A lipidated peptide derived from the C-terminal tail of the vasopressin 2 receptor shows promise as a new β-arrestin inhibitor

β-arrestins play pivotal roles in seven transmembrane receptor (7TMR) signalling and trafficking. To study their functional role in regulating specific receptor systems, current research relies mainly on genetic tools, as few pharmacological options are available. To address this issue, we designed and synthesised a novel lipidated phosphomimetic peptide inhibitor targeting β-arrestins, called ARIP, which was developed based on the C-terminal tail (A343-S371) of the vasopressin V2 receptor. As the V2R sequence has been shown to bind β-arrestins with high affinity, we added an N-terminal palmitate residue to allow membrane tethering and cell entry. Here, using BRET2-based biosensors, we demonstrated the ability of ARIP to inhibit agonist-induced β-arrestin recruitment on a series of 7TMRs that includes both stable and transient β-arrestin binders, with efficiencies that depend on receptor type. In addition, we showed that ARIP was unable to recruit β-arrestins to the cell membrane by itself, and that it did not interfere with G protein signalling. Molecular modelling studies also revealed that ARIP binds β-arrestins as does V2Rpp, the phosphorylated peptide derived from V2R, and that replacing the p-Ser and p-Thr residues of V2Rpp with Glu residues does not alter ARIP's inhibitory activity on β-arrestin recruitment. Importantly, ARIP exerted an opioid-sparing effect in vivo, as intrathecal injection of ARIP potentiated morphine's analgesic effect in the tail-flick test, consistent with previous findings of genetic inhibition of β-arrestins. ARIP therefore represents a promising pharmacological tool for investigating the fine-tuning roles of β-arrestins in 7TMR-driven pathophysiological processes.

Distinct roles of the extracellular surface residues of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor in β-arrestin 1/2 signaling

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a prime drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity. The ligand initiated GLP-1R interaction with G protein has been well studied, but not with β-arrestin 1/2. Therefore, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), mutagenesis and an operational model were used to evaluate the roles of 85 extracellular surface residues on GLP-1R in β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment triggered by three representative GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1, exendin-4 and oxyntomodulin). Residues selectively regulated β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment for diverse ligands, and β-arrestin isoforms were identified. Mutation of residues K130-S136, L142 and Y145 on the transmembrane helix 1 (TM1)-extracellular domain (ECD) linker decreased β-arrestin 1 recruitment but increased β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Other extracellular loop (ECL) mutations, including P137A, Q211A, D222A and M303A selectively affected β-arrestin 1 recruitment while D215A, L217A, Q221A, S223A, Y289A, S301A, F381A and I382A involved more in β-arrestin 2 recruitment for the ligands. Oxyntomodulin engaged more broadly with GLP-1R extracellular surface to drive β-arrestin 1/2 recruitment than GLP-1 and exendin-4; I147, W214 and L218 involved in β-arrestin 1 recruitment, while L141, D215, L218, D293 and F381 in β-arrestin 2 recruitment for oxyntomodulin particularly. Additionally, the non-conserved residues on β-arrestin 1/2 C-domains contributed to interaction with GLP-1R. Further proteomic profiling of GLP-1R stably expressed cell line upon ligand stimulation with or without β-arrestin 1/2 overexpression demonstrated both commonly and biasedly regulated proteins and pathways associated with cognate ligands and β-arrestins. Our study offers valuable information about ligand induced β-arrestin recruitment mediated by GLP-1R and consequent intracellular signaling events.

Patterns of human and porcine gammaherpesvirus-encoded BILF1 receptor endocytosis

BACKGROUND

The viral G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) BILF1 encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogene and immunoevasin and can downregulate MHC-I molecules at the surface of infected cells. MHC-I downregulation, which presumably occurs through co-internalization with EBV-BILF1, is preserved among BILF1 receptors, including the three BILF1 orthologs encoded by porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV BILFs). This study aimed to understand the detailed mechanisms of BILF1 receptor constitutive internalization, to explore the translational potential of PLHV BILFs compared with EBV-BILF1.

METHODS

A novel real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based internalization assay combined with dominant-negative variants of dynamin-1 (Dyn K44A) and the chemical clathrin inhibitor Pitstop2 in HEK-293A cells was used to study the effect of specific endocytic proteins on BILF1 internalization. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-saturation analysis was used to study BILF1 receptor interaction with β-arrestin2 and Rab7. In addition, a bioinformatics approach informational spectrum method (ISM) was used to investigate the interaction affinity of BILF1 receptors with β-arrestin2, AP-2, and caveolin-1.

RESULTS

We identified dynamin-dependent, clathrin-mediated constitutive endocytosis for all BILF1 receptors. The observed interaction affinity between BILF1 receptors and caveolin-1 and the decreased internalization in the presence of a dominant-negative variant of caveolin-1 (Cav S80E) indicated the involvement of caveolin-1 in BILF1 trafficking. Furthermore, after BILF1 internalization from the plasma membrane, both the recycling and degradation pathways are proposed for BILF1 receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

The similarity in the internalization mechanisms observed for EBV-BILF1 and PLHV1-2 BILF1 provide a foundation for further studies exploring a possible translational potential for PLHVs, as proposed previously, and provides new information about receptor trafficking.

Hypothalamic GPCR Signaling Pathways in Cardiometabolic Control

Obesity is commonly associated with sympathetic overdrive, which is one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and heart failure. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying obesity development with central origin; however, the relative contribution of these molecular changes to the regulation of cardiovascular function remains vague. A variety of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their downstream signaling pathways activated in distinct hypothalamic neurons by different metabolic hormones, neuropeptides and monoamine neurotransmitters are crucial not only for the regulation of appetite and metabolic homeostasis but also for the sympathetic control of cardiovascular function. In this review, we will highlight the main GPCRs and associated hypothalamic nuclei that are important for both metabolic homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The potential downstream molecular mediators of these GPCRs will also be discussed.

Beta-Arrestins in the Treatment of Heart Failure Related to Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review

Heart failure (HF) is a complicated clinical syndrome that is considered an increasingly frequent reason for hospitalization, characterized by a complex therapeutic regimen, reduced quality of life, and high morbidity. Long-standing hypertension ultimately paves the way for HF. Recently, there have been improvements in the treatment of hypertension and overall management not limited to only conventional medications, but several novel pathways and their pharmacological alteration are also conducive to the treatment of hypertension. Beta-arrestin (β-arrestin), a protein responsible for beta-adrenergic receptors’ (β-AR) functioning and trafficking, has recently been discovered as a potential regulator in hypertension. β-arrestin isoforms, namely β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2, mainly regulate cardiac function. However, there have been some controversies regarding the function of the two β-arrestins in hypertension regarding HF. In the present review, we try to figure out the paradox between the roles of two isoforms of β-arrestin in the treatment of HF.

Beta-Arrestins in the Treatment of Heart Failure Related to Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review

Heart failure (HF) is a complicated clinical syndrome that is considered an increasingly frequent reason for hospitalization, characterized by a complex therapeutic regimen, reduced quality of life, and high morbidity. Long-standing hypertension ultimately paves the way for HF. Recently, there have been improvements in the treatment of hypertension and overall management not limited to only conventional medications, but several novel pathways and their pharmacological alteration are also conducive to the treatment of hypertension. Beta-arrestin (β-arrestin), a protein responsible for beta-adrenergic receptors' (β-AR) functioning and trafficking, has recently been discovered as a potential regulator in hypertension. β-arrestin isoforms, namely β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2, mainly regulate cardiac function. However, there have been some controversies regarding the function of the two β-arrestins in hypertension regarding HF. In the present review, we try to figure out the paradox between the roles of two isoforms of β-arrestin in the treatment of HF.

GRK2 regulates GLP-1R-mediated early phase insulin secretion in vivo

BACKGROUND

Insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell is finely modulated by different signals to allow an adequate control of glucose homeostasis. Incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) act as key physiological potentiators of insulin release through binding to the G protein-coupled receptor GLP-1R. Another key regulator of insulin signaling is the Ser/Thr kinase G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2). However, whether GRK2 affects insulin secretion or if GRK2 can control incretin actions in vivo remains to be analyzed.

RESULTS

Using GRK2 hemizygous mice, isolated pancreatic islets, and model β-cell lines, we have uncovered a relevant physiological role for GRK2 as a regulator of incretin-mediated insulin secretion in vivo. Feeding, oral glucose gavage, or administration of GLP-1R agonists in animals with reduced GRK2 levels (GRK2+/- mice) resulted in enhanced early phase insulin release without affecting late phase secretion. In contrast, intraperitoneal glucose-induced insulin release was not affected. This effect was recapitulated in isolated islets and correlated with the increased size or priming efficacy of the readily releasable pool (RRP) of insulin granules that was observed in GRK2+/- mice. Using nanoBRET in β-cell lines, we found that stimulation of GLP-1R promoted GRK2 association to this receptor and that GRK2 protein and kinase activity were required for subsequent β-arrestin recruitment.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our data suggest that GRK2 is an important negative modulator of GLP-1R-mediated insulin secretion and that GRK2-interfering strategies may favor β-cell insulin secretion specifically during the early phase, an effect that may carry interesting therapeutic applications.

GRK Inhibition Potentiates Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Action

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) whose activation results in suppression of food intake and improvement of glucose metabolism. Several receptor interacting proteins regulate the signaling of GLP-1R such as G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) and β-arrestins. Here we evaluated the physiological and pharmacological impact of GRK inhibition on GLP-1R activity leveraging small molecule inhibitors of GRK2 and GRK3. We demonstrated that inhibition of GRK: i) inhibited GLP-1-mediated β-arrestin recruitment, ii) enhanced GLP-1-induced insulin secretion in isolated islets and iii) has additive effect with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 in mediating suppression of glucose excursion in mice. These findings highlight the importance of GRK to modulate GLP-1R function in vitro and in vivo. GRK inhibition is a potential therapeutic approach to enhance endogenous and pharmacologically stimulated GLP-1R signaling.

Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 regulates glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor signalling and resensitisation

Following nutrient ingestion, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is secreted from intestinal L-cells and mediates anti-diabetic effects, most notably stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release from pancreatic β-cells but also inhibiting glucagon release, promoting satiety and weight reduction and potentially enhancing or preserving β-cell mass. These effects are mediated by the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), which is a therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes. Although agonism at the GLP-1R has been well studied, desensitisation and resensitisation are perhaps less well explored. An understanding of these events is important, particularly in the design and use of novel receptor ligands. Here, using either HEK293 cells expressing the recombinant human GLP-1R or the pancreatic β-cell line, INS-1E with endogenous expressesion of the GLP-1R, we demonstrate GLP-1R desensitisation and subsequent resensitisation following removal of extracellular GLP-1 7-36 amide. Resensitisation is dependent on receptor internalisation, endosomal acidification and receptor recycling. Resensitisation is also regulated by endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) activity, most likely through proteolysis of GLP-1 in endosomes and the facilitation of GLP-1R dephosphorylation and recycling. Inhibition of ECE-1 activity also increases GLP-1-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and generation of cAMP, suggesting processes dependent upon the lifetime of the internalised ligand-receptor complex.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Its Class B G Protein-Coupled Receptors: A Long March to Therapeutic Successes

The glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the action of GLP-1, a peptide hormone secreted from three major tissues in humans, enteroendocrine L cells in the distal intestine, α cells in the pancreas, and the central nervous system, which exerts important actions useful in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, including glucose homeostasis and regulation of gastric motility and food intake. Peptidic analogs of GLP-1 have been successfully developed with enhanced bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Physiologic and biochemical studies with truncated, chimeric, and mutated peptides and GLP-1R variants, together with ligand-bound crystal structures of the extracellular domain and the first three-dimensional structures of the 7-helical transmembrane domain of class B GPCRs, have provided the basis for a two-domain-binding mechanism of GLP-1 with its cognate receptor. Although efforts in discovering therapeutically viable nonpeptidic GLP-1R agonists have been hampered, small-molecule modulators offer complementary chemical tools to peptide analogs to investigate ligand-directed biased cellular signaling of GLP-1R. The integrated pharmacological and structural information of different GLP-1 analogs and homologous receptors give new insights into the molecular determinants of GLP-1R ligand selectivity and functional activity, thereby providing novel opportunities in the design and development of more efficacious agents to treat metabolic disorders.

Functional consequences of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor cross-talk and trafficking

The signaling capacity of seven-transmembrane/G-protein-coupled receptors (7TM/GPCRs) can be regulated through ligand-mediated receptor trafficking. Classically, the recycling of internalized receptors is associated with resensitization, whereas receptor degradation terminates signaling. We have shown previously that the incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) internalizes fast and is primarily resensitized through recycling back to the cell surface. GLP-1R is expressed in pancreatic islets together with the closely related glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIPR) and glucagon (GCGR) receptors. The interaction and cross-talk between coexpressed receptors is a wide phenomenon of the 7TM/GPCR superfamily. Numerous reports show functional consequences for signaling and trafficking of the involved receptors. On the basis of the high structural similarity and tissue coexpression, we here investigated the potential cross-talk between GLP-1R and GIPR or GCGR in both trafficking and signaling pathways. Using a real-time time-resolved FRET-based internalization assay, we show that GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR internalize with differential properties. Remarkably, upon coexpression of the internalizing GLP-1R and the non-internalizing GIPR, GLP-1-mediated GLP-1R internalization was impaired in a GIPR concentration-dependent manner. As a functional consequence of such impaired internalization capability, GLP-1-mediated GLP-1R signaling was abrogated. A similar compromised signaling was found when GLP-1R internalization was abrogated by a dominant-negative version of dynamin (dynamin-1 K44E), which provides a mechanistic link between GLP-1R trafficking and signaling. This study highlights the importance of receptor internalization for full functionality of GLP-1R. Moreover, cross-talk between the two incretin receptors GLP-1R and GIPR is shown to alter receptor trafficking with functional consequences for GLP-1R signaling.

The GIP receptor displays higher basal activity than the GLP-1 receptor but does not recruit GRK2 or arrestin3 effectively

Background and Objectives

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are important regulators of insulin secretion, and their functional loss is an early characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Pharmacological levels of GLP-1, but not GIP, can overcome this loss. GLP-1 and GIP exert their insulinotropic effects through their respective receptors expressed on pancreatic β-cells. Both the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the GIP receptor (GIPR) are members of the secretin family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and couple positively to adenylate cyclase. We compared the signalling properties of these two receptors to gain further insight into why GLP-1, but not GIP, remains insulinotropic in T2DM patients.

Methods

GLP-1R and GIPR were transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells, and basal and ligand-induced cAMP production were investigated using a cAMP-responsive luciferase reporter gene assay. Arrestin3 (Arr3) recruitment to the two receptors was investigated using enzyme fragment complementation, confocal microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).

Results

GIPR displayed significantly higher (P<0.05) ligand-independent activity than GLP-1R. Arr3 displayed a robust translocation to agonist-stimulated GLP-1R but not to GIPR. These observations were confirmed in FRET experiments, in which GLP-1 stimulated the recruitment of both GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) and Arr3 to GLP-1R. These interactions were not reversed upon agonist washout. In contrast, GIP did not stimulate recruitment of either GRK2 or Arr3 to its receptor. Interestingly, arrestin remained at the plasma membrane even after prolonged (30 min) stimulation with GLP-1. Although the GLP-1R/arrestin interaction could not be reversed by agonist washout, GLP-1R and arrestin did not co-internalise, suggesting that GLP-1R is a class A receptor with regard to arrestin binding.

Conclusions

GIPR displays higher basal activity than GLP-1R but does not effectively recruit GRK2 or Arr3.

Quantifying biased β-arrestin signaling

It is now established that agonists do not uniformly activate pleiotropic signaling mechanisms initiated by receptors but rather can bias signals according to the unique receptor conformations they stabilize. One of the important emerging signaling systems where this can occur is through β-arrestin. This chapter discusses biased signaling where emphasis or de-emphasis of β-arrestin signaling is postulated (or been shown) to be beneficial. The chapter specifically focuses on methods to quantify biased effects; these methods furnish scales that can be used in the process of optimizing biased agonism (and antagonism) for therapeutic benefit. Specifically, methods to derive ΔΔLog(τ/K A) or ΔΔLog(Relative Activity) values are described to do this.

Co-expression of GRK2 reveals a novel conformational state of the µ-opioid receptor

Agonists at the µ-opioid receptor are known to produce potent analgesic responses in the clinical setting, therefore, an increased understanding of the molecular interactions of ligands at this receptor could lead to improved analgesics. As historically morphine has been shown to be a poor recruiter of β-arrestin in recombinant cell systems and this can be overcome by the co-expression of GRK2, we investigated the effects of GRK2 co-expression, in a recombinant µ-opioid receptor cell line, on ligand affinity and intrinsic activity in both β-arrestin recruitment and [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays. We also investigated the effect of receptor depletion in the β-arrestin assay. GRK2 co-expression increased both agonist Emax and potency in the β-arrestin assay. The increase in agonist potency could not be reversed using receptor depletion, supporting that the effects were due to a novel receptor conformation not system amplification. We also observed a small but significant effect on agonist KL values. Potency values in the [(35)S]GTPγS assay were unchanged; however, inverse agonist activity became evident with GRK2 co-expression. We conclude that this is direct evidence that the µ-opioid receptor is an allosteric protein and the co-expression of signalling molecules elicits changes in its conformation and thus ligand affinity. This has implications when describing how ligands interact with the receptor and how efficacy is determined.

BRET biosensors to study GPCR biology, pharmacology, and signal transduction

Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensors have been extensively used over the last decade to study protein-protein interactions and intracellular signal transduction in living cells. In this review, we discuss the various BRET biosensors that have been developed to investigate biology, pharmacology, and signaling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs form two distinct types of multiprotein signal transduction complexes based upon their inclusion of G proteins or β-arrestins that can be differentially affected by drugs that exhibit functional selectivity toward G protein or β-arrestin signaling. BRET has been especially adept at illuminating the dynamics of protein-protein interactions between receptors, G proteins, β-arrestins, and their many binding partners in living cells; as well as measuring the formation and accumulation of second messengers following receptor activation. Specifically, we discuss in detail the application of BRET to study dopamine and trace amine receptors signaling, presenting examples of an exchange protein activated by cAMP biosensor to measure cAMP, β-arrestin biosensors to determine β-arrestin recruitment to the receptor, and dopamine D2 receptor and trace amine-associated receptor 1 biosensors to investigate heterodimerization between them. As the biochemical spectrum of BRET biosensors expands, the number of signaling pathways that can be measured will concomitantly increase. This will be particularly useful for the evaluation of functional selectivity in which the real-time BRET capability to measure distinct signaling modalities will dramatically shorten the time to characterize new generation of biased drugs. These emerging approaches will further expand the growing application of BRET in the screening for novel pharmacologically active compounds.