Inhibition of chemoattractant N-formyl peptide receptor trafficking by active arrestins

Immobilization of arrestin-3 on different biosensor platforms for evaluating GPCR binding

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large and ubiquitous family of membrane receptors of great pharmacological interest. Cell-based assays are the primary tool for assessing GPCR interactions and activation but their design and intrinsic complexity limit their application. Biosensor-based assays that directly and specifically report GPCR-protein binding (e.g. arrestin or G protein) could provide a good alternative. We present an approach based on the stable immobilization of different arrestin-3 proteins (wild type, and two mutants, mutant X (arrestin-3 I386A) and mutant Y (arrestin-3 R393E)) via histidine tags on NTA(Ni2+)-coated sensors in a defined orientation. Using biolayer interferometry (BLI), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), we were able to follow the interaction between the different arrestin-3 proteins and a representative GPCR, jumping spider rhodopsin-1 (JSR1), in a label-free manner in real-time. The interactions were quantified as binding affinity, association and dissociation rate constants. The combination of surface-based biosensing methods indicated that JSR1 showed the strongest binding to arrestin mutant Y. Taken together, this work introduces direct label-free, biosensor-based screening approaches that can be easily adapted for testing interactions of proteins and other compounds with different GPCRs.

Regulation of N-Formyl Peptide Receptor Signaling and Trafficking by Arrestin-Src Kinase Interaction

Arrestins were originally described as proteins recruited to ligand-activated, phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to attenuate G protein-mediated signaling. It was later revealed that arrestins also mediate GPCR internalization and recruit a number of signaling proteins including, but not limited to, Src family kinases, ERK1/2, and JNK3. GPCR-arrestin binding and trafficking control the spatial and temporal activity of these multi-protein complexes. In previous reports, we concluded that N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-mediated apoptosis, which occurs upon receptor stimulation in the absence of arrestins, is associated with FPR accumulation in perinuclear recycling endosomes. Under these conditions, inhibition of Src kinase and ERK1/2 prevented FPR-mediated apoptosis. To better understand the role of Src kinase in this process, in the current study we employed a previously described arrestin-2 (arr2) mutant deficient in Src kinase binding (arr2-P91G/P121E). Unlike wild type arrestin, arr2-P91G/P121E did not inhibit FPR-mediated apoptosis, suggesting that Src binding to arrestin-2 prevents apoptotic signaling. However, in cells expressing this mutant, FPR-mediated apoptosis was still blocked by inhibition of Src kinase activity, suggesting that activation of Src independent of arrestin-2 binding is involved in FPR-mediated apoptosis. Finally, while Src kinase inhibition prevented FPR-mediated-apoptosis in the presence of arr2-P91G/P121E, it did not prevent FPR-arr2-P91G/P121E accumulation in the perinuclear recycling endosome. On the contrary, inhibition of Src kinase activity mediated the accumulation of activated FPR-wild type arrestin-2 in recycling endosomes without initiating FPR-mediated apoptosis. Based on these observations, we conclude that Src kinase has two independent roles following FPR activation that regulate both FPR-arrestin-2 signaling and trafficking.

Human neutrophil formyl peptide receptor phosphorylation and the mucosal inflammatory response

Bacterial/mitochondrial fMLF analogs bind FPR1, driving accumulation/activation of PMN at sites of infection/injury, while promoting wound healing in epithelia. We quantified levels of UFPR1 and TFPR1 in isolated PMN by use of phosphosensitive NFPRb and phosphorylation-independent NFPRa antibodies. UFPR1 and total TFPR were assessed inflamed mucosa, observed in human IBD. In isolated PMN after fMLF stimulation, UFPR1 declined 70% ((fMLF)EC50 = 11 ± 1 nM; t1/2 = 15 s) and was stable for up to 4 h, whereas TFPR1 changed only slightly. Antagonists (tBoc-FLFLF, CsH) and metabolic inhibitor NaF prevented the fMLF-dependent UFPR1 decrease. Annexin A1 fragment Ac2-26 also induced decreases in UFPR1 ((Ac2-26)EC50 ∼ 3 µM). Proinflammatory agents (TNF-α, LPS), phosphatase inhibitor (okadaic acid), and G-protein activator (MST) modestly increased (fMLF)EC50, 2- to 4-fold, whereas PTX, Ca(2+) chelators (EGTA/BAPTA), H2O2, GM-CSF, ENA-78, IL-1RA, and LXA4 had no effect. Aggregation-inducing PAF, however, strongly inhibited fMLF-stimulated UFPR1 decreases. fMLF-driven PMN also demonstrated decreased UFPR1 after traversing monolayers of cultured intestinal epithelial cells, as did PMN in intestinal mucosal samples, demonstrating active inflammation from UC patients. Total TFPR remained high in PMN within inflamed crypts, migrating through crypt epithelium, and in the lamina propria-adjoining crypts, but UFPR1 was only observed at some peripheral sites on crypt aggregates. Loss of UFPR1 in PMN results from C-terminal S/T phosphorylation. Our results suggest G protein-insensitive, fMLF-dependent FPR1 phosphorylation in isolated suspension PMN, which may manifest in fMLF-driven transmigration and potentially, in actively inflamed tissues, except at minor discrete surface locations of PMN-containing crypt aggregates.

Identification of a novel recycling sequence in the C-tail of FPR2/ALX receptor: association with cell protection from apoptosis

Formyl-peptide receptor type 2 (FPR2; also called ALX because it is the receptor for lipoxin A₄) sustains a variety of biological responses relevant to the development and control of inflammation, yet the cellular regulation of this G-protein-coupled receptor remains unexplored. Here we report that, in response to peptide agonist activation, FPR2/ALX undergoes β-arrestin-mediated endocytosis followed by rapid recycling to the plasma membrane. We identify a transplantable recycling sequence that is both necessary and sufficient for efficient receptor recycling. Furthermore, removal of this C-terminal recycling sequence alters the endocytic fate of FPR2/ALX and evokes pro-apoptotic effects in response to agonist activation. This study demonstrates the importance of endocytic recycling in the anti-apoptotic properties of FPR2/ALX and identifies the molecular determinant required for modulation of this process fundamental for the control of inflammation.

β-Arrestin-1 mediates the TCR-triggered re-routing of distal receptors to the immunological synapse by a PKC-mediated mechanism

T-cell receptors (TCR) recognize their antigen ligand at the interface between T cells and antigen-presenting cells, known as the immunological synapse (IS). The IS provides a means of sustaining the TCR signal which requires the continual supply of new TCRs. These are endocytosed and redirected from distal membrane locations to the IS. In our search for novel cytoplasmic effectors, we have identified β-arrestin-1 as a ligand of non-phosphorylated resting TCRs. Using dominant-negative and knockdown approaches we demonstrate that β-arrestin-1 is required for the internalization and downregulation of non-engaged bystander TCRs. Furthermore, TCR triggering provokes the β-arrestin-1-mediated downregulation of the G-protein coupled chemokine receptor CXCR4, but not of other control receptors. We demonstrate that β-arrestin-1 recruitment to the TCR, and bystander TCR and CXCR4 downregulation, are mechanistically mediated by the TCR-triggered PKC-mediated phosphorylation of β-arrestin-1 at Ser163. This mechanism allows the first triggered TCRs to deliver a stop migration signal, and to promote the internalization of distal TCRs and CXCR4 and their translocation to the IS. This receptor crosstalk mechanism is critical to sustain the TCR signal.

Identification of C-terminal phosphorylation sites of N-formyl peptide receptor-1 (FPR1) in human blood neutrophils

Accumulation, activation, and control of neutrophils at inflammation sites is partly driven by N-formyl peptide chemoattractant receptors (FPRs). Occupancy of these G-protein-coupled receptors by formyl peptides has been shown to induce regulatory phosphorylation of cytoplasmic serine/threonine amino acid residues in heterologously expressed recombinant receptors, but the biochemistry of these modifications in primary human neutrophils remains relatively unstudied. FPR1 and FPR2 were partially immunopurified using antibodies that recognize both receptors (NFPRa) or unphosphorylated FPR1 (NFPRb) in dodecylmaltoside extracts of unstimulated and N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF) + cytochalasin B-stimulated neutrophils or their membrane fractions. After deglycosylation and separation by SDS-PAGE, excised Coomassie Blue-staining bands (∼34,000 Mr) were tryptically digested, and FPR1, phospho-FPR1, and FPR2 content was confirmed by peptide mass spectrometry. C-terminal FPR1 peptides (Leu(312)-Arg(322) and Arg(323)-Lys(350)) and extracellular FPR1 peptide (Ile(191)-Arg(201)) as well as three similarly placed FPR2 peptides were identified in unstimulated and fMLF + cytochalasin B-stimulated samples. LC/MS/MS identified seven isoforms of Ala(323)-Lys(350) only in the fMLF + cytochalasin B-stimulated sample. These were individually phosphorylated at Thr(325), Ser(328), Thr(329), Thr(331), Ser(332), Thr(334), and Thr(339). No phospho-FPR2 peptides were detected. Cytochalasin B treatment of neutrophils decreased the sensitivity of fMLF-dependent NFPRb recognition 2-fold, from EC50 = 33 ± 8 to 74 ± 21 nM. Our results suggest that 1) partial immunopurification, deglycosylation, and SDS-PAGE separation of FPRs is sufficient to identify C-terminal FPR1 Ser/Thr phosphorylations by LC/MS/MS; 2) kinases/phosphatases activated in fMLF/cytochalasin B-stimulated neutrophils produce multiple C-terminal tail FPR1 Ser/Thr phosphorylations but have little effect on corresponding FPR2 sites; and 3) the extent of FPR1 phosphorylation can be monitored with C-terminal tail FPR1-phosphospecific antibodies.

What formyl peptide receptors, if any, are triggered by compound 43 and lipoxin A4?

In this study, we determined receptor preferences for compound 43, a nitrosylated pyrazolone derivative, and the eicosanoid lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)), potent anti-inflammatory mediators in many experimental in vivo models. Their effects have been suggested to be mediated through binding to formyl peptide receptor (FPR)2 [earlier known as formyl peptide receptor-like 1 or the lipoxin A(4) receptor (ALXR)], one of the two members of the FPR family expressed in neutrophils. Compound 43 activates all neutrophil functions investigated, whereas LXA(4) induces a unique inhibiting pathway suggested to involve β-arrestin binding as an early signalling step, but not a transient rise in intracellular Ca(2+). We show that compound 43 can activate not only FPR2 but also FPR1, the other neutrophil receptor in the FPR family, and FPR1 is actually the preferred receptor in human neutrophils and possibly also in the murine equivalent. LXA(4) analogues from two commercial sources were used, and neither of these induced any translocation of β-arrestin as measured in an enzyme fragment complementation assay. The conclusions drawn from these experiments are that neither compound 43 nor LXA(4) works as FPR2 agonists in neutrophils, findings of importance for a proper interpretation of results obtained with these compounds as regulators of inflammation.

Internalization of Formyl Peptide Receptor in Leukocytes Subject to Fluid Stresses

Human leukocytes retract pseudopods under normal physiologic levels of fluid shear stress even in the absence of any other mediator. To gain more detailed understanding of the mechanisms that regulate this cell behavior, we exposed leukocytes to a steady state laminar shear field in a flow chamber and computed the fluid stresses distribution on the surface of individual cells with and without pseudopod. The surface fluid stress distribution on such cell is quite inhomogeneous. We hypothesized that the local fluid stresses on the cell surface serve to regulate pseudopod retraction by way of membrane receptors, especially the formyl peptide receptor (FPR). Comparison of the receptor distribution and the stress distribution over the surface of the cells indicates that the membrane fluid stress alone is not directly correlated with the extent of regional pseudopod retraction, giving further support to the hypothesis that membrane receptors are involved in the mechanotransduction of leukocytes. We observed that after exposure to fluid shear the FPR was internalized to a small intracellular compartment. This internalization appears to be independent of the original location of the receptor on the surface of the cell and the FPR appears to be more derived from multiple locations on the cell, with both higher and lower fluid stresses. The evidence suggests that FPR involvement in the pseudopod-retraction process is not limited to cell surface regions with the highest fluid shear stress, but rather a more global occurrence over the majority of the cell membrane.

Inhibition of dynamin prevents CCL2-mediated endocytosis of CCR2 and activation of ERK1/2

The magnitude and duration of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signals are regulated through desensitization mechanisms. In leukocytes, ligand binding to chemokine receptors leads to Ca2+ mobilization and ERK activation through pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, as well as to phosphorylation of the GPCR. After interaction with the endocytic machinery (clathrin, adaptin), the adaptor beta-arrestin recognizes the phosphorylated GPCR tail and quenches signaling to receptors. The molecular mechanisms that lead to receptor endocytosis are not universal amongst the GPCR, however, and the precise spatial and temporal events in the internalization of the CCR2 chemokine receptor remain unknown. Here we show that after ligand binding, CCR2 internalizes rapidly and reaches early endosomes, and later, lysosomes. Knockdown of clathrin by RNA interference impairs CCR2 internalization, as does treatment with the dynamin inhibitor, dynasore. Our results show that CCR2 internalization uses a combination of clathrin-dependent and -independent pathways, as observed for other chemokine receptors. Moreover, the use of dynasore allowed us to confirm the existence of a dynamin-sensitive element that regulates ERK1/2 activation. Our results indicate additional complexity in the link between receptor internalization and cell signaling.

Adaptor protein-2 interaction with arrestin regulates GPCR recycling and apoptosis

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral to cellular function in nearly all physiologic and many pathologic processes. GPCR signaling represents an intricate balance between receptor activation, inactivation (desensitization, internalization and degradation) and resensitization (recycling and de novo synthesis). Complex formation between phosphorylated GPCRs, arrestins and an ever-increasing number of effector molecules is known to regulate cellular function. Previous studies have demonstrated that, although N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) internalization occurs in the absence of arrestins, FPR recycling is arrestin-dependent. Furthermore, FPR stimulation in the absence of arrestins leads to receptor accumulation in perinuclear endosomes and apoptosis. In this study, we show that the interaction of GPCR-bound arrestin with adaptor protein-2 (AP-2) is a critical anti-apoptotic event. In addition, AP-2 associates with the receptor-arrestin complex in perinuclear endosomes and is required for proper post-endocytic GPCR trafficking. Finally, we observed that depletion of endogenous AP-2 results in the initiation of apoptosis upon stimulation of multiple GPCRs, including P2Y purinergic receptors and CXCR2, but not CXCR4. We propose a model in which the abnormal accumulation of internalized GPCR-arrestin complexes in recycling endosomes, resulting from defective arrestin-AP-2 interactions, leads to the specific initiation of aberrant signaling pathways and apoptosis.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXIII. Nomenclature for the formyl peptide receptor (FPR) family

Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are a small group of seven-transmembrane domain, G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed mainly by mammalian phagocytic leukocytes and are known to be important in host defense and inflammation. The three human FPRs (FPR1, FPR2/ALX, and FPR3) share significant sequence homology and are encoded by clustered genes. Collectively, these receptors bind an extraordinarily numerous and structurally diverse group of agonistic ligands, including N-formyl and nonformyl peptides of different composition, that chemoattract and activate phagocytes. N-formyl peptides, which are encoded in nature only by bacterial and mitochondrial genes and result from obligatory initiation of bacterial and mitochondrial protein synthesis with N-formylmethionine, is the only ligand class common to all three human receptors. Surprisingly, the endogenous anti-inflammatory peptide annexin 1 and its N-terminal fragments also bind human FPR1 and FPR2/ALX, and the anti-inflammatory eicosanoid lipoxin A4 is an agonist at FPR2/ALX. In comparison, fewer agonists have been identified for FPR3, the third member in this receptor family. Structural and functional studies of the FPRs have produced important information for understanding the general pharmacological principles governing all leukocyte chemoattractant receptors. This article aims to provide an overview of the discovery and pharmacological characterization of FPRs, to introduce an International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR)-recommended nomenclature, and to discuss unmet challenges, including the mechanisms used by these receptors to bind diverse ligands and mediate different biological functions.

Regulation of GPCRs by endocytic membrane trafficking and its potential implications

The endocytic pathway tightly controls the activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Ligand-induced endocytosis can drive receptors into divergent lysosomal and recycling pathways, producing essentially opposite effects on the strength and duration of cellular signaling via heterotrimeric G proteins, and may also promote distinct signaling events from intracellular membranes. This chapter reviews recent developments toward understanding the molecular machinery and functional implications of GPCR sorting in the endocytic pathway, focusing on mammalian GPCRs whose ligand-induced endocytosis is mediated primarily by clathrin-coated pits. Lysosomal sorting of a number of GPCRs occurs via a highly conserved mechanism requiring covalent tagging of receptors with ubiquitin. There is increasing evidence that additional, noncovalent mechanisms control the sorting of endocytosed GPCRs to lysosomes in mammalian cells. Recycling of several GPCRs to the plasma membrane is also specifically sorted, via a mechanism requiring both receptor-specific and shared sorting proteins. The current data reveal an unprecedented degree of specificity and plasticity in the cellular regulation of mammalian GPCRs by endocytic membrane trafficking. These developments have fundamental implications for GPCR pharmacology, and suggest new mechanisms that could be exploited in GPCR-directed pharmacotherapy.

Regulation of receptor trafficking by GRKs and arrestins

To ensure that extracellular stimuli are translated into intracellular signals of appropriate magnitude and specificity, most signaling cascades are tightly regulated. One of the major mechanisms involved in the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves their endocytic trafficking. GPCR endocytic trafficking entails the targeting of receptors to discrete endocytic sites at the plasma membrane, followed by receptor internalization and intracellular sorting. This regulates the level of cell surface receptors, the sorting of receptors to degradative or recycling pathways, and in some cases the specific signaling pathways. In this chapter we discuss the mechanisms that regulate receptor endocytic trafficking, emphasizing the role of GPCR kinases (GRKs) and arrestins in this process.

The N-formyl peptide receptors and the anaphylatoxin C5a receptors: an overview

Leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation and infection is dependent on the presence of a gradient of locally produced chemotactic factors. This review is focused on current knowledge about the activation and regulation of chemoattractant receptors. Emphasis is placed on the members of the N-formyl peptide receptor family, namely FPR (N-formyl peptide receptor), FPRL1 (FPR like-1) and FPRL2 (FPR like-2), and the complement fragment C5a receptors (C5aR and C5L2). Upon chemoattractant binding, the receptors transduce an activation signal through a G protein-dependent pathway, leading to biochemical responses that contribute to physiological defense against bacterial infection and tissue damage. C5aR, and the members of the FPR family that were previously thought to be restricted to phagocytes proved to have a much broader spectrum of cell expression. In addition to N-formylated peptides, numerous unrelated ligands were recently found to interact with FPR and FPRL1. Novel agonists include both pathogen- and host-derived components, and synthetic peptides. Antagonistic molecules have been identified that exhibit limited receptor specificity. How distinct ligands can both induce different biological responses and produce different modes of receptor activation and unique sets of cellular responses are discussed. Cell responses to chemoattractants are tightly regulated at the level of the receptors. This review describes in detail the regulation of receptor signalling and the multi-step process of receptor inactivation. New concepts, such as receptor oligomerization and receptor clustering, are considered. Although FPR, FPRL1 and C5aR trigger similar biological functions and undergo a rapid chemoattractant-mediated phosphorylation, they appear to be differentially regulated and experience different intracellular fates.

Regulation of N-formyl peptide receptor signaling and trafficking by individual carboxyl-terminal serine and threonine residues

Adaptation, defined as the diminution of receptor signaling in the presence of continued or repeated stimulation, is critical to cellular function. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo multiple adaptive processes, including desensitization and internalization, through phosphorylation of cytoplasmic serine and threonine residues. However, the relative importance of individual and combined serine and threonine residues to these processes is not well understood. We examined this mechanism in the context of the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR), a well-characterized member of the chemoattractant/chemokine family of GPCRs critical to neutrophil function. To evaluate the contributions of individual and combinatorial serine and threonine residues to internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, 30 mutant forms of the FPR, expressed in the human promyelocytic U937 cell line, were characterized. We found that residues Ser(328), Ser(332), and Ser(338) are individually critical, and indeed sufficient, for internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, but that the presence of neighboring threonine residues can inhibit these processes. Additionally, we observed no absolute correlation between arrestin binding and either internalization or desensitization, suggesting the existence of arrestin-independent mechanisms for these processes. Our results suggest C-terminal serine and threonine residues of the FPR represent a combinatorial code, capable of both positively and negatively regulating signaling and trafficking. This study is among the first detailed analyses of a complex regulatory site in a GPCR, and provides insight into GPCR regulatory mechanisms.

The structural basis of arrestin-mediated regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors

The 4 mammalian arrestins serve as almost universal regulators of the largest known family of signaling proteins, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Arrestins terminate receptor interactions with G proteins, redirect the signaling to a variety of alternative pathways, and orchestrate receptor internalization and subsequent intracellular trafficking. The elucidation of the structural basis and fine molecular mechanisms of the arrestin-receptor interaction paved the way to the targeted manipulation of this interaction from both sides to produce very stable or extremely transient complexes that helped to understand the regulation of many biologically important processes initiated by active GPCRs. The elucidation of the structural basis of arrestin interactions with numerous non-receptor-binding partners is long overdue. It will allow the construction of fully functional arrestins in which the ability to interact with individual partners is specifically disrupted or enhanced by targeted mutagenesis. These "custom-designed" arrestin mutants will be valuable tools in defining the role of various interactions in the intricate interplay of multiple signaling pathways in the living cell. The identification of arrestin-binding sites for various signaling molecules will also set the stage for designing molecular tools for therapeutic intervention that may prove useful in numerous disorders associated with congenital or acquired disregulation of GPCR signaling.

Chemokine receptor internalization and intracellular trafficking

The internalization and intracellular trafficking of chemokine receptors have important implications for the cellular responses elicited by chemokine receptors. The major pathway by which chemokine receptors internalize is the clathrin-mediated pathway, but some receptors may utilize lipid rafts/caveolae-dependent internalization routes. This review discusses the current knowledge and controversies regarding these two different routes of endocytosis. The functional consequences of internalization and the regulation of chemokine receptor recycling will also be addressed. Modifications of chemokine receptors, such as palmitoylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and sulfation, may also impact trafficking, chemotaxis and signaling. Finally, this review will cover the internalization and trafficking of viral and decoy chemokine receptors.