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Cavatão FG, Pinto ÉSM, Krause MJ, Alho CS, Dorn M. Molecular Basis of MC1R Activation: Mutation-Induced Alterations in Structural Dynamics. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 38923677 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The MC1R protein is a receptor found in melanocytes that plays a role in melanin synthesis. Mutations in this protein can impact hair color, skin tone, tanning ability, and increase the risk of skin cancer. The MC1R protein is activated by the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Previous studies have shown that mutations affect the interaction between MC1R and α-MSH; however, the mechanism behind this process is poorly understood. Our study aims to shed light on this mechanism using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to analyze the Asp84Glu and Asp294His variants. We simulated both the wild-type (WT) protein and the mutants with and without ligand. Our results reveal that mutations induce unique conformations during state transitions, hindering the switch between active and inactive states and decreasing cellular levels of cAMP. Interestingly, Asp294His showed increased ligand affinity but decreased protein activity, highlighting that tighter binding does not always lead to increased activation. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of MC1R mutations on protein activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Guimarães Cavatão
- Center for Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Mathias J Krause
- Institute for Applied and Numerical Mathematics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Clarice Sampaio Alho
- Forensic Science, National Institute of Science and Technology, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- PPG Patologia, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcio Dorn
- Center for Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Forensic Science, National Institute of Science and Technology, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Institute of Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Galimova E, Rätsep R, Traks T, Chernov A, Gaysina D, Kingo K, Kõks S. Polymorphisms in corticotrophin-releasing hormone-proopiomalanocortin (CRH-POMC) system genes: Neuroimmune contributions to psoriasis disease. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:2028-2040. [PMID: 37319102 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin is a target organ and source of the corticotropin-releasing hormone-proopiomelanocortin (CRH-POMC) system, operating as a coordinator and executor of responses to stress. Environmental stress exacerbates and triggers inflammatory skin diseases through modifying the cellular components of the immune system supporting the importance of CRH-POMC system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of CRH-POMC polymorphisms with psoriasis and evaluate transcript expression of lesional psoriatic and normal skin in RNA-seq data. METHODS Samples of 104 patients with psoriasis and 174 healthy controls were genotyped for 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CRH-POMC using Applied Biosystems SNPlex™ method. The transcript quantification was performed using Salmon software v1.3.0. RESULTS This study demonstrated the associations between melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) polymorphisms rs2228479, rs3212369, dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) polymorphisms rs7987802, rs2031526, rs9524501 and psoriasis in the Tatar population. Very strong association was evident for the SNP rs7987802 in the DCT gene (pc = 5.95е-006) in psoriasis patients. Additionally, the haplotype analysis provided AT DCT (rs7992630 and rs7987802) and AGA MC1R (rs3212358, 2228479 and 885479) haplotypes significantly associated (pc ˂ 0.05) with psoriasis in the Tatar population, supporting the involvement of DCT and MC1R to the psoriasis susceptibility. Moreover, MC1R-203 and DCT-201 expression levels were decreased in psoriasis lesional skin compared with healthy control skin. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to identify genetic variants of the MC1R and DCT genes significantly associated with psoriasis in Tatar population. Our results support potential roles of CRH-POMC system genes and DCT in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Galimova
- Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ranno Rätsep
- Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tanel Traks
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alexandr Chernov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Darya Gaysina
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Külli Kingo
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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The multifaceted roles of peptides in “always-on” near-infrared fluorescent probes for tumor imaging. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Targeting GPCRs and Their Signaling as a Therapeutic Option in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030706. [PMID: 35158973 PMCID: PMC8833576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sixteen G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been involved in melanogenesis or melanomagenesis. Here, we review these GPCRs, their associated signaling, and therapies. Abstract G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve prominent roles in melanocyte lineage physiology, with an impact at all stages of development, as well as on mature melanocyte functions. GPCR ligands are present in the skin and regulate melanocyte homeostasis, including pigmentation. The role of GPCRs in the regulation of pigmentation and, consequently, protection against external aggression, such as ultraviolet radiation, has long been established. However, evidence of new functions of GPCRs directly in melanomagenesis has been highlighted in recent years. GPCRs are coupled, through their intracellular domains, to heterotrimeric G-proteins, which induce cellular signaling through various pathways. Such signaling modulates numerous essential cellular processes that occur during melanomagenesis, including proliferation and migration. GPCR-associated signaling in melanoma can be activated by the binding of paracrine factors to their receptors or directly by activating mutations. In this review, we present melanoma-associated alterations of GPCRs and their downstream signaling and discuss the various preclinical models used to evaluate new therapeutic approaches against GPCR activity in melanoma. Recent striking advances in our understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of GPCRs will undoubtedly broaden melanoma treatment options in the future.
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Manganelli M, Guida S, Ferretta A, Pellacani G, Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Guida G. Behind the Scene: Exploiting MC1R in Skin Cancer Risk and Prevention. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1093. [PMID: 34356109 PMCID: PMC8305013 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequent cancers of the skin in white populations. An increased risk in the development of skin cancers has been associated with the combination of several environmental factors (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and genetic background, including melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) status. In the last few years, advances in the diagnosis of skin cancers provided a great impact on clinical practice. Despite these advances, NMSCs are still the most common malignancy in humans and melanoma still shows a rising incidence and a poor prognosis when diagnosed at an advanced stage. Efforts are required to underlie the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of melanoma and NMSCs, leading to an optimization of the management of affected patients. The clinical implications of the impact of germline MC1R variants in melanoma and NMSCs' risk, together with the additional risk conferred by somatic mutations in other peculiar genes, as well as the role of MC1R screening in skin cancers' prevention will be addressed in the current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Manganelli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- DMMT-Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Department of Surgical-Medical-Dental and Morphological Science with Interest Transplant-Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Giovanni Pellacani
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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Herraiz C, Martínez-Vicente I, Maresca V. The α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone/melanocortin-1 receptor interaction: A driver of pleiotropic effects beyond pigmentation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:748-761. [PMID: 33884776 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R), when stimulated by alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), is a driver of eumelanogenesis. Brown/black eumelanin is an effective filter against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and is a scavenger of free radicals. Several polymorphic variants of MC1R are frequent in red-head people. These polymorphisms reduce the ability of MC1R to promote eumelanogenesis after its activation and spontaneous pheomelanogenesis take place. Since pheomelanin can act as an endogenous photosensitizer, people carrying MC1R polymorphisms are more susceptible to skin cancer. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the biology of MC1R beyond its ability to drive eumelanogenesis. We analyze its capacity to cope with oxidative insult and consequent DNA damage. We describe its ability to transduce through different pathways. We start from the canonical pathway, the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway mainly involved in promoting eumelanogenesis, and protection from oxidative damage, and we then move on to describe more recent knowledge concerning ERK pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway/AKT, and α-MSH/Peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) connection. We describe MC1R polymorphic variants associated with melanoma risk which represent an open window of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Herraiz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Murcia, Spain
| | - Idoya Martínez-Vicente
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Murcia, Spain
| | - Vittoria Maresca
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Böhm M, Paus R. Towards a renaissance of dermatoendocrinology: Selected current frontiers. Exp Dermatol 2020; 29:786-789. [PMID: 33319935 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Böhm
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, UK.,Monasterium Laboratory, Münster, Germany
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