1
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Walia V, Wal P, Mishra S, Agrawal A, Kosey S, Dilipkumar Patil A. Potential role of oxytocin in the regulation of memories and treatment of memory disorders. Peptides 2024; 177:171222. [PMID: 38649032 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is an "affiliative" hormone or neurohormone or neuropeptide consists of nine amino acids, synthesized in magnocellular neurons of paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of hypothalamus. OXT receptors are widely distributed in various region of brain and OXT has been shown to regulate various social and nonsocial behavior. Hippocampus is the main region which regulates the learning and memory. Hippocampus particularly regulates the acquisition of new memories and retention of acquired memories. OXT has been shown to regulate the synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and consolidation of memories. Further, findings from both preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that the OXT treatment improves performance in memory related task. Various trials have suggested the positive impact of intranasal OXT in the dementia patients. However, these studies are limited in number. In the present study authors have highlighted the role of OXT in the formation and retrieval of memories. Further, the study demonstrated the outcome of OXT treatment in various memory and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Walia
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India.
| | - Pranay Wal
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Kanpur, UP 209305, India
| | - Shweta Mishra
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Ankur Agrawal
- Jai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Gwalior, MP, India
| | - Sourabh Kosey
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Aditya Dilipkumar Patil
- Founder, Tech Hom Research Solutions (THRS), Plot no. 38, 1st floor, opposite to biroba mandir, near ST stand, Satara, Maharashtra 415110, India
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2
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Mun J, Navarro N, Jeong S, Ouassil N, Leem E, Beyene AG, Landry MP. Near-infrared nanosensors enable optical imaging of oxytocin with selectivity over vasopressin in acute mouse brain slices. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314795121. [PMID: 38905241 PMCID: PMC11214003 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314795121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors, yet our understanding of its function in both neurological health and disease remains incomplete. Real-time oxytocin imaging probes with spatiotemporal resolution relevant to its endogenous signaling are required to fully elucidate oxytocin's role in the brain. Herein, we describe a near-infrared oxytocin nanosensor (nIROXT), a synthetic probe capable of imaging oxytocin in the brain without interference from its structural analogue, vasopressin. nIROXT leverages the inherent tissue-transparent fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and the molecular recognition capacity of an oxytocin receptor peptide fragment to selectively and reversibly image oxytocin. We employ these nanosensors to monitor electrically stimulated oxytocin release in brain tissue, revealing oxytocin release sites with a median size of 3 µm in the paraventricular nucleus of C57BL/6 mice, which putatively represents the spatial diffusion of oxytocin from its point of release. These data demonstrate that covalent SWCNT constructs, such as nIROXT, are powerful optical tools that can be leveraged to measure neuropeptide release in brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewan Mun
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Nicole Navarro
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Sanghwa Jeong
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan50612, South Korea
| | - Nicholas Ouassil
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Esther Leem
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | | | - Markita P. Landry
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA94158
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3
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Szwabowski GL, Griffing M, Mugabe EJ, O'Malley D, Baker LN, Baker DL, Parrill AL. G Protein-Coupled Receptor-Ligand Pose and Functional Class Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6876. [PMID: 38999982 PMCID: PMC11241240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) transmembrane protein family members play essential roles in physiology. Numerous pharmaceuticals target GPCRs, and many drug discovery programs utilize virtual screening (VS) against GPCR targets. Improvements in the accuracy of predicting new molecules that bind to and either activate or inhibit GPCR function would accelerate such drug discovery programs. This work addresses two significant research questions. First, do ligand interaction fingerprints provide a substantial advantage over automated methods of binding site selection for classical docking? Second, can the functional status of prospective screening candidates be predicted from ligand interaction fingerprints using a random forest classifier? Ligand interaction fingerprints were found to offer modest advantages in sampling accurate poses, but no substantial advantage in the final set of top-ranked poses after scoring, and, thus, were not used in the generation of the ligand-receptor complexes used to train and test the random forest classifier. A binary classifier which treated agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists as active and all other ligands as inactive proved highly effective in ligand function prediction in an external test set of GPR31 and TAAR2 candidate ligands with a hit rate of 82.6% actual actives within the set of predicted actives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Makenzie Griffing
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Elijah J Mugabe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Daniel O'Malley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Lindsey N Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Daniel L Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Abby L Parrill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
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4
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Perisic M, Woolcock K, Hering A, Mendel H, Muttenthaler M. Oxytocin and vasopressin signaling in health and disease. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:361-377. [PMID: 38418338 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Neurohypophysial peptides are ancient and evolutionarily highly conserved neuropeptides that regulate many crucial physiological functions in vertebrates and invertebrates. The human neurohypophysial oxytocin/vasopressin (OT/VP) signaling system with its four receptors has become an attractive drug target for a variety of diseases, including cancer, pain, cardiovascular indications, and neurological disorders. Despite its promise, drug development faces hurdles, including signaling complexity, selectivity and off-target concerns, translational interspecies differences, and inefficient drug delivery. In this review we dive into the complexity of the OT/VP signaling system in health and disease, provide an overview of relevant pharmacological probes, and discuss the latest trends in therapeutic lead discovery and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Perisic
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrina Woolcock
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anke Hering
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Helen Mendel
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia.
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5
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Kalaba P, Sanchez de la Rosa C, Möller A, Alewood PF, Muttenthaler M. Targeting the Oxytocin Receptor for Breast Cancer Management: A Niche for Peptide Tracers. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1625-1640. [PMID: 38235665 PMCID: PMC10859963 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women, and its management highly depends on early disease diagnosis and monitoring. This remains challenging due to breast cancer's heterogeneity and a scarcity of specific biomarkers that could predict responses to therapy and enable personalized treatment. This Perspective describes the diagnostic landscape for breast cancer management, molecular strategies targeting receptors overexpressed in tumors, the theranostic potential of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) as an emerging breast cancer target, and the development of OTR-specific optical and nuclear tracers to study, visualize, and treat tumors. A special focus is on the chemistry and pharmacology underpinning OTR tracer development, preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, challenges, and future directions. The use of peptide-based tracers targeting upregulated receptors in cancer is a highly promising strategy complementing current diagnostics and therapies and providing new opportunities to improve cancer management and patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Kalaba
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Andreas Möller
- QIMR
Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
- The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Paul F. Alewood
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute
for Molecular Bioscience, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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6
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Long T, Zhang Y, Donnelly L, Li H, Pien YC, Liu N, Olson EN, Li X. Cryo-EM structures of Myomaker reveal a molecular basis for myoblast fusion. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1746-1754. [PMID: 37770716 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01110-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The fusion of mononucleated myoblasts produces multinucleated muscle fibers leading to the formation of skeletal muscle. Myomaker, a skeletal muscle-specific membrane protein, is essential for myoblast fusion. Here we report the cryo-EM structures of mouse Myomaker (mMymk) and Ciona robusta Myomaker (cMymk). Myomaker contains seven transmembrane helices (TMs) that adopt a G-protein-coupled receptor-like fold. TMs 2-4 form a dimeric interface, while TMs 3 and 5-7 create a lipid-binding site that holds the polar head of a phospholipid and allows the alkyl tails to insert into Myomaker. The similarity of cMymk and mMymk suggests a conserved Myomaker-mediated cell fusion mechanism across evolutionarily distant species. Functional analyses demonstrate the essentiality of the dimeric interface and the lipid-binding site for fusogenic activity, and heterologous cell-cell fusion assays show the importance of transcellular interactions of Myomaker protomers for myoblast fusion. Together, our findings provide structural and functional insights into the process of myoblast fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Long
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Linda Donnelly
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yu-Chung Pien
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Xiaochun Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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7
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Shiriaeva A, Martynowycz MW, Nicolas WJ, Cherezov V, Gonen T. MicroED structure of the human vasopressin 1B receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.05.547888. [PMID: 37461729 PMCID: PMC10350018 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.547888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The small size and flexibility of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have long posed a significant challenge to determining their structures for research and therapeutic applications. Single particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) is often out of reach due to the small size of the receptor without a signaling partner. Crystallization of GPCRs in lipidic cubic phase (LCP) often results in crystals that may be too small and difficult to analyze using X-ray microcrystallography at synchrotron sources or even serial femtosecond crystallography at X-ray free electron lasers. Here, we determine the previously unknown structure of the human vasopressin 1B receptor (V1BR) using microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). To achieve this, we grew V1BR microcrystals in LCP and transferred the material directly onto electron microscopy grids. The protein was labeled with a fluorescent dye prior to crystallization to locate the microcrystals using cryogenic fluorescence microscopy, and then the surrounding material was removed using a plasma-focused ion beam to thin the sample to a thickness amenable to MicroED. MicroED data from 14 crystalline lamellae were used to determine the 3.2 Å structure of the receptor in the crystallographic space group P 1. These results demonstrate the use of MicroED to determine previously unknown GPCR structures that, despite significant effort, were not tractable by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Shiriaeva
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Michael W. Martynowycz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - William J. Nicolas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Bridge Institute, University of Southern California Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007
| | - Tamir Gonen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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8
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Fouillen A, Bous J, Granier S, Mouillac B, Sounier R. Bringing GPCR Structural Biology to Medical Applications: Insights from Both V2 Vasopressin and Mu-Opioid Receptors. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:606. [PMID: 37367810 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are versatile signaling proteins that regulate key physiological processes in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. The last decade has seen a revolution in the structural biology of clinically important GPCRs. Indeed, the improvement in molecular and biochemical methods to study GPCRs and their transducer complexes, together with advances in cryo-electron microscopy, NMR development, and progress in molecular dynamic simulations, have led to a better understanding of their regulation by ligands of different efficacy and bias. This has also renewed a great interest in GPCR drug discovery, such as finding biased ligands that can either promote or not promote specific regulations. In this review, we focus on two therapeutically relevant GPCR targets, the V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) and the mu-opioid receptor (µOR), to shed light on the recent structural biology studies and show the impact of this integrative approach on the determination of new potential clinical effective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Fouillen
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale (CBS), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Julien Bous
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Granier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Remy Sounier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France
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9
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Feixiang L, Yanchen F, Xiang L, Yunke Z, Jinxin M, Jianru W, Zixuan L. The mechanism of oxytocin and its receptors in regulating cells in bone metabolism. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1171732. [PMID: 37229246 PMCID: PMC10203168 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1171732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide known to affect social behavior and cognition. The epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) via DNA methylation stimulates parturition and breast milk secretion and inhibits craniopharyngioma, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer growth significantly as well as directly regulates bone metabolism in their peripheral form rather than the central form. OT and OTR can be expressed on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts (OB), osteoclasts (OC), osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. OB can synthesize OT under the stimulation of estrogen as a paracrine-autocrine regulator for bone formation. OT/OTR, estrogen, and OB form a feed-forward loop through estrogen mediation. The osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG)/receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway is crucially required for OT and OTR to exert anti-osteoporosis effect. Downregulating the expression of bone resorption markers and upregulating the expression of the bone morphogenetic protein, OT could increase BMSC activity and promote OB differentiation instead of adipocytes. It could also stimulate the mineralization of OB by motivating OTR translocation into the OB nucleus. Moreover, by inducing intracytoplasmic Ca2+ release and nitric oxide synthesis, OT could regulate the OPG/RANKL ratio in OB and exert a bidirectional regulatory effect on OC. Furthermore, OT could increase the activity of osteocytes and chondrocytes, which helps increase bone mass and improve bone microstructure. This paper reviews recent studies on the role of OT and OTR in regulating cells in bone metabolism as a reference for their clinical use and research based on their reliable anti-osteoporosis effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Feixiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Feng Yanchen
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhong Jing) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Li Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhang Yunke
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Miao Jinxin
- Research and Experiment Center, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wang Jianru
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lin Zixuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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10
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Liessmann F, Künze G, Meiler J. Improving the Modeling of Extracellular Ligand Binding Pockets in RosettaGPCR for Conformational Selection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7788. [PMID: 37175495 PMCID: PMC10178219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of drug targets and undergo substantial conformational changes in response to ligand binding. Despite recent progress in GPCR structure determination, static snapshots fail to reflect the conformational space of putative binding pocket geometries to which small molecule ligands can bind. In comparative modeling of GPCRs in the absence of a ligand, often a shrinking of the orthosteric binding pocket is observed. However, the exact prediction of the flexible orthosteric binding site is crucial for adequate structure-based drug discovery. In order to improve ligand docking and guide virtual screening experiments in computer-aided drug discovery, we developed RosettaGPCRPocketSize. The algorithm creates a conformational ensemble of biophysically realistic conformations of the GPCR binding pocket between the TM bundle, which is consistent with a knowledge base of expected pocket geometries. Specifically, tetrahedral volume restraints are defined based on information about critical residues in the orthosteric binding site and their experimentally observed range of Cα-Cα-distances. The output of RosettaGPCRPocketSize is an ensemble of binding pocket geometries that are filtered by energy to ensure biophysically probable arrangements, which can be used for docking simulations. In a benchmark set, pocket shrinkage observed in the default RosettaGPCR was reduced by up to 80% and the binding pocket volume range and geometric diversity were increased. Compared to models from four different GPCR homology model databases (RosettaGPCR, GPCR-Tasser, GPCR-SSFE, and GPCRdb), the here-created models showed more accurate volumes of the orthosteric pocket when evaluated with respect to the crystallographic reference structure. Furthermore, RosettaGPCRPocketSize was able to generate an improved realistic pocket distribution. However, while being superior to other homology models, the accuracy of generated model pockets was comparable to AlphaFold2 models. Furthermore, in a docking benchmark using small-molecule ligands with a higher molecular weight between 400 and 700 Da, a higher success rate in creating native-like binding poses was observed. In summary, RosettaGPCRPocketSize can generate GPCR models with realistic orthosteric pocket volumes, which are useful for structure-based drug discovery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Liessmann
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
| | - Georg Künze
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
| | - Jens Meiler
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (F.L.)
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Leipzig University, 04105 Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Klenk C, Scrivens M, Niederer A, Shi S, Mueller L, Gersz E, Zauderer M, Smith ES, Strohner R, Plückthun A. A Vaccinia-based system for directed evolution of GPCRs in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1770. [PMID: 36997531 PMCID: PMC10063554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37191-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Directed evolution in bacterial or yeast display systems has been successfully used to improve stability and expression of G protein-coupled receptors for structural and biophysical studies. Yet, several receptors cannot be tackled in microbial systems due to their complex molecular composition or unfavorable ligand properties. Here, we report an approach to evolve G protein-coupled receptors in mammalian cells. To achieve clonality and uniform expression, we develop a viral transduction system based on Vaccinia virus. By rational design of synthetic DNA libraries, we first evolve neurotensin receptor 1 for high stability and expression. Second, we demonstrate that receptors with complex molecular architectures and large ligands, such as the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor, can be readily evolved. Importantly, functional receptor properties can now be evolved in the presence of the mammalian signaling environment, resulting in receptor variants exhibiting increased allosteric coupling between the ligand binding site and the G protein interface. Our approach thus provides insights into the intricate molecular interplay required for GPCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Scrivens
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Anina Niederer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shuying Shi
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Loretta Mueller
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Gersz
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Maurice Zauderer
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ernest S Smith
- Vaccinex, Inc., 1895 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14620, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Strohner
- MorphoSys AG, Semmelweisstr. 7, 82152, Planegg, Germany
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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12
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Moreau CJ, Audic G, Lemel L, García-Fernández MD, Nieścierowicz K. Interactions of cholesterol molecules with GPCRs in different states: A comparative analysis of GPCRs' structures. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184100. [PMID: 36521554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillaume Audic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Laura Lemel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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13
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Heteromerization of Dopamine D2 and Oxytocin Receptor in Adult Striatal Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054677. [PMID: 36902106 PMCID: PMC10002782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of oxytocin (OT) to interact with the dopaminergic system through facilitatory D2-OT receptor (OTR) receptor-receptor interaction in the limbic system is increasingly considered to play roles in social or emotional behavior, and suggested to serve as a potential therapeutic target. Although roles of astrocytes in the modulatory effects of OT and dopamine in the central nervous system are well recognized, the possibility of D2-OTR receptor-receptor interaction in astrocytes has been neglected. In purified astrocyte processes from adult rat striatum, we assessed OTR and dopamine D2 receptor expression by confocal analysis. The effects of activation of these receptors were evaluated in the processes through a neurochemical study of glutamate release evoked by 4-aminopyridine; D2-OTR heteromerization was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay (PLA). The structure of the possible D2-OTR heterodimer was estimated by a bioinformatic approach. We found that both D2 and OTR were expressed on the same astrocyte processes and controlled the release of glutamate, showing a facilitatory receptor-receptor interaction in the D2-OTR heteromers. Biochemical and biophysical evidence confirmed D2-OTR heterodimers on striatal astrocytes. The residues in the transmembrane domains four and five of both receptors are predicted to be mainly involved in the heteromerization. In conclusion, roles for astrocytic D2-OTR in the control of glutamatergic synapse functioning through modulation of astrocytic glutamate release should be taken into consideration when considering interactions between oxytocinergic and dopaminergic systems in striatum.
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14
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Szabó L, Tanguturi P, Goodman HJ, Sprőber S, Liu C, Al-Obeidi F, Bartlett MJ, Falk T, Kumirov VK, Heien ML, Streicher JM, Polt R. Structure-Based Design of Glycosylated Oxytocin Analogues with Improved Selectivity and Antinociceptive Activity. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:163-170. [PMID: 36793431 PMCID: PMC9923833 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute and chronic pain is often treated with opioids despite the negative side effects of constipation, physical dependence, respiratory depression, and overdose. The misuse of opioid analgesics has given rise to the opioid crisis/epidemic, and alternate nonaddictive analgesics are urgently needed. Oxytocin, a pituitary hormone, is an alternative to the small molecule treatments available and has been used as an analgesic as well as for the treatment and prevention of opioid use disorder (OUD). Clinical implementation is limited by its poor pharmacokinetic profile, a result of the labile disulfide bond between two cysteine residues in the native sequence. Stable brain penetrant oxytocin analogues have been synthesized by replacement of the disulfide bond with a stable lactam and glycosidation of the C-terminus. These analogues show exquisite selectivity for the oxytocin receptor and potent in vivo antinociception in mice following peripheral (i.v.) administration, supporting further study of their clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos
Z. Szabó
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
| | | | - Hannah J. Goodman
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
| | - Sára Sprőber
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
- Visiting
Student, Budapest University of Technology
and Economics, 1111Budapest, Műegyetem
rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Chenxi Liu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
| | - Fahad Al-Obeidi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
| | - Mitchell J. Bartlett
- Department
of Neurology, College of Medicine, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85724, United
States
| | - Torsten Falk
- Department
of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85724, United States
- Department
of Neurology, College of Medicine, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85724, United
States
| | - Vlad K. Kumirov
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
| | - M. Leandro Heien
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
- Comprehensive
Pain and Addiction Center, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85724, United States
| | - John M. Streicher
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
- Comprehensive
Pain and Addiction Center, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85724, United States
| | - Robin Polt
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona85721, United States
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15
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Hibert M. [Oxytocin and its receptor: molecular and therapeutic approaches]. Biol Aujourdhui 2023; 216:125-130. [PMID: 36744978 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2022013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is known since the fifties that oxytocin is a neurohormone synthesized in the brain and released in blood circulation to trigger uterus contraction during delivery. It is also involved in milk ejection during breast-feeding. Over the past 25 years, many other central and peripheral functions have been discovered, in particular for attachment between child and parents as well as between individuals and interaction between a human being and its social group. Over this period, we have studied the functional supramolecular architecture of the hormone bound to its receptor. This information was used to design pharmacological probes and drug candidates. This led to the discovery of the first non-peptide oxytocin receptor full agonist. This molecule, LIT-001, restores social interaction in an animal model of autism and paves the way for a treatment of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Hibert
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200, Faculté de Pharmacie de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67400 Illkirch, France
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16
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Bous J, Fouillen A, Orcel H, Granier S, Bron P, Mouillac B. Structures of the arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin receptor signaling complexes. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:67-107. [PMID: 37718002 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are neurohypophysial hormones which share a high sequence and structure homology. These are two cyclic C-terminally amidated nonapeptides with different residues at position 3 and 8. In mammals, AVP and OT exert their multiple biological functions through a specific G protein-coupled receptor family: four receptors are identified, the V1a, V1b, V2 receptors (V1aR, V1bR and V2R) and the OT receptor (OTR). The chemical structure of AVP and OT was elucidated in the early 1950s. Thanks to X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, it took however 70 additional years to determine the three-dimensional structures of the OTR and the V2R in complex with their natural agonist ligands and with different signaling partners, G proteins and β-arrestins. Today, the comparison of the different AVP/OT receptor structures gives structural insights into their orthosteric ligand binding pocket, their molecular mechanisms of activation, and their interfaces with canonical Gs, Gq and β-arrestin proteins. It also paves the way to future rational drug design and therapeutic compound development. Indeed, agonist, antagonist, biased agonist, or pharmacological chaperone analogues of AVP and OT are promising candidates to regulate different physiological functions and treat several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Bous
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France; CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélien Fouillen
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France; CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Orcel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Granier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bron
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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17
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Dmitrieva DA, Kotova TV, Safronova NA, Sadova AA, Dashevskii DE, Mishin AV. Protein Design Strategies for the Structural–Functional Studies of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S192-S226. [PMID: 37069121 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins responsible for many physiological functions in human body. High resolution GPCR structures are required to understand their molecular mechanisms and perform rational drug design, as GPCRs play a crucial role in a variety of diseases. That is difficult to obtain for the wild-type proteins because of their low stability. In this review, we discuss how this problem can be solved by using protein design strategies developed to obtain homogeneous stabilized GPCR samples for crystallization and cryoelectron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A Dmitrieva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Kotova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Nadezda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexandra A Sadova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevskii
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
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18
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Insights into divalent cation regulation and G 13-coupling of orphan receptor GPR35. Cell Discov 2022; 8:135. [PMID: 36543774 PMCID: PMC9772185 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00499-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous ions play important roles in the function and pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with limited atomic evidence. In addition, compared with G protein subtypes Gs, Gi/o, and Gq/11, insufficient structural evidence is accessible to understand the coupling mechanism of G12/13 protein by GPCRs. Orphan receptor GPR35, which is predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and is closely related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), stands out as a prototypical receptor for investigating ionic modulation and G13 coupling. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy structure of G13-coupled GPR35 bound to an anti-allergic drug, lodoxamide. This structure reveals a novel divalent cation coordination site and a unique ionic regulatory mode of GPR35 and also presents a highly positively charged binding pocket and the complementary electrostatic ligand recognition mode, which explain the promiscuity of acidic ligand binding by GPR35. Structural comparison of the GPR35-G13 complex with other G protein subtypes-coupled GPCRs reveals a notable movement of the C-terminus of α5 helix of the Gα13 subunit towards the receptor core and the least outward displacement of the cytoplasmic end of GPR35 TM6. A featured 'methionine pocket' contributes to the G13 coupling by GPR35. Together, our findings provide a structural basis for divalent cation modulation, ligand recognition, and subsequent G13 protein coupling of GPR35 and offer a new opportunity for designing GPR35-targeted drugs for the treatment of IBDs.
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19
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Borroto-Escuela DO, Cuesta-Marti C, Lopez-Salas A, Chruścicka-Smaga B, Crespo-Ramírez M, Tesoro-Cruz E, Palacios-Lagunas DA, Perez de la Mora M, Schellekens H, Fuxe K. The oxytocin receptor represents a key hub in the GPCR heteroreceptor network: potential relevance for brain and behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1055344. [PMID: 36618821 PMCID: PMC9812438 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1055344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 10 years, it has become increasingly clear that large numbers of axon collaterals extend from the oxytocin (OXT) hypothalamic axons, especially the parvocellular components, to other brain regions. Consequently, the OXT signaling system forms, like other monoamine axons, a rich functional network across several brain regions. In this manuscript, we review the recently indicated higher order G-protein coupled heteroreceptor complexes of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), and how these, via allosteric receptor-receptor interactions modulate the recognition, signaling, and trafficking of the participating receptor protomers and their potential impact for brain and behavior. The major focus will be on complexes of the OXTR protomer with the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) protomer and the serotonin 2A (5-HT2AR) and 2C (5-HT2CR) receptor protomers. Specifically, the existence of D2R-OXTR heterocomplexes in the nucleus accumbens and the caudate putamen of rats has led to a postulated function for this heteromer in social behavior. Next, a physical interaction between OXTRs and the growth hormone secretagogue or ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) was demonstrated, which consequently was able to attenuate OXTR-mediated Gαq signaling. This highlights the potential of ghrelin-targeted therapies to modulate oxytocinergic signaling with relevance for appetite regulation, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Similarly, evidence for 5-HT2AR-OXTR heteromerization in the pyramidal cell layer of CA2 and CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus and in the nucleus accumbens shell was demonstrated. This complex may offer new strategies for the treatment of both mental disease and social behavior. Finally, the 5-HT2CR-OXTR heterocomplexes were demonstrated in the CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the dorsal hippocampus. Future work should be done to investigate the precise functional consequence of region-specific OXTR heteromerization in the brain, as well across the periphery, and whether the integration of neuronal signals in the brain may also involve higher order OXTR-GHS-R1a heteroreceptor complexes including the dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) or serotonin (5-HT) receptor protomers or other types of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain,Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of Morphology, Physiology and Environmental Biology, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy,*Correspondence: Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela Harriët Schellekens
| | - Cristina Cuesta-Marti
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College CorkCork, Ireland,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alexander Lopez-Salas
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Minerva Crespo-Ramírez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emiliano Tesoro-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Inmunología e Infectología, Hospital de Infectología, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Miguel Perez de la Mora
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Harriët Schellekens
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College CorkCork, Ireland,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,*Correspondence: Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela Harriët Schellekens
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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A fluorescent sensor for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain. Nat Methods 2022; 19:1286-1294. [PMID: 36138174 PMCID: PMC9550624 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01597-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic neuropeptide that acts as a neuromodulator in the brain, orchestrates a variety of animal behaviors. However, the relationship between brain OT dynamics and complex animal behaviors remains largely elusive, partly because of the lack of a suitable technique for its real-time recording in vivo. Here, we describe MTRIAOT, a G-protein-coupled receptor-based green fluorescent OT sensor that has a large dynamic range, suitable affinity, ligand specificity for OT orthologs, minimal effects on downstream signaling and long-term fluorescence stability. By combining viral gene delivery and fiber photometry-mediated fluorescence measurements, we demonstrate the utility of MTRIAOT for real-time detection of brain OT dynamics in living mice. MTRIAOT-mediated measurements indicate variability of OT dynamics depending on the behavioral context and physical condition of an animal. MTRIAOT will likely enable the analysis of OT dynamics in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.
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21
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Bous J, Fouillen A, Orcel H, Trapani S, Cong X, Fontanel S, Saint-Paul J, Lai-Kee-Him J, Urbach S, Sibille N, Sounier R, Granier S, Mouillac B, Bron P. Structure of the vasopressin hormone-V2 receptor-β-arrestin1 ternary complex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo7761. [PMID: 36054364 PMCID: PMC10866553 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo7761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Arrestins interact with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to stop G protein activation and to initiate key signaling pathways. Recent structural studies shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in GPCR-arrestin coupling, but whether this process is conserved among GPCRs is poorly understood. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy active structure of the wild-type arginine-vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) in complex with β-arrestin1. It reveals an atypical position of β-arrestin1 compared to previously described GPCR-arrestin assemblies, associated with an original V2R/β-arrestin1 interface involving all receptor intracellular loops. Phosphorylated sites of the V2R carboxyl terminus are clearly identified and interact extensively with the β-arrestin1 N-lobe, in agreement with structural data obtained with chimeric or synthetic systems. Overall, these findings highlight a notable structural variability among GPCR-arrestin signaling complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Bous
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Aurélien Fouillen
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Hélène Orcel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Stefano Trapani
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Xiaojing Cong
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Simon Fontanel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Julie Saint-Paul
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Joséphine Lai-Kee-Him
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Serge Urbach
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Nathalie Sibille
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Rémy Sounier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Sébastien Granier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Patrick Bron
- CBS (Centre de Biologie Structurale), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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22
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Waltenspühl Y, Ehrenmann J, Vacca S, Thom C, Medalia O, Plückthun A. Structural basis for the activation and ligand recognition of the human oxytocin receptor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4153. [PMID: 35851571 PMCID: PMC9293896 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The small cyclic neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) and its cognate receptor play a central role in the regulation of social behaviour and sexual reproduction. Here we report the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of the active oxytocin receptor (OTR) in complex with its cognate ligand oxytocin. Our structure provides high-resolution insights into the OT binding mode, the OTR activation mechanism as well as the subtype specificity within the oxytocin/vasopressin receptor family. Here, Waltenspühl et al. report the cryo-EM structure of active human oxytocin receptor in complex with oxytocin and with a heterotrimeric G protein, providing insights into this hormone system critically involved in the regulation of social behaviour and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Waltenspühl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.,Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Janosch Ehrenmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.,leadXpro AG, PARK innovAARE, CH-5234, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Santiago Vacca
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cristian Thom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ohad Medalia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
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23
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Tian R, Yin J, Yao Q, Wang T, Chen J, Liang Q, Li Q, Zhao X. Development of an Allostery Responsive Chromatographic Method for Screening Potential Allosteric Modulator of Beta2-adrenoceptor from a Natural Product-Derived DNA-Encoded Chemical Library. Anal Chem 2022; 94:9048-9057. [PMID: 35695812 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Allosteric ligands are promising drugs owing to their remote regulations of the orthosteric ligand signaling pathway. There are few allosteric ligands due to the lack of handy and efficacious method for the screening. Herein, we developed an affinity chromatographic method for allosteric ligand screening by immobilizing purified beta2 adrenoceptor (β2-AR) onto macroporous silica gel by a two-point tethering method. The method relies on the occupation of the orthosteric site by an antagonist and the chelation of N-terminal His-tag of the receptor and Ni2+ coated on the gel. The immobilized β2-AR demonstrated the greatest allosteric responsive feature when Cmpd-15 (0.25 μM) was included in the mobile phase. Under the same conditions, the association constants of three agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline, and tulobuterol) reduced to 47%, 19%, and 27% compared with the data without the inclusion of Cmpd-15 in the mobile phase. APF was screened as a potential allosteric modulator of β2-AR by applying the immobilized receptor in a natural product-derived DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL). Relying on these results, we reasoned that the current method has potential in screening allosteric ligands of the receptor. We expect that it is applicable for the discovery of new allosteric binding sites of a target protein and screening allosteric modulators of the other receptors from complex samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Jiatai Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Qingqing Yao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Taotao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Jiahuan Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Qi Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Qian Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xinfeng Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
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24
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Purushotham M, Paul B. Iodinated Diketopiperazines: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Iodinated Analogues of Cyclo(L‐Tyrosine‐L‐Tyrosine) Peptides. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202201120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Purushotham
- Department of Chemistry Jnana Bharathi Campus Bangalore University Bangalore 560056 India
| | - Bishwajit Paul
- Department of Chemistry Jnana Bharathi Campus Bangalore University Bangalore 560056 India
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25
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Heo Y, Yoon E, Jeon YE, Yun JH, Ishimoto N, Woo H, Park SY, Song JJ, Lee W. Cryo-EM structure of the human somatostatin receptor 2 complex with its agonist somatostatin delineates the ligand binding specificity. eLife 2022; 11:76823. [PMID: 35446253 PMCID: PMC9054131 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatostatin is a peptide hormone that regulates endocrine systems by binding to G-protein-coupled somatostatin receptors. Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is a human somatostatin receptor and is highly implicated in hormone disorders, cancers, and neurological diseases. Here, we report the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of full-length human SSTR2 bound to the agonist somatostatin (SST-14) in complex with inhibitory G (Gi) proteins. Our structural and mutagenesis analyses show that seven transmembrane helices form a deep pocket for ligand binding and that SSTR2 recognizes the highly conserved Trp-Lys motif of SST-14 at the bottom of the pocket. Furthermore, our sequence analysis combined with AlphaFold modeled structures of other SSTR isoforms provide a structural basis for the mechanism by which SSTR family proteins specifically interact with their cognate ligands. This work provides the first glimpse into the molecular recognition mechanism of somatostatin receptors and a crucial resource to develop therapeutics targeting somatostatin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunseok Heo
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eojin Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Yun
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Naito Ishimoto
- Drug Design Laboratory, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hyeonuk Woo
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sam-Yong Park
- Drug Design Laboratory, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ji-Joon Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Weontae Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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26
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Meyerowitz JG, Robertson MJ, Barros-Álvarez X, Panova O, Nwokonko RM, Gao Y, Skiniotis G. The oxytocin signaling complex reveals a molecular switch for cation dependence. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:274-281. [PMID: 35241813 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are conserved peptide signaling hormones that are critical for diverse processes including osmotic homeostasis, reproduction, lactation and social interaction. OT acts through the oxytocin receptor (OTR), a magnesium-dependent G protein-coupled receptor that is a therapeutic target for treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, dysfunctional labor and autism. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie OTR activation by OT and the dependence on magnesium remain unknown. Here we present the wild-type active-state structure of human OTR bound to OT and miniGq/i determined by cryo-EM. The structure reveals a unique activation mechanism adopted by OTR involving both the formation of a Mg2+ coordination complex between OT and the receptor, and disruption of transmembrane helix 7 (TM7) by OT. Our functional assays demonstrate the role of TM7 disruption and provide the mechanism of full agonism by OT and partial agonism by OT analogs. Furthermore, we find that the identity of a single cation-coordinating residue across vasopressin family receptors determines whether the receptor is cation-dependent. Collectively, these results demonstrate how the Mg2+-dependent OTR is activated by OT, provide essential information for structure-based drug discovery efforts and shed light on the molecular determinants of cation dependence of vasopressin family receptors throughout the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G Meyerowitz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Robertson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ximena Barros-Álvarez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ouliana Panova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert M Nwokonko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georgios Skiniotis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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27
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Schöppe J, Ehrenmann J, Waltenspühl Y, Plückthun A. Universal platform for the generation of thermostabilized GPCRs that crystallize in LCP. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:698-726. [PMID: 35140409 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00660-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Structural studies of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are often limited by difficulties in obtaining well-diffracting crystals suitable for high-resolution structure determination. During the past decade, crystallization in lipidic cubic phase (LCP) has become the most successful and widely used technique for obtaining such crystals. Despite often intense efforts, many GPCRs remain refractory to crystallization, even if receptors can be purified in sufficient amounts. To address this issue, we have developed a highly efficient screening and stabilization strategy for GPCRs, based on a fluorescence thermal stability assay readout, which seems to correlate particularly well with those GPCR constructs that remain native during incorporation into the LCP. Detailed protocols are provided for rapid and cost-efficient mutant and construct generation using sequence- and ligation-independent cloning, high-throughput magnetic bead-based protein purification from small-scale expressions in mammalian cells, the screening and optimal combination of mutations for increased receptor thermostability and the rapid identification of suitable chimeric fusion protein constructs for successful crystallization in LCP. We exemplify the method on three receptors from two different classes: the neurokinin 1 receptor, the oxytocin receptor and the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jendrik Schöppe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Janosch Ehrenmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.,leadXpro AG, PARK InnovAARE, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Yann Waltenspühl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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28
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Amato S, Averna M, Guidolin D, Pedrazzi M, Pelassa S, Capraro M, Passalacqua M, Bozzo M, Gatta E, Anderlini D, Maura G, Agnati LF, Cervetto C, Marcoli M. Heterodimer of A2A and Oxytocin Receptors Regulating Glutamate Release in Adult Striatal Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042326. [PMID: 35216441 PMCID: PMC8879615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Roles of astrocytes in the modulatory effects of oxytocin (OT) in central nervous system are increasingly considered. Nevertheless, OT effects on gliotransmitter release have been neglected. METHODS In purified astrocyte processes from adult rat striatum, we assessed OT receptor (OTR) and adenosine A2A receptor expression by confocal analysis. The effects of receptors activation on glutamate release from the processes were evaluated; A2A-OTR heteromerization was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation and PLA. Structure of the possible heterodimer of A2A and OT receptors was estimated by a bioinformatic approach. RESULTS Both A2A and OT receptors were expressed on the same astrocyte processes. Evidence for A2A-OTR receptor-receptor interaction was obtained by measuring the release of glutamate: OT inhibited the evoked glutamate release, while activation of A2A receptors, per se ineffective, abolished the OT effect. Biochemical and biophysical evidence for A2A-OTR heterodimers on striatal astrocytes was also obtained. The residues in the transmembrane domains 4 and 5 of both receptors are predicted to be mainly involved in the heteromerization. CONCLUSIONS When considering effects of OT in striatum, modulation of glutamate release from the astrocyte processes and of glutamatergic synapse functioning, and the interaction with A2A receptors on the astrocyte processes should be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Monica Averna
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Marco Pedrazzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Simone Pelassa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Michela Capraro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mario Passalacqua
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
- Italian Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro 305, 00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Elena Gatta
- DIFILAB, Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy;
| | - Deanna Anderlini
- Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Blair Drive, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia;
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy; (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.M.)
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29
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Carter CS. Oxytocin and love: Myths, metaphors and mysteries. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 9:100107. [PMID: 35755926 PMCID: PMC9216351 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a peptide molecule with a multitude of physiological and behavioral functions. Based on its association with reproduction - including social bonding, sexual behavior, birth and maternal behavior - oxytocin also has been called “the love hormone.” This essay specifically examines association and parallels between oxytocin and love. However, many myths and gaps in knowledge remain concerning both. A few of these are described here and we hypothesize that the potential benefits of both love and oxytocin may be better understood in light of interactions with more ancient systems, including specifically vasopressin and the immune system. Oxytocin is anti-inflammatory and is associated with recently evolved, social solutions to a variety of challenges necessary for mammalian survival and reproduction. The shared functions of oxytocin and love have profound implications for health and longevity, including the prevention and treatment of excess inflammation and related disorders, especially those occurring in early life and during periods of chronic threat or disease. Oxytocin is a peptide molecule with functions that support a sense of safety, sociality, as well as survival and reproduction. Oxytocin is associated with social and neuroimmune solutions to chronic stress. The related, but more primitive, peptide vasopressin supports more individualistic survival strategies. Controversies and myths surround the properties of oxytocin and love.
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30
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Robertson MJ, Meyerowitz JG, Skiniotis G. Drug discovery in the era of cryo-electron microscopy. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:124-135. [PMID: 34281791 PMCID: PMC8760134 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) is an indispensable approach for the design and optimization of new therapeutic agents. Here, we highlight the rapid progress that has turned cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) into an exceptional SBDD tool, and the wealth of new structural information it is providing for high-value pharmacological targets. We review key advantages of a technique that directly images vitrified biomolecules without the need for crystallization; both in terms of a broader array of systems that can be studied and the different forms of information it can provide, including heterogeneity and dynamics. We discuss near- and far-future developments, working in concert towards achieving the resolution and throughput necessary for cryoEM to make a widespread impact on the SBDD pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Robertson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Justin G Meyerowitz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georgios Skiniotis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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31
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Clinical, Genetic and Functional Characterization of a Novel AVPR2 Missense Mutation in a Woman with X-Linked Recessive Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12010118. [PMID: 35055433 PMCID: PMC8779739 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare disorder characterized by renal unresponsiveness to the hormone vasopressin, leading to excretion of large volumes of diluted urine. Mutations in the arginine vasopressin receptor-2 (AVPR2) gene cause congenital NDI and have an X-linked recessive inheritance. The disorder affects almost exclusively male family members, but female carriers occasionally present partial phenotypes due to skewed inactivation of the X-chromosome. Here, we report a rare case of a woman affected with X-linked recessive NDI, presenting an average urinary output of 12 L/day. Clinical and biochemical studies showed incomplete responses to water deprivation and vasopressin stimulation tests. Genetic analyses revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.493G > C, p.Ala165Pro) in the AVPR2 gene. Using a combination of in-silico protein modeling with human cellular models and molecular phenotyping, we provide functional evidence for phenotypic effects. The mutation destabilizes the helical structure of the AVPR2 transmembrane domains and disrupts its plasma membrane localization and downstream intracellular signaling pathways upon activation with its agonist vasopressin. These defects lead to deficient aquaporin 2 (AQP2) membrane translocation, explaining the inability to concentrate urine in this patient.
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32
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Lee D, Kwon HB. Current and future techniques for detecting oxytocin: Focusing on genetically-encoded GPCR sensors. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 366:109407. [PMID: 34763021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropituitary hormone that is involved in a wide range of psychosocial behaviors. Despite its psychophysiological importance as a neuromodulator in the CNS, effective techniques capable of monitoring oxytocin dynamics or testing related behavioral consequences are limited. Along with an explosive advancement in synthetic biology, high-performance genetically-encoded neuromodulator sensors are being developed. Here we comprehensively review the current methodologies available for detecting oxytocin in neuroscience. Their strengths and weaknesses are discussed, and a graphical summary is plotted for better comparison of techniques. We also suggest future directions for next generation oxytocin sensor development and their working principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Bae Kwon
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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33
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Salinas-Abarca AB, Vázquez-Cuevas FG, González-Gallardo A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, González-Hernández A, Condés-Lara M. The glial cell's role in antinociceptive differential effects of oxytocin upon female and male rats. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:796-810. [PMID: 34978727 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex plays a crucial role in pain processing and response to analgesic drugs. Indeed, spinal glia seems to be significant in the sexual dimorphism observed in the above effects. Recently, studies have associated oxytocin with antinociceptive effects, but these have been mainly performed in male animals; consequently, the influence of sex has been poorly explored. METHODS Using a model of spinal nociception that produces pain through activation of the spinal glia, that is, intrathecal (i.t.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, we analysed the changes in the analgesic response to i.t. oxytocin in female and male rats by behavioural (punctate mechanical hypersensitivity), electrophysiological (unitary extracellular recordings of wide dynamic range [WDR] cells) and molecular biology (real-time PCR of proinflammatory genes) experiments. RESULTS We found that LPS-induced hypersensitivity was longer in female (>96 h) than in male (≈4 h) rats. Besides, spinal oxytocin preferentially prevents the LPS-induced hypersensitivity in male rather than female rats. Indeed, LPS increases the spinal neuronal-evoked activity associated with the activation of peripheral Aδ- and C-fibres and post-discharge in males, whereas only C-fibre discharge was enhanced in females. The electrophysiological data correlate with the fact that spinal oxytocin only prevented TNF-α and IL-1β synthesis in male rats. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, these data suggest that oxytocin-mediated analgesia depends on a sexual dimorphism involving activation of the spinal glia. These results reinforced the idea that different strategies are required to treat pain in men and women, and that oxytocin could be used preferentially to treat pain with a significant inflammatory component in men. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oxytocin is a molecule that emerges as a potent analgesic in preclinical and clinical studies. We investigated the contribution of glia to the response of oxytocin-induced analgesia and how sex influences in this response show that different strategies are required to treat pain in men and women, and that oxytocin could be used preferentially to treat pain with a significant inflammatory component in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Salinas-Abarca
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Francisco G Vázquez-Cuevas
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Adriana González-Gallardo
- Unidad de Proteogenómica del Instituto de Neurobiología, Unidad de Protogenómica, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
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Abstract
The oxytocin receptor plays a significant role in peripheral regulation of parturition and lactation. Given this important role, multiple drug discovery programs have been conducted to develop agonists and antagonists for peripheral activity. The role of the oxytocin receptor in the central nervous system is also significant, promoting social interaction, trust, and empathy in humans. As such, molecules that can access the central nervous system and target the oxytocin receptor are of significant interest. Due to the role of the oxytocin receptor in regulating social function and psychological well-being, agonists of this receptor have considerable promise for the treatment of numerous neuropsychiatric conditions. The poor pharmacokinetic properties and blood-brain barrier penetration of peptide-based molecules means nonpeptide compounds have more commonly been the focus for central nervous system activity. This chapter aims to summarize the current standing of peptide and nonpeptide drug discovery for antagonists and agonists of the oxytocin receptor and focusses on centrally active nonpeptidic agonists.
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35
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Structure-function relationships of the disease-linked A218T oxytocin receptor variant. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:907-917. [PMID: 34980886 PMCID: PMC9054668 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01241-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene have been associated with behavioral traits, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other diseases. The non-synonymous SNP rs4686302 results in the OXTR variant A218T and has been linked to core characteristics of ASD, trait empathy and preterm birth. However, the molecular and intracellular mechanisms underlying those associations are still elusive. Here, we uncovered the molecular and intracellular consequences of this mutation that may affect the psychological or behavioral outcome of oxytocin (OXT)-treatment regimens in clinical studies, and provide a mechanistic explanation for an altered receptor function. We created two monoclonal HEK293 cell lines, stably expressing either the wild-type or A218T OXTR. We detected an increased OXTR protein stability, accompanied by a shift in Ca2+ dynamics and reduced MAPK pathway activation in the A218T cells. Combined whole-genome and RNA sequencing analyses in OXT-treated cells revealed 7823 differentially regulated genes in A218T compared to wild-type cells, including 429 genes being associated with ASD. Furthermore, computational modeling provided a molecular basis for the observed change in OXTR stability suggesting that the OXTR mutation affects downstream events by altering receptor activation and signaling, in agreement with our in vitro results. In summary, our study provides the cellular mechanism that links the OXTR rs4686302 SNP with genetic dysregulations associated with aspects of ASD.
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36
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Kinoshita R, Kozaki I, Shimizu K, Shibata T, Ochiai A, Honda H. Agonist/Antagonist Activity of Oxytocin Variants Obtained from Free Cyclic Peptide Libraries Generated via Amino Acid Substitution. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:31244-31252. [PMID: 34841168 PMCID: PMC8613857 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We established a method for synthesizing a free cyclic peptide library via peptide array synthesis to demonstrate the sequence activity of cyclic peptides. Variants of the cyclic nonapeptide oxytocin (OXT) were synthesized via residue substitution. Natural amino acids (AAs) were classified into eight groups based on their physical properties and the size of their side chains, and a representative AA from each group was selected for residue substitution. All OXT variants were systematically evaluated for agonist/antagonist activity. Consequently, no improvement in agonist activity was observed, although substitution of the P4 and P8 residues resulted in decreased activity due to AA substitution. A few OXT variants exhibited antagonistic activity. In particular, the variants with P2 Leu residue substitution (Y2L) and Phe substitutions at residues 4 (Q4F), 5 (N5F), and 7 (P7F) showed high antagonistic activity. Variant Y2W was found to have the highest inhibitory effect, with a dissociation constant of 44 nM, which was comparable to that of the commercial antagonist atosiban (21 nM). Therefore, a free cyclic peptide library constructed via substitution with a natural AA residue was confirmed to be a powerful tool for bioactive peptide screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Kinoshita
- Department
of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Ikko Kozaki
- Department
of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kazunori Shimizu
- Department
of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shibata
- Department
of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Akihito Ochiai
- Department
of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and
Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Honda
- Department
of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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Cid-Jofré V, Moreno M, Reyes-Parada M, Renard GM. Role of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Therapeutic Potential of Agonists and Antagonists. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222112077. [PMID: 34769501 PMCID: PMC8584779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222112077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are hypothalamic neuropeptides classically associated with their regulatory role in reproduction, water homeostasis, and social behaviors. Interestingly, this role has expanded in recent years and has positioned these neuropeptides as therapeutic targets for various neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism, addiction, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders. Due to the chemical-physical characteristics of these neuropeptides including short half-life, poor blood-brain barrier penetration, promiscuity for AVP and OT receptors (AVP-R, OT-R), novel ligands have been developed in recent decades. This review summarizes the role of OT and AVP in neuropsychiatric conditions, as well as the findings of different OT-R and AVP-R agonists and antagonists, used both at the preclinical and clinical level. Furthermore, we discuss their possible therapeutic potential for central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeska Cid-Jofré
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170022, Chile; (V.C.-J.); (M.M.)
| | - Macarena Moreno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170022, Chile; (V.C.-J.); (M.M.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Bernardo OHiggins, Santiago 8370993, Chile
| | - Miguel Reyes-Parada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170022, Chile; (V.C.-J.); (M.M.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia 7500912, Chile
- Correspondence: (M.R.-P.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Georgina M. Renard
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 9170022, Chile; (V.C.-J.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.R.-P.); (G.M.R.)
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Bojarska J, Mieczkowski A, Ziora ZM, Skwarczynski M, Toth I, Shalash AO, Parang K, El-Mowafi SA, Mohammed EHM, Elnagdy S, AlKhazindar M, Wolf WM. Cyclic Dipeptides: The Biological and Structural Landscape with Special Focus on the Anti-Cancer Proline-Based Scaffold. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1515. [PMID: 34680148 PMCID: PMC8533947 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic dipeptides, also know as diketopiperazines (DKP), the simplest cyclic forms of peptides widespread in nature, are unsurpassed in their structural and bio-functional diversity. DKPs, especially those containing proline, due to their unique features such as, inter alia, extra-rigid conformation, high resistance to enzyme degradation, increased cell permeability, and expandable ability to bind a diverse of targets with better affinity, have emerged in the last years as biologically pre-validated platforms for the drug discovery. Recent advances have revealed their enormous potential in the development of next-generation theranostics, smart delivery systems, and biomaterials. Here, we present an updated review on the biological and structural profile of these appealing biomolecules, with a particular emphasis on those with anticancer properties, since cancers are the main cause of death all over the world. Additionally, we provide a consideration on supramolecular structuring and synthons, based on the proline-based DKP privileged scaffold, for inspiration in the design of compound libraries in search of ideal ligands, innovative self-assembled nanomaterials, and bio-functional architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Bojarska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of General & Inorganic Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Adam Mieczkowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Zyta M. Ziora
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.M.Z.); (I.T.)
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (A.O.S.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.M.Z.); (I.T.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (A.O.S.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ahmed O. Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (A.O.S.)
| | - Keykavous Parang
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA; (K.P.); (S.A.E.-M.); (E.H.M.M.)
| | - Shaima A. El-Mowafi
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA; (K.P.); (S.A.E.-M.); (E.H.M.M.)
| | - Eman H. M. Mohammed
- Center for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA; (K.P.); (S.A.E.-M.); (E.H.M.M.)
| | - Sherif Elnagdy
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt; (S.E.); (M.A.)
| | - Maha AlKhazindar
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt; (S.E.); (M.A.)
| | - Wojciech M. Wolf
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of General & Inorganic Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
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Insights into the Role of Membrane Lipids in the Structure, Function and Regulation of Integral Membrane Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169026. [PMID: 34445730 PMCID: PMC8396450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins exist within the highly hydrophobic membranes surrounding cells and organelles, playing key roles in cellular function. It is becoming increasingly clear that the membrane does not just act as an appropriate environment for these proteins, but that the lipids that make up these membranes are essential for membrane protein structure and function. Recent technological advances in cryogenic electron microscopy and in advanced mass spectrometry methods, as well as the development of alternative membrane mimetic systems, have allowed experimental study of membrane protein–lipid complexes. These have been complemented by computational approaches, exploiting the ability of Molecular Dynamics simulations to allow exploration of membrane protein conformational changes in membranes with a defined lipid content. These studies have revealed the importance of lipids in stabilising the oligomeric forms of membrane proteins, mediating protein–protein interactions, maintaining a specific conformational state of a membrane protein and activity. Here we review some of the key recent advances in the field of membrane protein–lipid studies, with major emphasis on respiratory complexes, transporters, channels and G-protein coupled receptors.
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Zou R, Wang X, Li S, Chan HCS, Vogel H, Yuan S. The role of metal ions in G protein‐coupled receptor signalling and drug discovery. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Zou
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
- AlphaMol Science Ltd Shenzhen China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
| | - Shu Li
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
| | - H. C. Stephen Chan
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
| | - Horst Vogel
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
- AlphaMol Science Ltd Shenzhen China
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Shuguang Yuan
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen China
- AlphaMol Science Ltd Shenzhen China
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Kumar GA, Sarkar P, Stepniewski TM, Jafurulla M, Singh SP, Selent J, Chattopadhyay A. A molecular sensor for cholesterol in the human serotonin 1A receptor. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/30/eabh2922. [PMID: 34301606 PMCID: PMC8302130 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh2922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The function of several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exhibits cholesterol sensitivity. Cholesterol sensitivity of GPCRs could be attributed to specific sequence and structural features, such as the cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif, that facilitate their cholesterol-receptor interaction. In this work, we explored the molecular basis of cholesterol sensitivity exhibited by the serotonin1A receptor, the most studied GPCR in the context of cholesterol sensitivity, by generating mutants of key residues in CRAC motifs in transmembrane helix 2 (TM2) and TM5 of the receptor. Our results show that a lysine residue (K101) in one of the CRAC motifs is crucial for sensing altered membrane cholesterol levels. Insights from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations showed that cholesterol-sensitive functional states of the serotonin1A receptor are associated with reduced conformational dynamics of extracellular loops of the receptor. These results constitute one of the first reports on the molecular mechanism underlying cholesterol sensitivity of GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aditya Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Parijat Sarkar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Md Jafurulla
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Shishu Pal Singh
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, UAS-GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru 560 065, India
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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Fetter-Pruneda I, Hart T, Ulrich Y, Gal A, Oxley PR, Olivos-Cisneros L, Ebert MS, Kazmi MA, Garrison JL, Bargmann CI, Kronauer DJC. An oxytocin/vasopressin-related neuropeptide modulates social foraging behavior in the clonal raider ant. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001305. [PMID: 34191794 PMCID: PMC8244912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin/vasopressin-related neuropeptides are highly conserved and play major roles in regulating social behavior across vertebrates. However, whether their insect orthologue, inotocin, regulates the behavior of social groups remains unknown. Here, we show that in the clonal raider ant Ooceraea biroi, individuals that perform tasks outside the nest have higher levels of inotocin in their brains than individuals of the same age that remain inside the nest. We also show that older ants, which spend more time outside the nest, have higher inotocin levels than younger ants. Inotocin thus correlates with the propensity to perform tasks outside the nest. Additionally, increasing inotocin pharmacologically increases the tendency of ants to leave the nest. However, this effect is contingent on age and social context. Pharmacologically treated older ants have a higher propensity to leave the nest only in the presence of larvae, whereas younger ants seem to do so only in the presence of pupae. Our results suggest that inotocin signaling plays an important role in modulating behaviors that correlate with age, such as social foraging, possibly by modulating behavioral response thresholds to specific social cues. Inotocin signaling thereby likely contributes to behavioral individuality and division of labor in ant societies. The neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin modulate social behavior in vertebrates, but their function in invertebrates is not well understood. Using brain staining and pharmacological manipulations, this study shows that a related neuropeptide, inotocin, affects how ants respond to larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Fetter-Pruneda
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- * E-mail: (IFP); (DJCK)
| | - Taylor Hart
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yuko Ulrich
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Asaf Gal
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Peter R. Oxley
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Samuel J. Wood Library, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Leonora Olivos-Cisneros
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Margaret S. Ebert
- Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Manija A. Kazmi
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Signal Transduction, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Garrison
- Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, United States of America
| | - Cornelia I. Bargmann
- Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. C. Kronauer
- Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IFP); (DJCK)
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Bous J, Orcel H, Floquet N, Leyrat C, Lai-Kee-Him J, Gaibelet G, Ancelin A, Saint-Paul J, Trapani S, Louet M, Sounier R, Déméné H, Granier S, Bron P, Mouillac B. Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin V2 receptor signaling complex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/21/eabg5628. [PMID: 34020960 PMCID: PMC8139594 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg5628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) forms a signaling complex with the V2 receptor (V2R) and the Gs protein, promoting kidney water reabsorption. Molecular mechanisms underlying activation of this critical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling system are still unknown. To fill this gap of knowledge, we report here the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the AVP-V2R-Gs complex. Single-particle analysis revealed the presence of three different states. The two best maps were combined with computational and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy constraints to reconstruct two structures of the ternary complex. These structures differ in AVP and Gs binding modes. They reveal an original receptor-Gs interface in which the Gαs subunit penetrates deep into the active V2R. The structures help to explain how V2R R137H or R137L/C variants can lead to two severe genetic diseases. Our study provides important structural insights into the function of this clinically relevant GPCR signaling complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Bous
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Orcel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Nicolas Floquet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34093 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Cédric Leyrat
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Joséphine Lai-Kee-Him
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Gérald Gaibelet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Aurélie Ancelin
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Saint-Paul
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Stefano Trapani
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Maxime Louet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34093 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Rémy Sounier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Hélène Déméné
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Granier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
| | - Patrick Bron
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France.
| | - Bernard Mouillac
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
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Directed evolution for high functional production and stability of a challenging G protein-coupled receptor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8630. [PMID: 33883583 PMCID: PMC8060309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87793-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) carry out many fundamental biological functions, are involved in a large number of physiological responses, and are thus important drug targets. To allow detailed biophysical and structural studies, most of these important receptors have to be engineered to overcome their poor intrinsic stability and low expression levels. However, those GPCRs with especially poor properties cannot be successfully optimised even with the current technologies. Here, we present an engineering strategy, based on the combination of three previously developed directed evolution methods, to improve the properties of particularly challenging GPCRs. Application of this novel combination approach enabled the successful selection for improved and crystallisable variants of the human oxytocin receptor, a GPCR with particularly low intrinsic production levels. To analyse the selection results and, in particular, compare the mutations enriched in different hosts, we developed a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) strategy that combines long reads, covering the whole receptor, with exceptionally low error rates. This study thus gave insight into the evolution pressure on the same membrane protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our long-read NGS strategy provides a general methodology for the highly accurate analysis of libraries of point mutants during directed evolution.
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Hanser F, Marsol C, Valencia C, Villa P, Klymchenko AS, Bonnet D, Karpenko J. Nile Red-Based GPCR Ligands as Ultrasensitive Probes of the Local Lipid Microenvironment of the Receptor. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:651-660. [PMID: 33733725 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The local lipid microenvironment of transmembrane receptors is an essential factor in G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. However, tools are currently missing for studying endogenously expressed GPCRs in primary cells and tissues. Here, we introduce fluorescent environment-sensitive GPCR ligands for probing the microenvironment of the receptor in living cells using fluorescence microscopy under no-wash conditions. We designed and synthesized antagonist ligands of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) by conjugating a high-affinity nonpeptidic OTR ligand PF-3274167 to the environment-sensitive fluorescent dye Nile Red. The length of the polar PEG spacer between the pharmacophore and the fluorophore was adjusted to lower the nonspecific interactions of the probe while preserving a strong fluorogenic response. We demonstrated that the new probes embed into the lipid bilayer in the vicinity of the receptor and convey information about the local polarity and the lipid order via the wavelength-shifting emission of the Nile Red fluorophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Hanser
- Laboratoire d’Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Claire Marsol
- Laboratoire d’Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Plate-forme de chimie biologique intégrative de Strasbourg (PCBiS), UMS 3286 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), ESBS Pôle API, Bld Sébastien Brant, 67412 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Christel Valencia
- Plate-forme de chimie biologique intégrative de Strasbourg (PCBiS), UMS 3286 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), ESBS Pôle API, Bld Sébastien Brant, 67412 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Pascal Villa
- Plate-forme de chimie biologique intégrative de Strasbourg (PCBiS), UMS 3286 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), ESBS Pôle API, Bld Sébastien Brant, 67412 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Andrey S. Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Dominique Bonnet
- Laboratoire d’Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Julie Karpenko
- Laboratoire d’Innovation Thérapeutique, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
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Rae M, Lemos Duarte M, Gomes I, Camarini R, Devi LA. Oxytocin and vasopressin: Signalling, behavioural modulation and potential therapeutic effects. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1544-1564. [PMID: 33817785 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are endogenous ligands for OT and AVP receptors in the brain and in the peripheral system. Several studies demonstrate that OT and AVP have opposite roles in modulating stress, anxiety and social behaviours. Interestingly, both peptides and their receptors exhibit high sequence homology which could account for the biased signalling interaction of the peptides with OT and AVP receptors. However, how and under which conditions this crosstalk occurs in vivo remains unclear. In this review we shed light on the complexity of the roles of OT and AVP, by focusing on their signalling and behavioural differences and exploring the crosstalk between the receptor systems. Moreover, we discuss the potential of OT and AVP receptors as therapeutic targets to treat human disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariana Lemos Duarte
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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47
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Molecular basis of ligand recognition and activation of human V2 vasopressin receptor. Cell Res 2021; 31:929-931. [PMID: 33742150 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00480-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Waltenspühl Y, Ehrenmann J, Klenk C, Plückthun A. Engineering of Challenging G Protein-Coupled Receptors for Structure Determination and Biophysical Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051465. [PMID: 33800379 PMCID: PMC7962830 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exert fundamental biological functions and are involved in a multitude of physiological responses, making these receptors ideal drug targets. Drug discovery programs targeting GPCRs have been greatly facilitated by the emergence of high-resolution structures and the resulting opportunities to identify new chemical entities through structure-based drug design. To enable the determination of high-resolution structures of GPCRs, most receptors have to be engineered to overcome intrinsic hurdles such as their poor stability and low expression levels. In recent years, multiple engineering approaches have been developed to specifically address the technical difficulties of working with GPCRs, which are now beginning to make more challenging receptors accessible to detailed studies. Importantly, successfully engineered GPCRs are not only valuable in X-ray crystallography, but further enable biophysical studies with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, native mass spectrometry, and fluorescence anisotropy measurements, all of which are important for the detailed mechanistic understanding, which is the prerequisite for successful drug design. Here, we summarize engineering strategies based on directed evolution to reduce workload and enable biophysical experiments of particularly challenging GPCRs.
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Cryo-EM structure of the AVP-vasopressin receptor 2-G s signaling complex. Cell Res 2021; 31:932-934. [PMID: 33664408 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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Marlow B, Kuenze G, Li B, Sanders CR, Meiler J. Structural determinants of cholesterol recognition in helical integral membrane proteins. Biophys J 2021; 120:1592-1604. [PMID: 33640379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is an integral component of mammalian membranes. It has been shown to modulate membrane fluidity and dynamics and alter integral membrane protein function. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of how cholesterol impacts protein function is complicated by limited and conflicting structural data. Because of the nature of the crystallization and cryo-EM structure determination, it is difficult to distinguish between specific and biologically relevant interactions and a nonspecific association. The only widely recognized search algorithm for cholesterol-integral-membrane-protein interaction sites is sequence based, i.e., searching for the so-called "Cholesterol Recognition/interaction Amino acid Consensus" motif. Although these motifs are present in numerous integral membrane proteins, there is inconclusive evidence to support their necessity or sufficiency for cholesterol binding. Here, we leverage the increasing number of experimental cholesterol-integral-membrane-protein structures to systematically analyze putative interaction sites based on their spatial arrangement and evolutionary conservation. This analysis creates three-dimensional representations of general cholesterol interaction sites that form clusters across multiple integral membrane protein classes. We also classify cholesterol-integral-membrane-protein interaction sites as either likely-specific or nonspecific. Information gleaned from our characterization will eventually enable a structure-based approach to predict and design cholesterol-integral-membrane-protein interaction sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennica Marlow
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Chemical and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Georg Kuenze
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bian Li
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Charles R Sanders
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jens Meiler
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Chemical and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, Leipzig, Germany.
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