1
|
Zerbetto De Palma G, Recoulat Angelini AA, Vitali V, González Flecha FL, Alleva K. Cooperativity in regulation of membrane protein function: phenomenological analysis of the effects of pH and phospholipids. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:721-731. [PMID: 37681089 PMCID: PMC10480370 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interaction between membrane proteins and ligands plays a key role in governing a wide spectrum of cellular processes. These interactions can provide a cooperative-type regulation of protein function. A wide variety of proteins, including enzymes, channels, transporters, and receptors, displays cooperative behavior in their interactions with ligands. Moreover, the ligands involved encompass a vast diversity and include specific molecules or ions that bind to specific binding sites. In this review, our particular focus is on the interaction between integral membrane proteins and ligands that can present multiple "binding sites", such as protons or membrane phospholipids. The study of the interaction that protons or lipids have with membrane proteins often presents challenges for classical mechanistic modeling approaches. In this regard, we show that, like Hill's pioneering work on hemoglobin regulation, phenomenological modeling constitutes a powerful tool for capturing essential features of these systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Zerbetto De Palma
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, Villa Tesei, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alvaro A. Recoulat Angelini
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Vitali
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F. Luis. González Flecha
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Alleva
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Fisicomatemática, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tzortzini E, Kolocouris A. Molecular Biophysics of Class A G Protein Coupled Receptors-Lipids Interactome at a Glance-Highlights from the A 2A Adenosine Receptor. Biomolecules 2023; 13:957. [PMID: 37371538 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are embedded in phospholipid membrane bilayers with cholesterol representing 34% of the total lipid content in mammalian plasma membranes. Membrane lipids interact with GPCRs structures and modulate their function and drug-stimulated signaling through conformational selection. It has been shown that anionic phospholipids form strong interactions between positively charged residues in the G protein and the TM5-TM6-TM 7 cytoplasmic interface of class A GPCRs stabilizing the signaling GPCR-G complex. Cholesterol with a high content in plasma membranes can be identified in more specific sites in the transmembrane region of GPCRs, such as the Cholesterol Consensus Motif (CCM) and Cholesterol Recognition Amino Acid Consensus (CRAC) motifs and other receptor dependent and receptor state dependent sites. Experimental biophysical methods, atomistic (AA) MD simulations and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to investigate these interactions. We emphasized here the impact of phosphatidyl inositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2 or PIP2), a minor phospholipid component and of cholesterol on the function-related conformational equilibria of the human A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR), a representative receptor in class A GPCR. Several GPCRs of class A interacted with PIP2 and cholesterol and in many cases the mechanism of the modulation of their function remains unknown. This review provides a helpful comprehensive overview for biophysics that enter the field of GPCRs-lipid systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Efpraxia Tzortzini
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Kolocouris
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
A pilot study of the association between maternal mid-pregnancy cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations and labor duration. Lipids Health Dis 2023; 22:37. [PMID: 36906556 PMCID: PMC10007829 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01800-8] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous animal model studies have highlighted a role for cholesterol and its oxidized derivatives (oxysterols) in uterine contractile activity, however, a lipotoxic state associated with hypercholesterolemia may contribute to labor dystocia. Therefore, we investigated if maternal mid-pregnancy cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations were associated with labor duration in a human pregnancy cohort. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of serum samples and birth outcome data from healthy pregnant women (N = 25) with mid-pregnancy fasting serum samples collected at 22-28 weeks of gestation. Serum was analyzed for total-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C by direct automated enzymatic assay and oxysterol profile including 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7αOHC), 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7βOHC), 24-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25OHC), 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHC), and 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) by liquid chromatography-selected ion monitoring-stable isotope dilution-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectroscopy. Associations between maternal second trimester lipids and labor duration (minutes) were assessed using multivariable linear regression adjusting for maternal nulliparity and age. RESULTS An increase in labor duration was observed for every 1-unit increment in serum 24OHC (0.96 min [0.36,1.56], p < 0.01), 25OHC (7.02 min [1.92,12.24], p = 0.01), 27OHC (0.54 min [0.06, 1.08], p < 0.05), 7KC (8.04 min [2.7,13.5], p < 0.01), and total oxysterols (0.42 min [0.18,0.06], p < 0.01]. No significant associations between labor duration and serum total-C, LDL-C, or HDL-C were observed. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, mid-pregnancy concentrations of maternal oxysterols (24OHC, 25OHC, 27OHC, and 7KC) were positively associated with labor duration. Given the small population and use of self-reported labor duration, subsequent studies are required for confirmation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tzortzini E, Corey RA, Kolocouris A. Comparative Study of Receptor-, Receptor State-, and Membrane-Dependent Cholesterol Binding Sites in A 2A and A 1 Adenosine Receptors Using Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:928-949. [PMID: 36637988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We used coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG MD) simulations to study protein-cholesterol interactions for different activation states of the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) and the A1 adenosine receptor (A1R) and predict new cholesterol binding sites indicating amino acid residues with a high residence time in three biologically relevant membranes. Compared to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)-cholesterol and POPC-phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate (PIP2)-cholesterol, the plasma mimetic membrane best described the cholesterol binding sites previously detected for the inactive state of A2AR and revealed the binding sites with long-lasting amino acid residues. We observed that using the plasma mimetic membrane and plotting residues with cholesterol residence time ≥2 μs, our CG MD simulations captured most obviously the cholesterol-protein interactions. For the inactive A2AR, we identified one more binding site in which cholesterol is bound to residues with a long residence time compared to the previously detected, for the active A1R, three binding sites, and for the inactive A1R, two binding sites. We calculated that for the active states, cholesterol binds to residues with a much longer residence time compared to the inactive state for both A2AR and A1R. The stability of the identified binding sites to A1R or A2AR with CG MD simulations was additionally investigated with potential of mean force calculations using umbrella sampling. We observed that the binding sites with residues to which cholesterol has a long residence time in A2AR have shallow binding free energy minima compared to the related binding sites in A1R, suggesting a stronger binding for cholesterol to A1R. The differences in binding sites in which cholesterol is stabilized and interacts with residues with a long residence time between active and inactive states of A1R and A2AR can be important for differences in functional activity and orthosteric agonist or antagonist affinity and can be used for the design of allosteric modulators, which can bind through lipid pathways. We observed a stronger binding for cholesterol to A1R (i.e., generally higher association rates) compared to A2AR, which remains to be demonstrated. For the active states, cholesterol binds to residues with much longer residence times compared to the inactive state for both A2AR and A1R. Taken together, binding sites of active A1R may be considered as promising allosteric targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Efpraxia Tzortzini
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771Athens, Greece
| | - Robin A Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, OxfordOX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Antonios Kolocouris
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rosenhouse-Dantsker A, Gazgalis D, Logothetis DE. PI(4,5)P 2 and Cholesterol: Synthesis, Regulation, and Functions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1422:3-59. [PMID: 36988876 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21547-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) is the most abundant membrane phosphoinositide and cholesterol is an essential component of the plasma membrane (PM). Both lipids play key roles in a variety of cellular functions including as signaling molecules and major regulators of protein function. This chapter provides an overview of these two important lipids. Starting from a brief description of their structure, synthesis, and regulation, the chapter continues to describe the primary functions and signaling processes in which PI(4,5)P2 and cholesterol are involved. While PI(4,5)P2 and cholesterol can act independently, they often act in concert or affect each other's impact. The chapters in this volume on "Cholesterol and PI(4,5)P2 in Vital Biological Functions: From Coexistence to Crosstalk" focus on the emerging relationship between cholesterol and PI(4,5)P2 in a variety of biological systems and processes. In this chapter, the next section provides examples from the ion channel field demonstrating that PI(4,5)P2 and cholesterol can act via common mechanisms. The chapter ends with a discussion of future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitris Gazgalis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diomedes E Logothetis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Peng X, Yang L, Liu Z, Lou S, Mei S, Li M, Chen Z, Zhang H. Structural basis for recognition of antihistamine drug by human histamine receptor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6105. [PMID: 36243875 PMCID: PMC9569329 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33880-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The histamine receptors belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, and play important roles in the regulation of histamine and other neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, as potential targets for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Here we report the crystal structure of human histamine receptor H3R bound to an antagonist PF-03654746 at 2.6 Å resolution. Combined with the computational and functional assays, our structure reveals binding modes of the antagonist and allosteric cholesterol. Molecular dynamic simulations and molecular docking of different antihistamines further elucidate the conserved ligand-binding modes. These findings are therefore expected to facilitate the structure-based design of novel antihistamines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Peng
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XHangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Linlin Yang
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450052 Zhengzhou, Henan China
| | - Zixuan Liu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XHangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Siyi Lou
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XHangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Shiliu Mei
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XHangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Meiling Li
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450052 Zhengzhou, Henan China
| | - Zhong Chen
- grid.268505.c0000 0000 8744 8924Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Haitao Zhang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XHangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XThe Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009 Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jurek B, Denk L, Schäfer N, Salehi MS, Pandamooz S, Haerteis S. Oxytocin accelerates tight junction formation and impairs cellular migration in 3D spheroids: evidence from Gapmer-induced exon skipping. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1000538. [PMID: 36263085 PMCID: PMC9574052 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1000538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that has been associated with neurological diseases like autism, a strong regulating activity on anxiety and stress-related behavior, physiological effects during pregnancy and parenting, and various cellular effects in neoplastic tissue. In this study, we aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism that OXT employs to regulate cell-cell contacts, spheroid formation, and cellular migration in a 3D culture model of human MLS-402 cells. We have generated a labeled OXT receptor (OXTR) overexpressing cell line cultivated in spheroids that were treated with the OXTR agonists OXT, Atosiban, and Thr4-Gly7-oxytocin (TGOT); with or without a pre-treatment of antisense oligos (Gapmers) that induce exon skipping in the human OXTR gene. This exon skipping leads to the exclusion of exon 4 and therefore a receptor that lost its intracellular G-protein-binding domain. Sensitive digital PCR (dPCR) provided us with the means to differentiate between wild type and truncated OXTR in our cellular model. OXTR truncation differentially activated intracellular signaling cascades related to cell-cell attachment and proliferation like Akt, ERK1/2-RSK1/2, HSP27, STAT1/5, and CREB, as assessed by a Kinase Profiler Assay. Digital and transmission electron microscopy revealed increased tight junction formation and well-organized cellular protrusions into an enlarged extracellular space after OXT treatment, resulting in increased cellular survival. In summary, OXT decreases cellular migration but increases cell-cell contacts and therefore improves nutrient supply. These data reveal a novel cellular effect of OXT that might have implications for degenerating CNS diseases and tumor formation in various tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Lucia Denk
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Schäfer
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Experimental Orthopaedics, Centre for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), Bio Park 1, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Saied Salehi
- Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sareh Pandamooz
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Silke Haerteis
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Silke Haerteis
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abiko LA, Dias Teixeira R, Engilberge S, Grahl A, Mühlethaler T, Sharpe T, Grzesiek S. Filling of a water-free void explains the allosteric regulation of the β 1-adrenergic receptor by cholesterol. Nat Chem 2022; 14:1133-1141. [PMID: 35953642 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent high-pressure NMR results indicate that the preactive conformation of the β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) harbours completely empty cavities of ~100 Å3 volume, which disappear in the active conformation of the receptor. Here we have localized these cavities using X-ray crystallography of xenon-derivatized β1AR crystals. One of the cavities is in direct contact with the cholesterol-binding pocket. Solution NMR shows that addition of the cholesterol analogue cholesteryl hemisuccinate impedes the formation of the active conformation of detergent-solubilized β1AR by blocking conserved G protein-coupled receptor microswitches, concomitant with an affinity reduction of both isoprenaline and G protein-mimicking nanobody Nb80 for β1AR detected by isothermal titration calorimetry. This wedge-like action explains the function of cholesterol as a negative allosteric modulator of β1AR. A detailed understanding of G protein-coupled receptor regulation by cholesterol by filling of a dry void and the easy scouting for such voids by xenon may provide new routes for the development of allosteric drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvain Engilberge
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland.,European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France
| | - Anne Grahl
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Krishnarjuna B, Ramamoorthy A. Detergent-Free Isolation of Membrane Proteins and Strategies to Study Them in a Near-Native Membrane Environment. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1076. [PMID: 36008970 PMCID: PMC9406181 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic-resolution structural studies of membrane-associated proteins and peptides in a membrane environment are important to fully understand their biological function and the roles played by them in the pathology of many diseases. However, the complexity of the cell membrane has severely limited the application of commonly used biophysical and biochemical techniques. Recent advancements in NMR spectroscopy and cryoEM approaches and the development of novel membrane mimetics have overcome some of the major challenges in this area. For example, the development of a variety of lipid-nanodiscs has enabled stable reconstitution and structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. In particular, the ability of synthetic amphipathic polymers to isolate membrane proteins directly from the cell membrane, along with the associated membrane components such as lipids, without the use of a detergent, has opened new avenues to study the structure and function of membrane proteins using a variety of biophysical and biological approaches. This review article is focused on covering the various polymers and approaches developed and their applications for the functional reconstitution and structural investigation of membrane proteins. The unique advantages and limitations of the use of synthetic polymers are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Taghon GJ, Rowe JB, Kapolka NJ, Isom DG. Predictable cholesterol binding sites in GPCRs lack consensus motifs. Structure 2021; 29:499-506.e3. [PMID: 33508215 PMCID: PMC9162085 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A rich diversity of transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are used by eukaryotes to sense physical and chemical signals. In humans alone, 800 GPCRs comprise the largest and most therapeutically targeted receptor class. Recent advances in GPCR structural biology have produced hundreds of GPCR structures solved by X-ray diffraction and increasingly, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Many of these structures are stabilized by site-specific cholesterol binding, but it is unclear whether these interactions are a product of recurring cholesterol-binding motifs and if observed patterns of cholesterol binding differ by experimental technique. Here, we comprehensively analyze the location and composition of cholesterol binding sites in the current set of 473 human GPCR structural chains. Our findings establish that cholesterol binds similarly in cryo-EM and X-ray structures and show that 92% of cholesterol molecules on GPCR surfaces reside in predictable locations that lack discernable cholesterol-binding motifs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey J Taghon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RMSB 6078A, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jacob B Rowe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RMSB 6078A, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Nicholas J Kapolka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RMSB 6078A, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Daniel G Isom
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, RMSB 6078A, Miami, FL 33136, USA; University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA; University of Miami Institute for Data Science and Computing, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lemel L, Nieścierowicz K, García-Fernández MD, Darré L, Durroux T, Busnelli M, Pezet M, Rébeillé F, Jouhet J, Mouillac B, Domene C, Chini B, Cherezov V, Moreau CJ. The ligand-bound state of a G protein-coupled receptor stabilizes the interaction of functional cholesterol molecules. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100059. [PMID: 33647276 PMCID: PMC8050779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is a major component of mammalian plasma membranes that not only affects the physical properties of the lipid bilayer but also is the function of many membrane proteins including G protein-coupled receptors. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is involved in parturition and lactation of mammals and in their emotional and social behaviors. Cholesterol acts on OXTR as an allosteric modulator inducing a high-affinity state for orthosteric ligands through a molecular mechanism that has yet to be determined. Using the ion channel-coupled receptor technology, we developed a functional assay of cholesterol modulation of G protein-coupled receptors that is independent of intracellular signaling pathways and operational in living cells. Using this assay, we discovered a stable binding of cholesterol molecules to the receptor when it adopts an orthosteric ligand-bound state. This stable interaction preserves the cholesterol-dependent activity of the receptor in cholesterol-depleted membranes. This mechanism was confirmed using time-resolved FRET experiments on WT OXTR expressed in CHO cells. Consequently, a positive cross-regulation sequentially occurs in OXTR between cholesterol and orthosteric ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lemel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Leonardo Darré
- Functional Genomics Laboratory and Biomolecular Simulations Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Thierry Durroux
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Marta Busnelli
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, U28 and NeuroMI Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Mylène Pezet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
| | - Fabrice Rébeillé
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire Végétale, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, Grenoble, France
| | - Juliette Jouhet
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire Végétale, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, INRAE, Grenoble, France
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Carmen Domene
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom; Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bice Chini
- CNR, Institute of Neuroscience, U28 and NeuroMI Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Bridge Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Jones AJY, Gabriel F, Tandale A, Nietlispach D. Structure and Dynamics of GPCRs in Lipid Membranes: Physical Principles and Experimental Approaches. Molecules 2020; 25:E4729. [PMID: 33076366 PMCID: PMC7587580 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the vast amount of information generated through structural and biophysical studies of GPCRs has provided unprecedented mechanistic insight into the complex signalling behaviour of these receptors. With this recent information surge, it has also become increasingly apparent that in order to reproduce the various effects that lipids and membranes exert on the biological function for these allosteric receptors, in vitro studies of GPCRs need to be conducted under conditions that adequately approximate the native lipid bilayer environment. In the first part of this review, we assess some of the more general effects that a membrane environment exerts on lipid bilayer-embedded proteins such as GPCRs. This is then followed by the consideration of more specific effects, including stoichiometric interactions with specific lipid subtypes. In the final section, we survey a range of different membrane mimetics that are currently used for in vitro studies, with a focus on NMR applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Nietlispach
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK; (A.J.Y.J.); (F.G.); (A.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Grime RL, Goulding J, Uddin R, Stoddart LA, Hill SJ, Poyner DR, Briddon SJ, Wheatley M. Single molecule binding of a ligand to a G-protein-coupled receptor in real time using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, rendered possible by nano-encapsulation in styrene maleic acid lipid particles. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:11518-11525. [PMID: 32428052 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr01060j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The fundamental importance of membrane proteins in cellular processes has driven a marked increase in the use of membrane mimetic approaches for studying and exploiting these proteins. Nano-encapsulation strategies which preserve the native lipid bilayer environment are particularly attractive. Consequently, the use of poly(styrene co-maleic acid) (SMA) has been widely adopted to solubilise proteins directly from cell membranes by spontaneously forming "SMA Lipid Particles" (SMALPs). G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ubiquitous "chemical switches", are central to cell signalling throughout the evolutionary tree, form the largest family of membrane proteins in humans and are a major drug discovery target. GPCR-SMALPs that retain binding capability would be a versatile platform for a wide range of down-stream applications. Here, using the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) as an archetypical GPCR, we show for the first time the utility of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to characterise the binding capability of GPCRs following nano-encapsulation. Unbound fluorescent ligand CA200645 exhibited a monophasic autocorrelation curve (dwell time, τD = 68 ± 2 μs; diffusion coefficient, D = 287 ± 15 μm2 s-1). In the presence of A2AR-SMALP, bound ligand was also evident (τD = 625 ± 23 μs; D = 30 ± 4 μm2 s-1). Using a non-receptor control (ZipA-SMALP) plus competition binding confirmed that this slower component represented binding to the encapsulated A2AR. Consequently, the combination of GPCR-SMALP and FCS is an effective platform for the quantitative real-time characterisation of nano-encapsulated receptors, with single molecule sensitivity, that will have widespread utility for future exploitation of GPCR-SMALPs in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael L Grime
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Joelle Goulding
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK and Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Romez Uddin
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Leigh A Stoddart
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK and Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Stephen J Hill
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK and Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - David R Poyner
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK and Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Mark Wheatley
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK and Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Alison Gingell Building, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Routledge SJ, Jamshad M, Little HA, Lin YP, Simms J, Thakker A, Spickett CM, Bill RM, Dafforn TR, Poyner DR, Wheatley M. Ligand-induced conformational changes in a SMALP-encapsulated GPCR. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183235. [PMID: 32126232 PMCID: PMC7156913 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), was solubilised and purified encapsulated in styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs). The purified A2AR-SMALP was associated with phospholipids characteristic of the plasma membrane of Pichia pastoris, the host used for its expression, confirming that the A2AR-SMALP encapsulated native lipids. The fluorescence spectrum of the A2AR-SMALP showed a characteristic broad emission peak at 330 nm, produced by endogenous Trp residues. The inverse agonist ZM241385 caused 30% increase in fluorescence emission, unusually accompanied by a red-shift in the emission wavelength. The emission spectrum also showed sub-peaks at 321 nm, 335 nm and 350 nm, indicating that individual Trp inhabited different environments following ZM241385 addition. There was no effect of the agonist NECA on the A2AR-SMALP fluorescence spectrum. Substitution of two Trp residues by Tyr suggested that ZM241385 affected the environment and mobility of Trp2466.48 in TM6 and Trp2687.33 at the extracellular face of TM7, causing transition to a more hydrophobic environment. The fluorescent moiety IAEDANS was site-specifically introduced at the intracellular end of TM6 (residue 2316.33) to report on the dynamic cytoplasmic face of the A2AR. The inverse agonist ZM241385 caused a concentration-dependent increase in fluorescence emission as the IAEDANS moved to a more hydrophobic environment, consistent with closing the G-protein binding crevice. NECA generated only 30% of the effect of ZM241385. This study provides insight into the SMALP environment; encapsulation supported constitutive activity of the A2AR and ZM241385-induced conformational transitions but the agonist NECA generated only small effects. Conformational changes in the A2AR monitored in a nano-scale membrane disc (SMALP). Profile of phospholipids in A2AR-SMALP similar to the plasma membrane. A partially-active conformation of A2AR is supported in a SMALP. Inverse agonist induced dose-dependent conformational transitions in A2AR-SMALP. In contrast to inverse agonist, agonist induced only small conformational changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammed Jamshad
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Haydn A Little
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yu-Pin Lin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - John Simms
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Alpesh Thakker
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | | | - Roslyn M Bill
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Tim R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - David R Poyner
- Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Mark Wheatley
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Alison Gingell Building, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 2DS, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bhattarai A, Wang J, Miao Y. G-Protein-Coupled Receptor-Membrane Interactions Depend on the Receptor Activation State. J Comput Chem 2020; 41:460-471. [PMID: 31602675 PMCID: PMC7026935 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of human membrane proteins and serve as primary targets of approximately one-third of currently marketed drugs. In particular, adenosine A1 receptor (A1 AR) is an important therapeutic target for treating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injuries, neuropathic pain, and renal diseases. As a prototypical GPCR, the A1 AR is located within a phospholipid membrane bilayer and transmits cellular signals by changing between different conformational states. It is important to elucidate the lipid-protein interactions in order to understand the functional mechanism of GPCRs. Here, all-atom simulations using a robust Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) method were performed on both the inactive (antagonist bound) and active (agonist and G-protein bound) A1 AR, which was embedded in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid bilayer. In the GaMD simulations, the membrane lipids played a key role in stabilizing different conformational states of the A1 AR. Our simulations further identified important regions of the receptor that interacted distinctly with the lipids in highly correlated manner. Activation of the A1 AR led to differential dynamics in the upper and lower leaflets of the lipid bilayer. In summary, GaMD enhanced simulations have revealed strongly coupled dynamics of the GPCR and lipids that depend on the receptor activation state. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apurba Bhattarai
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Jinan Wang
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Calmet P, Cullin C, Cortès S, Vang M, Caudy N, Baccouch R, Dessolin J, Maamar NT, Lecomte S, Tillier B, Alves ID. Cholesterol impacts chemokine CCR5 receptor ligand-binding activity. FEBS J 2019; 287:2367-2385. [PMID: 31738467 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The chemokine CCR5 receptor is target of maraviroc, a negative allosteric modulator of CCR5 that blocks the HIV protein gp120 from associating with the receptor, thereby inhibiting virus cellular entry. As noted with other G-protein-coupled receptor family members, the role of the lipid environment in CCR5 signaling remains obscure and very modestly investigated. Controversial literature on the impact of cholesterol (Chol) depletion in HIV infection and CCR5 signaling, including the hypothesis that Chol depletion could inhibit HIV infection, lead us to focus on the understanding of Chol impact in the first stages of receptor activation. To address this aim, the approach chosen was to employ reconstituted model lipid systems of controlled lipid composition containing CCR5 from two distinct expression systems: Pichia pastoris and cell-free expression. The characterization of receptor/ligand interaction in terms of total binding or competition binding assays was independently performed by plasmon waveguide resonance and fluorescence anisotropy, respectively. Maraviroc, a potent receptor antagonist, was the ligand investigated. Additionally, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation was employed to investigate Chol impact in the receptor-conformational flexibility and dynamics. Results obtained with receptor produced by different expression systems and using different biophysical approaches clearly demonstrate a considerable impact of Chol in the binding affinity of maraviroc to the receptor and receptor-conformational dynamics. Chol considerably decreases maraviroc binding affinity to the CCR5 receptor. The mechanisms by which this effect occurs seem to involve the adoption of distinct receptor-conformational states with restrained structural dynamics and helical motions in the presence of Chol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Calmet
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | | | | | - Maylou Vang
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Nada Caudy
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Rim Baccouch
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Jean Dessolin
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | | | - Sophie Lecomte
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | | | - Isabel D Alves
- CBMN, UMR 5248 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Manna M, Nieminen T, Vattulainen I. Understanding the Role of Lipids in Signaling Through Atomistic and Multiscale Simulations of Cell Membranes. Annu Rev Biophys 2019; 48:421-439. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-052118-115553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cell signaling controls essentially all cellular processes. While it is often assumed that proteins are the key architects coordinating cell signaling, recent studies have shown more and more clearly that lipids are also involved in signaling processes in a number of ways. Lipids do, for instance, act as messengers, modulate membrane receptor conformation and dynamics, and control membrane receptor partitioning. Further, through structural modifications such as oxidation, the functions of lipids as part of signaling processes can be modified. In this context, in this article we discuss the understanding recently revealed by atomistic and coarse-grained computer simulations of nanoscale processes and underlying physicochemical principles related to lipids’ functions in cellular signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moutusi Manna
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 066, India
| | - Tuomo Nieminen
- Computational Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Computational Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang JH, Hu MJ, Shao XX, Wei D, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Cholesterol modulates the binding properties of human relaxin family peptide receptor 3 with its ligands. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 646:24-30. [PMID: 29601823 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) is implicated in the regulation of food intake and stress response upon activation by its cognate agonist relaxin-3. As an A-class G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3 is an integral plasma membrane protein with seven transmembrane domains, yet influence of the membrane lipids on its function remains unknown. In the present study, we disclosed that cholesterol, an essential membrane lipid for mammalian cells, modulated the binding properties of human RXFP3 with its ligands. We first demonstrated that depletion of cholesterol from host human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells by methyl-β-cyclodextrin altered ligand-binding properties of the overexpressed human RXFP3, such as increasing its binding potency with some antagonists and decreasing its binding affinity with a NanoLuc-conjugated R3/I5 tracer. Thereafter, we demonstrated that two B-chain residues, B5Tyr and B12Arg, were primarily responsible for the increased binding potency of these antagonists with human RXFP3 under the cholesterol depletion condition. Our results suggest that cell membrane cholesterol interacts with human RXFP3 and modulates its ligand-binding properties, providing new insights into the influence of membrane lipids on RXFP3 function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Wang
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Jun Hu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dian Wei
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Schiffmann A, Gimpl G. Sodium functions as a negative allosteric modulator of the oxytocin receptor. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018. [PMID: 29524392 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The oxytocin receptor, a class A G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), is essentially involved in the physiology of reproduction. Two parameters are crucially important to support high-affinity agonist binding of the receptor: Mg2+ and cholesterol, both acting as positive modulators. Using displacement assays with a high-affinity fluorescent antagonist (OTAN-A647), we now show that sodium functions as a negative allosteric modulator of the oxytocin receptor. In membranes from HEK293 cells stably expressing the oxytocin receptor, oxytocin binding occurred with about 15-fold lower affinity when sodium chloride was increased from 0 to 300 mM, whereas antagonist binding remained largely unchanged. The effect was concentration-dependent, sodium-specific, and it was also observed for oxytocin receptors endogenously expressed in Hs578T breast cancer cells. A conserved Asp (Asp 85) is known to stabilize the sodium binding site in other GCPRs. Mutations of this residue into Ala or Asn are known to yield non-functional oxytocin receptors. When Asp 85 was exchanged for Glu, most of the oxytocin receptors were localized in intracellular structures, but a faint plasma membrane labeling with OTAN-A647 and the appearance of oxytocin-induced calcium responses indicated that these receptors were functional. However, a sodium effect was not detectable for the mutant D85E oxytocin receptors. Thus, the oxytocin receptor is allosterically controlled by sodium similar to other GPCRs, but it behaves differently concerning the involvement of the conserved Asp 85. In case of the oxytocin receptor, Asp 85 is obviously essential for proper localization in the plasma membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schiffmann
- Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Biochemistry, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gerald Gimpl
- Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Biochemistry, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Padol AR, Sukumaran SV, Sadam A, Kesavan M, Arunvikram K, Verma AD, Srivastava V, Panigrahi M, Singh TU, Telang AG, Mishra SK, Parida S. Hypercholesterolemia impairs oxytocin-induced uterine contractility in late pregnant mouse. Reproduction 2017; 153:565-576. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
High cholesterol is known to negatively affect uterine contractility inex vivoconditions. The aim of the present study was to reveal the effect ofin vivohypercholesterolemia on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced uterine contractility in late pregnant mouse uterus. Female Swiss albino mice were fed with high cholesterol (HC) diet (0.5% sodium cholate, 1.25% cholesterol and 15% fat) for 6 weeks and then throughout the gestation period after mating. On day 19 of gestation, serum cholesterol level was increased more than 3-fold while triglycerides level was reduced in HC diet-fed animals as compared to control animals fed with a standard diet. In tension experiments, neither the mean integral tension of spontaneous contractility nor the response to CaCl2in high K+-depolarized tissues was altered, but the oxytocin-induced concentration-dependent contractile response in uterine strips was attenuated in hypercholesterolemic mice as compared to control. Similarly, hypercholesterolemia dampened concentration-dependent uterine contractions elicited by a GNAQ protein activator,Pasteurella multocidatoxin. However, it had no effect on endogenous oxytocin level either in plasma or in uterine tissue. It also did not affect the prostaglandin release in oxytocin-stimulated tissues. Western blot data showed a significant increase in caveolin-1 and GRK6 proteins but decline in oxytocin receptor, GNAQ and RHOA protein expressions in hypercholesterolemic mouse uterus. The results of the present study suggest that hypercholesterolemia may attenuate the uterotonic action of oxytocin in late pregnancy by causing downregulation of oxytocin receptors and suppressing the signaling efficacy through GNAQ and RHOA proteins.
Collapse
|
21
|
Javanainen M, Martinez-Seara H, Vattulainen I. Nanoscale Membrane Domain Formation Driven by Cholesterol. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1143. [PMID: 28442766 PMCID: PMC5430823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological membranes generate specific functions through compartmentalized regions such as cholesterol-enriched membrane nanodomains that host selected proteins. Despite the biological significance of nanodomains, details on their structure remain elusive. They cannot be observed via microscopic experimental techniques due to their small size, yet there is also a lack of atomistic simulation models able to describe spontaneous nanodomain formation in sufficiently simple but biologically relevant complex membranes. Here we use atomistic simulations to consider a binary mixture of saturated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol - the "minimal standard" for nanodomain formation. The simulations reveal how cholesterol drives the formation of fluid cholesterol-rich nanodomains hosting hexagonally packed cholesterol-poor lipid nanoclusters, both of which show registration between the membrane leaflets. The complex nanodomain substructure forms when cholesterol positions itself in the domain boundary region. Here cholesterol can also readily flip-flop across the membrane. Most importantly, replacing cholesterol with a sterol characterized by a less asymmetric ring region impairs the emergence of nanodomains. The model considered explains a plethora of controversial experimental results and provides an excellent basis for further computational studies on nanodomains. Furthermore, the results highlight the role of cholesterol as a key player in the modulation of nanodomains for membrane protein function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matti Javanainen
- Laboratory of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hector Martinez-Seara
- Laboratory of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. .,Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Laboratory of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,MEMPHYS - Centre for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Molecular Basis of Oxytocin Receptor Signalling in the Brain: What We Know and What We Need to Know. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 35:3-29. [PMID: 28812263 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic neuropeptide involved in regulating the social behaviour of all vertebrates, has been proposed as a treatment for a number of neuropsychiatric disorders characterised by deficits in the social domain. Over the last few decades, advances focused on understanding the social effects of OT and its role in physiological conditions and brain diseases, but much less has been done to clarify the molecular cascade of events involved in mediating such effects and in particular the cellular and molecular pharmacology of OT and its target receptor (OTR) in neuronal and glial cells.The entity and persistence of OT activity in the brain is closely related to the expression and regulation of the OTR expressed on the cell surface, which transmits the signal intracellularly and permits OT to affect cell function. Understanding the various signalling mechanisms mediating OTR-induced cell responses is crucial to determine the different responses in different cells and brain regions, and the success of OT and OT-derived analogues in the treatment of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases depends on how well we can control such responses. In this review, we will consider the most important aspects of OT/OTR signalling by focusing on the molecular events involved in OT binding and coupling, on the main signalling pathways activated by the OTR in neuronal cells and on intracellular and plasma membrane OTR trafficking, all of which contribute to the quantitative and qualitative features of OT responses in the brain.
Collapse
|
23
|
GPCR-styrene maleic acid lipid particles (GPCR-SMALPs): their nature and potential. Biochem Soc Trans 2016; 44:619-23. [PMID: 27068979 DOI: 10.1042/bst20150284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest class of membrane proteins and are an important target for therapeutic drugs. These receptors are highly dynamic proteins sampling a range of conformational states in order to fulfil their complex signalling roles. In order to fully understand GPCR signalling mechanisms it is necessary to extract the receptor protein out of the plasma membrane. Historically this has universally required detergents which inadvertently strip away the annulus of lipid in close association with the receptor and disrupt lateral pressure exerted by the bilayer. Detergent-solubilized GPCRs are very unstable which presents a serious hurdle to characterization by biophysical methods. A range of strategies have been developed to ameliorate the detrimental effect of removing the receptor from the membrane including amphipols and reconstitution into nanodics stabilized by membrane scaffolding proteins (MSPs) but they all require exposure to detergent. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) incorporates into membranes and spontaneously forms nanoscale poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) lipid particles (SMALPs), effectively acting like a 'molecular pastry cutter' to 'solubilize' GPCRs in the complete absence of detergent at any stage and with preservation of the native annular lipid throughout the process. GPCR-SMALPs have similar pharmacological properties to membrane-bound receptor, exhibit enhanced stability compared with detergent-solubilized receptors and being non-proteinaceous in nature, are fully compatible with downstream biophysical analysis of the encapsulated GPCR.
Collapse
|
24
|
Manna M, Niemelä M, Tynkkynen J, Javanainen M, Kulig W, Müller DJ, Rog T, Vattulainen I. Mechanism of allosteric regulation of β 2-adrenergic receptor by cholesterol. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27897972 PMCID: PMC5182060 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that lipids can be allosteric regulators of membrane protein structure and activation. However, there are no data showing how exactly the regulation emerges from specific lipid-protein interactions. Here we show in atomistic detail how the human β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) - a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor - is modulated by cholesterol in an allosteric fashion. Extensive atomistic simulations show that cholesterol regulates β2AR by limiting its conformational variability. The mechanism of action is based on the binding of cholesterol at specific high-affinity sites located near the transmembrane helices 5-7 of the receptor. The alternative mechanism, where the β2AR conformation would be modulated by membrane-mediated interactions, plays only a minor role. Cholesterol analogues also bind to cholesterol binding sites and impede the structural flexibility of β2AR, however cholesterol generates the strongest effect. The results highlight the capacity of lipids to regulate the conformation of membrane receptors through specific interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moutusi Manna
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Miia Niemelä
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Joona Tynkkynen
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Javanainen
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Waldemar Kulig
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz Rog
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,MEMPHYS-Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gahbauer S, Böckmann RA. Membrane-Mediated Oligomerization of G Protein Coupled Receptors and Its Implications for GPCR Function. Front Physiol 2016; 7:494. [PMID: 27826255 PMCID: PMC5078798 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimerization or even oligomerization of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) causes ongoing, controversial debates about its functional role and the coupled biophysical, biochemical or biomedical implications. A continously growing number of studies hints to a relation between oligomerization and function of GPCRs and strengthens the assumption that receptor assembly plays a key role in the regulation of protein function. Additionally, progress in the structural analysis of GPCR-G protein and GPCR-ligand interactions allows to distinguish between actively functional and non-signaling complexes. Recent findings further suggest that the surrounding membrane, i.e., its lipid composition may modulate the preferred dimerization interface and as a result the abundance of distinct dimeric conformations. In this review, the association of GPCRs and the role of the membrane in oligomerization will be discussed. An overview of the different reported oligomeric interfaces is provided and their capability for signaling discussed. The currently available data is summarized with regard to the formation of GPCR oligomers, their structures and dependency on the membrane microenvironment as well as the coupling of oligomerization to receptor function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rainer A. Böckmann
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-NürnbergErlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Interaction of G protein coupled receptors and cholesterol. Chem Phys Lipids 2016; 199:61-73. [PMID: 27108066 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest receptor superfamily in eukaryotic cells. Owing to their seven transmembrane helices, large parts of these proteins are embedded in the cholesterol-rich plasma membrane bilayer. Thus, GPCRs are always in proximity to cholesterol. Some of them are functionally dependent on the specific presence of cholesterol. Over the last years, enormous progress on receptor structures has been achieved. While lipophilic ligands other than cholesterol have been shown to bind either inside the helix bundle or at the receptor-lipid interface, the binding site of cholesterol was either a single transmembrane helix or a groove between two or more transmembrane helices. A clear preference for one of the two membrane leaflets has not been observed. Not surprisingly, many hydrophobic residues (primarily leucine and isoleucine) were found to be involved in cholesterol binding. In most cases, the rough β-face of cholesterol contacted the transmembrane helix bundle rather than the surrounding lipid matrix. The polar hydroxy group of cholesterol was localized near the water-membrane interface with potential hydrogen bonding to residues in receptor loop regions. Although a canonical motif, designated as CCM site, was detected as a specific cholesterol binding site in case of the β2AR, this site was not found to be occupied by cholesterol in other GPCRs possessing the same motif. Cholesterol-receptor interactions can increase the compactness of the receptor structure and are able to enhance the conformational stability towards active or inactive receptor states. Overall, all current data suggest a high plasticity of cholesterol interaction sites in GPCRs.
Collapse
|
27
|
Gater DL, Saurel O, Iordanov I, Liu W, Cherezov V, Milon A. Two classes of cholesterol binding sites for the β2AR revealed by thermostability and NMR. Biophys J 2015; 107:2305-12. [PMID: 25418299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and modulation of their activities in membranes is a fundamental issue for understanding their function. Despite the identification of cholesterol binding sites in high-resolution x-ray structures of the ?2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and other GPCRs, the binding affinity of cholesterol for this receptor and exchange rates between the free and bound cholesterol remain unknown. In this study we report the existence of two classes of cholesterol binding sites in β2AR. By analyzing the β2AR unfolding temperature in lipidic cubic phase (LCP) as a function of cholesterol concentration we observed high-affinity cooperative binding of cholesterol with sub-nM affinity constant. In contrast, saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments revealed the existence of a second class of cholesterol binding sites, in fast exchange on the STD NMR timescale. Titration of the STD signal as a function of cholesterol concentration provided a lower limit of 100 mM for their dissociation constant. However, these binding sites are specific for both cholesterol and β2AR, as shown with control experiments using ergosterol and a control membrane protein (KpOmpA). We postulate that this specificity is mediated by the high-affinity bound cholesterol molecules and propose the formation of transient cholesterol clusters around the high-affinity binding sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah L Gater
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology - UMR 5089, CNRS and Université de Toulouse - UPS, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France; Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Olivier Saurel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology - UMR 5089, CNRS and Université de Toulouse - UPS, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Iordan Iordanov
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology - UMR 5089, CNRS and Université de Toulouse - UPS, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
| | - Alain Milon
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology - UMR 5089, CNRS and Université de Toulouse - UPS, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
G-protein coupled receptor solubilization and purification for biophysical analysis and functional studies, in the total absence of detergent. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:BSR20140171. [PMID: 25720391 PMCID: PMC4400634 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20140171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest class of membrane proteins and are a major drug target. A serious obstacle to studying GPCR structure/function characteristics is the requirement to extract the receptors from their native environment in the plasma membrane, coupled with the inherent instability of GPCRs in the detergents required for their solubilization. In the present study, we report the first solubilization and purification of a functional GPCR [human adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)], in the total absence of detergent at any stage, by exploiting spontaneous encapsulation by styrene maleic acid (SMA) co-polymer direct from the membrane into a nanoscale SMA lipid particle (SMALP). Furthermore, the A2AR–SMALP, generated from yeast (Pichia pastoris) or mammalian cells, exhibited increased thermostability (∼5°C) compared with detergent [DDM (n-dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside)]-solubilized A2AR controls. The A2AR–SMALP was also stable when stored for prolonged periods at 4°C and was resistant to multiple freeze-thaw cycles, in marked contrast with the detergent-solubilized receptor. These properties establish the potential for using GPCR–SMALP in receptor-based drug discovery assays. Moreover, in contrast with nanodiscs stabilized by scaffold proteins, the non-proteinaceous nature of the SMA polymer allowed unobscured biophysical characterization of the embedded receptor. Consequently, CD spectroscopy was used to relate changes in secondary structure to loss of ligand binding ([3H]ZM241385) capability. SMALP-solubilization of GPCRs, retaining the annular lipid environment, will enable a wide range of therapeutic targets to be prepared in native-like state to aid drug discovery and understanding of GPCR molecular mechanisms. It is universally acknowledged that exposing cell-surface receptors to detergent is detrimental. We have used a polymer to extract the receptor and surrounding lipid as a nanoparticle that provides a novel solution compatible with purification and receptor-based drug discovery assays.
Collapse
|
29
|
Wriessnegger T, Pichler H. Yeast metabolic engineering – Targeting sterol metabolism and terpenoid formation. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:277-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
30
|
Veening JG, Olivier B. Intranasal administration of oxytocin: behavioral and clinical effects, a review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1445-65. [PMID: 23648680 PMCID: PMC7112651 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms behind the effects of IN-applied substances need more attention. The mechanisms involved in the brain-distribution of IN-OT are completely unexplored. The possibly cascading effects of IN-OT on the intrinsic OT-system require serious investigation. IN-OT induces clear and specific changes in neural activation. IN-OT is a promising approach to treat certain clinical symptoms.
The intranasal (IN-) administration of substances is attracting attention from scientists as well as pharmaceutical companies. The effects are surprisingly fast and specific. The present review explores our current knowledge about the routes of access to the cranial cavity. ‘Direct-access-pathways’ from the nasal cavity have been described but many additional experiments are needed to answer a variety of open questions regarding anatomy and physiology. Among the IN-applied substances oxytocin (OT) has an extensive history. Originally applied in women for its physiological effects related to lactation and parturition, over the last decade most studies focused on their behavioral ‘prosocial’ effects: from social relations and ‘trust’ to treatment of ‘autism’. Only very recently in a microdialysis study in rats and mice, the ‘direct-nose-brain-pathways’ of IN-OT have been investigated directly, implying that we are strongly dependent on results obtained from other IN-applied substances. Especially the possibility that IN-OT activates the ‘intrinsic’ OT-system in the hypothalamus as well needs further clarification. We conclude that IN-OT administration may be a promising approach to influence human communication but that the existing lack of information about the neural and physiological mechanisms involved is a serious problem for the proper understanding and interpretation of the observed effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan G Veening
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Anatomy (109), Radboud University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhukovsky MA, Lee PH, Ott A, Helms V. Putative cholesterol-binding sites in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5. Proteins 2012; 81:555-67. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.24211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
32
|
Wiegand V, Gimpl G. Specification of the cholesterol interaction with the oxytocin receptor using a chimeric receptor approach. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 676:12-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
33
|
Alkhouri B, Denning RA, Kim Chiaw P, Eckford PDW, Yu W, Li C, Bogojeski JJ, Bear CE, Viirre RD. Synthesis and properties of molecular probes for the rescue site on mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. J Med Chem 2011; 54:8693-701. [PMID: 22074181 PMCID: PMC3241338 DOI: 10.1021/jm201335c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that 4-methyl-2-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenol (VRT-532, 1) is able to partially restore the function of mutant CFTR proteins. To help elucidate the nature of the interactions between 1 and mutant CFTR, molecular probes based on the structure of 1 have been prepared. These include a photoreactive aryl azide derivative 11 and a fluorescent dansyl sulfonamide 15. Additionally, a method for hydrogen isotope exchange on 1 has been developed, which could be used for the incorporation of radioactive tritium. Using iodide efflux assays, the probe molecules have been demonstrated to modulate the activity of mutant CFTR in the same manner as 1. These probe molecules enable a number of biochemical experiments aimed at understanding how 1 rescues the function of mutant CFTR. This understanding can in turn aid in the design and development of more efficacious compounds which may serve as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Alkhouri
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, and Programme in Molecular Structure and Function, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Thompson AA, Liu JJ, Chun E, Wacker D, Wu H, Cherezov V, Stevens RC. GPCR stabilization using the bicelle-like architecture of mixed sterol-detergent micelles. Methods 2011; 55:310-7. [PMID: 22041719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The biophysical characterization of purified membrane proteins typically requires detergent mediated extraction from native lipid membrane environments. In the case of human G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), this process has been complicated by their conformational heterogeneity and the general lack of understanding the composition and interactions within the diverse human cellular membrane environment. Several successful GPCR structure determination efforts have shown that the addition of cholesterol analogs is often critical for maintaining protein stability. We have identified sterols that substantially increase the stability of the NOP receptor (ORL-1), a member of the opioid GPCR family, in a mixed micelle environment. Using dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering, we have determined that the most thermal stabilizing sterol, cholesteryl hemisuccinate, induces the formation of a bicelle-like micelle architecture when mixed with dodecyl maltoside detergent. Together with mutagenesis studies and recent GPCR structures, our results provide indications that stabilization is attained through a combination of specific sterol binding to GPCRs and modulation of micelle morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Thompson
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|