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Sun W, Yang F, Zhang H, Yuan Q, Ling S, Wang Y, Lv P, Li Z, Luo Y, Liu D, Yin W, Shi P, Xu HE, Tian C. Structural insights into neurokinin 3 receptor activation by endogenous and analogue peptide agonists. Cell Discov 2023; 9:66. [PMID: 37391393 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00564-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) is a tachykinin receptor essential for the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The endogenous peptide agonist neurokinin B (NKB) preferentially activates NK3R, while substance P (SP) binds preferentially to NK1R. In addition, the SP analogue senktide more potently activates NK3R than NKB and SP. However, the mechanisms of preferential binding of peptide and NK3R activation remain elusive. Herein, we determined the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the NK3R-Gq complex bound to NKB, SP and senktide. The three NK3R-Gq/peptide complexes utilize a class of noncanonical receptor activation mechanisms. Combining the structural analysis and functional assay illustrated that the consensus C-termini of the three peptide agonists share a conserved binding mode to NK3R, while the divergent N-termini of the peptides confer the preferential binding of the agonist to NK3R. In addition, the specific interactions between the N-terminus of senktide and the N-terminus and extracellular loops (ECL2 and ECL3) of NK3R lead to the improved activation displayed by senktide compared to SP and NKB. These findings pave the way to understand tachykinin receptor subtype selectivity and provide ideas to rationally develop drugs targeting NK3R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huanhuan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qingning Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenglong Ling
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuanxia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pei Lv
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zelin Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yifan Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanchao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Pan Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - H Eric Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Changlin Tian
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Joint Center for Biological Analytical Chemistry, Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Peptide Drug, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photonic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- The Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Resonance Image, High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Singh R, Zogg H, Ro S. Role of microRNAs in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Alternatives. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11101021. [PMID: 34683162 PMCID: PMC8541612 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11101021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of gut–brain interactions (DGBIs) are heterogeneous in nature and intertwine with diverse pathophysiological mechanisms. Regular functioning of the gut requires complex coordinated interplay between a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) cell types and their functions are regulated by multiple mechanisms at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to specific mRNA targets to repress their translation and/or promote the target mRNA degradation. Dysregulation of miRNAs might impair gut physiological functions leading to DGBIs and gut motility disorders. Studies have shown miRNAs regulate gut functions such as visceral sensation, gut immune response, GI barrier function, enteric neuronal development, and GI motility. These biological processes are highly relevant to the gut where neuroimmune interactions are key contributors in controlling gut homeostasis and functional defects lead to DGBIs. Although extensive research has explored the pathophysiology of DGBIs, further research is warranted to bolster the molecular mechanisms behind these disorders. The therapeutic targeting of miRNAs represents an attractive approach for the treatment of DGBIs because they offer new insights into disease mechanisms and have great potential to be used in the clinic as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent advances regarding the regulation of miRNAs in GI pacemaking cells, immune cells, and enteric neurons modulating pathophysiological mechanisms of DGBIs. This review aims to assess the impacts of miRNAs on the pathophysiological mechanisms of DGBIs, including GI dysmotility, impaired intestinal barrier function, gut immune dysfunction, and visceral hypersensitivity. We also summarize the therapeutic alternatives for gut microbial dysbiosis in DGBIs, highlighting the clinical insights and areas for further exploration. We further discuss the challenges in miRNA therapeutics and promising emerging approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seungil Ro
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-775-784-1462; Fax: +1-775-784-6903
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3
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Mandal S, Chakrabarty D, Bhattacharya A, Paul J, Haldar S, Pal K. miRNA regulation of G protein-coupled receptor mediated angiogenic pathways in cancer. THE NUCLEUS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-021-00365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Abstract
The Tacr3 gene encodes tachykinin receptor 3 (NK3R), which belongs to the tachykinin receptor family. This family of proteins includes typical G protein-coupled receptors and belongs to the rhodopsin subfamily. NK3R functions by binding to its high-affinity ligand, neurokinin B(NKB). The role of Tacr3/NK3R in growth and reproduction has been extensively studied, but Tacr3/NK3R is also widely expressed in the nervous system from the spinal cord to the brain and is involved in both physiological and pathological processes in the nervous system, including mood disorders, chronic pain, learning and memory deficiencies, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, addiction-related processes, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, body fluid management, neural development, and schizophrenia. Here, we summarize the structure of NK3R/NKB and its cellular signaling as well as the expression of Tacr3/NK3R in the nervous system, and we provide a comprehensive summary of the role of Tacr3/NK3R in neurological diseases, including reproduction-related disorders and other neurological diseases. At the end of this review, we propose the hypothesis that Tacr3/NK3R mediates a variety of brain functions by affecting the excitability of different neurons with specific functions. On the basis of this "excited or not" hypothesis, more studies related to Tacr3 should be carried out in other nervous system diseases in order to better understand the biological roles of Tacr3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-wen Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xia Chu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Ebrahimi S, Javid H, Alaei A, Hashemy SI. New insight into the role of substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor system in breast cancer progression and its crosstalk with microRNAs. Clin Genet 2020; 98:322-330. [PMID: 32266968 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide substance P (SP) triggers a variety of tumor-promoting signaling pathways through the activation of neurokinin-1receptor (NK1R), a class of neurokinin G protein-coupled receptors superfamily. Recent researches in our and other laboratories have shown the overexpression of both SP and NK1R in breast cancer (BC) patients. SP/NK1R signaling is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of BC through affecting cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance. Therefore, SP/NK1R signaling responses must be rigorously regulated; otherwise, they would contribute to a more aggressive BC phenotype. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) as a specific class of epigenetic regulators have been shown to regulate NK1R and thus, controlling SP/NK1R signaling responses in BC. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of SP/NK1R signaling and its therapeutic potentials in BC. We also provide an overview regarding the effects of miRNA-mediated NK1R regulatory mechanisms in controlling BC tumorigenesis to gain a clearer view and thus better management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hosein Javid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amin Alaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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6
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Musa G, Srivastava S, Petzold J, Cazorla-Vázquez S, Engel FB. miR-27a/b is a posttranscriptional regulator of Gpr126 (Adgrg6). Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1456:109-121. [PMID: 31596512 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gpr126 (Adgrg6), a member of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor family, has been associated with a variety of human diseases. Yet, despite its clinical importance, the mechanisms regulating Gpr126 expression are poorly understood. Here, we aimed at identifying upstream regulatory mechanisms of Gpr126 expression utilizing the heart as model organ in which Gpr126 regulates trabeculation. Here, we focused on possible regulation of Gpr126 regulation by microRNAs, which have emerged as key players in regulating development, have a critical role in disease progression, and might serve as putative therapeutic targets. In silico analyses identified one conserved binding site in the 3' UTR of Gpr126 for microRNA 27a and 27b (miR-27a/b). In addition, miR-27a/b and Gpr126 expression were differentially expressed during rat heart development. A regulatory role of miR-27a/b in controlling Gpr126 expression was substantiated by reduced Gpr126 mRNA levels upon ectopic expression of miR-27a/b in HEK293T cells and miR-27b in zebrafish embryos. Regulation of Gpr126 expression by direct binding of miR-27a/b to the 3' UTR of Gpr126 was verified by luciferase reporter assays in HEK293T cells. Finally, the modulation of gpr126 expression in zebrafish by injection of either miR-27b or miR-27b inhibitor in single cell-stage embryos resulted in hypo- or hypertrabeculation, respectively. Collectively, the data indicate that Gpr126 expression is regulated by miR-27a/b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gentian Musa
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Swati Srivastava
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jana Petzold
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Salvador Cazorla-Vázquez
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix B Engel
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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7
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Insel PA, Sriram K, Gorr MW, Wiley SZ, Michkov A, Salmerón C, Chinn AM. GPCRomics: An Approach to Discover GPCR Drug Targets. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:378-387. [PMID: 31078319 PMCID: PMC6604616 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are targets for ∼35% of approved drugs but only ∼15% of the ∼800 human GPCRs are currently such targets. GPCRomics, the use of unbiased, hypothesis-generating methods [e.g., RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq)], with tissues and cell types to identify and quantify GPCR expression, has led to the discovery of previously unrecognized GPCRs that contribute to functional responses and pathophysiology and that may be therapeutic targets. The combination of GPCR expression data with validation studies (e.g., signaling and functional activities) provides opportunities for the discovery of disease-relevant GPCR targets and therapeutics. Here, we review insights from GPCRomic approaches, gaps in knowledge, and future directions by which GPCRomics can advance GPCR biology and the discovery of new GPCR-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Insel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Krishna Sriram
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Matthew W Gorr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shu Z Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alexander Michkov
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Cristina Salmerón
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amy M Chinn
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Riemann A, Reime S, Thews O. Acidic extracellular environment affects miRNA expression in tumorsin vitroandin vivo. Int J Cancer 2018; 144:1609-1618. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Riemann
- Institute of PhysiologyUniversity Halle Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Sarah Reime
- Institute of PhysiologyUniversity Halle Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Oliver Thews
- Institute of PhysiologyUniversity Halle Halle (Saale) Germany
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