1
|
Wu Z, Sun X, Su J, Zhang X, Hu J, Li C. Revealing the graded activation mechanism of neurotensin receptor 1. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 278:134488. [PMID: 39111461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134488] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Graded activation contributes to the precise regulation of GPCR activity, presenting new opportunities for drug design. In this work, a total of 10 μs enhanced-sampling simulations are performed to provide molecular insights into the binding dynamics differences of the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) to the full agonist SRI-9829, partial agonist RTI-3a and inverse agonist SR48692. The possible graded activation mechanism of NTSR1 is revealed by an integrated analysis utilizing the reweighted potential of mean force (PMF), deep learning (DL) and transfer entropy (TE). Specifically, the orthosteric pocket is observed to undergo expansion and contraction, with the G-protein-binding site experiencing interconversions among the inactive, intermediate and active-like states. Detailed structural comparisons capture subtle conformational differences arising from ligand binding in allosteric signaling, which can well explain the graded activation. Critical microswitches that contribute to graded activation are efficiently identified with the DL model. TE calculations enable the visualization of allosteric communication networks within the receptor, elucidating the driver-responder relationships associated with signal transduction. Fortunately, the dissociation of the full agonist from the orthosteric pocket is observed. The current findings systematically reveal the mechanism of NTSR1 graded activation, and also provide implications for structure-based drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Wu
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohan Sun
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjie Su
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal and Edible Plants Resources Development of Sichuan Education Department, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Chunhua Li
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel L. Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (G.L.S.); (M.G.); (E.J.M.); (D.O.); (L.N.B.)
| | - Abby L. Parrill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (G.L.S.); (M.G.); (E.J.M.); (D.O.); (L.N.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bower JB, Robson SA, Ziarek JJ. Insights on the G protein-coupled receptor helix 8 solution structure and orientation using a neurotensin receptor 1 peptide. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4976. [PMID: 38757374 PMCID: PMC11099793 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4976] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of membrane proteins encoded in the human genome with high pharmaceutical relevance and implications to human health. These receptors share a prevalent architecture of seven transmembrane helices followed by an intracellular, amphipathic helix 8 (H8) and a disordered C-terminal tail (Ctail). Technological advancements have led to over 1000 receptor structures in the last two decades, yet frequently H8 and the Ctail are conformationally heterogeneous or altogether absent. Here we synthesize a peptide comprising the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) H8 and Ctail (H8-Ctail) to investigate its structural stability, conformational dynamics, and orientation in the presence of detergent and phospholipid micelles, which mimic the membrane. Circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements confirm that zwitterionic 1,2-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine is a potent stabilizer of H8 structure, whereas the commonly-used branched detergent lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG) is unable to completely stabilize the helix - even at amounts four orders of magnitude greater than its critical micellar concentration. We then used NMR spectroscopy to assign the backbone chemical shifts. A series of temperature and lipid titrations were used to define the H8 boundaries as F376-R392 from chemical shift perturbations, changes in resonance intensity, and chemical-shift-derived phi/psi angles. Finally, the H8 azimuthal and tilt angles, defining the helix orientation relative of the membrane normal were measured using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR. Taken together, our studies reveal the H8-Ctail region is sensitive to membrane physicochemical properties and is capable of more adaptive behavior than previously suggested by static structural techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James B. Bower
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry DepartmentIndiana UniversityBloomingtonIndianaUSA
| | - Scott A. Robson
- Department of PharmacologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Joshua J. Ziarek
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry DepartmentIndiana UniversityBloomingtonIndianaUSA
- Department of PharmacologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vogt H, Shinkwin P, Huber ME, Staffen N, Hübner H, Gmeiner P, Schiedel M, Weikert D. Development of a Fluorescent Ligand for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of the Neurotensin Receptor 1. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1533-1545. [PMID: 38751637 PMCID: PMC11092115 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00086] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The membrane protein family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represents a major class of drug targets. Over the last years, the presence of additional intracellular binding sites besides the canonical orthosteric binding pocket has been demonstrated for an increasing number of GPCRs. Allosteric modulators harnessing these pockets may represent valuable alternatives when targeting the orthosteric pocket is not successful for drug development. Starting from SBI-553, a recently discovered intracellular allosteric modulator for neurotensin receptor subtype 1 (NTSR1), we developed the fluorescent molecular probe 14. Compound 14 binds to NTSR1 with an affinity of 0.68 μM in the presence of the agonist NT(8-13). NanoBRET-based ligand binding assays with 14 were established to derive the affinity and structure-activity relationships for allosteric NTSR1 modulators in a direct and nonisotopic manner, thereby facilitating the search for and optimization of novel allosteric NTSR1 ligands. As a consequence of cooperativity between the ligands binding to the allosteric and orthosteric pocket, compound 14 can also be used to investigate orthosteric NTSR1 agonists and antagonists. Moreover, employing 14 as a probe in a drug library screening, we identified novel chemotypes as binders for the intracellular allosteric SBI-553 binding pocket of NTSR1 with single-digit micromolar affinity. These hits may serve as interesting starting points for the development of novel intracellular allosteric ligands for NTSR1 as a highly interesting yet unexploited drug target in the fields of pain and addiction disorder therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Vogt
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Shinkwin
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max E. Huber
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nico Staffen
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- FAU
NeW − Research Center New Bioactive Compounds, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute
of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- FAU
NeW − Research Center New Bioactive Compounds, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Asadollahi K, Rajput S, de Zhang LA, Ang CS, Nie S, Williamson NA, Griffin MDW, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Weikl TR, Jameson GNL, Gooley PR. Unravelling the mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8155. [PMID: 38071229 PMCID: PMC10710507 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The conformational ensembles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include inactive and active states. Spectroscopy techniques, including NMR, show that agonists, antagonists and other ligands shift the ensemble toward specific states depending on the pharmacological efficacy of the ligand. How receptors recognize ligands and the kinetic mechanism underlying this population shift is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the kinetic mechanism of neurotensin recognition by neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) using 19F-NMR, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicate slow-exchanging conformational heterogeneity on the extracellular surface of ligand-bound NTS1. Numerical analysis of the kinetic data of neurotensin binding to NTS1 shows that ligand recognition follows an induced-fit mechanism, in which conformational changes occur after neurotensin binding. This approach is applicable to other GPCRs to provide insight into the kinetic regulation of ligand recognition by GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sunnia Rajput
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Lazarus Andrew de Zhang
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Williamson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Guy N L Jameson
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lu X, Shi X, Fan J, Li M, Zhang Y, Lu S, Xu G, Chen Z. Mechanistic Elucidation of Activation/Deactivation Signal Transduction within Neurotensin Receptor 1 Triggered by 'Driver Chemical Groups' of Modulators: A Comparative Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2000. [PMID: 37514186 PMCID: PMC10385606 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15072000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule modulators of neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1), a class A G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), has emerged as promising therapeutic agent for psychiatric disorders and cancer. Interestingly, a chemical group substitution in NTSR1 modulators can launch different types of downstream regulation, highlighting the significance of deciphering the internal fine-tuning mechanism. Here, we conducted a synergistic application of a Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulation, a conventional molecular dynamics simulation, and Markov state models (MSM) to investigate the underlying mechanism of 'driver chemical groups' of modulators triggering inverse signaling. The results indicated that the flexibility of the leucine moiety in NTSR1 agonists contributes to the inward displacement of TM7 through a loosely coupled allosteric pathway, while the rigidity of the adamantane moiety in NTSR1 antagonists leads to unfavorable downward transduction of agonistic signaling. Furthermore, we found that R3226.54, Y3196.51, F3537.42, R1483.32, S3567.45, and S3577.46 may play a key role in inducing the activation of NTSR1. Together, our findings not only highlight the ingenious signal transduction within class A GPCRs but also lay a foundation for the development of targeted drugs harboring different regulatory functions of NTSR1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Lu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinchao Shi
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jigang Fan
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Mingyu Li
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Guanghuan Xu
- Department of VIP Clinic, Changhai Hospital, Affiliated to Navy Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Amer M, Leka O, Jasko P, Frey D, Li X, Kammerer RA. A coiled-coil-based design strategy for the thermostabilization of G-protein-coupled receptors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10159. [PMID: 37349348 PMCID: PMC10287670 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36855-1] [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: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Structure elucidation of inactive-state GPCRs still mostly relies on X-ray crystallography. The major goal of our work was to create a new GPCR tool that would provide receptor stability and additional soluble surface for crystallization. Towards this aim, we selected the two-stranded antiparallel coiled coil as a domain fold that satisfies both criteria. A selection of antiparallel coiled coils was used for structure-guided substitution of intracellular loop 3 of the β3 adrenergic receptor. Unexpectedly, only the two GPCR variants containing thermostable coiled coils were expressed. We showed that one GPCR chimera is stable upon purification in detergent, retains ligand-binding properties, and can be crystallized. However, the quality of the crystals was not suitable for structure determination. By using two other examples, 5HTR2C and α2BAR, we demonstrate that our approach is generally suitable for the stabilization of GPCRs. To provide additional surface for promoting crystal contacts, we replaced in a structure-based approach the loop connecting the antiparallel coiled coil by T4L. We found that the engineered GPCR is even more stable than the coiled-coil variant. Negative-staining TEM revealed a homogeneous distribution of particles, indicating that coiled-coil-T4L receptor variants might also be promising candidate proteins for structure elucidation by cryo-EM. Our approach should be of interest for applications that benefit from stable GPCRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Amer
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Oneda Leka
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Jasko
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Frey
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Xiaodan Li
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Richard A Kammerer
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bumbak F, Bower JB, Zemmer SC, Inoue A, Pons M, Paniagua JC, Yan F, Ford J, Wu H, Robson SA, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Gooley PR, Ziarek JJ. Stabilization of pre-existing neurotensin receptor conformational states by β-arrestin-1 and the biased allosteric modulator ML314. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3328. [PMID: 37286565 PMCID: PMC10247727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with promise as a drug target for the treatment of pain, schizophrenia, obesity, addiction, and various cancers. A detailed picture of the NTS1 structural landscape has been established by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM and yet, the molecular determinants for why a receptor couples to G protein versus arrestin transducers remain poorly defined. We used 13CεH3-methionine NMR spectroscopy to show that binding of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to the receptor's intracellular surface allosterically tunes the timescale of motions at the orthosteric pocket and conserved activation motifs - without dramatically altering the structural ensemble. β-arrestin-1 further remodels the receptor ensemble by reducing conformational exchange kinetics for a subset of resonances, whereas G protein coupling has little to no effect on exchange rates. A β-arrestin biased allosteric modulator transforms the NTS1:G protein complex into a concatenation of substates, without triggering transducer dissociation, suggesting that it may function by stabilizing signaling incompetent G protein conformations such as the non-canonical state. Together, our work demonstrates the importance of kinetic information to a complete picture of the GPCR activation landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bumbak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins and Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - James B Bower
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Skylar C Zemmer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Miquel Pons
- Biomolecular NMR laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Paniagua
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - James Ford
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7102, USA
| | - Hongwei Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7102, USA
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Scott A Robson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Joshua J Ziarek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mohamadi M, Goricanec D, Wagner G, Hagn F. NMR sample optimization and backbone assignment of a stabilized neurotensin receptor. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107970. [PMID: 37142193 PMCID: PMC10242673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107970] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a multitude of cellular signaling cascades and consequently are a prominent target for pharmaceutical drugs. In the past decades, a growing number of high-resolution structures of GPCRs has been solved, providing unprecedented insights into their mode of action. However, knowledge on the dynamical nature of GPCRs is equally important for a better functional understanding, which can be obtained by NMR spectroscopy. Here, we employed a combination of size exclusion chromatography, thermal stability measurements and 2D-NMR experiments for the NMR sample optimization of the stabilized neurotensin receptor type 1 (NTR1) variant HTGH4 bound to the agonist neurotensin. We identified the short-chain lipid di-heptanoyl-glycero-phosphocholine (DH7PC) as a promising membrane mimetic for high resolution NMR experiments and obtained a partial NMR backbone resonance assignment. However, internal membrane-incorporated parts of the protein were not visible due to lacking amide proton back-exchange. Nevertheless, NMR and hydrogen deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry experiments could be used to probe structural changes at the orthosteric ligand binding site in the agonist and antagonist bound states. To enhance amide proton exchange we partially unfolded HTGH4 and observed additional NMR signals in the transmembrane region. However, this procedure led to a higher sample heterogeneity, suggesting that other strategies need to be applied to obtain high-quality NMR spectra of the entire protein. In summary, the herein reported NMR characterization is an essential step toward a more complete resonance assignment of NTR1 and for probing its structural and dynamical features in different functional states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Mohamadi
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - David Goricanec
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wagner
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Franz Hagn
- Bavarian NMR Center (BNMRZ) and Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Dept. of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany; Institute of Structural Biology, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Munich 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodríguez FD, Sánchez ML, Coveñas R. Neurotensin and Alcohol Use Disorders: Towards a Pharmacological Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108656. [PMID: 37240004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful alcohol use is responsible for a group of disorders collectively named alcohol use disorders (AUDs), according to the DSM-5 classification. The damage induced by alcohol depends on the amount, time, and consumption patterns (continuous and heavy episodic drinking). It affects individual global well-being and social and familial environments with variable impact. Alcohol addiction manifests with different degrees of organ and mental health detriment for the individual, exhibiting two main traits: compulsive drinking and negative emotional states occurring at withdrawal, frequently causing relapse episodes. Numerous individual and living conditions, including the concomitant use of other psychoactive substances, lie in the complexity of AUD. Ethanol and its metabolites directly impact the tissues and may cause local damage or alter the homeostasis of brain neurotransmission, immunity scaffolding, or cell repair biochemical pathways. Brain modulator and neurotransmitter-assembled neurocircuitries govern reward, reinforcement, social interaction, and consumption of alcohol behaviors in an intertwined manner. Experimental evidence supports the participation of neurotensin (NT) in preclinical models of alcohol addiction. For example, NT neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala projecting to the parabrachial nucleus strengthen alcohol consumption and preference. In addition, the levels of NT in the frontal cortex were found to be lower in rats bred to prefer alcohol to water in a free alcohol-water choice compared to wild-type animals. NT receptors 1 and 2 seem to be involved in alcohol consumption and alcohol effects in several models of knockout mice. This review aims to present an updated picture of the role of NT systems in alcohol addiction and the possible use of nonpeptide ligands modulating the activity of the NT system, applied to experimental animal models of harmful drinking behavior mimicking alcohol addiction leading to health ruin in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco D Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Lisardo Sánchez
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, C/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Group GIR-USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, C/Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hu J, Sun X, Kang Z, Cheng J. Computational investigation of functional water molecules in GPCRs bound to G protein or arrestin. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2023; 37:91-105. [PMID: 36459325 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-022-00492-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins constituting the largest family of drug targets. The activated GPCR binds either the heterotrimeric G proteins or arrestin through its activation cycle. Water molecules have been reported to play a role in GPCR activation. Nevertheless, reported studies are focused on the hydrophobic helical bundle region. How water molecules function in GPCR bound either G protein or arrestin is rarely studied. To address this issue, we carried out computational studies on water molecules in both GPCR/G protein complexes and GPCR/arrestin complexes. Using inhomogeneous fluid theory (IFT), we locate all possible hydration sites in GPCRs binding either to G protein or arrestin. We observe that the number of water molecules on the interaction surface between GPCRs and signal proteins are correlated with the insertion depths of the α5-helix from G-protein or "finger loop" from arrestin in GPCRs. In three out of the four simulation pairs, the interfaces of Rhodopsin, M2R and NTSR1 in the G protein-associated systems show more water-mediated hydrogen-bond networks when compared to these in arrestin-associated systems. This reflects that more functionally relevant water molecules may probably be attracted in G protein-associated structures than that in arrestin-associated structures. Moreover, we find the water-mediated interaction networks throughout the NPxxY region and the orthosteric pocket, which may be a key for GPCR activation. Reported studies show that non-biased agonist, which can trigger both GPCR-G protein and GPCR-arrestin activation signal, can result in pharmacologically toxicities. Our comprehensive studies of the hydration sites in GPCR/G protein complexes and GPCR/arrestin complexes may provide important insights in the design of G-protein biased agonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Hu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xianqiang Sun
- AutoDrug Biotech Co. Ltd, No. 58 XiangKe Rd., Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengzhong Kang
- AutoDrug Biotech Co. Ltd, No. 58 XiangKe Rd., Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianxin Cheng
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ligands selectively tune the local and global motions of neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS 1). Cell Rep 2023; 42:112015. [PMID: 36680775 PMCID: PMC9930568 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have revealed that fast methyl sidechain dynamics can report on entropically-driven allostery. Yet, NMR applications have been largely limited to the super-microsecond motional regimes of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We use 13Cε-methionine chemical shift-based global order parameters to test if ligands affect the fast dynamics of a thermostabilized GPCR, neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1). We establish that the NTS1 solution ensemble includes substates with lifetimes on several, discrete timescales. The longest-lived states reflect those captured in agonist- and inverse agonist-bound crystal structures, separated by large energy barriers. We observe that the rapid fluctuations of individual methionine residues, superimposed on these long-lived states, respond collectively with the degree of fast, global dynamics correlating with ligand pharmacology. This approach lends confidence to interpreting spectra in terms of local structure and methyl dihedral angle geometry. The results suggest a role for sub-microsecond dynamics and conformational entropy in GPCR ligand discrimination.
Collapse
|
14
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Onaga T, Sakai A, Yasui Y. Intravenous administration of xenin-25 accelerates cyclic ruminal contractions in healthy conscious sheep. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102293. [PMID: 36182703 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102293] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effect and mode of action of the intravenous injection of xenin-25 on cyclic contractions of the rumen in healthy conscious sheep and mode of its action. Clinically healthy male sheep were equipped with a rumen cannula by surgery under anesthesia, and ruminal contractions were recorded with manometry in conscious animals after the recovery period. Intravenous xenin-25 injection induced a cluster of premature ruminal phasic contractions in a dose-dependent manner between 0.03 and 1 nmol/kg, and the change at the highest dose was statistically significant. In contrast, intravenous neurotensin injection inhibited the amplitude of cyclic rumen contractions. The xenin-25 effect was not significantly altered by prior injection of the neurotensin receptor subtype-1 antagonist SR 48692 at 30 and 100 nmol/kg. After euthanasia the ruminal muscles were excised for in vitro experiments. A single xenin-25 application (0.3-10 μM) to the longitudinal and circular muscle strips of the rumen did not induce any change in tension or electric field stimulation-induced phasic contractions of the muscle strips. These results demonstrated that circulating xenin-25 stimulates rumen contractions by acting on sites except the intramural intrinsic nerve plexus or smooth muscles of the rumen, implying that xenin-25 acts on the gastric center and/or cholinergic efferent nerve innervated to the ovine rumen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takenori Onaga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Division of Biosciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Japan.
| | - Ami Sakai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Division of Biosciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Japan
| | - Yumiko Yasui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Division of Biosciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Robertson MJ, Papasergi-Scott MM, He F, Seven AB, Meyerowitz JG, Panova O, Peroto MC, Che T, Skiniotis G. Structure determination of inactive-state GPCRs with a universal nanobody. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:1188-1195. [PMID: 36396979 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00859-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has widened the field of structure-based drug discovery by allowing for routine determination of membrane protein structures previously intractable. Despite representing one of the largest classes of therapeutic targets, most inactive-state G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have remained inaccessible for cryo-EM because their small size and membrane-embedded nature impedes projection alignment for high-resolution map reconstructions. Here we demonstrate that the same single-chain camelid antibody (nanobody) recognizing a grafted intracellular loop can be used to obtain cryo-EM structures of inactive-state GPCRs at resolutions comparable or better than those obtained by X-ray crystallography. Using this approach, we obtained structures of neurotensin 1 receptor bound to antagonist SR48692, μ-opioid receptor bound to alvimopan, apo somatostatin receptor 2 and histamine receptor 2 bound to famotidine. We expect this rapid, straightforward approach to facilitate the broad exploration of GPCR inactive states without the need for extensive engineering and crystallization.
Collapse
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
| | - Makaía M Papasergi-Scott
- 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
| | - Feng He
- 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
| | - Alpay B Seven
- 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 and Pain Medicine, 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
| | - Maria Claudia Peroto
- 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
| | - Tao Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 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.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Das A, Gupta PK, Rana S. C5aR2 receptor: The genomic twin of the flamboyant C5aR1. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1841-1856. [PMID: 35977039 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The complement fragment C5a is one of the most potent proinflammatory glycoproteins liberated by the activation of the biochemical cascade of the complement system. C5a is established to interact with a set of genomically related transmembrane receptors, like C5aR1 (CD88, C5aR) and C5aR2 (GPR77, C5L2) with comparable affinity. The C5aR1 is a classical G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), whereas C5aR2 is a nonclassical GPCR that tailors immune cell activity potentially through β-arrestins rather than G-proteins. Currently, the exact function of the C5aR2 is actively debated in the context of C5aR1, even though both C5aR1 and C5aR2 are coexpressed on myriads of tissues. The functional relevance of C5aR2 appears to be context-dependent compared to the C5aR1, which has received enormous attention for its role in both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. In addition, the structure of C5aR2 and its interaction specificity toward C5a is not structurally elucidated in the literature so far. The current study has attempted to close the gap by generating highly refined model structures of C5aR2, respectively in free (inactive), complexed to C-terminal peptide of C5a (meta-active) and the C5a (active), embedded to a model palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayer. The computational modeling and the 1.5-μs molecular dynamics data presented in the current study are expected to further enrich the understanding of C5a-C5aR2 interaction compared to C5a-C5aR1, which will surely help in elaborating the currently debated biological function of C5aR2 better in the foreseeable future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurosikha Das
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Pulkit K Gupta
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Soumendra Rana
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, India
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Freitag PC, Brandl F, Brücher D, Weiss F, Dreier B, Plückthun A. Modular Adapters Utilizing Binders of Different Molecular Types Expand Cell-Targeting Options for Adenovirus Gene Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:1595-1601. [PMID: 35944553 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Efficient and cell-specific delivery of DNA is essential for the effective and safe use of gene delivery technologies. Consequently, a large variety of technologies have been developed and applied in a wide range of ex vivo and in vivo applications, including multiple approaches based on viral vectors. However, widespread success of a technology is largely determined by the versatility of the method and the ease of use. The rationally designed adapter technology previously developed redirects widely used human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV-C5) to a defined cell population, by binding and blocking the adenoviral knob tropism while simultaneously allowing fusions of an N-terminal retargeting module. Here we expand modularity, and thus applicability of this adapter technology, by extending the nature of the cell-binding portion. We report successful receptor-specific transduction mediated by a retargeting module consisting of either a DARPin, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of an antibody, a peptide, or a small molecule ligand. Furthermore, we show that an adapter can be engineered to carry more than one specificity, allowing dual targeting. Specific HAdV-C5 retargeting was thus demonstrated to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), human folate receptor α, and neurotensin receptor 1, effective at vector concentrations as low as a multiplicity of infection of 2.5. Therefore, we report a modular design which allows plug-and-play combinations of different binding modules, leading to efficient and specific mono- or dual-targeting while circumventing tedious optimization procedures. This extends the technology to combinational applications of cell-specific binding, supporting research in gene therapy, synthetic biology, and biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Brandl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Brücher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Dreier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dixon AD, Inoue A, Robson SA, Culhane KJ, Trinidad JC, Sivaramakrishnan S, Bumbak F, Ziarek JJ. Effect of Ligands and Transducers on the Neurotensin Receptor 1 Conformational Ensemble. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:10241-10250. [PMID: 35647863 PMCID: PMC9936889 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Using a discrete, intracellular 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe on transmembrane helix 6 of the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1), we aim to understand how ligands and transducers modulate the receptor's structural ensemble in a solution. For apo NTS1, 19F NMR spectra reveal an ensemble of at least three conformational substates (one inactive and two active-like) in equilibrium that exchange on the millisecond to second timescale. Dynamic NMR experiments reveal that these substates follow a linear three-site exchange process that is both thermodynamically and kinetically remodeled by orthosteric ligands. As previously observed in other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the full agonist is insufficient to completely stabilize the active-like state. The inactive substate is abolished upon coupling to β-arrestin-1 (βArr1) or the C-terminal helix of Gαq, which comprises ≳60% of the GPCR/G protein interface surface area. Whereas βArr1 exclusively selects for pre-existing active-like substates, the Gαq peptide induces a new substate. Both transducer molecules promote substantial line broadening of active-like states, suggesting contributions from additional microsecond to millisecond exchange processes. Together, our study suggests that (i) the NTS1 allosteric activation mechanism may be alternatively dominated by induced fit or conformational selection depending on the coupled transducer, and (ii) the available static structures do not represent the entire conformational ensemble observed in a solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin D. Dixon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578 Miyagi, Japan
| | - Scott A. Robson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Kelly J. Culhane
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States,Present Address: Department of Chemistry, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911, United States
| | - Jonathan C. Trinidad
- Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Fabian Bumbak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States,Present Address: Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Joshua J. Ziarek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Structural insights into the peptide selectivity and activation of human neuromedin U receptors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2045. [PMID: 35440625 PMCID: PMC9019041 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29683-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromedin U receptors (NMURs), including NMUR1 and NMUR2, are a group of Gq/11-coupled G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). NMUR1 and NMUR2 play distinct, pleiotropic physiological functions in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system (CNS), respectively, according to their distinct tissue distributions. These receptors are stimulated by two endogenous neuropeptides, neuromedin U and S (NMU and NMS) with similar binding affinities. NMURs have gathered attention as potential drug targets for obesity and inflammatory disorders. Specifically, selective agonists for NMUR2 in peripheral tissue show promising long-term anti-obesity effects with fewer CNS-related side effects. However, the mechanisms of peptide binding specificity and receptor activation remain elusive. Here, we report four cryo-electron microscopy structures of Gq chimera-coupled NMUR1 and NMUR2 in complexes with NMU and NMS. These structures reveal the conserved overall peptide-binding mode and the mechanism of peptide selectivity for specific NMURs, as well as the common activation mechanism of the NMUR subfamily. Together, these findings provide insights into the molecular basis of the peptide recognition and offer an opportunity for the design of the selective drugs targeting NMURs. Neuromedin U receptors (NMURs) are potential drug targets for obesity and inflammatory disorders. Here, the authors report structural basis for neuromedin recognition and activation mechanism of NMURs.
Collapse
|
21
|
Deluigi M, Morstein L, Schuster M, Klenk C, Merklinger L, Cridge RR, de Zhang LA, Klipp A, Vacca S, Vaid TM, Mittl PRE, Egloff P, Eberle SA, Zerbe O, Chalmers DK, Scott DJ, Plückthun A. Crystal structure of the α 1B-adrenergic receptor reveals molecular determinants of selective ligand recognition. Nat Commun 2022; 13:382. [PMID: 35046410 PMCID: PMC8770593 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27911-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
α-adrenergic receptors (αARs) are G protein-coupled receptors that regulate vital functions of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The therapeutic potential of αARs, however, is largely unexploited and hampered by the scarcity of subtype-selective ligands. Moreover, several aminergic drugs either show off-target binding to αARs or fail to interact with the desired subtype. Here, we report the crystal structure of human α1BAR bound to the inverse agonist (+)-cyclazosin, enabled by the fusion to a DARPin crystallization chaperone. The α1BAR structure allows the identification of two unique secondary binding pockets. By structural comparison of α1BAR with α2ARs, and by constructing α1BAR-α2CAR chimeras, we identify residues 3.29 and 6.55 as key determinants of ligand selectivity. Our findings provide a basis for discovery of α1BAR-selective ligands and may guide the optimization of aminergic drugs to prevent off-target binding to αARs, or to elicit a selective interaction with the desired subtype. This study reports the X-ray structure of the α1B-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptor bound to an inverse agonist, and unveils key determinants of subtype-selective ligand binding that may help the design of aminergic drugs with fewer side-effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Deluigi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Morstein
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schuster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Klenk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Merklinger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Riley R Cridge
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Lazarus A de Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander Klipp
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Santiago Vacca
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tasneem M Vaid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Peer R E Mittl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Egloff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie A Eberle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David K Chalmers
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Molecular mechanism of agonism and inverse agonism in ghrelin receptor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:300. [PMID: 35027551 PMCID: PMC8758724 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-27975-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Much effort has been invested in the investigation of the structural basis of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activation. Inverse agonists, which can inhibit GPCRs with constitutive activity, are considered useful therapeutic agents, but the molecular mechanism of such ligands remains insufficiently understood. Here, we report a crystal structure of the ghrelin receptor bound to the inverse agonist PF-05190457 and a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the active ghrelin receptor-Go complex bound to the endogenous agonist ghrelin. Our structures reveal a distinct binding mode of the inverse agonist PF-05190457 in the ghrelin receptor, different from the binding mode of agonists and neutral antagonists. Combining the structural comparisons and cellular function assays, we find that a polar network and a notable hydrophobic cluster are required for receptor activation and constitutive activity. Together, our study provides insights into the detailed mechanism of ghrelin receptor binding to agonists and inverse agonists, and paves the way to design specific ligands targeting ghrelin receptors. Ghrelin receptor regulates energy homeostasis through constitutive activity or by the ghrelin. Here the authors report two structures of ghrelin receptor bound to agonist and inverse agonist, providing insights into the mechanism of inverse agonism, which is of interest for specific ligand design.
Collapse
|
23
|
Agamennone M, Nicoli A, Bayer S, Weber V, Borro L, Gupta S, Fantacuzzi M, Di Pizio A. Protein-protein interactions at a glance: Protocols for the visualization of biomolecular interactions. Methods Cell Biol 2021; 166:271-307. [PMID: 34752337 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a key role in many biological processes and are intriguing targets for drug discovery campaigns. Advancements in experimental and computational techniques are leading to a growth of data accessibility, and, with it, an increased need for the analysis of PPIs. In this respect, visualization tools are essential instruments to represent and analyze biomolecular interactions. In this chapter, we reviewed some of the available tools, highlighting their features, and describing their functions with practical information on their usage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bayer
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Verena Weber
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Luca Borro
- Department of Imaging, Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shailendra Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wu Y, Zeng L, Zhao S. Ligands of Adrenergic Receptors: A Structural Point of View. Biomolecules 2021; 11:936. [PMID: 34202543 PMCID: PMC8301793 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenergic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors for epinephrine and norepinephrine. They are targets of many drugs for various conditions, including treatment of hypertension, hypotension, and asthma. Adrenergic receptors are intensively studied in structural biology, displayed for binding poses of different types of ligands. Here, we summarized molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition and receptor activation exhibited by structure. We also reviewed recent advances in structure-based ligand discovery against adrenergic receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.)
| | - Liting Zeng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
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.
Collapse
|