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Meister J, Wang L, Pydi SP, Wess J. Chemogenetic approaches to identify metabolically important GPCR signaling pathways: Therapeutic implications. J Neurochem 2021; 158:603-620. [PMID: 33540469 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by a Designer Drug) are designer G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are widely used in the neuroscience field to modulate neuronal activity. In this review, we will focus on DREADD studies carried out with genetically engineered mice aimed at elucidating signaling pathways important for maintaining proper glucose and energy homeostasis. The availability of muscarinic receptor-based DREADDs endowed with selectivity for one of the four major classes of heterotrimeric G proteins (Gs , Gi , Gq , and G12 ) has been instrumental in dissecting the physiological and pathophysiological roles of distinct G protein signaling pathways in metabolically important cell types. The novel insights gained from this work should inform the development of novel classes of drugs useful for the treatment of several metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslawna Meister
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sai P Pydi
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
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2
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Milligan G, Barki N, Tobin AB. Chemogenetic Approaches to Explore the Functions of Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:191-202. [PMID: 33495026 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids are generated in large amounts by the intestinal microbiota. They activate both the closely related G protein-coupled receptors free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) and free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFA3) that are considered therapeutic targets in diseases of immuno-metabolism. Limited and species-selective small-molecule pharmacology has restricted our understanding of the distinct roles of these receptors. Replacement of mouse FFA2 with a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug form of human FFA2 (hFFA2-DREADD) has allowed definition of specific roles of FFA2 in pharmacological and physiological studies conducted both ex vivo and in vivo, whilst overlay of murine disease models offers opportunities for therapeutic validation prior to human studies. Similar approaches can potentially be used to define roles of other poorly characterised receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Natasja Barki
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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3
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Wess J. Designer GPCRs as Novel Tools to Identify Metabolically Important Signaling Pathways. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:706957. [PMID: 34354673 PMCID: PMC8329487 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.706957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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4
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Khajehali E, Bradley S, van der Westhuizen ET, Molloy C, Valant C, Finlayson L, Lindsley CW, Sexton PM, Tobin AB, Christopoulos A. Restoring Agonist Function at a Chemogenetically Modified M 1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4270-4279. [PMID: 33196174 PMCID: PMC7616161 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) have been successfully employed to activate signaling pathways associated with specific muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes. The M1 DREADD mAChR displays minimal responsiveness to the endogenous agonist acetylcholine (ACh) but responds to clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), an otherwise pharmacologically inert ligand. We have previously shown that benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA), an M1 mAChR positive allosteric modulator (PAM), can rescue ACh responsiveness at these receptors. However, whether this effect is chemotype specific or applies to next-generation M1 PAMs with distinct scaffolds is unknown. Here, we reveal that new M1 PAMs restore ACh function at the M1 DREADD while modulating ACh binding at the M1 wild-type mAChR. Importantly, we demonstrate that the modulation of ACh function by M1 PAMs is translated in vivo using transgenic M1 DREADD mice. Our data provide important insights into mechanisms that define allosteric ligand modulation of agonist affinity vs efficacy and how these effects play out in the regulation of in vivo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Khajehali
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sophie Bradley
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Emma T van der Westhuizen
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Colin Molloy
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Celine Valant
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lisa Finlayson
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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5
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Wang L, Zhu L, Meister J, Bone DBJ, Pydi SP, Rossi M, Wess J. Use of DREADD Technology to Identify Novel Targets for Antidiabetic Drugs. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 61:421-440. [PMID: 32746768 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-030220-121042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a superfamily of plasma membrane receptors that couple to four major families of heterotrimeric G proteins, Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12. GPCRs represent excellent targets for drug therapy. Since the individual GPCRs are expressed by many different cell types, the in vivo metabolic roles of a specific GPCR expressed by a distinct cell type are not well understood. The development of designer GPCRs known as DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by a designer drug) that selectively couple to distinct classes of heterotrimeric G proteins has greatly facilitated studies in this area. This review focuses on the use of DREADD technology to explore the physiological and pathophysiological roles of distinct GPCR/G protein cascades in several metabolically important cell types. The novel insights gained from these studies should stimulate the development of GPCR-based treatments for major metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Lu Zhu
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Jaroslawna Meister
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Derek B J Bone
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Sai P Pydi
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Mario Rossi
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
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6
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Calcineurin controls gene transcription following stimulation of a Gαq-coupled designer receptor. Exp Cell Res 2019; 383:111553. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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8
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Aldrin-Kirk P, Björklund T. Practical Considerations for the Use of DREADD and Other Chemogenetic Receptors to Regulate Neuronal Activity in the Mammalian Brain. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1937:59-87. [PMID: 30706390 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9065-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chemogenetics is the process of genetically expressing a macromolecule receptor capable of modulating the activity of the cell in response to selective chemical ligand. This chapter will cover the chemogenetic technologies that are available to date, focusing on the commonly available engineered or otherwise modified ligand-gated ion channels and G-protein-coupled receptors in the context of neuromodulation. First, we will give a brief overview of each chemogenetic approach as well as in vitro/in vivo applications, then we will list their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we will provide tips for ligand application in each case.Each technology has specific limitations that make them more or less suitable for different applications in neuroscience although we will focus mainly on the most commonly used and versatile family named designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs or DREADDs. We here describe the most common cases where these can be implemented and provide tips on how and where these technologies can be applied in the field of neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Aldrin-Kirk
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tomas Björklund
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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9
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Vass M, Podlewska S, de Esch IJP, Bojarski AJ, Leurs R, Kooistra AJ, de Graaf C. Aminergic GPCR-Ligand Interactions: A Chemical and Structural Map of Receptor Mutation Data. J Med Chem 2018; 62:3784-3839. [PMID: 30351004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The aminergic family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays an important role in various diseases and represents a major drug discovery target class. Structure determination of all major aminergic subfamilies has enabled structure-based ligand design for these receptors. Site-directed mutagenesis data provides an invaluable complementary source of information for elucidating the structural determinants of binding of different ligand chemotypes. The current study provides a comparative analysis of 6692 mutation data points on 34 aminergic GPCR subtypes, covering the chemical space of 540 unique ligands from mutagenesis experiments and information from experimentally determined structures of 52 distinct aminergic receptor-ligand complexes. The integrated analysis enables detailed investigation of structural receptor-ligand interactions and assessment of the transferability of combined binding mode and mutation data across ligand chemotypes and receptor subtypes. An overview is provided of the possibilities and limitations of using mutation data to guide the design of novel aminergic receptor ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Vass
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , VU University Amsterdam , 1081HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Sabina Podlewska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacology , Polish Academy of Sciences , Smętna 12 , PL31-343 Kraków , Poland
| | - Iwan J P de Esch
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , VU University Amsterdam , 1081HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Andrzej J Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacology , Polish Academy of Sciences , Smętna 12 , PL31-343 Kraków , Poland
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , VU University Amsterdam , 1081HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Albert J Kooistra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , VU University Amsterdam , 1081HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands.,Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology , University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 2 , 2100 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Chris de Graaf
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , VU University Amsterdam , 1081HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands.,Sosei Heptares , Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington , Cambridge CB21 6DG , U.K
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10
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Civciristov S, Ellisdon AM, Suderman R, Pon CK, Evans BA, Kleifeld O, Charlton SJ, Hlavacek WS, Canals M, Halls ML. Preassembled GPCR signaling complexes mediate distinct cellular responses to ultralow ligand concentrations. Sci Signal 2018; 11:eaan1188. [PMID: 30301787 PMCID: PMC7416780 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan1188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of cell surface signaling proteins, participate in nearly all physiological processes, and are the targets of 30% of marketed drugs. Typically, nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of ligand are used to activate GPCRs in experimental systems. We detected GPCR responses to a wide range of ligand concentrations, from attomolar to millimolar, by measuring GPCR-stimulated production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) with high spatial and temporal resolution. Mathematical modeling showed that femtomolar concentrations of ligand activated, on average, 40% of the cells in a population provided that a cell was activated by one to two binding events. Furthermore, activation of the endogenous β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and muscarinic acetylcholine M3 receptor (M3R) by femtomolar concentrations of ligand in cell lines and human cardiac fibroblasts caused sustained increases in nuclear translocation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity, respectively. These responses were spatially and temporally distinct from those that occurred in response to higher concentrations of ligand and resulted in a distinct cellular proteomic profile. This highly sensitive signaling depended on the GPCRs forming preassembled, higher-order signaling complexes at the plasma membrane. Recognizing that GPCRs respond to ultralow concentrations of neurotransmitters and hormones challenges established paradigms of drug action and provides a previously unappreciated aspect of GPCR activation that is quite distinct from that typically observed with higher ligand concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srgjan Civciristov
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew M Ellisdon
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ryan Suderman
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Cindy K Pon
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Bronwyn A Evans
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Oded Kleifeld
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Steven J Charlton
- Cell Signalling Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Excellerate Bioscience Ltd, MediCity, Nottingham NG90 6BH, UK
| | - William S Hlavacek
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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11
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Bradley SJ, Tobin AB, Prihandoko R. The use of chemogenetic approaches to study the physiological roles of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system. Neuropharmacology 2018; 136:421-426. [PMID: 29191752 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chemical genetic has played an important role in linking specific G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling to cellular processes involved in central nervous system (CNS) functions. Key to this approach has been the modification of receptor properties such that receptors no longer respond to endogenous ligands but rather can be activated selectively by synthetic ligands. Such modified receptors have been called Receptors Activated Solely by Synthetic Ligands (RASSLs) or Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs). Unlike knock-out animal models which allow detection of phenotypic changes caused by loss of receptor functions, RASSL and DREADD receptors offer the possibility of rescuing "knock-out" phenotypic deficits by administration of the synthetic ligands. Here we describe the use of these modified receptors in defining the physiological role of GPCRs and validation of receptors as drug targets. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neuropharmacology on Muscarinic Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J Bradley
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rudi Prihandoko
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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12
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Marsango S, Ward RJ, Alvarez-Curto E, Milligan G. Muscarinic receptor oligomerization. Neuropharmacology 2018; 136:401-410. [PMID: 29146505 PMCID: PMC6078712 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been classically described as monomeric entities that function by binding in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio to both ligand and downstream signalling proteins. However, in recent years, a growing number of studies has supported the hypothesis that these receptors can interact to form dimers and higher order oligomers although the molecular basis for these interactions, the overall quaternary arrangements and the functional importance of GPCR oligomerization remain topics of intense speculation. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors belong to class A of the GPCR family. Each muscarinic receptor subtype has its own particular distribution throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system, muscarinic receptors regulate several sensory, cognitive, and motor functions while, in the peripheral nervous system, they are involved in the regulation of heart rate, stimulation of glandular secretion and smooth muscle contraction. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have long been used as a model for the study of GPCR structure and function and to address aspects of GPCR dimerization using a broad range of approaches. In this review, the prevailing knowledge regarding the quaternary arrangement for the various muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has been summarized by discussing work ranging from initial results obtained using more traditional biochemical approaches to those generated with more modern biophysical techniques. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neuropharmacology on Muscarinic Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Marsango
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.
| | - Richard J Ward
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.
| | - Elisa Alvarez-Curto
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
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13
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Liu Y, Zeng H, Pediani JD, Ward RJ, Chen LY, Wu N, Ma L, Tang M, Yang Y, An S, Guo XX, Hao Q, Xu TR. Visualization of the activation of the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) using novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer biosensors and their potential application to the study of H3R pharmacology. FEBS J 2018; 285:2319-2336. [PMID: 29701013 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the histamine-3 receptor (H3R) is involved in memory processes and cognitive action, while blocking H3R activation can slow the progression of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and narcolepsy. To date, however, no direct way to examine the activation of H3R has been utilized. Here, we describe a novel biosensor that can visualize the activation of H3R through an intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal. To achieve this, we constructed an intramolecular H3R FRET sensor with cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) attached at the C terminus and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) inserted into the third intracellular loop. The sensor was found to internalize normally on agonist treatment. We measured FRET signals between the donor CFP and the acceptor YFP in living cells in real time, the results of which indicated that H3R agonist treatment (imetit or histamine) increases the FRET signal in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with Kon and Koff values consistent with published data and which maybe correlated with decreasing cAMP levels and the promotion of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The FRET signal was inhibited by H3R antagonists, and the introduction of mutations at F419A, F423A, L426A and L427A, once again, the promotion of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, was diminished. Thus, we have built a H3R biosensor which can visualize the activation of receptor through real-time structure changes and which can obtain pharmacological kinetic data at the same time. The FRET signals may allow the sensor to become a useful tool for screening compounds and optimizing useful ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - John D Pediani
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard J Ward
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Lu-Yao Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Li Ma
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Mei Tang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Su An
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao-Xi Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Hao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tian-Rui Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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14
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Liu Y, Chen LY, Zeng H, Ward R, Wu N, Ma L, Mu X, Li QL, Yang Y, An S, Guo XX, Hao Q, Xu TR. Assessing the real-time activation of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the associated structural changes using a FRET biosensor. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 99:114-124. [PMID: 29626639 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is mainly expressed in the nervous system and regulates learning, memory processes, pain and energy metabolism. However, there is no way to directly measure its activation. In this study, we constructed a CB1 intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensor, which could measure CB1 activation by monitoring structural changes between the third intracellular loop and the C-terminal tail. CB1 agonists induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the FRET signal, corresponding to a reduction in the distance between the third intracellular loop and the C-terminal tail. This, in turn, mobilized intracellular Ca2+, inhibited cAMP accumulation, and increased phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAP kinases. The activation kinetics detected using this method were consistent with those from previous reports. Moreover, the increased FRET signal was markedly inhibited by the CB1 antagonist rimonabant, which also reduced phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAP kinases. We mutated a single cysteine residue in the sensor (at position 257 or 264) to alanine. Both mutation reduced the agonist-induced increase in FRET signal and structural changes in the CB1 receptor, which attenuated phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAP kinases. In summary, our sensor directly assesses the kinetics of CB1 activation in real-time and can be used to monitor CB1 structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Lu-Yao Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Richard Ward
- Center for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Nan Wu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Li Ma
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Xi Mu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Qiu-Lan Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Su An
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Xiao-Xi Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Qian Hao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Tian-Rui Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
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15
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Robins MT, Chiang T, Mores KL, Alongkronrusmee D, van Rijn RM. Critical Role for G i/o-Protein Activity in the Dorsal Striatum in the Reduction of Voluntary Alcohol Intake in C57Bl/6 Mice. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:112. [PMID: 29686629 PMCID: PMC5900748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from non-dependent alcohol use to alcohol dependence involves increased activity of the dorsal striatum. Interestingly, the dorsal striatum expresses a large number of inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which when activated may inhibit alcohol-induced increased activity and can decrease alcohol consumption. Here, we explore the hypothesis that dorsal striatal Gi/o-protein activation is sufficient to reduce voluntary alcohol intake. Using a voluntary, limited-access, two-bottle choice, drink-in-the-dark model of alcohol (10%) consumption, we validated the importance of Gi/o signaling in this region by locally expressing neuron-specific, adeno-associated-virus encoded Gi/o-coupled muscarinic M4 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) in the dorsal striatum and observed a decrease in alcohol intake upon DREADD activation. We validated our findings by activating Gi/o-coupled delta-opioid receptors (DORs), which are natively expressed in the dorsal striatum, using either a G-protein biased agonist or a β-arrestin-biased agonist. Local infusion of TAN-67, an in vitro-determined Gi/o-protein biased DOR agonist, decreased voluntary alcohol intake in wild-type and β-arrestin-2 knockout (KO) mice. SNC80, a β-arrestin-2 biased DOR agonist, increased alcohol intake in wild-type mice; however, SNC80 decreased alcohol intake in β-arrestin-2 KO mice, thus resulting in a behavioral outcome generally observed for Gi/o-biased agonists and suggesting that β-arrestin recruitment is required for SNC80-increased alcohol intake. Overall, these results suggest that activation Gi/o-coupled GPCRs expressed in the dorsal striatum, such as the DOR, by G-protein biased agonists may be a potential strategy to decrease voluntary alcohol consumption and β-arrestin recruitment is to be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meridith T Robins
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue University Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Terrance Chiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue University Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Kendall L Mores
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Doungkamol Alongkronrusmee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue University Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue University Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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16
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Jiang HN, Li Y, Jiang WY, Cui ZJ. Cholecystokinin 1 Receptor - A Unique G Protein- Coupled Receptor Activated by Singlet Oxygen ( GPCR-ABSO). Front Physiol 2018; 9:497. [PMID: 29867546 PMCID: PMC5953346 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasma membrane-delimited generation of singlet oxygen by photodynamic action with photosensitizer sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (SALPC) activates cholecystokinin 1 receptor (CCK1R) in pancreatic acini. Whether CCK1R retains such photooxidative singlet oxygen activation properties in other environments is not known. Genetically encoded protein photosensitizers KillerRed or mini singlet oxygen generator (miniSOG) were expressed in pancreatic acinar tumor cell line AR4-2J, CCK1R, KillerRed or miniSOG were expressed in HEK293 or CHO-K1 cells. Cold light irradiation (87 mW⋅cm-2) was applied to photosensitizer-expressing cells to examine photodynamic activation of CCK1R by Fura-2 fluorescent calcium imaging. When CCK1R was transduced into HEK293 cells which lack endogenous CCK1R, photodynamic action with SALPC was found to activate CCK1R in CCK1R-HEK293 cells. When KillerRed or miniSOG were transduced into AR4-2J which expresses endogenous CCK1R, KillerRed or miniSOG photodynamic action at the plasma membrane also activated CCK1R. When fused KillerRed-CCK1R was transduced into CHO-K1 cells, light irradiation activated the fused CCK1R leading to calcium oscillations. Therefore KillerRed either expressed independently, or fused with CCK1R can both activate CCK1R photodynamically. It is concluded that photodynamic singlet oxygen activation is an intrinsic property of CCK1R, independent of photosensitizer used, or CCK1R-expressing cell types. Photodynamic singlet oxygen CCK1R activation after transduction of genetically encoded photosensitizer in situ may provide a convenient way to verify intrinsic physiological functions of CCK1R in multiple CCK1R-expressing cells and tissues, or to actuate CCK1R function in CCK1R-expressing and non-expressing cell types after transduction with fused KillerRed-CCK1R.
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17
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Visualization of ligand-induced dopamine D 2S and D 2L receptor internalization by TIRF microscopy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10894. [PMID: 28883522 PMCID: PMC5589927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11436-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the dopamine receptors, represent a group of important pharmacological targets. Upon agonist binding, GPCRs frequently undergo internalization, a process that is known to attenuate functional responses upon prolonged exposure to agonists. In this study, internalization was visualized by means of total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy at a level of discrete single events near the plasma membrane with high spatial resolution. A novel method has been developed to determine the relative extent of internalized fluorescent receptor-ligand complexes by comparative fluorescence quantification in living CHO cells. The procedure entails treatment with the reducing agent sodium borohydride, which converts cyanine-based fluorescent ligands on the membrane surface to a long-lived reduced form. Because the highly polar reducing agent is not able to pass the cell membrane, the fluorescent receptor-ligand complexes located in internalized compartments remain fluorescent under TIRF illumination. We applied the method to investigate differences of the short (D2S) and the long (D2L) isoforms of dopamine D2 receptors in their ability to undergo agonist-induced internalization.
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18
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Sangoi MG, Lamothe SM, Guo J, Yang T, Li W, Avery EG, Fisher JT, Zhang S. β-Arrestin-Mediated Regulation of the Human Ether-a-go-go-Related Gene Potassium Channel. Mol Pharmacol 2017; 92:162-174. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.108035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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19
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Methods used to study the oligomeric structure of G-protein-coupled receptors. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160547. [PMID: 28062602 PMCID: PMC5398257 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160547] [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: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which constitute the largest family of cell surface receptors, were originally thought to function as monomers, but are now recognized as being able to act in a wide range of oligomeric states and indeed, it is known that the oligomerization state of a GPCR can modulate its pharmacology and function. A number of experimental techniques have been devised to study GPCR oligomerization including those based upon traditional biochemistry such as blue-native PAGE (BN-PAGE), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and protein-fragment complementation assays (PCAs), those based upon resonance energy transfer, FRET, time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET), FRET spectrometry and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Those based upon microscopy such as FRAP, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), spatial intensity distribution analysis (SpIDA) and various single molecule imaging techniques. Finally with the solution of a growing number of crystal structures, X-ray crystallography must be acknowledged as an important source of discovery in this field. A different, but in many ways complementary approach to the use of more traditional experimental techniques, are those involving computational methods that possess obvious merit in the study of the dynamics of oligomer formation and function. Here, we summarize the latest developments that have been made in the methods used to study GPCR oligomerization and give an overview of their application.
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20
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Gs-DREADD Knock-In Mice for Tissue-Specific, Temporal Stimulation of Cyclic AMP Signaling. Mol Cell Biol 2017; 37:MCB.00584-16. [PMID: 28167604 PMCID: PMC5394278 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00584-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of hormones and ligands stimulate cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling in different tissues through the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although the functions and individual effectors of cAMP signaling are well characterized in many tissues, pleiotropic effects of GPCR agonists limit investigations of physiological functions of cAMP signaling in individual cell types at different developmental stages in vivo. To facilitate studies of cAMP signaling in specific cell populations in vivo, we harnessed the power of DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) technology by creating ROSA26-based knock-in mice for the conditional expression of a Gs-coupled DREADD (rM3Ds-green fluorescent protein [GFP], or “GsD”). After Cre recombinase expression, GsD is activated temporally by the administration of the ligand clozapine N-oxide (CNO). In the same allele, we engineered a CREB-luciferase reporter transgene for noninvasive bioluminescence monitoring of CREB activity. After viral delivery of Cre recombinase to hepatocytes in vivo, GsD is expressed and allows CNO-dependent cAMP signaling and glycogen breakdown. The long-term expression of GsD in the liver results in constitutive CREB activity and hyperglycemia. ROSA26-Gs-DREADD mice can be used to study the physiological effects of cAMP signaling, acute or chronic, in liver or any tissue or cell type for which transgenic or viral Cre drivers are available.
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21
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Spangler SM, Bruchas MR. Optogenetic approaches for dissecting neuromodulation and GPCR signaling in neural circuits. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 32:56-70. [PMID: 27875804 PMCID: PMC5395328 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience by providing means to control cell signaling with spatiotemporal control in discrete cell types. In this review, we summarize four major classes of optical tools to manipulate neuromodulatory GPCR signaling: opsins (including engineered chimeric receptors); photoactivatable proteins; photopharmacology through caging-photoswitchable molecules; fluorescent protein based reporters and biosensors. Additionally, we highlight technologies to utilize these tools in vitro and in vivo, including Cre dependent viral vector expression and two-photon microscopy. These emerging techniques targeting specific members of the GPCR signaling pathway offer an expansive base for investigating GPCR signaling in behavior and disease states, in addition to paving a path to potential therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skylar M Spangler
- Department of Anesthesiology, Basic Research Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology, Basic Research Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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22
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Bradley SJ, Tobin AB. Design of Next-Generation G Protein-Coupled Receptor Drugs: Linking Novel Pharmacology and In Vivo Animal Models. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2016; 56:535-59. [PMID: 26738479 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-011613-140012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most successful drug targets in history, this supergene family of cell surface receptors has yet to be fully exploited as targets in the treatment of human disease. Here, we present optimism that this may change in the future by reviewing the substantial progress made in the understanding of GPCR molecular pharmacology that has generated an extensive toolbox of ligand types that include orthosteric, allosteric, and bitopic ligands, many of which show signaling bias. We discuss how combining these advances with recently described transgenic, chemical genetic, and optogenetic animal models will provide the framework to allow for the rational design of next-generation GPCR drugs that possess increased therapeutic efficacy and decreased adverse/toxic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J Bradley
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN United Kingdom; ,
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN United Kingdom; ,
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23
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Prömel S, Fiedler F, Binder C, Winkler J, Schöneberg T, Thor D. Deciphering and modulating G protein signalling in C. elegans using the DREADD technology. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28901. [PMID: 27461895 PMCID: PMC4962097 DOI: 10.1038/srep28901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein signalling is an evolutionary conserved concept highlighting its fundamental impact on developmental and functional processes. Studies on the effects of G protein signals on tissues as well as an entire organism are often conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans. To understand and control dynamics and kinetics of the processes involved, pharmacological modulation of specific G protein pathways would be advantageous, but is difficult due to a lack in accessibility and regulation. To provide this option, we designed G protein-coupled receptor-based designer receptors (DREADDs) for C. elegans. Initially described in mammalian systems, these modified muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are activated by the inert drug clozapine-N-oxide, but not by their endogenous agonists. We report a novel C. elegans-specific DREADD, functionally expressed and specifically activating Gq-protein signalling in vitro and in vivo which we used for modulating mating behaviour. Therefore, this novel designer receptor demonstrates the possibility to pharmacologically control physiological functions in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Prömel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Fiedler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Binder
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Winkler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Torsten Schöneberg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Doreen Thor
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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24
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Liebick M, Schläger C, Oppermann M. Analysis of Chemokine Receptor Trafficking by Site-Specific Biotinylation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157502. [PMID: 27310579 PMCID: PMC4911081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors undergo internalization and desensitization in response to ligand activation. Internalized receptors are either preferentially directed towards recycling pathways (e.g. CCR5) or sorted for proteasomal degradation (e.g. CXCR4). Here we describe a method for the analysis of receptor internalization and recycling based on specific Bir A-mediated biotinylation of an acceptor peptide coupled to the receptor, which allows a more detailed analysis of receptor trafficking compared to classical antibody-based detection methods. Studies on constitutive internalization of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 (12.1% ± 0.99% receptor internalization/h) and CCR5 (13.7% ± 0.68%/h) reveals modulation of these processes by inverse (TAK779; 10.9% ± 0.95%/h) or partial agonists (Met-CCL5; 15.6% ± 0.5%/h). These results suggest an actively driven internalization process. We also demonstrate the advantages of specific biotinylation compared to classical antibody detection during agonist-induced receptor internalization, which may be used for immunofluorescence analysis as well. Site-specific biotinylation may be applicable to studies on trafficking of transmembrane proteins, in general.
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MESH Headings
- Amides/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification
- Basophils/cytology
- Basophils/drug effects
- Basophils/metabolism
- Biotin/chemistry
- Biotin/metabolism
- Biotinylation
- CCR5 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology
- Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases/genetics
- Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Chemokine CCL5/pharmacology
- Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics
- Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Vectors/chemistry
- Genetic Vectors/metabolism
- Mice
- Protein Transport/drug effects
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/pharmacology
- Rats
- Receptors, CXCR4/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, CXCR5/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, CXCR5/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR5/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Liebick
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Christian Schläger
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Martin Oppermann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
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25
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Hu J, Stern M, Gimenez LE, Wanka L, Zhu L, Rossi M, Meister J, Inoue A, Beck-Sickinger AG, Gurevich VV, Wess J. A G Protein-biased Designer G Protein-coupled Receptor Useful for Studying the Physiological Relevance of Gq/11-dependent Signaling Pathways. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:7809-20. [PMID: 26851281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.702282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Designerreceptorsexclusivelyactivated by adesignerdrug (DREADDs) are clozapine-N-oxide-sensitive designer G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that have emerged as powerful novel chemogenetic tools to study the physiological relevance of GPCR signaling pathways in specific cell types or tissues. Like endogenous GPCRs, clozapine-N-oxide-activated DREADDs do not only activate heterotrimeric G proteins but can also trigger β-arrestin-dependent (G protein-independent) signaling. To dissect the relative physiological relevance of G protein-mediatedversusβ-arrestin-mediated signaling in different cell types or physiological processes, the availability of G protein- and β-arrestin-biased DREADDs would be highly desirable. In this study, we report the development of a mutationally modified version of a non-biased DREADD derived from the M3muscarinic receptor that can activate Gq/11with high efficacy but lacks the ability to interact with β-arrestins. We also demonstrate that this novel DREADD is activein vivoand that cell type-selective expression of this new designer receptor can provide novel insights into the physiological roles of G protein (Gq/11)-dependentversusβ-arrestin-dependent signaling in hepatocytes. Thus, this novel Gq/11-biased DREADD represents a powerful new tool to study the physiological relevance of Gq/11-dependent signaling in distinct tissues and cell types, in the absence of β-arrestin-mediated cellular effects. Such studies should guide the development of novel classes of functionally biased ligands that show high efficacy in various pathophysiological conditions but display a reduced incidence of side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Hu
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Matthew Stern
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232
| | - Lizzy Wanka
- the Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Lu Zhu
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Mario Rossi
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Jaroslawna Meister
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Asuka Inoue
- the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | | | | | - Jürgen Wess
- From the Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892,
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26
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Bolognini D, Tobin AB, Milligan G, Moss CE. The Pharmacology and Function of Receptors for Short-Chain Fatty Acids. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 89:388-98. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.102301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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27
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Stumpf AD, Hoffmann C. Optical probes based on G protein-coupled receptors - added work or added value? Br J Pharmacol 2015; 173:255-66. [PMID: 26562218 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2003, the first report was published that presented proof of principle for a novel class of FRET biosensors for use in living cells. This novel sensor class was built on the base of GPCRs, which represent an integral transmembrane receptor family passing the membrane seven times and are thus also called the 7TM receptor family. As an estimated number of 30% of all marketed drugs exert their effects by modulating GPCR function, these initial reports promised the gain of novel insights into receptor function. Such FRET sensors have slowly, but progressively, made their way into the standard toolbox for GPCR research as several groups are now reporting on the generation and use of these sensors. By now, FRET sensors have been reported for 18 different GPCRs, and more are expected to be added. These particular receptor sensors have been used to investigate receptor dynamics in living cells to evaluate ligand binding and ligand efficacy in real time, to study voltage and mechanosensitivity of GPCRs or to study the influence of receptor polymorphisms on receptor function in real-time. In this review we will describe the different design principles of these GPCR-based sensors and will summarize their current biological applications in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Stumpf
- Bio-Imaging Center, Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - C Hoffmann
- Bio-Imaging Center, Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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28
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Aslanoglou D, Alvarez-Curto E, Marsango S, Milligan G. Distinct Agonist Regulation of Muscarinic Acetylcholine M2-M3 Heteromers and Their Corresponding Homomers. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:14785-96. [PMID: 25918156 PMCID: PMC4505543 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.649079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Each subtype of the muscarinic receptor family of G protein-coupled receptors is activated by similar concentrations of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or closely related synthetic analogs such as carbachol. However, pharmacological selectivity can be generated by the introduction of a pair of mutations to produce Receptor Activated Solely by Synthetic Ligand (RASSL) forms of muscarinic receptors. These display loss of potency for acetylcholine/carbachol alongside a concurrent gain in potency for the ligand clozapine N-oxide. Co-expression of a form of wild type human M2 and a RASSL variant of the human M3 receptor resulted in concurrent detection of each of M2-M2 and M3-M3 homomers alongside M2-M3 heteromers at the surface of stably transfected Flp-InTM T-RExTM 293 cells. In this setting occupancy of the receptors with a muscarinic antagonist was without detectable effect on any of the muscarinic oligomers. However, selective agonist occupancy of the M2 receptor resulted in enhanced M2-M2 homomer interactions but decreased M2-M3 heteromer interactions. By contrast, selective activation of the M3 RASSL receptor did not significantly alter either M3-M3 homomer or M2-M3 heteromer interactions. Selectively targeting closely related receptor oligomers may provide novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Aslanoglou
- From the Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Alvarez-Curto
- From the Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Marsango
- From the Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Milligan
- From the Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Faklaris O, Cottet M, Falco A, Villier B, Laget M, Zwier JM, Trinquet E, Mouillac B, Pin JP, Durroux T. Multicolor time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer microscopy reveals the impact of GPCR oligomerization on internalization processes. FASEB J 2015; 29:2235-46. [PMID: 25690655 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-260059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the interacting partners and the dynamics of the molecular networks constitutes the key point in understanding cellular processes. Different methods often based on energy transfer strategies have been developed to examine the molecular dynamics of protein complexes. However, these methods suffer a couple of drawbacks: a single complex can be studied at a time, and its localization and tracking cannot generally be investigated. Here, we report a multicolor time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer microscopy method that allows the identification of up to 3 different complexes simultaneously, their localization in cells, and their tracking after activation. Using this technique, we studied GPCR oligomerization and internalization in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We definitively show that receptors can internalize as oligomers and that receptor coexpression deeply impacts oligomer internalization processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestis Faklaris
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Martin Cottet
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Amandine Falco
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Brice Villier
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Michel Laget
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Jurriaan M Zwier
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Eric Trinquet
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
| | - Thierry Durroux
- *Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hamamastu Photonics France 19, Parc du Moulin de Massy, Massy, France; and Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France
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Levoye A, Zwier JM, Jaracz-Ros A, Klipfel L, Cottet M, Maurel D, Bdioui S, Balabanian K, Prézeau L, Trinquet E, Durroux T, Bachelerie F. A Broad G Protein-Coupled Receptor Internalization Assay that Combines SNAP-Tag Labeling, Diffusion-Enhanced Resonance Energy Transfer, and a Highly Emissive Terbium Cryptate. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:167. [PMID: 26617570 PMCID: PMC4638144 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization has long been considered as a major aspect of the desensitization process that tunes ligand responsiveness, internalization is also involved in receptor resensitization and signaling, as well as the ligand scavenging function of some atypical receptors. Internalization thus contributes to the diversity of GPCR-dependent signaling, and its dynamics and quantification in living cells has generated considerable interest. We developed a robust and sensitive assay to follow and quantify ligand-induced and constitutive-induced GPCR internalization but also receptor recycling in living cells. This assay is based on diffusion-enhanced resonance energy transfer (DERET) between cell surface GPCRs labeled with a luminescent terbium cryptate donor and a fluorescein acceptor present in the culture medium. GPCR internalization results in a quantifiable reduction of energy transfer. This method yields a high signal-to-noise ratio due to time-resolved measurements. For various GPCRs belonging to different classes, we demonstrated that constitutive and ligand-induced internalization could be monitored as a function of time and ligand concentration, thus allowing accurate quantitative determination of kinetics of receptor internalization but also half-maximal effective or inhibitory concentrations of compounds. In addition to its selectivity and sensitivity, we provided evidence that DERET-based internalization assay is particularly suitable for characterizing biased ligands. Furthermore, the determination of a Z'-factor value of 0.45 indicates the quality and suitability of DERET-based internalization assay for high-throughput screening (HTS) of compounds that may modulate GPCRs internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélique Levoye
- INSERM U1148, Laboratory of Vascular Translational Science, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Angélique Levoye,
| | | | - Agnieszka Jaracz-Ros
- INSERM UMR996, Inflammation, Chemokines and Immunopathology, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France
| | - Laurence Klipfel
- INSERM UMR996, Inflammation, Chemokines and Immunopathology, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France
| | - Martin Cottet
- CNRS UMR 5203, INSERM U1191, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Damien Maurel
- CNRS UMR 5203, INSERM U1191, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Karl Balabanian
- INSERM UMR996, Inflammation, Chemokines and Immunopathology, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France
| | - Laurent Prézeau
- CNRS UMR 5203, INSERM U1191, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Thierry Durroux
- CNRS UMR 5203, INSERM U1191, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 & 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Bachelerie
- INSERM UMR996, Inflammation, Chemokines and Immunopathology, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France
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31
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Sharma P, Pienaar IS. Pharmacogenetic and optical dissection for mechanistic understanding of Parkinson's disease: Potential utilities revealed through behavioural assessment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 47:87-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Urban DJ, Roth BL. DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs): chemogenetic tools with therapeutic utility. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2014; 55:399-417. [PMID: 25292433 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010814-124803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 448] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, emerging synthetic biology technologies such as chemogenetics have dramatically transformed how pharmacologists and systems biologists deconstruct the involvement of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in a myriad of physiological and translational settings. Here we highlight a specific chemogenetic application that extends the utility of the concept of RASSLs (receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands): We have dubbed it DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs). As we show in this review, DREADDs are now used ubiquitously to modulate GPCR activity noninvasively in vivo. Results from these studies have directly implicated GPCR signaling in a large number of therapeutically relevant contexts. We also highlight recent applications of DREADD technology that have illuminated GPCR signaling processes that control pathways relevant to the treatment of eating disorders, obesity, and obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities. Additionally, we provide an overview of the potential utility of chemogenetic technologies for transformative therapeutics.
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Brulé C, Perzo N, Joubert JE, Sainsily X, Leduc R, Castel H, Prézeau L. Biased signaling regulates the pleiotropic effects of the urotensin II receptor to modulate its cellular behaviors. FASEB J 2014; 28:5148-62. [PMID: 25183668 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-249771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Biased agonism by G-protein-coupled receptor ligands has opened up strategies for targeted physiological or therapeutic actions. We hypothesized that urotensin II (UII)-derived peptides displayed unexpected physiological effects because of such biased signaling on the UII human urotensin (hUT) receptor. We determined the coupling to G proteins and β-arrestins of the UII-activated hUT receptor expressed in HEK293 using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) biosensors, as well as the production of IP1-3 and cAMP using homogenous time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) (HTRF)-based assays. The activated receptor coupled to Gi1, GoA, Gq, and G13, excluding Gs, and recruited β-arrestins 1 and 2. Integration of these pathways led to a 2-phase kinetic phosphorylation of ERK1/2 kinases. The tested peptides induced three different profiles: UII, urotensin-related peptide (URP), and UII4-11 displayed the full profile; [Orn(8)]UII and [Orn(5)]URP activated G proteins, although with pEC50s 5-10× higher, and did not or barely recruited β-arrestin; urantide also failed to recruit β-arrestin but displayed a reversed rank order for Gi and Gq vs. Go pEC50s (-8.79±0.20, -8.43±0.21, and -7.86±0.36, respectively, for urantide, -7.87±0.10, -7.23±0.27, and -8.55±0.19, respectively, for [Orn(5)]URP) and was a partial agonist of all G-protein pathways. Interestingly, the peptides differently modulated cell survival but similarly induced cell migration and adhesion. Thus, we demonstrate biased signaling between β-arrestin and G proteins, and between G-protein subtypes, which dictates the receptor's cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Brulé
- Department of Pharmacology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U661, Montpellier, France; UMR 5203, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Perzo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; INSERM, U982, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation (DC2N), Astrocyte and Vascular Niche, Biomedical Research Institute (IRIB), Pôles de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur (PRES) Normandy, Peptide Research Network of Excellence (PERENE), University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Jane-Eileen Joubert
- INSERM, U982, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation (DC2N), Astrocyte and Vascular Niche, Biomedical Research Institute (IRIB), Pôles de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur (PRES) Normandy, Peptide Research Network of Excellence (PERENE), University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Xavier Sainsily
- Department of Pharmacology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Richard Leduc
- Department of Pharmacology, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Hélène Castel
- INSERM, U982, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation (DC2N), Astrocyte and Vascular Niche, Biomedical Research Institute (IRIB), Pôles de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur (PRES) Normandy, Peptide Research Network of Excellence (PERENE), University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Laurent Prézeau
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U661, Montpellier, France; UMR 5203, Universités de Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France;
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Abstract
Elucidating the roles of neuronal cell types for physiology and behavior is essential for understanding brain functions. Perturbation of neuron electrical activity can be used to probe the causal relationship between neuronal cell types and behavior. New genetically encoded neuron perturbation tools have been developed for remotely controlling neuron function using small molecules that activate engineered receptors that can be targeted to cell types using genetic methods. Here we describe recent progress for approaches using genetically engineered receptors that selectively interact with small molecules. Called "chemogenetics," receptors with diverse cellular functions have been developed that facilitate the selective pharmacological control over a diverse range of cell-signaling processes, including electrical activity, for molecularly defined cell types. These tools have revealed remarkably specific behavioral physiological influences for molecularly defined cell types that are often intermingled with populations having different or even opposite functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Sternson
- Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia 20147;
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Zwier JM, Bazin H, Lamarque L, Mathis G. Luminescent lanthanide cryptates: from the bench to the bedside. Inorg Chem 2014; 53:1854-66. [PMID: 24392868 DOI: 10.1021/ic402234k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The design and application of luminescent lanthanide cryptates for sensing biological interactions is highlighted through the review of the work performed in our laboratory and with academic collaborations. The path from the initial applications probing biochemical interaction in vitro to "state-of-the-art" cellular assays toward clinical applications using homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence technology is described. An overview of the luminescent lanthanide macrocyclic compounds developed at Cisbio in the recent past is given with an emphasis on specific constraints required by specific applications. Recent assays for drug-discovery and diagnostic purposes using both antibody-based and suicide-enzyme-based technology are illustrated. New perspectives in the field of molecular medicine and time-resolved microscopy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurriaan M Zwier
- Cisbio Bioassays , Parc Marcel Boiteux, BP 84175, Codolet, France
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36
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Thiel G, Kaufmann A, Rössler OG. G-protein-coupled designer receptors – new chemical-genetic tools for signal transduction research. Biol Chem 2013; 394:1615-22. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2013-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest group of plasma membrane receptors in nature and are activated by a variety of different ligands. The biological outcome of GPCR stimulation is complex, as a plethora of signaling pathways are activated upon stimulation. These complexity and diversity of GPCR signaling make it difficult to manipulate the signaling pathway of a specific GPCR by natural ligands. To reduce the complexity in experimental settings, specific pharmacological ligands that preferentially activate one signaling pathway have been developed. In addition, G-protein-coupled designer receptors that are unresponsive to endogenous ligands but can be activated by otherwise pharmacologically inert compounds have been designed. These receptors have been termed designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs. The lack of constitutive activity of these designer receptors allows their use for in vitro and in vivo studies of GPCR-mediated signal transduction. The analysis of recently generated transgenic mice showed that the expression of G-protein-coupled designer receptors represents a powerful chemical-genetic tool to investigate GPCR signaling and function.
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37
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Li JH, Jain S, McMillin SM, Cui Y, Gautam D, Sakamoto W, Lu H, Jou W, McGuinness OP, Gavrilova O, Wess J. A novel experimental strategy to assess the metabolic effects of selective activation of a G(q)-coupled receptor in hepatocytes in vivo. Endocrinology 2013; 154:3539-51. [PMID: 23861369 PMCID: PMC3776870 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-2127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Increased hepatic glucose production is a key pathophysiological feature of type 2 diabetes. Like all other cell types, hepatocytes express many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are linked to different functional classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The important physiological functions mediated by G(s)-coupled hepatic glucagon receptors are well-documented. In contrast, little is known about the in vivo physiological roles of hepatocyte GPCRs that are linked to G proteins of the G(q) family. To address this issue, we established a transgenic mouse line (Hep-Rq mice) that expressed a G(q)-linked designer receptor (Rq) in a hepatocyte-selective fashion. Importantly, Rq could no longer bind endogenous ligands but could be selectively activated by a synthetic drug, clozapine-N-oxide. Clozapine-N-oxide treatment of Hep-Rq mice enabled us to determine the metabolic consequences caused by selective activation of a G(q)-coupled GPCR in hepatocytes in vivo. We found that acute Rq activation in vivo led to pronounced increases in blood glucose levels, resulting from increased rates of glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis. We also demonstrated that the expression of the V(1b) vasopressin receptor, a G(q)-coupled receptor expressed by hepatocytes, was drastically increased in livers of ob/ob mice, a mouse model of diabetes. Strikingly, treatment of ob/ob mice with a selective V(1b) receptor antagonist led to reduced glucose excursions in a pyruvate challenge test. Taken together, these findings underscore the importance of G(q)-coupled receptors in regulating hepatic glucose fluxes and suggest novel receptor targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists
- Cells, Cultured
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/chemically induced
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
- Enzyme Activators/adverse effects
- Enzyme Activators/pharmacology
- Female
- G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/chemistry
- G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics
- G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/metabolism
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/antagonists & inhibitors
- GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/metabolism
- Gluconeogenesis/drug effects
- Glycogenolysis/drug effects
- Hepatocytes/cytology
- Hepatocytes/drug effects
- Hepatocytes/metabolism
- Humans
- Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Obese
- Mice, Transgenic
- Protein Engineering
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Receptor, Muscarinic M3/agonists
- Receptor, Muscarinic M3/chemistry
- Receptor, Muscarinic M3/genetics
- Receptor, Muscarinic M3/metabolism
- Receptors, Vasopressin/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hua Li
- PhD, Chief, Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Building 8A, Room B1A-05, 8 Center Drive MSC 0810, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810. ; or Jianhua Li, PhD, Center for Molecular Medicine, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Building 10-CRC, Room 5-3216, 10 Center Drive MSC 1454, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1454. E-mail:
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38
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Kruse AC, Li J, Hu J, Kobilka BK, Wess J. Novel insights into M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor physiology and structure. J Mol Neurosci 2013; 53:316-23. [PMID: 24068573 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-013-0127-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies with M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) mutant mice suggest that drugs selectively targeting this receptor subtype may prove useful for the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions. Moreover, the use of M3R-based designer G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has provided novel insights into how Gq-coupled GPCRs can modulate whole-body glucose homeostasis by acting on specific peripheral cell types. More recently, we succeeded in using X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of the M3R bound to the bronchodilating drug tiotropium, a muscarinic antagonist (inverse agonist). This new structural information should facilitate the development of orthosteric or allosteric M3R-selective drugs that are predicted to have considerable therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Kruse
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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39
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Wess J, Nakajima K, Jain S. Novel designer receptors to probe GPCR signaling and physiology. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2013; 34:385-92. [PMID: 23769625 PMCID: PMC3758874 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Muscarinic receptor-based designer receptors have emerged as powerful novel tools to study G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and physiology. These new designer GPCRs, which are most frequently referred to as DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug), are unable to bind acetylcholine, the endogenous muscarinic receptor agonist, but can be activated by clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), an otherwise pharmacologically inert compound, with high potency and efficacy. The various DREADDs differ primarily in their G protein coupling preference. More recently, an arrestin-biased DREADD has also been developed. The expression of DREADDs in distinct tissues or cell types has enabled researchers to study the outcome of selective stimulation of distinct GPCR (or arrestin) signaling pathways in a temporally and spatially controlled fashion in vivo. In this review, we provide an up-to-date snapshot of where this field currently stands and which important novel insights have been gained using this new technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, 8 Center Drive MSC 0810, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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40
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The muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptor exists as two differently sized complexes at the plasma membrane. Biochem J 2013; 452:303-12. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20121902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The literature on GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor) homo-oligomerization encompasses conflicting views that range from interpretations that GPCRs must be monomeric, through comparatively newer proposals that they exist as dimers or higher-order oligomers, to suggestions that such quaternary structures are rather ephemeral or merely accidental and may serve no functional purpose. In the present study we use a novel method of FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) spectrometry and controlled expression of energy donor-tagged species to show that M3Rs (muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptors) at the plasma membrane exist as stable dimeric complexes, a large fraction of which interact dynamically to form tetramers without the presence of trimers, pentamers, hexamers etc. That M3R dimeric units interact dynamically was also supported by co-immunoprecipitation of receptors synthesized at distinct times. On the basis of all these findings, we propose a conceptual framework that may reconcile the conflicting views on the quaternary structure of GPCRs.
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Kenakin T. New concepts in pharmacological efficacy at 7TM receptors: IUPHAR review 2. Br J Pharmacol 2013; 168:554-75. [PMID: 22994528 PMCID: PMC3579279 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02223.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The present-day concept of drug efficacy has changed completely from its original description as the property of agonists that causes tissue activation. The ability to visualize the multiple behaviours of seven transmembrane receptors has shown that drugs can have many efficacies and also that the transduction of drug stimulus to various cellular stimulus-response cascades can be biased towards some but not all pathways. This latter effect leads to agonist 'functional selectivity', which can be favourable for the improvement of agonist therapeutics. However, in addition, biased agonist potency becomes cell type dependent with the loss of the monotonic behaviour of stimulus-response mechanisms, leading to potential problems in agonist quantification. This has an extremely important effect on the discovery process for new agonists since it now cannot be assumed that a given screening or lead optimization assay will correctly predict therapeutic behaviour. This review discusses these ideas and how new approaches to quantifying agonist effect may be used to circumvent the cell type dependence of agonism. This article, written by a corresponding member of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification (NC-IUPHAR), reviews our current understanding of the interaction of ligands with seven transmembrane receptors. Further information on these pharmacological concepts is being incorporated into the IUPHAR/BPS database GuideToPharmacology.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Kenakin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Kaufmann A, Keim A, Thiel G. Regulation of immediate-early gene transcription following activation of Gαq-coupled designer receptors. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:681-96. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Maggio R, Rocchi C, Scarselli M. Experimental strategies for studying G protein-coupled receptor homo- and heteromerization with radioligand binding and signal transduction methods. Methods Enzymol 2013; 521:295-310. [PMID: 23351746 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-391862-8.00016-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Before the molecular biology era, functional experiments on isolated organs and radioligand binding and biochemical experiments on animal tissues were widely used to characterize G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The introduction of recombinant cell lines expressing a single GPCR type has been a big step forward for studying both drug-receptor interactions and signal transduction. Before the introduction of the concept of receptor oligomerization, all data generated were attributed to the interaction of drugs with receptor monomers. Now, considerable data must be reinterpreted in light of receptor homo- and heteromerization. In this chapter, we will review some of the methods used to study radioligand binding and signal transduction modifications induced by GPCR homo- and heteromerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Abstract
The effects of oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) upon their trafficking around the cell are considerable, and this raises the potential of significant impact upon the use of existing pharmacological agents and the development of new ones. Herein, we describe a number of different techniques that can be used to study receptor dimerization/oligomerization and trafficking, beginning with a cellular system which allows the expression of two GPCRs simultaneously, one under inducible control. Subsequently, we describe means to visualize and monitor the movement of GPCRs within the cell, detect oligomerization by both resonance energy transfer and more traditional biochemical approaches, and to measure the internalization of GPCRs as part of the process of receptor regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Ward
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Abdul-Ridha A, Lane JR, Sexton PM, Canals M, Christopoulos A. Allosteric modulation of a chemogenetically modified G protein-coupled receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2012. [PMID: 23197649 DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.083006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) are chemogenetically modified muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) that have minimal responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) but are potently and efficaciously activated by an otherwise inert synthetic ligand, clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). DREADDs have been used as tools for selectively modulating signal transduction pathways in vitro and in vivo. Recent comprehensive studies have validated how the pharmacology of a CNO-bound DREADD mirrors that of an ACh-bound wild-type (WT) mAChR. However, nothing is known about whether this equivalence extends to the allosteric modulation of DREADDs by small molecules. To address this, we investigated the actions at an M(1) DREADD of benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA), a positive allosteric modulator of ACh binding and function that is known to behave according to a simple two-state mechanism at the WT receptor. We found that allosteric modulation of the CNO-bound DREADD receptor is not equivalent to the corresponding modulation of the ACh-bound WT receptor. We also found that BQCA engenders stimulus bias at the M(1) DREADD, having differential types of cooperativity depending on the signaling pathway. Furthermore, the modulation of ACh itself by BQCA at the DREADD is not compatible with the two-state model that we previously applied to the M(1) WT receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Abdul-Ridha
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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46
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Farrell MS, Roth BL. Pharmacosynthetics: Reimagining the pharmacogenetic approach. Brain Res 2012; 1511:6-20. [PMID: 23063887 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacology, in its broadest interpretation, is defined as the study of the interaction between physiological entities and drugs. In modern neuropsychopharmacology, this interaction is viewed as the drug itself on one side and signal transducer (receptor), the signal transduction cascade (effector proteins, second messengers), the cellular response (transcriptional regulation, activity modulation), the organ response (brain circuitry modulation), and, finally, the whole organism response (behavior) on the other. In other words, pharmacology has structured itself around the idea that the exogenous molecule (the drug) encodes a "signal" leading to everything on the other side including, in extreme renditions, a physiological response. The inference is that engaging a particular signal transduction pathway in a defined cell type leads inexorably to a prototypic physiological response. Thus, for instance, serotonergic activation of 5-HT(2A) receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells leads to an increase in intracellular Ca(++) (via IP₃ release) and smooth muscle contraction (Roth et al., 1986). Here, we suggest that the invention of synthetic ligand--GPCR pairs (aka DREADDs, RASSLS, 'pharmacogenetics') permits the study of pharmacology using a shifted equation: more of the signal transduction elements moved to the left and, subsequently, under experimental control. For the purposes of disambiguation and to clarify this new interpretation as a creation of pharmacological manipulation, we present the term pharmacosynthetics to describe what has heretofore been called pharmacogenetics or chemicogenetics. This review discusses this new interpretation and reviews recent applications of the technology and considerations of the approach. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Optogenetics (7th BRES).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martilias S Farrell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Hudson BD, Christiansen E, Tikhonova IG, Grundmann M, Kostenis E, Adams DR, Ulven T, Milligan G. Chemically engineering ligand selectivity at the free fatty acid receptor 2 based on pharmacological variation between species orthologs. FASEB J 2012; 26:4951-65. [PMID: 22919070 PMCID: PMC3509056 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-213314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
When it is difficult to develop selective ligands within a family of related G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), chemically engineered receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs) are useful alternatives for probing receptor function. In the present work, we explored whether a RASSL of the free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) could be developed on the basis of pharmacological variation between species orthologs. For this, bovine FFA2 was characterized, revealing distinct ligand selectivity compared with human FFA2. Homology modeling and mutational analysis demonstrated a single mutation in human FFA2 of C4.57G resulted in a human FFA2 receptor with ligand selectivity similar to the bovine receptor. This was exploited to generate human FFA2-RASSL by the addition of a second mutation at a known orthosteric ligand interaction site, H6.55Q. The resulting FFA2-RASSL displayed a >100-fold loss of activity to endogenous ligands, while responding to the distinct ligand sorbic acid with pEC50 values for inhibition of cAMP, 5.83 ± 0.11; Ca2+ mobilization, 4.63 ± 0.05; ERK phosphorylation, 5.61 ± 0.06; and dynamic mass redistribution, 5.35 ± 0.06. This FFA2-RASSL will be useful in future studies on this receptor and demonstrates that exploitation of pharmacological variation between species orthologs is a powerful method to generate novel chemically engineered GPCRs.—Hudson, B. D., Christiansen, E., Tikhonova, I. G., Grundmann, M., Kostenis, E., Adams, D. R., Ulven, T., Milligan, G. Chemically engineering ligand selectivity at the free fatty acid receptor 2 based on pharmacological variation between species orthologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Hudson
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Hoffmann C, Nuber S, Zabel U, Ziegler N, Winkler C, Hein P, Berlot CH, Bünemann M, Lohse MJ. Comparison of the activation kinetics of the M3 acetylcholine receptor and a constitutively active mutant receptor in living cells. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 82:236-45. [PMID: 22564786 PMCID: PMC11037427 DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.077578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of G-protein-coupled receptors is the first step of the signaling cascade triggered by binding of an agonist. Here we compare the activation kinetics of the G(q)-coupled M(3) acetylcholine receptor (M(3)-AChR) with that of a constitutively active mutant receptor (M(3)-AChR-N514Y) using M(3)-AChR constructs that report receptor activation by changes in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal. We observed a leftward shift in the concentration-dependent FRET response for acetylcholine and carbachol with M(3)-AChR-N514Y. Consistent with this result, at submaximal agonist concentrations, the activation kinetics of M(3)-AChR-N514Y were significantly faster, whereas at maximal agonist concentrations the kinetics of receptor activation were identical. Receptor deactivation was significantly faster with carbachol than with acetylcholine and was significantly delayed by the N514Y mutation. Receptor-G-protein interaction was measured by FRET between M(3)-AChR-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-Gγ(2). Agonist-induced receptor-G-protein coupling was of a time scale similar to that of receptor activation. As observed for receptor deactivation, receptor-G-protein dissociation was slower for acetylcholine than that for carbachol. Acetylcholine-stimulated increases in receptor-G-protein coupling of M(3)-AChR-N514Y reached only 12% of that of M(3)-AChR and thus cannot be kinetically analyzed. G-protein activation was measured using YFP-tagged Gα(q) and CFP-tagged Gγ(2). Activation of G(q) was significantly slower than receptor activation and indistinguishable for the two agonists. However, G(q) deactivation was significantly prolonged for acetylcholine compared with that for carbachol. Consistent with decreased agonist-stimulated coupling to G(q), agonist-stimulated G(q) activation by M(3)-AChR-N514Y was not detected. Taken together, these results indicate that the N514Y mutation produces constitutive activation of M(3)-AChR by decreasing the rate of receptor deactivation, while having minimal effect on receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Hoffmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Strasse 9, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Nakajima KI, Wess J. Design and functional characterization of a novel, arrestin-biased designer G protein-coupled receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 82:575-82. [PMID: 22821234 DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.080358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutational modification of distinct muscarinic receptor subtypes has yielded novel designer G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are unable to bind acetylcholine (ACh), the endogenous muscarinic receptor ligand, but can be efficiently activated by clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), an otherwise pharmacologically inert compound. These CNO-sensitive designer GPCRs [alternative name: designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADDs)] have emerged as powerful new tools to dissect the in vivo roles of distinct G protein signaling pathways in specific cell types or tissues. As is the case with other GPCRs, CNO-activated DREADDs not only couple to heterotrimeric G proteins but can also recruit proteins of the arrestin family (arrestin-2 and -3). Accumulating evidence suggests that arrestins can act as scaffolding proteins to promote signaling through G protein-independent signaling pathways. To explore the physiological relevance of these arrestin-dependent signaling pathways, the availability of an arrestin-biased DREADD would be highly desirable. In this study, we describe the development of an M₃ muscarinic receptor-based DREADD [Rq(R165L)] that is no longer able to couple to G proteins but can recruit arrestins and promote extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation in an arrestin- and CNO-dependent fashion. Moreover, CNO treatment of mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells expressing the Rq(R165L) construct resulted in a robust, arrestin-dependent stimulation of insulin release, directly implicating arrestin signaling in the regulation of insulin secretion. This newly developed arrestin-biased DREADD represents an excellent novel tool to explore the physiological relevance of arrestin signaling pathways in distinct tissues and cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-ichiro Nakajima
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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50
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Xu TR, Ward RJ, Pediani JD, Milligan G. Intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors of the orexin OX1 and OX2 receptors identify slow kinetics of agonist activation. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:14937-49. [PMID: 22389503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.334300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors able to detect changes in distance or orientation between the 3rd intracellular loop and C-terminal tail of the human orexin OX(1) and OX(2) G protein-coupled receptors following binding of agonist ligands were produced and expressed stably. These were directed to the plasma membrane and, despite the substantial sequence alterations introduced, in each case were able to elevate [Ca(2+)](i), promote phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAP kinases and become internalized effectively upon addition of the native orexin peptides. Detailed characterization of the OX(1) sensor demonstrated that it was activated with rank order of potency orexin A > orexin B > orexin A 16-33, that it bound antagonist ligands with affinity similar to the wild-type receptor, and that mutation of a single residue, D203A, greatly reduced the binding and function of orexin A but not antagonist ligands. Addition of orexin A to individual cells expressing an OX(1) sensor resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent reduction in FRET signal consistent with mass-action and potency/affinity estimates for the peptide. Compared with the response kinetics of a muscarinic M(3) acetylcholine receptor sensor upon addition of agonist, response of the OX(1) and OX(2) sensors to orexin A was slow, consistent with a multistep binding and activation process. Such sensors provide means to assess the kinetics of receptor activation and how this may be altered by mutation and sequence variation of the receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Rui Xu
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
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