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Mohseni Behbahani Y, Saighi P, Corsi F, Laine E, Carbone A. LEVELNET to visualize, explore, and compare protein-protein interaction networks. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200159. [PMID: 37403279 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200159] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Physical interactions between proteins are central to all biological processes. Yet, the current knowledge of who interacts with whom in the cell and in what manner relies on partial, noisy, and highly heterogeneous data. Thus, there is a need for methods comprehensively describing and organizing such data. LEVELNET is a versatile and interactive tool for visualizing, exploring, and comparing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks inferred from different types of evidence. LEVELNET helps to break down the complexity of PPI networks by representing them as multi-layered graphs and by facilitating the direct comparison of their subnetworks toward biological interpretation. It focuses primarily on the protein chains whose 3D structures are available in the Protein Data Bank. We showcase some potential applications, such as investigating the structural evidence supporting PPIs associated to specific biological processes, assessing the co-localization of interaction partners, comparing the PPI networks obtained through computational experiments versus homology transfer, and creating PPI benchmarks with desired properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Mohseni Behbahani
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IBPS, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology (LCQB), UMR 7238, Paris, France
| | - Paul Saighi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IBPS, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology (LCQB), UMR 7238, Paris, France
| | - Flavia Corsi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IBPS, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology (LCQB), UMR 7238, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Laine
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IBPS, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology (LCQB), UMR 7238, Paris, France
| | - Alessandra Carbone
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IBPS, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology (LCQB), UMR 7238, Paris, France
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Balatskyi VV, Sowka A, Dobrzyn P, Piven OO. WNT/β-catenin pathway is a key regulator of cardiac function and energetic metabolism. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 237:e13912. [PMID: 36599355 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The WNT/β-catenin pathway is a master regulator of cardiac development and growth, and its activity is low in healthy adult hearts. However, even this low activity is essential for maintaining normal heart function. Acute activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade is considered to be cardioprotective after infarction through the upregulation of prosurvival genes and reprogramming of metabolism. Chronically high WNT/β-catenin pathway activity causes profibrotic and hypertrophic effects in the adult heart. New data suggest more complex functions of β-catenin in metabolic maturation of the perinatal heart, establishing an adult pattern of glucose and fatty acid utilization. Additionally, low basal activity of the WNT/β-catenin cascade maintains oxidative metabolism in the adult heart, and this pathway is reactivated by physiological or pathological stimuli to meet the higher energy needs of the heart. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the organization of canonical WNT signaling and its function in cardiogenesis, heart maturation, adult heart function, and remodeling. We also discuss the role of the WNT/β-catenin pathway in cardiac glucose, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volodymyr V Balatskyi
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Sowka
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Dobrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Oksana O Piven
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Liang B, Burley G, Lin S, Shi YC. Osteoporosis pathogenesis and treatment: existing and emerging avenues. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:72. [PMID: 36058940 PMCID: PMC9441049 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractOsteoporotic fractures lead to increased disability and mortality in the elderly population. With the rapid increase in the aging population around the globe, more effective treatments for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are urgently required. The underlying molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis are believed to be due to the increased activity of osteoclasts, decreased activity of osteoblasts, or both, which leads to an imbalance in the bone remodeling process with accelerated bone resorption and attenuated bone formation. Currently, the available clinical treatments for osteoporosis have mostly focused on factors influencing bone remodeling; however, they have their own limitations and side effects. Recently, cytokine immunotherapy, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy have become new approaches for the treatment of various diseases. This article reviews the latest research on bone remodeling mechanisms, as well as how this underpins current and potential novel treatments for osteoporosis.
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Selective Activation of the Wnt-Signaling Pathway as a Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Retinal Vascular Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112476. [PMID: 36432666 PMCID: PMC9697247 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia, often associated with various disorders such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal vein occlusion, glaucoma, optic neuropathies, stroke, and other retinopathies, is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. As proper blood supply to the retina is critical to maintain its high metabolic demand, any impediment to blood flow can lead to a decrease in oxygen supply, resulting in retinal ischemia. In the pathogenesis of DR, including diabetic macular edema (DME), elevated blood glucose leads to blood-retina barrier (BRB) disruptions, vascular leakage, and capillary occlusion and dropouts, causing insufficient delivery of oxygen to the retina, and ultimately resulting in visual impairment. Other potential causes of DR include neuronal dysfunction in the absence of vascular defect, genetic, and environmental factors. The exact disease progression remains unclear and varies from patient to patient. Vascular leakage leading to edema clearly links to visual impairment and remains an important target for therapy. Despite recent advances in the treatment of DME and DR with anti-VEGFs, effective therapies with new mechanisms of action to address current treatment limitations regarding vessel regeneration and reperfusion of ischemic retinal areas are still needed. The Wnt signaling pathway plays a critical role in proper vascular development and maintenance in the retina, and thus provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic and other retinopathies. In this review, we summarize the potential of this pathway to address treatment gaps with current therapies, its promise as a novel and potentially disease modifying therapy for patients with DR and opportunities in other retinal vascular diseases.
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Wang X, He K, Ma L, Wu L, Yang Y, Li Y. Puerarin attenuates isoproterenol‑induced myocardial hypertrophy via inhibition of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:306. [PMID: 35946454 PMCID: PMC9437969 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial hypertrophy (MH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn lead to arrhythmia or heart failure. Therefore, attention must be paid to formulation of therapeutic strategies for MH. Puerarin is a key bioactive ingredient isolated from Pueraria genera of plants that is beneficial for the treatment of MH. However, its molecular mechanism of action has not been fully determined. In the present study, 40 µM puerarin was demonstrated to be a safe dose for human AC16 cells using Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. The protective effects of puerarin against MH were demonstrated in AC16 cells stimulated with isoproterenol (ISO). These effects were characterized by a significant decrease in surface area of cells (assessed using fluorescence staining) and mRNA and protein expression levels of MH‑associated biomarkers, including atrial and brain natriuretic peptide, assessed using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting, as well as β‑myosin heavy chain mRNA expression levels. Mechanistically, western blotting demonstrated that puerarin inhibited activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Puerarin also significantly decreased phosphorylation of p65; this was mediated via crosstalk between the Wnt and NF‑κB signaling pathways. An inhibitor (Dickkopf‑1) and activator (IM‑12) of the Wnt signaling pathway were used to demonstrate that puerarin‑mediated effects alleviated ISO‑induced MH via the Wnt signaling pathway. The results of the present study demonstrated that puerarin pre‑treatment may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing ISO‑induced MH and managing MH in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Wang
- Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Kai He
- Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Linlin Ma
- College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, P.R. China
| | - Lan Wu
- College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, P.R. China
| | - Yan Yang
- Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, P.R. China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
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Mondal A, Paul D, Dastidar SG, Saha T, Goswami AM. In silico analyses of Wnt1 nsSNPs reveal structurally destabilizing variants, altered interactions with Frizzled receptors and its deregulation in tumorigenesis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14934. [PMID: 36056132 PMCID: PMC9440047 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19299-x] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt1 is the first mammalian Wnt gene, which is discovered as proto-oncogene and in human the gene is located on the chromosome 12q13. Mutations in Wnt1 are reported to be associated with various cancers and other human diseases. The structural and functional consequences of most of the non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs), present in the human Wnt1 gene, are not known. In the present work, extensive bioinformatics analyses are used to screen 292 nsSNPs of Wnt1 for predicting pathogenic and harmless polymorphisms. We have identified 10 highly deleterious nsSNPs among which 7 are located within the highly conserved areas. These 10 nsSNPs are also predicted to affect the post-translational modifications of Wnt1. Further, structure based stability analyses of these 10 highly deleterious nsSNPs revealed 8 variants as highly destabilizing. These 8 highly destabilizing variants were shown to have high BC score and high RMSIP score from normal mode analyses. Based on the deformation energies, obtained from the normal mode analyses, variants like G169A, G169S, G331R and G331S were found to be unstable. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations revealed structural stability and fluctuation of WT Wnt1 and its prioritized variants. RMSD remained fluctuating mostly between 4 and 5 Å and occasionally between 3.5 and 5.5 Å ranges. RMSF in the CTD region (residues 330–360) of the binding pocket were lower compared to that of WT. Studying the impacts of nsSNPs on the binding interface of Wnt1 and seven Frizzled receptors have predicted substitutions which can stabilize or destabilize the binding interface. We have found that Wnt1 and FZD8-CRD is the best docked complex in our study. MD simulation based analyses of wild type Wnt1-FZD8-CRD complex and the 8 prioritized variants revealed that RMSF was higher in the unstructured regions and RMSD remained fluctuating in the region of 5 Å ± 1 Å. We have also observed differential Wnt1 gene expression pattern in normal, tumor and metastatic conditions across different tissues. Wnt1 gene expression was significantly higher in metastatic tissues of lungs, colon and skin; and was significantly lower in metastatic tissues of breast, esophagus and kidney. We have also found that Wnt1 deregulation is associated with survival outcome in patients with gastric and breast cancer. Furthermore, these computationally screened highly deleterious nsSNPs of Wnt1 can be analyzed in population based genetic studies and may help understand the Wnt1 associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalesh Mondal
- Department of Physiology, Katwa College, Purba Bardhaman, Katwa, West Bengal, 713130, India.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Kalyani, Nadia, Kalyani, India
| | - Debarati Paul
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Shubhra Ghosh Dastidar
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Tanima Saha
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Kalyani, Nadia, Kalyani, India.
| | - Achintya Mohan Goswami
- Department of Physiology, Krishnagar Govt. College, Nadia, Krishnagar, West Bengal, 741101, India.
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Dutta P, Ray K. Ciliary membrane, localised lipid modification and cilia function. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2613-2631. [PMID: 35661356 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cilium, a tiny microtubule-based cellular appendage critical for cell signalling and physiology, displays a large variety of receptors. The composition and turnover of ciliary lipids and receptors determine cell behaviour. Due to the exclusion of ribosomal machinery and limited membrane area, a cilium needs adaptive logistics to actively reconstitute the lipid and receptor compositions during development and differentiation. How is this dynamicity generated? Here, we examine whether, along with the Intraflagellar-Transport, targeted changes in sector-wise lipid composition could control the receptor localisation and functions in the cilia. We discuss how an interplay between ciliary lipid composition, localised lipid modification, and receptor function could contribute to cilia growth and signalling. We argue that lipid modification at the cell-cilium interface could generate an added thrust for a selective exchange of membrane lipids and the transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Dutta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Krishanu Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
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Campopiano MC, Fogli A, Michelucci A, Mazoni L, Longo A, Borsari S, Pardi E, Benelli E, Sardella C, Pierotti L, Dinoi E, Marcocci C, Cetani F. Case report: Early-onset osteoporosis in a patient carrying a novel heterozygous variant of the WNT1 gene. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:918682. [PMID: 36004351 PMCID: PMC9393300 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.918682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT1 gene is crucial for bone development and homeostasis. Homozygous mutations in WNT1 cause severe bone fragility known as osteogenesis imperfecta type XV. Moreover, heterozygous WNT1 mutations have been found in adults with early-onset osteoporosis. We identified a 35 year-old Caucasian woman who experienced multiple vertebral fractures two months after her second pregnancy. There was no history of risk factors for secondary osteoporosis or family history of osteoporosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry confirmed a marked reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (0.734 g/cm2, Z-score -2.8), femoral neck (0.48 g/cm2, Z-score -3.5), and total hip (0.589 g/cm2, Z-score -3.0). Blood tests excluded secondary causes of bone fragility. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous missense mutation (p.Leu370Val) in the WNT1 gene. Varsome classified it as a variant of uncertain significance. However, the fact that the Leucine residue at position 370 is highly conserved among vertebrate species and the variant has a very low allelic frequency in the general population would exclude the possibility of a polymorphism. The patient was treated for two years with teriparatide therapy associated with calcium and vitamin D supplements. During the follow-up period she did not report further clinical fractures. After 24 months of teriparatide, BMD increased at lumbar spine (+14.6%), femoral neck (+8.3%) and total hip (+4.9%) compared to baseline. We confirm that the heterozygous WNT1 mutation could cause a variable bone fragility and low turnover osteoporosis. We suggest that teriparatide is one of the most appropriate available therapies for this case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Campopiano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Fogli
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Michelucci
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Mazoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Longo
- Department of Biological Sciences and BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Simona Borsari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Pardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Benelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Sardella
- Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pierotti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Dinoi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Marcocci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filomena Cetani
- Unit of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Function and regulation of corin in physiology and disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:1905-1916. [PMID: 33125488 DOI: 10.1042/bst20190760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is of major importance in the maintenance of electrolyte balance and normal blood pressure. Reduced plasma ANP levels are associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Corin is a type II transmembrane serine protease that converts the ANP precursor to mature ANP. Corin deficiency prevents ANP generation and alters electrolyte and body fluid homeostasis. Corin is synthesized as a zymogen that is proteolytically activated on the cell surface. Factors that disrupt corin folding, intracellular trafficking, cell surface expression, and zymogen activation are expected to impair corin function. To date, CORIN variants that reduce corin activity have been identified in hypertensive patients. In addition to the heart, corin expression has been detected in non-cardiac tissues, where corin and ANP participate in diverse physiological processes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge in corin biosynthesis and post-translational modifications. We also discuss tissue-specific corin expression and function in physiology and disease.
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Baxendale S, Asad A, Shahidan NO, Wiggin GR, Whitfield TT. The adhesion GPCR Adgrg6 (Gpr126): Insights from the zebrafish model. Genesis 2021; 59:e23417. [PMID: 33735533 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adhesion GPCRs are important regulators of conserved developmental processes and represent an untapped pool of potential targets for drug discovery. The adhesion GPCR Adgrg6 (Gpr126) has critical developmental roles in Schwann cell maturation and inner ear morphogenesis in the zebrafish embryo. Mutations in the human ADGRG6 gene can result in severe deficits in peripheral myelination, and variants have been associated with many other disease conditions. Here, we review work on the zebrafish Adgrg6 signaling pathway and its potential as a disease model. Recent advances have been made in the analysis of the structure of the Adgrg6 receptor, demonstrating alternative structural conformations and the presence of a conserved calcium-binding site within the CUB domain of the extracellular region that is critical for receptor function. Homozygous zebrafish adgrg6 hypomorphic mutants have been used successfully as a whole-animal screening platform, identifying candidate molecules that can influence signaling activity and rescue mutant phenotypes. These compounds offer promise for further development as small molecule modulators of Adgrg6 pathway activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Baxendale
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bateson Centre and Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anzar Asad
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bateson Centre and Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nahal O Shahidan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bateson Centre and Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Tanya T Whitfield
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bateson Centre and Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Agostino M, Pohl SÖG. Activation barriers in Class F G protein-coupled receptors revealed by umbrella sampling simulations. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:9816-9825. [PMID: 33290484 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob02175j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Class F G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include Smoothened and the ten Frizzled receptors, which are major cell membrane receptors in the Hedgehog and Wnt signalling pathways respectively and of enormous interest in embryonic development and as therapeutic targets in cancer. Recent crystal structures of Smoothened provide the opportunity to investigate the structural biology of Class F GPCRs in more detail, in turn, informing the development of therapeutics. A key question in this area is how one receptor may trigger distinct pathways - particularly relevant for Wnt signalling, in which signals may be transduced from a Frizzled via Dishevelled or G proteins, depending on the context. In this study, we employ adiabatic biased molecular dynamics and umbrella sampling to investigate the activation of Smoothened and Frizzled-7 in both the native state and bound to endogenous ligands, as well as how the clinically used Smoothened antagonist vismodegib alters this signalling. The results highlight key energetic barriers in the activation of these receptors, and the molecular features of the receptors mediating these barriers, demonstrating our approach as a robust means of investigating signalling through these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Agostino
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), and Curtin Institute for Computation, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
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