotherapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Mengjie Che
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Kewei Zhao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chao Wan
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Kunyu Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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