Sequential conformational rearrangements dictate the dynamics of class C GPCR activation

Biased signaling due to oligomerization of the G protein-coupled platelet-activating factor receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important drug targets that mediate various signaling pathways by activating G proteins and engaging β-arrestin proteins. Despite its importance for the development of therapeutics with fewer side effects, the underlying mechanism that controls the balance between these signaling modes of GPCRs remains largely unclear. Here, we show that assembly into dimers and oligomers can largely influence the signaling mode of the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Single-particle analysis results show that PAFR can form oligomers at low densities through two possible dimer interfaces. Stabilization of PAFR oligomers through cross-linking increases G protein activity, and decreases β-arrestin recruitment and agonist-induced internalization significantly. Reciprocally, β-arrestin prevents PAFR oligomerization. Our results highlight a mechanism involved in the control of receptor signaling, and thereby provide important insights into the relationship between GPCR oligomerization and downstream signaling.

Muscarinic receptor oligomerization

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been classically described as monomeric entities that function by binding in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio to both ligand and downstream signalling proteins. However, in recent years, a growing number of studies has supported the hypothesis that these receptors can interact to form dimers and higher order oligomers although the molecular basis for these interactions, the overall quaternary arrangements and the functional importance of GPCR oligomerization remain topics of intense speculation. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors belong to class A of the GPCR family. Each muscarinic receptor subtype has its own particular distribution throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system, muscarinic receptors regulate several sensory, cognitive, and motor functions while, in the peripheral nervous system, they are involved in the regulation of heart rate, stimulation of glandular secretion and smooth muscle contraction. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have long been used as a model for the study of GPCR structure and function and to address aspects of GPCR dimerization using a broad range of approaches. In this review, the prevailing knowledge regarding the quaternary arrangement for the various muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has been summarized by discussing work ranging from initial results obtained using more traditional biochemical approaches to those generated with more modern biophysical techniques. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neuropharmacology on Muscarinic Receptors'.

Signaling within Allosteric Machines: Signal Transmission Pathways Inside G Protein-Coupled Receptors

In recent years, our understanding of function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has changed from a picture of simple signal relays, transmitting only a particular signal to a particular G protein heterotrimer, to versatile machines, capable of various responses to different stimuli and being modulated by various factors. Some recent reports provide not only the data on ligands/modulators and resultant signals induced by them, but also deeper insights into exact pathways of signal migration and mechanisms of signal transmission through receptor structure. Combination of these computational and experimental data sheds more light on underlying mechanisms of signal transmission and signaling bias in GPCRs. In this review we focus on available clues on allosteric pathways responsible for complex signal processing within GPCRs structures, with particular emphasis on linking compatible in silico- and in vitro-derived data on the most probable allosteric connections.