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Zhuang R, Yan Z, Gao Y, Nurmamat A, Zhang S, Xiu M, Zhou Y, Pang Y, Li D, Zhao L, Liu X, Han Y. Evolutionary and functional analysis of metabotropic glutamate receptors in lampreys. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2024; 50:1861-1877. [PMID: 38951427 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-024-01374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR, GRM) family is involved in multiple signaling pathways and regulates neurotransmitter release. However, the evolutionary history, distribution, and function of the mGluRs family in lampreys have not been determined. Therefore, we identified the mGluRs gene family in the genome of Lethenteron reissneri, which has been conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. We confirmed that Lr-GRM3, Lr-GRM5, and Lr-GRM7 encode three types of mGluRs in lamprey. Additionally, we investigated the distribution of Lr-GRM3 within this species by qPCR and Western blotting. Furthermore, we conducted RNA sequencing to investigate the molecular function of Lr-GRM3 in lamprey. Our gene expression profile revealed that, similar to that in jawed vertebrates, Lr-GRM3 participates in multiple signal transduction pathways and influences synaptic excitability in lampreys. Moreover, it also affects intestinal motility and the inflammatory response in lampreys. This study not only enhances the understanding of mGluRs' gene evolution but also highlights the conservation of GRM3's role in signal transduction while expanding our knowledge of its functions specifically within lampreys. In summary, our experimental findings provide valuable insights for studying both the evolution and functionality of the mGluRs family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Zhuang
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Zihao Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Yicheng Gao
- The First Clinical College of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Ayqeqan Nurmamat
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Shuyuan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Min Xiu
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Yuesi Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Ya Pang
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Ding Li
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
| | - Xin Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, China
| | - Yinglun Han
- College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China.
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, China.
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2
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Haubrich J, Zwier JM, Charrier-Savournin F, Prézeau L, Pin JP. Different EGF-induced receptor dimer conformations for signaling and internalization. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23356. [PMID: 38071470 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301209r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The structural basis of the activation and internalization of EGF receptors (EGFR) is still a matter of debate despite the importance of this target in cancer treatment. Whether agonists induce dimer formation or act on preformed dimers remains discussed. Here, we provide direct evidence that EGF-induced EGFR dimer formation as best illustrated by the very large increase in FRET between snap-tagged EGFR subunits induced by agonists. We confirm that Erlotinib-related TK (tyrosine kinase) inhibitors also induce dimer formation despite the inactive state of the binding domain. Surprisingly, TK inhibitors do not inhibit EGF-induced EGFR internalization despite their ability to fully block EGFR signaling. Only Erlotinib-related TK inhibitors promoting asymmetric dimers could slow down this process while the lapatinib-related ones have almost no effect. These results reveal that the conformation of the intracellular TK dimer, rather than the known EGFR signaling, is critical for EGFR internalization. These results also illustrate clear differences in the mode of action of TK inhibitors on the EGFR and open novel possibilities to control EGFR signaling for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Haubrich
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | | | | | - Laurent Prézeau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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3
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Yadav P, Podia M, Kumari SP, Mani I. Glutamate receptor endocytosis and signaling in neurological conditions. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 196:167-207. [PMID: 36813358 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The non-essential amino acid glutamate acts as a major excitatory neurotransmitter and plays a significant role in the central nervous system (CNS). It binds with two different types of receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), responsible for the postsynaptic excitation of neurons. They are important for memory, neural development and communication, and learning. Endocytosis and subcellular trafficking of the receptor are essential for the regulation of receptor expression on the cell membrane and excitation of the cells. The endocytosis and trafficking of the receptor are dependent on its type, ligand, agonist, and antagonist present. This chapter discusses the types of glutamate receptors, their subtypes, and the regulation of their internalization and trafficking. The roles of glutamate receptors in neurological diseases are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Yadav
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Mansi Podia
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shashi Prabha Kumari
- Department of Microbiology, Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indra Mani
- Department of Microbiology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
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Caniceiro AB, Bueschbell B, Schiedel AC, Moreira IS. Class A and C GPCR Dimers in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:2081-2141. [PMID: 35339177 PMCID: PMC9886835 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220327221830] [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: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect over 30 million people worldwide with an ascending trend. Most individuals suffering from these irreversible brain damages belong to the elderly population, with onset between 50 and 60 years. Although the pathophysiology of such diseases is partially known, it remains unclear upon which point a disease turns degenerative. Moreover, current therapeutics can treat some of the symptoms but often have severe side effects and become less effective in long-term treatment. For many neurodegenerative diseases, the involvement of G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs), which are key players of neuronal transmission and plasticity, has become clearer and holds great promise in elucidating their biological mechanism. With this review, we introduce and summarize class A and class C GPCRs, known to form heterodimers or oligomers to increase their signalling repertoire. Additionally, the examples discussed here were shown to display relevant alterations in brain signalling and had already been associated with the pathophysiology of certain neurodegenerative diseases. Lastly, we classified the heterodimers into two categories of crosstalk, positive or negative, for which there is known evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Caniceiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Beatriz Bueschbell
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Anke C. Schiedel
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Irina S. Moreira
- University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; ,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,Address correspondence to this author at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; E-mail:
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Luessen DJ, Conn PJ. Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Novel Therapeutics for Neuropsychiatric Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:630-661. [PMID: 35710132 PMCID: PMC9553119 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, have been identified as novel therapeutic targets based on extensive research supporting their diverse contributions to cell signaling and physiology throughout the nervous system and important roles in regulating complex behaviors, such as cognition, reward, and movement. Thus, targeting mGlu receptors may be a promising strategy for the treatment of several brain disorders. Ongoing advances in the discovery of subtype-selective allosteric modulators for mGlu receptors has provided an unprecedented opportunity for highly specific modulation of signaling by individual mGlu receptor subtypes in the brain by targeting sites distinct from orthosteric or endogenous ligand binding sites on mGlu receptors. These pharmacological agents provide the unparalleled opportunity to selectively regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and subsequent behavioral output pertinent to many brain disorders. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the utility of mGlu receptor allosteric modulators as novel therapeutic approaches to treat neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and stress-related disorders.
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6
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Ellaithy A, Gonzalez-Maeso J, Logothetis DA, Levitz J. Structural and Biophysical Mechanisms of Class C G Protein-Coupled Receptor Function. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 45:1049-1064. [PMID: 32861513 PMCID: PMC7642020 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Groundbreaking structural and spectroscopic studies of class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as rhodopsin and the β2 adrenergic receptor, have provided a picture of how structural rearrangements between transmembrane helices control ligand binding, receptor activation, and effector coupling. However, the activation mechanism of other GPCR classes remains more elusive, in large part due to complexity in their domain assembly and quaternary structure. In this review, we focus on the class C GPCRs, which include metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptors (GABABRs) most prominently. We discuss the unique biophysical questions raised by the presence of large extracellular ligand-binding domains (LBDs) and constitutive homo/heterodimerization. Furthermore, we discuss how recent studies have begun to unravel how these fundamental class C GPCR features impact the processes of ligand binding, receptor activation, signal transduction, regulation by accessory proteins, and crosstalk with other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Ellaithy
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Javier Gonzalez-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Diomedes A Logothetis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, College of Science and Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshua Levitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Lei T, Hu Z, Ding R, Chen J, Li S, Zhang F, Pu X, Zhao N. Exploring the Activation Mechanism of a Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Homodimer via Molecular Dynamics Simulation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:133-145. [PMID: 31815422 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors of class C GPCRs exist as constitutive dimers, which play important roles in activating excitatory synapses of the central nervous system. However, the activation mechanism induced by agonists has not been clarified in experiments. To address the problem, we used microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation couple with protein structure network (PSN) to explore the glutamate-induced activation for the mGluR1 homodimer. The results indicate that glutamate binding stabilizes not only the closure of Venus flytrap domains but also the polar interaction of LB2-LB2, in turn keeping the extracelluar domain in the active state. The activation of the extracelluar domain drives transmembrane domains (TMDs) of the two protomers closer and induces asymmetric activation for the TMD domains of the two protomers. One protomer with lower binding affinity to the agonist is activated, while the other protomer with higher binding energy is still in the inactive state. The PSN analysis identifies the allosteric regulation pathway from the ligand-binding pocket in the extracellular domain to the G-protein binding site in the intracellular TMD region and further reveals that the asymmetric activation is attributed to a combination of trans-pathway and cis-pathway regulations from two glumatates, rather than a single activation pathway. These observations could provide valuable molecular information for understanding of the structure and the implications in drug efficacy for the class C GPCR dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Lei
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhenxin Hu
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Ruolin Ding
- West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianfang Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Shiqi Li
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Fuhui Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Xuemei Pu
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Nanrong Zhao
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
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Dal Prà I, Armato U, Chiarini A. Family C G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease and Therapeutic Implications. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1282. [PMID: 31719824 PMCID: PMC6826475 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly its sporadic or late-onset form (SAD/LOAD), is the most prevalent (96–98% of cases) neurodegenerative dementia in aged people. AD’s neuropathology hallmarks are intrabrain accumulation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβs) and of hyperphosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) proteins, diffuse neuroinflammation, and progressive death of neurons and oligodendrocytes. Mounting evidences suggest that family C G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include γ-aminobutyric acid B receptors (GABABRs), metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1-8), and the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), are involved in many neurotransmitter systems that dysfunction in AD. This review updates the available knowledge about the roles of GPCRs, particularly but not exclusively those expressed by brain astrocytes, in SAD/LOAD onset and progression, taking stock of their respective mechanisms of action and of their potential as anti-AD therapeutic targets. In particular, GABABRs prevent Aβs synthesis and neuronal hyperexcitability and group I mGluRs play important pathogenetic roles in transgenic AD-model animals. Moreover, the specific binding of Aβs to the CaSRs of human cortical astrocytes and neurons cultured in vitro engenders a pathological signaling that crucially promotes the surplus synthesis and release of Aβs and hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins, and also of nitric oxide, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and proinflammatory agents. Concurrently, Aβs•CaSR signaling hinders the release of soluble (s)APP-α peptide, a neurotrophic agent and GABABR1a agonist. Altogether these effects progressively kill human cortical neurons in vitro and likely also in vivo. Several CaSR’s negative allosteric modulators suppress all the noxious effects elicited by Aβs•CaSR signaling in human cortical astrocytes and neurons thus safeguarding neurons’ viability in vitro and raising hopes about their potential therapeutic benefits in AD patients. Further basic and clinical investigations on these hot topics are needed taking always heed that activation of the several brain family C GPCRs may elicit divergent upshots according to the models studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Dal Prà
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Armato
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Chiarini
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
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Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a family of signaling molecules in the membrane of cells that plays a key role in transduction of cellular responses. Little is known about how rapidly GPCRs can be activated. While the “light receptor” rhodopsin in the eye activates within 1 ms, other GPCRs are thought to activate much slower. We use two entirely different techniques with advanced time resolution to activate a dimeric metabotropic glutamate GPCR: UV light-triggered uncaging of ligand in intact cells and piezo-driven ligand application in outside-out patches. We demonstrate initial conformational rearrangements within ≈1 ms that are followed by much slower (≈20 ms) activation in the transmembrane domain. Thus, the initial activation of a nonvisual GPCR proceeds with millisecond speed. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key biological switches that transmit both internal and external stimuli into the cell interior. Among the GPCRs, the “light receptor” rhodopsin has been shown to activate with a rearrangement of the transmembrane (TM) helix bundle within ∼1 ms, while all other receptors are thought to become activated within ∼50 ms to seconds at saturating concentrations. Here, we investigate synchronous stimulation of a dimeric GPCR, the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1), by two entirely different methods: (i) UV light-triggered uncaging of glutamate in intact cells or (ii) piezo-driven solution exchange in outside-out patches. Submillisecond FRET recordings between labels at intracellular receptor sites were used to record conformational changes in the mGluR1. At millimolar ligand concentrations, the initial rearrangement between the mGluR1 subunits occurs at a speed of τ1 ∼ 1–2 ms and requires the occupancy of both binding sites in the mGluR1 dimer. These rapid changes were followed by significantly slower conformational changes in the TM domain (τ2 ∼ 20 ms). Receptor deactivation occurred with time constants of ∼40 and ∼900 ms for the inter- and intrasubunit conformational changes, respectively. Together, these data show that, at high glutamate concentrations, the initial intersubunit activation of mGluR1 proceeds with millisecond speed, that there is loose coupling between this initial step and activation of the TM domain, and that activation and deactivation follow a cyclic pathway, including—in addition to the inactive and active states—at least two metastable intermediate states.
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10
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Graziani D, Caligari S, Callegari E, De Toma C, Longhi M, Frigerio F, Dilernia R, Menegon S, Pinzi L, Pirona L, Tazzari V, Valsecchi AE, Vistoli G, Rastelli G, Riva C. Evaluation of Amides, Carbamates, Sulfonamides, and Ureas of 4-Prop-2-ynylidenecycloalkylamine as Potent, Selective, and Bioavailable Negative Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5. J Med Chem 2019; 62:1246-1273. [PMID: 30624919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) hold great promise for the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders. We have recently reported that prop-2-ynylidenecycloalkylamine derivatives are potent and selective NAMs of the mGlu5 receptor. In this work, we explored the amide, carbamate, sulfonamide, and urea derivatives of prop-2-ynylidenecycloalkylamine compounds with the aim of improving solubility and metabolic stability. In silico and experimental analyses were performed on the synthesized series of compounds to investigate structure-activity relationships. Compounds 12, 32, and 49 of the carbamate, urea, and amide classes, respectively, showed the most suitable cytochrome inhibition and metabolic stability profiles. Among them, compound 12 showed excellent selectivity, solubility, and stability profiles as well as suitable in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties. It was highly absorbed in rats and dogs and was active in anxiety, neuropathic pain, and lower urinary tract models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Graziani
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Silvia Caligari
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Elisa Callegari
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Carlo De Toma
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Matteo Longhi
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Fabio Frigerio
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Roberto Dilernia
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Sergio Menegon
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Luca Pinzi
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via Campi 103 , 41125 Modena , Italy
| | - Lorenza Pirona
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Valerio Tazzari
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Anna Elisa Valsecchi
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
| | - Giulio Vistoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Via Mangiagalli 25 , 20133 Milan , Italy
| | - Giulio Rastelli
- Department of Life Sciences , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via Campi 103 , 41125 Modena , Italy
| | - Carlo Riva
- Drug Discovery Department , Recordati S.p.A. , Via M. Civitali 1 , 20148 Milan , Italy
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11
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Biased agonism and allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5. Clin Sci (Lond) 2018; 132:2323-2338. [PMID: 30389826 DOI: 10.1042/cs20180374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors belong to class C G-protein-coupled receptors and consist of eight subtypes that are ubiquitously expressed throughout the central nervous system. In recent years, the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) has emerged as a promising target for a broad range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Drug discovery programs targetting mGlu5 are primarily focused on development of allosteric modulators that interact with sites distinct from the endogenous agonist glutamate. Significant efforts have seen mGlu5 allosteric modulators progress into clinical trials; however, recent failures due to lack of efficacy or adverse effects indicate a need for a better understanding of the functional consequences of mGlu5 allosteric modulation. Biased agonism is an interrelated phenomenon to allosterism, describing how different ligands acting through the same receptor can differentially influence signaling to distinct transducers and pathways. Emerging evidence demonstrates that allosteric modulators can induce biased pharmacology at the level of intrinsic agonism as well as through differential modulation of orthosteric agonist-signaling pathways. Here, we present key considerations in the discovery and development of mGlu5 allosteric modulators and the opportunities and pitfalls offered by biased agonism and modulation.
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12
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Fisher NM, Seto M, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: A New Therapeutic Target in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:387. [PMID: 30405350 PMCID: PMC6206046 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are characterized by a wide range of symptoms including delayed speech, intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, social deficits, breathing problems, structural abnormalities, and epilepsy. Unfortunately, current treatment strategies are limited and innovative new approaches are sorely needed to address these complex diseases. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that act to modulate neurotransmission across many brain structures. They have shown great promise as drug targets for numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, the development of subtype-selective allosteric modulators has allowed detailed studies of each receptor subtype. Here, we focus on the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) as a potential therapeutic target for NDDs. mGlu7 is expressed widely throughout the brain in regions that correspond to the symptom domains listed above and has established roles in synaptic physiology and behavior. Single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations in the GRM7 gene have been associated with idiopathic autism and other NDDs in patients. In rodent models, existing literature suggests that decreased mGlu7 expression and/or function may lead to symptoms that overlap with those of NDDs. Furthermore, potentiation of mGlu7 activity has shown efficacy in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. In this review, we summarize current findings that provide rationale for the continued development of mGlu7 modulators as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mabel Seto
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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13
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Liu J, Zhang Z, Moreno-Delgado D, Dalton JA, Rovira X, Trapero A, Goudet C, Llebaria A, Giraldo J, Yuan Q, Rondard P, Huang S, Liu J, Pin JP. Allosteric control of an asymmetric transduction in a G protein-coupled receptor heterodimer. eLife 2017; 6:26985. [PMID: 28829739 PMCID: PMC5582870 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
GPCRs play critical roles in cell communication. Although GPCRs can form heteromers, their role in signaling remains elusive. Here we used rat metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors as prototypical dimers to study the functional interaction between each subunit. mGluRs can form both constitutive homo- and heterodimers. Whereas both mGlu2 and mGlu4 couple to G proteins, G protein activation is mediated by mGlu4 heptahelical domain (HD) exclusively in mGlu2-4 heterodimers. Such asymmetric transduction results from the action of both the dimeric extracellular domain, and an allosteric activation by the partially-activated non-functional mGlu2 HD. G proteins activation by mGlu2 HD occurs if either the mGlu2 HD is occupied by a positive allosteric modulator or if mGlu4 HD is inhibited by a negative modulator. These data revealed an oriented asymmetry in mGlu heterodimers that can be controlled with allosteric modulators. They provide new insight on the allosteric interaction between subunits in a GPCR dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zongyong Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - David Moreno-Delgado
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - James Ar Dalton
- Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research Center on Mental Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Rovira
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Trapero
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- MCS, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research Center on Mental Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Qilin Yuan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Philippe Rondard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Siluo Huang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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14
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De Toni L, Di Nisio A, Rocca MS, De Rocco Ponce M, Ferlin A, Foresta C. Osteocalcin, a bone-derived hormone with important andrological implications. Andrology 2017; 5:664-670. [PMID: 28395130 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence disclosed the existence of a novel multi-organ endocrine pathway, involving bone, pancreas and testis, of high penetrance in energy metabolism and male fertility. The main mediator of this axis is undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), a bone-derived protein-exerting systemic effects on tissues expressing the metabotropic receptor GPRC6A. The recognized effects of ucOC are the improvement of insulin secretion from the pancreas, the amelioration of systemic insulin sensitivity, in particular in skeletal muscle, and the stimulation of the global endocrine activity of the Leydig cell, including vitamin D 25-hydroxylation and testosterone production. The supporting evidence of this circuit in both animal and human models is here reviewed, with particular emphasis on the role of ucOC on testis function. The possible pharmacological modulation of this hormonal circuit for therapeutic aims is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M S Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M De Rocco Ponce
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - C Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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15
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Sengmany K, Gregory KJ. Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5: molecular pharmacology, allosteric modulation and stimulus bias. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 173:3001-17. [PMID: 26276909 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5 ) is a family C GPCR that has been implicated in various neuronal processes and, consequently, in several CNS disorders. Over the past few decades, GPCR-based drug discovery, including that for mGlu5 receptors, has turned considerable attention to targeting allosteric binding sites. Modulation of endogenous agonists by allosteric ligands offers the advantages of spatial and temporal fine-tuning of receptor activity, increased selectivity and reduced adverse effects with the potential to elicit improved clinical outcomes. Further, with greater appreciation of the multifaceted nature of the transduction of mGlu5 receptor signalling, it is increasingly apparent that drug discovery must take into consideration unique receptor conformations and the potential for stimulus-bias. This novel paradigm proposes that different ligands may differentially modulate distinct signalling pathways arising from the same receptor. We review our current understanding of the complexities of mGlu5 receptor signalling and regulation, and how these relate to allosteric ligands. Ultimately, a deeper appreciation of these relationships will provide the foundation for targeted drug design of compounds with increased selectivity, not only for the desired receptor but also for the desired signalling outcome from the receptor. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.20/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sengmany
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - K J Gregory
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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16
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Shifting towards a model of mGluR5 dysregulation in schizophrenia: Consequences for future schizophrenia treatment. Neuropharmacology 2015; 115:73-91. [PMID: 26349010 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5), encoded by the GRM5 gene, represents a compelling novel drug target for the treatment of schizophrenia. mGluR5 is a postsynaptic G-protein coupled glutamate receptor strongly linked with several critical cellular processes that are reported to be disrupted in schizophrenia. Accordingly, mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators show encouraging therapeutic potential in preclinical schizophrenia models, particularly for the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions against which currently available therapeutics are largely ineffective. More work is required to support the progression of mGluR5-targeting drugs into the clinic for schizophrenia treatment, although some obstacles may be overcome by comprehensively understanding how mGluR5 itself is involved in the neurobiology of the disorder. Several processes that are necessary for the regulation of mGluR5 activity have been identified, but not examined, in the context of schizophrenia. These processes include protein-protein interactions, dimerisation, subcellular trafficking, the impact of genetic variability or mutations on protein function, as well as epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational processes. It is essential to understand these aspects of mGluR5 to determine whether they are affected in schizophrenia pathology, and to assess the consequences of mGluR5 dysfunction for the future use of mGluR5-based drugs. Here, we summarise the known processes that regulate mGluR5 and those that have already been studied in schizophrenia, and discuss the consequences of this dysregulation for current mGluR5 pharmacological strategies. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.
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17
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Role of post-translational modifications on structure, function and pharmacology of class C G protein-coupled receptors. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 763:233-40. [PMID: 25981296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors are divided into three classes (A, B and C) based on homology of their seven transmembrane domains. Class C is the smallest class with 22 human receptor subtypes including eight metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1-8) receptors, two GABAB receptors (GABAB1 and GABAB2), three taste receptors (T1R1-3), one calcium-sensing (CaS) receptor, one GPCR, class C, group 6, subtype A (GPRC6) receptor, and seven orphan receptors. G protein-coupled receptors undergo a number of post-translational modifications, which regulate their structure, function and/or pharmacology. Here, we review the existence of post-translational modifications in class C G protein-coupled receptors and their regulatory roles, with particular focus on glycosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, disulphide bonding and lipidation.
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18
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Zhang XC, Liu J, Jiang D. Why is dimerization essential for class-C GPCR function? New insights from mGluR1 crystal structure analysis. Protein Cell 2015; 5:492-5. [PMID: 24805307 PMCID: PMC4085282 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0062-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun C Zhang
- National Laboratory of Macromolecules, National Center of Protein Science-Beijing, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China,
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19
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Rondard P, Pin JP. Dynamics and modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 20:95-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Clemmensen C, Smajilovic S, Wellendorph P, Bräuner-Osborne H. The GPCR, class C, group 6, subtype A (GPRC6A) receptor: from cloning to physiological function. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:1129-41. [PMID: 24032653 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GPRC6A (GPCR, class C, group 6, subtype A) is a class C GPCR that has been cloned from human, mouse and rat. Several groups have shown that the receptor is activated by a range of basic and small aliphatic L-α-amino acids of which L-arginine, L-lysine and L-ornithine are the most potent compounds with EC50 values in the mid-micromolar range. In addition, several groups have shown that the receptor is either directly activated or positively modulated by divalent cations such as Ca(2+) albeit in concentrations above 5 mM, which is above the physiological concentration in most tissues. More recently, the peptide osteocalcin and the steroid testosterone have also been suggested to be endogenous GPRC6A agonists. The receptor is widely expressed in all three species which, along with the omnipresence of the amino acids and divalent cation ligands, suggest that the receptor could be involved in a broad range of physiological functions. So far, this has mainly been addressed by analyses of genetically modified mice where the GPRC6A receptor has been ablated. Although there has been some discrepancies among results reported from different groups, there is increasing evidence that the receptor is involved in regulation of inflammation, metabolism and endocrine functions. GPRC6A could thus be an interesting target for new drugs in these therapeutic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Clemmensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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21
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Kang SG, Das P, McGrane SJ, Martin AJ, Huynh T, Royyuru AK, Taylor AJ, Jones PG, Zhou R. Molecular recognition of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1): synergistic understanding with free energy perturbation and linear response modeling. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:6393-404. [PMID: 24635567 DOI: 10.1021/jp410232j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) constitute an important family of the G-protein coupled receptors. Due to their widespread distribution in the central nervous system (CNS), these receptors are attractive candidates for understanding the molecular basis of various cognitive processes as well as for designing inhibitors for relevant psychiatric and neurological disorders. Despite many studies on drugs targeting the mGluR receptors to date, the molecular level details on the ligand binding dynamics still remain unclear. In this study, we performed in silico experiments for mGluR1 with 29 different ligands including known synthetic agonists and antagonists as well as natural amino acids. The ligand-receptor binding affinities were estimated by the use of atomistic simulations combined with the mathematically rigorous, Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) method, which successfully recognized the native agonist l-glutamate among the highly favorable binders, and also accurately distinguished antagonists from agonists. Comparative contact analysis also revealed the binding mode differences between natural and non-natural amino acid-based ligands. Several factors potentially affecting the ligand binding affinity and specificity were identified including net charges, dipole moments, and the presence of aromatic rings. On the basis of these findings, linear response models (LRMs) were built for different sets of ligands that showed high correlations (R(2) > 0.95) to the corresponding FEP binding affinities. These results identify some key factors that determine ligand-mGluR1 binding and could be used for future inhibitor designs and support a role for in silico modeling for understanding receptor ligand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-gu Kang
- Computational Biology Center, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center , Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, United States
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22
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Illuminating the activation mechanisms and allosteric properties of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E1416-25. [PMID: 23487753 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1215615110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In multimeric cell-surface receptors, the conformational changes of the extracellular ligand-binding domains (ECDs) associated with receptor activation remain largely unknown. This is the case for the dimeric metabotropic glutamate receptors even though a number of ECD structures have been solved. Here, using an innovative approach based on cell-surface labeling and FRET, we demonstrate that a reorientation of the ECDs is associated with receptor and G-protein activation. Our approach helps identify partial agonists and highlights allosteric interactions between the effector and binding domains. Any approach expected to stabilize the active conformation of the effector domain increased the agonist potency in stabilizing the active ECDs conformation. These data provide key information on the structural dynamics and drug action at metabotropic glutamate receptors and validate an approach for tackling such analysis on other receptors.
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23
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Zhang Z, Xue L, Guo H, Li Y, Ding H, Huang S. Phosphorylation-independent desensitization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 in HEK 293 cells. Mol Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893313010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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24
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Pharmacology of metabotropic glutamate receptor allosteric modulators: structural basis and therapeutic potential for CNS disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2013; 115:61-121. [PMID: 23415092 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394587-7.00002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) mediate a neuromodulatory role throughout the brain for the major excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate. Seven of the eight mGlu subtypes are expressed within the CNS and are attractive targets for a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Fragile X syndrome. Allosteric modulation of these class C 7-transmembrane spanning receptors represents a novel approach to facilitate development of mGlu subtype-selective probes and therapeutics. Allosteric modulators that interact with sites topographically distinct from the endogenous ligand-binding site offer a number of advantages over their competitive counterparts. In particular for CNS therapeutics, allosteric modulators have the potential to maintain the spatial and temporal aspects of endogenous neurotransmission. The past 15 years have seen the discovery of numerous subtype-selective allosteric modulators for the majority of the mGlu family members, including positive, negative, and neutral allosteric modulators, with a number of mGlu allosteric modulators now in clinical trials.
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25
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Giraldo J. Modeling cooperativity effects in dimeric G protein-coupled receptors. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2013; 115:349-73. [PMID: 23415098 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394587-7.00008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors organize into oligomeric arrangements to exert their function. In this chapter, three models of dimeric receptors, the two-state dimer receptor model, the metabotropic glutamate receptor model, and the asymmetric/symmetric three-state dimer receptor model are revisited focusing on the cooperative effects between their binding sites and the subunits they are composed of. The mathematical analysis reveals the complexity of the intra-receptor interactions providing insights on the mechanistic aspects of receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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26
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Matosin N, Newell KA. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in the pathology and treatment of schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 37:256-68. [PMID: 23253944 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Revised: 10/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) potentiates the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in brain regions implicated in schizophrenia, making it a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of this disorder. mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators may represent a valuable novel strategy for schizophrenia treatment, given the favourable profile of effects in preclinical paradigms. However it remains unclear whether mGluR5 also plays a causal or epiphenomenal role in NMDAR dysfunction in schizophrenia. Animal and cellular data suggest involvement of mGluR5, whilst post-mortem human studies remain inconclusive. This review will explore the molecular, animal and human data to support and refute the involvement of mGluR5 in the pathology of schizophrenia. Furthermore, this review will discuss the potential of mGluR5 modulators in the therapy of schizophrenia as well as aspects of mGluR5 that require further characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Matosin
- Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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27
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Distinct roles of metabotropic glutamate receptor dimerization in agonist activation and G-protein coupling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:16342-7. [PMID: 22988116 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1205838109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The eight metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are key modulators of synaptic transmission and are considered promising targets for the treatment of various brain disorders. Whereas glutamate acts at a large extracellular domain, allosteric modulators have been identified that bind to the seven transmembrane domain (7TM) of these dimeric G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We show here that the dimeric organization of mGluRs is required for the modulation of active and inactive states of the 7TM by agonists, but is not necessary for G-protein activation. Monomeric mGlu2, either as an isolated 7TM or in full-length, purified and reconstituted into nanodiscs, couples to G proteins upon direct activation by a positive allosteric modulator. However, only a reconstituted full-length dimeric mGlu2 activates G protein upon glutamate binding, suggesting that dimerization is required for glutamate induced activation. These data show that, even for such well characterized GPCR dimers like mGluR2, a single 7TM is sufficient for G-protein coupling. Despite this observation, the necessity of dimeric architecture for signaling induced by the endogenous ligand glutamate confirms that the central core of signaling complex is dimeric.
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28
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Trzaskowski B, Latek D, Yuan S, Ghoshdastider U, Debinski A, Filipek S. Action of molecular switches in GPCRs--theoretical and experimental studies. Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:1090-109. [PMID: 22300046 PMCID: PMC3343417 DOI: 10.2174/092986712799320556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 12/30/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), also called 7TM receptors, form a huge superfamily of membrane proteins that, upon activation by extracellular agonists, pass the signal to the cell interior. Ligands can bind either to extracellular N-terminus and loops (e.g. glutamate receptors) or to the binding site within transmembrane helices (Rhodopsin-like family). They are all activated by agonists although a spontaneous auto-activation of an empty receptor can also be observed. Biochemical and crystallographic methods together with molecular dynamics simulations and other theoretical techniques provided models of the receptor activation based on the action of so-called "molecular switches" buried in the receptor structure. They are changed by agonists but also by inverse agonists evoking an ensemble of activation states leading toward different activation pathways. Switches discovered so far include the ionic lock switch, the 3-7 lock switch, the tyrosine toggle switch linked with the nPxxy motif in TM7, and the transmission switch. The latter one was proposed instead of the tryptophan rotamer toggle switch because no change of the rotamer was observed in structures of activated receptors. The global toggle switch suggested earlier consisting of a vertical rigid motion of TM6, seems also to be implausible based on the recent crystal structures of GPCRs with agonists. Theoretical and experimental methods (crystallography, NMR, specific spectroscopic methods like FRET/BRET but also single-molecule-force-spectroscopy) are currently used to study the effect of ligands on the receptor structure, location of stable structural segments/domains of GPCRs, and to answer the still open question on how ligands are binding: either via ensemble of conformational receptor states or rather via induced fit mechanisms. On the other hand the structural investigations of homoand heterodimers and higher oligomers revealed the mechanism of allosteric signal transmission and receptor activation that could lead to design highly effective and selective allosteric or ago-allosteric drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Trzaskowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, ul. Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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29
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Hlavackova V, Zabel U, Frankova D, Bätz J, Hoffmann C, Prezeau L, Pin JP, Blahos J, Lohse MJ. Sequential inter- and intrasubunit rearrangements during activation of dimeric metabotropic glutamate receptor 1. Sci Signal 2012; 5:ra59. [PMID: 22894836 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2002720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), a class C member of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor family, is a constitutive dimer that regulates excitatory neurotransmission. We investigated the role of homodimer formation in mGluR1 activation by examining activation-dependent inter- and intrasubunit conformational changes by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). We inserted yellow and cyan fluorescent proteins in the second intracellular loop and at the carboxyl terminus of mGluR1 to act as FRET sensors and expressed these proteins in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Agonist-dependent activation of these mGluR1 chimeras rapidly increased the intersubunit FRET, suggesting rapid movement of the subunits relative to each other. After intersubunit movement, the intrasubunit FRET decreased, reflecting conformational changes within a subunit. Cotransfection of chimeric receptor subunits that were capable or incapable of G protein coupling revealed that only a single subunit assumes an active state in an mGluR1 receptor dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Hlavackova
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
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30
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Wang Q, Gao Y, Li S, Guo X, Zhang Q. Mutation screening of TRPM1, GRM6, NYX and CACNA1F genes in patients with congenital stationary night blindness. Int J Mol Med 2012; 30:521-6. [PMID: 22735794 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2012.1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify mutations in the TRPM1, GRM6, NYX and CACNA1F genes in patients with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB). Twenty-four unrelated patients with CSNB were ascertained. Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the coding exons and adjacent intronic regions of TRPM1, GRM6, NYX and CACNA1F. Six mutations were identified in six unrelated patients, including five novel and one known. Of the six, three novel hemizygous mutations, c.92G>A (p.Cys31Tyr), c.149G>C (p.Ary50Pro), and c.[272T>A;1429G>C] (p.[Leu91Gln;Gly477Arg]), were found in NYX in three patients, respectively. A novel c.[1984_1986delCTC;3001G>A] (p.[Leu662del;Gly1001Arg]) mutation was detected in CACNA1F in one patient. One novel and one known heterozygous variation, c.1267T>C (p.Cys423Arg) and c.1537G>A (p.Val513Met), were detected in GRM6 in two patients, respectively. No variations were found in TRPM1. The results expand the mutation spectrum of NYX, CACNA1F and GRM6. They also suggest that NYX mutations are a common cause of CSNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Amalric M, Lopez S, Goudet C, Fisone G, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Pin JP, Acher FC. Group III and subtype 4 metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists: discovery and pathophysiological applications in Parkinson's disease. Neuropharmacology 2012; 66:53-64. [PMID: 22664304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Revised: 04/28/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the basal ganglia, following the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, represents a major challenge to treat patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). The imbalanced situation in favor of excitation in the disease state may also accelerate excitotoxic processes, thereby representing a potential target for neuroprotective therapies. Reducing the excitatory action of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia, should lead to symptomatic improvement for PD patients and may promote the survival of DA neurons. Recent studies have focused on the modulatory action of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors on neurodegenerative diseases including PD. Group III mGlu receptors, including subtypes 4, 7 and 8, are largely expressed in the basal ganglia. Recent studies highlight the use of selective mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for the treatment of PD. Here we review the effects of newly-designed group-III orthosteric agonists on neuroprotection, neurorestoration and reduction of l-DOPA induced dyskinesia in animal models of PD. The combination of orthosteric mGlu4 receptor selective agonists with PAMs may open new avenues for the symptomatic treatment of PD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amalric
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Fonctionnelles, Case C, 3 Place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France.
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Lundström L, Bissantz C, Beck J, Wettstein JG, Woltering TJ, Wichmann J, Gatti S. Structural determinants of allosteric antagonism at metabotropic glutamate receptor 2: mechanistic studies with new potent negative allosteric modulators. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 164:521-37. [PMID: 21470207 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01409.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Altered glutamatergic neurotransmission is linked to several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu₂) plays an important role on the presynaptic control of glutamate release and negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) acting on mGlu₂/₃ receptors are under assessment for their potential as antidepressants, neurogenics and cognitive enhancers. Two new potent mGlu₂/₃ NAMs, RO4988546 and RO5488608, are described in this study and the allosteric binding site in the transmembrane (TM) domain of mGlu₂ is characterized. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Site directed mutagenesis, functional measurements and β₂-adrenoceptor-based modelling of mGlu₂ were employed to identify important molecular determinants of two new potent mGlu₂/₃ NAMs. KEY RESULTS RO4988546 and RO5488608 affected both [³H]-LY354740 agonist binding at the orthosteric site and the binding of a tritiated positive allosteric modulator (³H-PAM), indicating that NAMs and PAMs could have overlapping binding sites in the mGlu₂ TM domain. We identified eight residues in the allosteric binding pocket that are crucial for non-competitive antagonism of agonist-dependent activation of mGlu₂ and directly interact with the NAMs: Arg³·²⁸, Arg³·²⁹, Phe³·³⁶, His(E2.52) , Leu⁵·⁴³, Trp⁶·⁴⁸, Phe⁶·⁵⁵ and Val⁷·⁴³. The mGlu₂ specific residue His(E2.52) is likely to be involved in selectivity and residues located in the outer part of the binding pocket are more important for [³H]-LY354740 agonist binding inhibition, which is independent of the highly conserved Trp⁶·⁴⁸ residue. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This is the first complete molecular investigation of the allosteric binding pocket of mGlu₂ and Group II mGluRs and provides new information on what determines mGlu₂ NAMs selective interactions and effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lundström
- Neuroscience Research, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract
The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest super families of cell-surface receptors and play crucial roles in virtually every organ system. One particular family of GPCRs, the class C GPCRs, is distinguished by a characteristically large extracellular domain and constitutive dimerization. The structure and activation mechanism of this family result in potentially unique ligand recognition sites, thereby offering a variety of possibilities by which receptor activity might be modulated using novel compounds. In the present article, we aim to provide an overview of the exact sites and structural features involved in ligand recognition of the class C GPCRs. Furthermore, we demonstrate the precise steps that occur during the receptor activation process, which underlie the possibilities by which receptor function may be altered by different approaches. Finally, we use four typical family members to illustrate orthosteric and allosteric sites with representative ligands and their corresponding therapeutic potential.
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Cottet M, Faklaris O, Maurel D, Scholler P, Doumazane E, Trinquet E, Pin JP, Durroux T. BRET and Time-resolved FRET strategy to study GPCR oligomerization: from cell lines toward native tissues. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:92. [PMID: 22837753 PMCID: PMC3401989 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) opens new perspectives regarding physiological function regulation. The capacity of one GPCR to modify its binding and coupling properties by interacting with a second one can be at the origin of regulations unsuspected two decades ago. Although the concept is interesting, its validation at a physiological level is challenging and probably explains why receptor oligomerization is still controversial. Demonstrating direct interactions between two proteins is not trivial since few techniques present a spatial resolution allowing this precision. Resonance energy transfer (RET) strategies are actually the most convenient ones. During the last two decades, bioluminescent resonance energy transfer and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) have been widely used since they exhibit high signal-to-noise ratio. Most of the experiments based on GPCR labeling have been performed in cell lines and it has been shown that all GPCRs have the propensity to form homo- or hetero-oligomers. However, whether these data can be extrapolated to GPCRs expressed in native tissues and explain receptor functioning in real life, remains an open question. Native tissues impose different constraints since GPCR sequences cannot be modified. Recently, a fluorescent ligand-based GPCR labeling strategy combined to a TR-FRET approach has been successfully used to prove the existence of GPCR oligomerization in native tissues. Although the RET-based strategies are generally quite simple to implement, precautions have to be taken before concluding to the absence or the existence of specific interactions between receptors. For example, one should exclude the possibility of collision of receptors diffusing throughout the membrane leading to a specific FRET signal. The advantages and the limits of different approaches will be reviewed and the consequent perspectives discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cottet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | - Orestis Faklaris
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | - Damien Maurel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Scholler
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | - Etienne Doumazane
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | | | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Durroux
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203,Montpellier, France
- INSERM, U.661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2,Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: Thierry Durroux, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle CNRS, UMR 5203, Montpellier, France; INSERM U661, Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1,2, 141 Rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. e-mail:
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Abstract
G protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) use a complex series of intramolecular conformational changes to couple agonist binding to the binding and activation of cognate heterotrimeric G protein (Gαβγ). The mechanisms underlying this long-range activation have been identified using a variety of biochemical and structural approaches and have primarily used visual signal transduction via the GPCR rhodopsin and cognate heterotrimeric G protein transducin (G(t)) as a model system. In this chapter, we review the methods that have revealed allosteric signaling through rhodopsin and transducin. These methods can be applied to a variety of GPCR-mediated signaling pathways.
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Ng SYL, Lee LTO, Chow BKC. Receptor oligomerization: from early evidence to current understanding in class B GPCRs. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:175. [PMID: 23316183 PMCID: PMC3539651 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dimerization or oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to modulate receptor functions in terms of ontogeny, ligand-oriented regulation, pharmacological diversity, signal transduction, and internalization. Class B GPCRs are receptors to a family of hormones including secretin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and parathyroid hormone, among others. The functional implications of receptor dimerization have extensively been studied in class A GPCRs, while less is known regarding its function in class B GPCRs. This article reviews receptor oligomerization in terms of the early evidence and current understanding particularly of class B GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Billy K. C. Chow
- *Correspondence: Billy K. C. Chow, Endocrinology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. e-mail:
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Zhu JW, Yuan JF, Yang HM, Wang ST, Zhang CG, Sun LL, Yang H, Zhang H. Extracellular cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) redox regulates metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 activity. Biochimie 2011; 94:617-27. [PMID: 21964032 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) redox potential (E(h)) has been shown to regulate diverse biological processes, including enzyme catalysis, gene expression, and signaling pathways for cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is sensitive to aging, smoking, and other host factors. However, the effects of extracellular Cys/CySS redox on the nervous system remain unknown. In this study, we explored the role of extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) in metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) activation to understand the mechanism of its regulation of nerve cell growth and activation. We showed that the oxidized Cys/CySS redox state (0 mV) in C6 glial cells induced a significant increase in mGlu5-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), blocked by an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), U0126, a nonpermeant alkylating agent, 4-acetamide-4'-maleimidylstilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (AMS), and a specific mGlu5 antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), respectively. ERK phosphorylation under oxidized extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) was confirmed in mGlu5-overexpressed human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Oxidized extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) also stimulated the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the phosphorylation of ERK by mGlu5. Moreover, activation of mGlu5 by oxidized extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) was found to affect expression of NF-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The results also showed that extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) involved in the activation of mGlu5 controlled cell death and cell activation in neurotoxicity. In addition, plasma Cys/CySS E(h) was found to be associated with the process of Parkinson's disease (PD) in a rotenone-induced rat model of PD together with dietary deficiency and supplementation of sulfur amino acid (SAA). The effects of extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) on SAA dietary deficiency in the rotenone-induced rat model of PD was almost blocked by MPEP pretreatment, further indicating that oxidized extracellular Cys/CySS E(h) plays a role in mGlu5 activity. Taken together, the results indicate that mGlu5 can be activated by extracellular Cys/CySS redox in nerve cells, which possibly contributes to the process of PD. These in vitro and in vivo findings may aid in the development of potential new nutritional strategies that could assist in slowing the degeneration of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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38
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Interdomain movements in metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:15480-5. [PMID: 21896740 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1107775108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cell surface receptors are multimeric proteins, composed of several structural domains, some involved in ligand recognition, whereas others are responsible for signal transduction. In most cases, the mechanism of how ligand interaction in the extracellular domains leads to the activation of effector domains remains largely unknown. Here we examined how the extracellular ligand binding to the venus flytrap (VFT) domains of the dimeric metabotropic glutamate receptors activate the seven transmembrane (7TM) domains responsible for G protein activation. These two domains are interconnected by a cysteine-rich domain (CRD). We show that any of the four disulfide bridges of the CRD are required for the allosteric coupling between the VFT and the 7TM domains. More importantly, we show that a specific association of the two CRDs corresponds to the active state of the receptor. Indeed, a specific crosslinking of the CRDs with intersubunit disulfide bridges leads to fully constitutively active receptors, no longer activated by agonists nor by allosteric modulators. These data demonstrate that intersubunit movement at the level of the CRDs represents a key step in metabotropic glutamate receptor activation.
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39
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Prézeau L, Rondard P, Goudet C, Kniazeff J, Pin JP. Class C receptor activation mechanisms illustrated by mGlu and GABAB receptors. A review. FLAVOUR FRAG J 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ffj.2044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Prézeau
- CNRS, UMR 5203; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, U661, and Université Montpellier 1, 2; Montpellier; F-34000; France
| | - Philippe Rondard
- CNRS, UMR 5203; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, U661, and Université Montpellier 1, 2; Montpellier; F-34000; France
| | - Cyril Goudet
- CNRS, UMR 5203; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, U661, and Université Montpellier 1, 2; Montpellier; F-34000; France
| | - Julie Kniazeff
- CNRS, UMR 5203; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, U661, and Université Montpellier 1, 2; Montpellier; F-34000; France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- CNRS, UMR 5203; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, INSERM, U661, and Université Montpellier 1, 2; Montpellier; F-34000; France
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40
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Sheffler DJ, Gregory KJ, Rook JM, Conn PJ. Allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2011; 62:37-77. [PMID: 21907906 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385952-5.00010-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of receptor subtype-selective ligands by targeting allosteric sites of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has proven highly successful in recent years. One GPCR family that has greatly benefited from this approach is the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus). These family C GPCRs participate in the neuromodulatory actions of glutamate throughout the CNS, where they play a number of key roles in regulating synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. A large number of mGlu subtype-selective allosteric modulators have been identified, the majority of which are thought to bind within the transmembrane regions of the receptor. These modulators can either enhance or inhibit mGlu functional responses and, together with mGlu knockout mice, have furthered the establishment of the physiologic roles of many mGlu subtypes. Numerous pharmacological and receptor mutagenesis studies have been aimed at providing a greater mechanistic understanding of the interaction of mGlu allosteric modulators with the receptor, which have revealed evidence for common allosteric binding sites across multiple mGlu subtypes and the presence for multiple allosteric sites within a single mGlu subtype. Recent data have also revealed that mGlu allosteric modulators can display functional selectivity toward particular signal transduction cascades downstream of an individual mGlu subtype. Studies continue to validate the therapeutic utility of mGlu allosteric modulators as a potential therapeutic approach for a number of disorders including anxiety, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Sheffler
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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41
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Rondard P, Goudet C, Kniazeff J, Pin JP, Prézeau L. The complexity of their activation mechanism opens new possibilities for the modulation of mGlu and GABAB class C G protein-coupled receptors. Neuropharmacology 2010; 60:82-92. [PMID: 20713070 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Revised: 07/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the human genome, 22 genes are coding for the class C G protein-coupled receptors that are receptors for the two main neurotransmitters glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid, for Ca(2+) and for sweet and amino acid taste compounds. In addition to the GPCR heptahelical transmembrane domain responsible for G-protein activation, class C receptors possess a large extracellular domain that is responsible for ligand recognition. Recent studies had revealed that class C receptors are homo- or heterodimers with unique mechanism of activation. In the present review, we present an up-to-date view of the structures and activation mechanism of these receptors in particular the metabotropic glutamate and GABA(B) receptors. We show how the complexity of functioning of these transmembrane proteins can be used for the development of therapeutics to modulate their activity. We emphasize on the new approaches and drugs that could potentially become important in the future pharmacology of these receptors.
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42
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Exploration of structure-based drug design opportunities for mGluRs. Neuropharmacology 2010; 60:93-101. [PMID: 20705075 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are a subset of the Class C G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Recently, an emerging strategy for drug-discovery efforts targeting mGluRs has been to develop compounds acting at the so-called allosteric site in the 7-transmembrane (7TM) domain, common to all GPCRs, rather than the extracellular (EC) domain containing the orthosteric glutamate-binding site. We examine herein some of the intrinsic relative merits of targeting these two domains. Comparisons are made among amino-acid sequences in the two domains and among X-ray structures and homology models of the EC domain. We show that there is greater sequence diversity in the EC domains than in the transmembrane (TM) domains. Thus, contrary to generally accepted descriptions of there being greater evolutionary pressure to preserve the EC domain, it is the 7TM domain that is more highly conserved. Within the EC domain, the glutamate-binding site of the Venus flytrap region has hitherto received the most attention as a target site. Analysis of examples of the three-dimensional structures of the EC domains at the glutamate-binding site reveals differences as well, thereby supporting the viability of targeting the EC domain, even at the glutamate-binding site, for drug discovery. To exemplify this strategy, we present examples of active compounds identified via high-throughput docking in the EC region.
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43
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Gregory KJ, Dong EN, Meiler J, Conn PJ. Allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors: structural insights and therapeutic potential. Neuropharmacology 2010; 60:66-81. [PMID: 20637216 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Allosteric modulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represents a novel approach to the development of probes and therapeutics that is expected to enable subtype-specific regulation of central nervous system target receptors. The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) are class C GPCRs that play important neuromodulatory roles throughout the brain, as such they are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention for a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders including anxiety, depression, Fragile X Syndrome, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Over the last fifteen years, selective allosteric modulators have been identified for many members of the mGlu family. The vast majority of these allosteric modulators are thought to bind within the transmembrane-spanning domains of the receptors to enhance or inhibit functional responses. A combination of mutagenesis-based studies and pharmacological approaches are beginning to provide a better understanding of mGlu allosteric sites. Collectively, when mapped onto a homology model of the different mGlu subtypes based on the β(2)-adrenergic receptor, the previous mutagenesis studies suggest commonalities in the location of allosteric sites across different members of the mGlu family. In addition, there is evidence for multiple allosteric binding pockets within the transmembrane region that can interact to modulate one another. In the absence of a class C GPCR crystal structure, this approach has shown promise with respect to the interpretation of mutagenesis data and understanding structure-activity relationships of allosteric modulator pharmacophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gregory
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Program in Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-0697, USA.
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44
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Pin JP, Prézeau L. Allosteric modulators of GABA(B) receptors: mechanism of action and therapeutic perspective. Curr Neuropharmacol 2010; 5:195-201. [PMID: 19305802 PMCID: PMC2656813 DOI: 10.2174/157015907781695919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/05/2007] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays important roles in the central nervous system, acting as a neurotransmitter on both ionotropic ligand-gated Cl--channels, and metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). These two types of receptors called GABAA (and C) and GABAB are the targets of major therapeutic drugs such as the anxiolytic benzodiazepines, and antispastic drug baclofen (lioresal®), respectively. Although the multiplicity of GABAA receptors offer a number of possibilities to discover new and more selective drugs, the molecular characterization of the GABAB receptor revealed a unique, though complex, heterodimeric GPCR. High throughput screening strategies carried out in pharmaceutical industries, helped identifying new compounds positively modulating the activity of the GABAB receptor. These molecules, almost devoid of apparent activity when applied alone, greatly enhance both the potency and efficacy of GABAB agonists. As such, in contrast to baclofen that constantly activates the receptor everywhere in the brain, these positive allosteric modulators induce a large increase in GABAB-mediated responses only WHERE and WHEN physiologically needed. Such compounds are then well adapted to help GABA to activate its GABAB receptors, like benzodiazepines favor GABAA receptor activation. In this review, the way of action of these molecules will be presented in light of our actual knowledge of the activation mechanism of the GABAB receptor. We will then show that, as expected, these molecules have more pronounced in vivo responses and less side effects than pure agonists, offering new potential therapeutic applications for this new class of GABAB ligands.
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45
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Beqollari D, Kammermeier PJ. Venus fly trap domain of mGluR1 functions as a dominant negative against group I mGluR signaling. J Neurophysiol 2010; 104:439-48. [PMID: 20463192 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00799.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) form covalently linked homodimers and contain large, N-terminal extracellular ligand binding, "venus fly trap" (VFT) domains. These domains, when expressed separately, are secreted as disulfide linked dimers and can dimerize with full-length receptors. mGluR splice variants have been described that contain only this domain, but the consequences of their interaction on receptor signaling have not been explored. Here it is shown that an mGluR1 mutant containing only the VFT is retained on the cell surface when a full-length receptor is co-expressed. Further, when expressed in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and modulation of native calcium currents is used as an assay for receptor activity, the VFT acts as a dominant negative with respect to mGluR1 signaling. Although full-length mGluR1 and mGluR5 are not known to heterodimerize, the mGluR5 VFT partially occludes mGluR1 signaling and the mGluR1 VFT potently occludes mGluR5 signaling in SCG neurons. In addition, an mGluR1 point mutant, mGluR1 C140G, which cannot covalently dimerize, functions like the wild-type receptor when expressed alone. The C140G mutant is inhibited by the mGluR1 VFT construct but does not retain the mGluR1 VFT on the cell surface, suggesting that the loss of C140 renders the interaction reversible. Finally, a peptide designed to disrupt mGluR1 dimerization reduced signaling through the C140G mutant receptor, but only when applied intracellularly for several hours, indicating that loss of signaling requires disruption of dimerization prior to plasma membrane insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Beqollari
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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46
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Niswender CM, Conn PJ. Metabotropic glutamate receptors: physiology, pharmacology, and disease. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2010; 50:295-322. [PMID: 20055706 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.011008.145533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1305] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are family C G-protein-coupled receptors that participate in the modulation of synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability throughout the central nervous system. The mGluRs bind glutamate within a large extracellular domain and transmit signals through the receptor protein to intracellular signaling partners. A great deal of progress has been made in determining the mechanisms by which mGluRs are activated, proteins with which they interact, and orthosteric and allosteric ligands that can modulate receptor activity. The widespread expression of mGluRs makes these receptors particularly attractive drug targets, and recent studies continue to validate the therapeutic utility of mGluR ligands in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, USA.
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Khan MA, Conigrave AD. Mechanisms of multimodal sensing by extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptors: a domain-based survey of requirements for binding and signalling. Br J Pharmacol 2010; 159:1039-50. [PMID: 20136834 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00603.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article we consider the molecular basis of sensing and signalling by the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor. We consider the nature of its ligands and sensing modalities, the identities of its major protein domains and their roles in sensing, signalling and trafficking as well as the significance of receptor homo- and hetero-dimerization. Finally, we consider the current, incomplete, state of knowledge regarding the requirements for ligand-specific signalling.
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Schröder H, Wu DF, Seifert A, Rankovic M, Schulz S, Höllt V, Koch T. Allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 affects phosphorylation, internalization, and desensitization of the micro-opioid receptor. Neuropharmacology 2009; 56:768-78. [PMID: 19162047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2008] [Revised: 12/12/2008] [Accepted: 12/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that opioid analgesia and tolerance can be modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors. Therefore, we studied the functional coupling and desensitization of the micro-opioid receptor (MOR) in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells which co-express metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). As demonstrated by the D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gl-ol5-enkephalin (DAMGO)-induced inhibition of intracellular cAMP level and by binding studies, the co-expression of mGluR5 had no substantial effect on the agonist binding sites and functional coupling of the MOR. However, in MOR/ mGluR5 co-expressing cells, the non-competitive mGluR5 antagonist MPEP (2-methyl-6-(phenyl-ethynyl)-pyridine) decreases the DAMGO-induced MOR phosphorylation, internalization, and desensitization, whereas non-selective competitive mGluR antagonists or agonists had no effects. These findings indicate that an allosteric modulation of mGluR5 can affect the agonist-induced MOR signalling and regulation. As a mechanistic basis for the observed effects we suggested an interaction/heterodimerization of MOR and mGluR5, which is supported by the DAMGO-induced co-internalization of MOR and mGluR5 and by the increase of MPEP binding sites (Bmax) and a change of the binding affinity (K(D)) of mGluR5 receptors after the co-expression of MOR. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed evidence for an interaction between MOR and mGluR5 which is facilitated by MPEP treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Schröder
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Beqollari D, Betzenhauser MJ, Kammermeier PJ. Altered G-protein coupling in an mGluR6 point mutant associated with congenital stationary night blindness. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 76:992-7. [PMID: 19666700 DOI: 10.1124/mol.109.058628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly specialized metabotropic glutamate receptor type 6 (mGluR6) is postsynaptically localized and expressed only in the dendrites of ON bipolar cells. Upon activation of mGluR6 by glutamate released from photoreceptors, a nonselective cation channel is inhibited, causing these cells to hyperpolarize. Mutations in this gene have been implicated in the development of congenital stationary night blindness type 1 (CSNB1). We investigated five known mGluR6 point mutants that lead to CSNB1 to determine the molecular mechanism of each phenotype. In agreement with other studies, four mutants demonstrated trafficking impairment. However, mGluR6 E775K (E781K in humans) suggested no trafficking or signaling deficiencies measured by our initial assays. Most importantly, our results indicate a switch in G-protein coupling, in which E775K loses G(o) coupling but retains coupling to G(i), which may explain the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Beqollari
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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Assadi-Porter FM, Tonelli M, Maillet EL, Markley JL, Max M. Interactions between the human sweet-sensing T1R2-T1R3 receptor and sweeteners detected by saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2009; 1798:82-6. [PMID: 19664591 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2009.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2009] [Revised: 06/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The sweet receptor is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family C that detects a wide variety of chemically and structurally diverse sweet-tasting molecules. We recently used saturation transfer difference spectroscopy (STD) to monitor the direct binding of a set of sweet agonists and antagonists to the human taste receptor in membranes prepared from human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells transfected with and expressing the sweet receptor [F.M. Assadi-Porter, M. Tonelli, E. Maillet, K. Hallenga, O. Benard, M. Max, J.L. Markley, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130 (2008) 7212-7213]. Here we review this work and related studies, discuss the procedures involved, and expand on their potential for identifying specific binding interactions of ligands to the membrane spanning and extracellular regions of the full heterodimeric sweet taste receptor. Whereas activity assays are unable to distinguish mutations that alter ligand-binding sites from those that alter signal transduction downstream of the binding site, STD NMR now allows us to make this distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba M Assadi-Porter
- Biochemistry Department and National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison WI 53706, USA.
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