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Ono H, Nagai K, Higuchi H. Dark Morph of the Oriental Honey-Buzzard ( Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis) is Attributable to Specific MC1R Haplotypes. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:342-350. [PMID: 39093280 DOI: 10.2108/zs230092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
A thorough understanding of the development of complex plumages in birds necessitates the acquisition of genetic data pertaining to the mechanism underlying this phenomenon from various avian species. The oriental honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis), a tropical summer migrant to Northeast Asia, including Japan, exemplifies this aspect owing to the diversity of its ventral coloration and intra-feather barring patterns. However, genetic polymorphism responsible for this diversity has not been identified yet. This study aimed to investigate the link between dark-plumed phenotypes of this subspecies and haplotypes of the melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) gene. A draft sequence of MC1R was constructed using next generation sequencing and subsequently amplified using designed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. The genome sequences of 32 honey-buzzard individuals were determined using PCR, and 12 MC1R haplotype sequences were obtained. Among these haplotypes, we found that unique haplotypes with nine non-synonymous substitutions and four or five synonymous substitutions in the coding region had a perfect correlation with the dark-plumed phenotype. The lack of correlation between the genotype of ASIP coding region and plumage phenotype reiterated that the dark morph is attributable to specific MC1R haplotypes. The absence of a correlation between genetic polymorphisms of MC1R and the intra-feather barring patterns, as well as the diversity observed within lighter ground color classes (pale and intermediate), implies the involvement of alternative molecular mechanisms in the manifestation of the aforementioned phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotake Ono
- Department of Biology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan,
- Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan
| | - Kazuya Nagai
- Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Higuchi
- Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan
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2
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Yue WK, Zhang T, Shandre Mugan R, Barlow N, Chalmers DK, Pouton CW, Thompson PE. Targeting Melanocortin Receptors Using S NAr-Type Macrocyclization: A Doubly Orthogonal Route to Cyclic Peptide Conjugates. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3273-3283. [PMID: 36808973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
While a range of strategies exist to accomplish peptide macrocyclization, they are frequently limited by the need for orthogonal protection or provide little opportunity for structural diversification. We have evaluated an efficient macrocyclization method that employs nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) to create thioether macrocycles. This versatile macrocyclization, orthogonal to conventional peptide synthesis, can be performed in solution on unprotected peptidomimetics or on resin-bound peptides with side-chain protection in place. We show that the electron-withdrawing groups present in the products can be further utilized in subsequent orthogonal reactions to alter the peptide properties or to add prosthetic groups. The macrocyclization strategy was applied to the design of melanocortin ligands, generating a library of potent melanocortin agonists that exhibit distinct subtype selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiao K Yue
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tianxia Zhang
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Rekha Shandre Mugan
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicholas Barlow
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David K Chalmers
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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3
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Campagna L, Mo Z, Siepel A, Uy JAC. Selective sweeps on different pigmentation genes mediate convergent evolution of island melanism in two incipient bird species. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010474. [PMID: 36318577 PMCID: PMC9624418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Insular organisms often evolve predictable phenotypes, like flightlessness, extreme body sizes, or increased melanin deposition. The evolutionary forces and molecular targets mediating these patterns remain mostly unknown. Here we study the Chestnut-bellied Monarch (Monarcha castaneiventris) from the Solomon Islands, a complex of closely related subspecies in the early stages of speciation. On the large island of Makira M. c. megarhynchus has a chestnut belly, whereas on the small satellite islands of Ugi, and Santa Ana and Santa Catalina (SA/SC) M. c. ugiensis is entirely iridescent blue-black (i.e., melanic). Melanism has likely evolved twice, as the Ugi and SA/SC populations were established independently. To investigate the genetic basis of melanism on each island we generated whole genome sequence data from all three populations. Non-synonymous mutations at the MC1R pigmentation gene are associated with melanism on SA/SC, while ASIP, an antagonistic ligand of MC1R, is associated with melanism on Ugi. Both genes show evidence of selective sweeps in traditional summary statistics and statistics derived from the ancestral recombination graph (ARG). Using the ARG in combination with machine learning, we inferred selection strength, timing of onset and allele frequency trajectories. MC1R shows evidence of a recent, strong, soft selective sweep. The region including ASIP shows more complex signatures; however, we find evidence for sweeps in mutations near ASIP, which are comparatively older than those on MC1R and have been under relatively strong selection. Overall, our study shows convergent melanism results from selective sweeps at independent molecular targets, evolving in taxa where coloration likely mediates reproductive isolation with the neighboring chestnut-bellied subspecies. Chestnut-bellied Monarchs (Monarcha castaneiventris ugiensis) from two archipelagos in the Solomon Islands have evolved entirely black plumage from a chestnut ancestor (Monarcha castaneiventris megarhynchus), a phenomenon known as island melanism. We obtain and analyze whole genome sequences using traditional summary statistics and new methods that combine inference of the ancestral recombination graph with machine learning. We find multiple lines of evidence for independent selective sweeps on the MC1R and ASIP genes, a receptor/ligand pair which regulates the production of melanin. Melanism on each archipelago is mediated by mutations in one of these two genes. Mutations in and around MC1R underwent a recent soft sweep experiencing strong selection on the islands of Santa Ana and Santa Catalina, whereas selection was also strong but comparatively older for ASIP on the island of Ugi. We show how melanism originated under positive selection on independent molecular targets, evolving convergently in taxa where coloration mediates reproductive isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Campagna
- Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LC); (JACU)
| | - Ziyi Mo
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States of America
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States of America
| | - Adam Siepel
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States of America
| | - J. Albert C. Uy
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LC); (JACU)
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Ji RL, Tao YX. Melanocortin-1 receptor mutations and pigmentation: Insights from large animals. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 189:179-213. [PMID: 35595349 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in cutaneous and hair follicle melanocytes, and plays a central role in coat color determination in vertebrates. Numerous MC1R variants have been identified in diverse species. Some of these variants have been associated with specific hair and skin color phenotypes in humans as well as coat color in animals. Gain-of-function mutations of the MC1R gene cause dominant or partially dominant black/dark coat color, and loss-of-function mutations of the MC1R gene cause recessive or partially recessive red/yellow/pale coat color phenotypes. These have been well documented in a large number of mammals, including human, dog, cattle, horse, sheep, pig, and fox. Higher similarities between large mammals and humans makes them better models to understand pathogenesis of human diseases caused by MC1R mutations. High identities in MC1Rs and similar variants identified in both humans and large mammals also provide an opportunity for receptor structure and function study. In this review, we aim to summarize the naturally occurring mutations of MC1R in humans and large animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Lei Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
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5
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Yan X, Terai Y, Widayati KA, Itoigawa A, Purba LHPS, Fahri F, Suryobroto B, Imai H. Functional divergence of the pigmentation gene melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) in six endemic Macaca species on Sulawesi Island. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7593. [PMID: 35534524 PMCID: PMC9085793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coat color is often highly variable within and between animal taxa. Among hundreds of pigmentation-related genes, melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) plays key roles in regulating the synthesis of the dark eumelanin and the red–yellow pheomelanin. The six species of macaques that inhabit Sulawesi Island diverged rapidly from their common ancestor, M. nemestrina. Unlike most macaques, Sulawesi macaques commonly have a dark coat color, with divergence in shade and color pattern. To clarify the genetic and evolutionary basis for coat color in Sulawesi macaques, we investigated the MC1R sequences and functional properties, including basal cAMP production and α-MSH-induced activity in vitro. We found fixed non-synonymous substitutions in MC1R in each species. Furthermore, we found that six species-specific variants corresponded with variation in agonist-induced and basal activity of MC1R. Inconsistent with the dark coat color, four substitutions independently caused decreases in the basal activity of MC1R in M. hecki, M. nigra, M. tonkeana, and M. ochreata. Selective analysis suggested MC1R of M. nigra and M. nigrescens underwent purifying selection. Overall, our results suggest that fixed differences in MC1R resulted in different functional characteristics and might contribute to divergence in color among the six Sulawesi macaque species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochan Yan
- Molecular Biology Section, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Yohey Terai
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Japan
| | | | - Akihiro Itoigawa
- Molecular Biology Section, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | | | - Fahri Fahri
- Department of Biology, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
| | | | - Hiroo Imai
- Molecular Biology Section, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan.
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Miranda I, Giska I, Farelo L, Pimenta J, Zimova M, Bryk J, Dalén L, Mills LS, Zub K, Melo-Ferreira J. Museomics dissects the genetic basis for adaptive seasonal colouration in the least weasel. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:4388-4402. [PMID: 34157721 PMCID: PMC8476133 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissecting the link between genetic variation and adaptive phenotypes provides outstanding opportunities to understand fundamental evolutionary processes. Here, we use a museomics approach to investigate the genetic basis and evolution of winter coat colouration morphs in least weasels (Mustela nivalis), a repeated adaptation for camouflage in mammals with seasonal pelage colour moults across regions with varying winter snow. Whole-genome sequence data was obtained from biological collections and mapped onto a newly assembled reference genome for the species. Sampling represented two replicate transition zones between nivalis and vulgaris colouration morphs in Europe, which typically develop white or brown winter coats, respectively. Population analyses showed that the morph distribution across transition zones is not a by-product of historical structure. Association scans linked a 200 kb genomic region to colouration morph, which was validated by genotyping museum specimens from inter-morph experimental crosses. Genotyping the wild populations narrowed down the association to pigmentation gene MC1R and pinpointed a candidate amino acid change co-segregating with colouration morph. This polymorphism replaces an ancestral leucine residue by lysine at the start of the first extracellular loop of the protein in the vulgaris morph. A selective sweep signature overlapped the association region in vulgaris, suggesting that past adaptation favoured winter-brown morphs and can anchor future adaptive responses to decreasing winter snow. Using biological collections as valuable resources to study natural adaptations, our study showed a new evolutionary route generating winter colour variation in mammals and that seasonal camouflage can be modulated by changes at single key genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Miranda
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
| | - Iwona Giska
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Liliana Farelo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - João Pimenta
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Marketa Zimova
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Dana Natural Resources Building, 440 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI, 49109, USA
| | - Jarosław Bryk
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Quennsgate, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, Stockholm, SE-10691, Sweden.,Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm, SE-10405, Sweden
| | - L Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.,Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Karol Zub
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, Białowieża 17-230, Poland
| | - José Melo-Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
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7
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Yeo GSH, Chao DHM, Siegert AM, Koerperich ZM, Ericson MD, Simonds SE, Larson CM, Luquet S, Clarke I, Sharma S, Clément K, Cowley MA, Haskell-Luevano C, Van Der Ploeg L, Adan RAH. The melanocortin pathway and energy homeostasis: From discovery to obesity therapy. Mol Metab 2021; 48:101206. [PMID: 33684608 PMCID: PMC8050006 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past 20 years, insights from human and mouse genetics have illuminated the central role of the brain leptin-melanocortin pathway in controlling mammalian food intake, with genetic disruption resulting in extreme obesity, and more subtle polymorphic variations influencing the population distribution of body weight. At the end of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved setmelanotide, a melanocortin 4 receptor agonist, for use in individuals with severe obesity due to either pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency. SCOPE OF REVIEW Herein, we chart the melanocortin pathway's history, explore its pharmacology, genetics, and physiology, and describe how a neuropeptidergic circuit became an important druggable obesity target. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Unravelling the genetics of the subset of severe obesity has revealed the importance of the melanocortin pathway in appetitive control; coupling this with studying the molecular pharmacology of compounds that bind melanocortin receptors has brought a new obesity drug to the market. This process provides a drug discovery template for complex disorders, which for setmelanotide took 25 years to transform from a single gene into an approved drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles S H Yeo
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Anna-Maria Siegert
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Zoe M Koerperich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55455.
| | - Mark D Ericson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55455.
| | - Stephanie E Simonds
- Metabolism, Diabetes, and Obesity Programme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Courtney M Larson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55455.
| | - Serge Luquet
- Université de Paris, BFA, UMR 8251, CNRS, Paris, France.
| | - Iain Clarke
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | | | - Karine Clément
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Nutrition and Obesity: Systemic Approaches (NutriOmics) Research Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Michael A Cowley
- Metabolism, Diabetes, and Obesity Programme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55455.
| | | | - Roger A H Adan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMCU Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Goud TS, Upadhyay RC, Pichili VBR, Onteru SK, Chadipiralla K. Molecular characterization of coat color gene in Sahiwal versus Karan Fries bovine. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:22. [PMID: 33512595 PMCID: PMC7846656 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanocortin-1-receptor gene (MC1R) plays a significant role in signaling cascade of melanin production. In cattle, the coat colors, such as red and black, are an outcome of eumelanin and pheomelanin pigments, respectively. The coat colors have become critical factors in the animal selection process. This study is therefore aimed at the molecular characterization of reddish-brown coat-colored Sahiwal cattle in comparison to the black and white-colored Karan Fries. RESULTS The Sequence length of the MC1R gene was 954 base pairs in Sahiwal cattle. The sequences were examined and submitted to GenBank Acc.No. MG373575 to MG373605. Alignment of both (Sahiwal and Karan Fries) protein sequences by applying ClustalO multiple sequence alignment programs revealed 99.8-96.8% sequence similarity within the bovine. MC1R gene phylogenetic studies were analyzed by MEGA X. The gene MC1R tree, protein confines, and hereditary difference of cattle were derived from Ensemble Asia Cow Genome Browser 97. One unique single-nucleotide polymorphism (c.844C>A) (SNP) was distinguished. Single amino acid changes were detected in the seventh transmembrane structural helix region, with SNP at p.281 T>N of MC1R gene in Karan Fries cattle. CONCLUSIONS In this current research, we first distinguished the genomic sequence of the MC1R gene regions that showed evidence of coat variation between Indian indigenous Sahiwal cattle breed correlated with crossbreed Karan Fries. These variations were found in the Melanocortin 1 receptor coding regions of the diverse SNPs. The conclusions of this research provide new insights into understanding the coat color variation in crossbreed compared to the Indian Sahiwal cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talla Sridhar Goud
- Climate Resilient Live Stock Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
- Department of Biotechnology, Vikrama Simhapuri University, Andhrapradesh, Nellore, 524320 India
| | - Ramesh Chandra Upadhyay
- Climate Resilient Live Stock Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| | | | - Suneel Kumar Onteru
- Molecular Endocrinology, Functional Genomics and Structural Biology, Animal Biochemistry Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| | - Kiranmai Chadipiralla
- Department of Biotechnology, Vikrama Simhapuri University, Andhrapradesh, Nellore, 524320 India
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Sedano-Cruz RE, Osorio DC. MODELLING OF 3D-STRUCTURES OF THE RARE MELANOCORTIN-1-RECEPTOR MUTATIONS ASSOCIATED TO MELANISM IN THE BANANAQUIT. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2020. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v26n1.81432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanism in plumage color is often associated to the single nucleotide polymorphism of the melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R). Despite the striking association between the substitution of a Glutamic-acid by for a Lysine at position 92 on the MC1R protein and a completely black plumage, an in-depth understanding of the effect of missense mutations on the conformational change and behavior of the MC1R in the lipid bilayer caused by the absence of a crystal structure is lacking. We examine the structural basis for receptor activation using DNA sequences from the GenBank to perform in silicoprotein homology-based modeling. Our tridimensional model shows that the Alanine for a 179-Threoninesubstitution is a structural complement of the charge-reversing effect associated to the substitution of a Glutamic-acid by for a Lysine at position 92 on the MC1R. We proposed the possibility of gradual evolution in stability and electrostatic properties of the MC1R by the sequential accumulation of these two rare substitutions. These two rare substitutions further perturb physical-chemical properties that may be necessary folding requirements of the constitutively active MC1R forms without altering of ligand binding affinity. The computational coarse-grained molecular dynamics of the MC1R binding affinities to the melanocyte-stimulating hormone predicted the disparity in ligand binding amongalleles. We speculate that the disparity in structural constraints and ligand binding among the alleles within heterozygous individuals may contribute as a mechanism to the plumage color variation in the Coereba flaveola.
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10
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Ji LQ, Rao YZ, Zhang Y, Chen R, Tao YX. Regulation of melanocortin-1 receptor pharmacology by melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 285:113291. [PMID: 31568758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) has important roles in regulating pigmentation and inflammation. Melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) modulates trafficking, ligand binding, and signaling of mammalian melanocortin receptors. However, the effect of MRAP2 on fish MC1R has not been extensively studied. Herein, we cloned the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) mc1r, which had a 972 bp open reading frame encoding a putative protein of 323 amino acids. Grouper mc1r was mainly expressed in the brain, skin, testis, spleen, head kidney, and kidney. EcoMC1R showed high constitutive activities in both Gs-cAMP and ERK1/2 pathways, which could be differentially modulated by grouper MRAP2 (EcoMRAP2). Three agonists, including α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-MSH, and ACTH, could bind to EcoMC1R and dose-dependently increase intracellular cAMP production. EcoMRAP2 had no effect on the IC50 in binding assay or EC50 in cAMP assay; however, it dose-dependently decreased the cell surface expression and maximal response to the three agonists. EcoMRAP2 increased basal ERK1/2 activation but did not alter α-MSH-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. This study extends the knowledge base of fish MC1R pharmacology and its regulation by MRAP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qin Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States; Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ying-Zhu Rao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States; Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524048, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Zhuhai, Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 51900, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524048, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States.
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Park J, Jeong D, Jang B, Oh ES. The melanocortin-1 receptor reversely regulates the melanin synthesis and migration of melanoma cells via dimerization-induced conformational changes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:739-745. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Zhu W, Liu L, Wang X, Gao X, Jiang J, Wang B. Transcriptomics reveals the molecular processes of light-induced rapid darkening of the non-obligate cave dweller Oreolalax rhodostigmatus (Megophryidae, Anura) and their genetic basis of pigmentation strategy. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:422. [PMID: 29855256 PMCID: PMC5984452 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4790-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertebrates use different pigmentation strategies to adapt to various environments. A large amount of research has been done on disclosing the mechanisms of pigmentation strategies in vertebrates either under light, or, living in constant darkness. However, less attention has been paid to non-obligate, darkness dwellers. Red-spotted toothed toads Oreolalax rhodostigmatus (Megophryidae; Anura) from the karst mountainous region of southwestern China are non-obligate cave dwellers. Most tadpoles of the species possess transparent skin as they inhabit the dark karst caves. But remarkably, the transparent tadpoles can darken just within 15 h once exposed to light. Obviously, it is very significant to reveal molecular mechanisms of the unexpected rapid-darkening phenomenon. RESULTS We compared the transcriptomes of O. rhodostigmatus tadpoles with different durations of light exposure to investigate the cellular processes and potential regulation signals for their light-induced rapid darkening. Genes involved in melanogenesis (i.e. TYR, TYRP1 and DCT) and melanocyte proliferation, as well as their transcriptional factor (MITF), showed light-induced transcription, suggesting a dominating role of morphological color change (MCC) in this process. Transcription of genes related to growth factor, MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways increased with time of light exposure, suggesting that light could induce significant growth signal, which might facilitate the rapid skin darkening. Most importantly, an in-frame deletion of four residues was identified in O. rhodostigmatus melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a critical receptor in MCC. This deletion results in a more negatively charged ligand pocket with three stereo-tandem aspartate residues. Such structural changes likely decrease the constitutive activity of MC1R, but increase its ligands-dependent activity, thus coordinating pigment regression and rapid melanogenesis in the dark and light, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study suggested that rapid MCC was responsible for the light-induced rapid darkening of O. rhodostigmatus tadpoles. Genetic mutations of MC1R in them could explain how these non-obligate cave dwellers coordinate pigment regression and robust melanogenesis in darkness and light, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the association between pigmentation phenotype adaptation and MC1R mutations in amphibians and/or in non-obligate cave dwellers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lusha Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xungang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xinyu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Human melanocortin 1 receptor-mediated ubiquitination of nonvisual arrestins. Role of Mahogunin Ring Finger 1 E3 ligase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:76-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Uy JAC, Cooper EA, Cutie S, Concannon MR, Poelstra JW, Moyle RG, Filardi CE. Mutations in different pigmentation genes are associated with parallel melanism in island flycatchers. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.0731. [PMID: 27412275 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The independent evolution of similar traits across multiple taxa provides some of the most compelling evidence of natural selection. Little is known, however, about the genetic basis of these convergent or parallel traits: are they mediated by identical or different mutations in the same genes, or unique mutations in different genes? Using a combination of candidate gene and reduced representation genomic sequencing approaches, we explore the genetic basis of and the evolutionary processes that mediate similar plumage colour shared by isolated populations of the Monarcha castaneiventris flycatcher of the Solomon Islands. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) that explicitly controlled for population structure revealed that mutations in known pigmentation genes are the best predictors of parallel plumage colour. That is, entirely black or melanic birds from one small island share an amino acid substitution in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), whereas similarly melanic birds from another small island over 100 km away share an amino acid substitution in a predicted binding site of agouti signalling protein (ASIP). A third larger island, which separates the two melanic populations, is inhabited by birds with chestnut bellies that lack the melanic MC1R and ASIP allelic variants. Formal FST outlier tests corroborated the results of the GWAS and suggested that strong, directional selection drives the near fixation of the MC1R and ASIP variants across islands. Our results, therefore, suggest that selection acting on different mutations with large phenotypic effects can drive the evolution of parallel melanism, despite the relatively small population size on islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Albert C Uy
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Cooper
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Stephen Cutie
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Moira R Concannon
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jelmer W Poelstra
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert G Moyle
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Christopher E Filardi
- Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA
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15
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Effect ofmelanocortin 1 receptor(MC1R) polymorphism on coat colour variation in nutrias (Myocastor coypus Mol.). Anim Genet 2014; 45:909-11. [DOI: 10.1111/age.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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16
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García-Borrón JC, Abdel-Malek Z, Jiménez-Cervantes C. MC1R, the cAMP pathway, and the response to solar UV: extending the horizon beyond pigmentation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:699-720. [PMID: 24807163 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor crucial for the regulation of melanocyte proliferation and function. Upon binding melanocortins, MC1R activates several signaling cascades, notably the cAMP pathway leading to synthesis of photoprotective eumelanin. Polymorphisms in the MC1R gene are a major source of normal variation of human hair color and skin pigmentation, response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and skin cancer susceptibility. The identification of a surprisingly high number of MC1R natural variants strongly associated with pigmentary phenotypes and increased skin cancer risk has prompted research on the functional properties of the wild-type receptor and frequent mutant alleles. We summarize current knowledge on MC1R structural and functional properties, as well as on its intracellular trafficking and signaling. We also review the current knowledge about the function of MC1R as a skin cancer, particularly melanoma, susceptibility gene and how it modulates the response of melanocytes to UVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C García-Borrón
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
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Agouti signalling protein is an inverse agonist to the wildtype and agonist to the melanic variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor in the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). FEBS Lett 2014; 588:2335-43. [PMID: 24879893 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a key regulator of mammalian pigmentation. Melanism in the grey squirrel is associated with an eight amino acid deletion in the mutant melanocortin-1 receptor with 24 base pair deletion (MC1RΔ24) variant. We demonstrate that the MC1RΔ24 exhibits a higher basal activity than the wildtype MC1R (MC1R-wt). We demonstrate that agouti signalling protein (ASIP) is an inverse agonist to the MC1R-wt but is an agonist to the MC1RΔ24. We conclude that the deletion in the MC1RΔ24 leads to a receptor with a high basal activity which is further activated by ASIP. This is the first report of ASIP acting as an agonist to MC1R.
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Hatvani Z, Brodszky V, Mazán M, Pintér D, Hársing J, Tóth V, Somlai B, Kárpáti S. Genotype analysis in Hungarian patients with multiple primary melanoma. Exp Dermatol 2014; 23:361-4. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Hatvani
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Valentin Brodszky
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment Research Centre; Corvinus University of Budapest; Budapest Hungary
| | - Mercédesz Mazán
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Dóra Pintér
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Judit Hársing
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Veronika Tóth
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Beáta Somlai
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Sarolta Kárpáti
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology; Semmelweis University; Budapest Hungary
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Hanna LLH, Sanders JO, Riley DG, Abbey CA, Gill CA. Identification of a major locus interacting with MC1R and modifying black coat color in an F₂ Nellore-Angus population. Genet Sel Evol 2014; 46:4. [PMID: 24460986 PMCID: PMC3924621 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9686-46-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In cattle, base color is assumed to depend on the enzymatic activity specified by the MC1R locus, i.e. the extension locus, with alleles coding for black (ED), red (e), and wild-type (E+). In most mammals, these alleles are presumed to follow the dominance model of ED > E+ > e, although exceptions are found. In Bos indicus x Bos taurus F2 cattle, some EDE+ heterozygotes are discordant with the dominance series for MC1R and display various degrees of red pigmentation on an otherwise predicted black background. The objective of this study was to identify loci that modify black coat color in these individuals. Results Reddening was classified with a subjective scoring system. Interval analyses identified chromosome-wide suggestive (P < 0.05) and significant (P < 0.01) QTL on bovine chromosomes (BTA) 4 and 5, although these were not confirmed using single-marker association or Bayesian methods. Evidence of a major locus (F = 114.61) that affects reddening was detected between 60 and 73 Mb on BTA 6 (Btau4.0 build), and at 72 Mb by single-marker association and Bayesian methods. The posterior mean of the genetic variance for this region accounted for 43.75% of the genetic variation in reddening. This region coincided with a cluster of tyrosine kinase receptor genes (PDGFRA, KIT and KDR). Fitting SNP haplotypes for a 1 Mb interval that contained all three genes and centered on KIT accounted for the majority of the variation attributed to this major locus, which suggests that one of these genes or associated regulatory elements, is responsible for the majority of variation in degree of reddening. Conclusions Recombinants in a 5 Mb region surrounding the cluster of tyrosine kinase receptor genes implicated PDGFRA as the strongest positional candidate gene. A higher density marker panel and functional analyses will be required to validate the role of PDGFRA or other regulatory variants and their interaction with MC1R for the modification of black coat color in Bos indicus influenced cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Clare A Gill
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A& M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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20
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Benned-Jensen T, Norn C, Laurent S, Madsen CM, Larsen HM, Arfelt KN, Wolf RM, Frimurer T, Sailer AW, Rosenkilde MM. Molecular characterization of oxysterol binding to the Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (GPR183). J Biol Chem 2012; 287:35470-35483. [PMID: 22875855 PMCID: PMC3471686 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.387894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxysterols are oxygenated cholesterol derivates that are emerging as a physiologically important group of molecules. Although they regulate a range of cellular processes, only few oxysterol-binding effector proteins have been identified, and the knowledge of their binding mode is limited. Recently, the family of G protein-coupled seven transmembrane-spanning receptors (7TM receptors) was added to this group. Specifically, the Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2 or GPR183) was shown to be activated by several oxysterols, most potently by 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,25-OHC). Nothing is known about the binding mode, however. Using mutational analysis, we identify here four key residues for 7α,25-OHC binding: Arg-87 in TM-II (position II:20/2.60), Tyr-112 and Tyr-116 (positions III:09/3.33 and III:13/3.37) in TM-III, and Tyr-260 in TM-VI (position VI:16/6.51). Substituting these residues with Ala and/or Phe results in a severe decrease in agonist binding and receptor activation. Docking simulations suggest that Tyr-116 interacts with the 3β-OH group in the agonist, Tyr-260 with the 7α-OH group, and Arg-87, either directly or indirectly, with the 25-OH group, although nearby residues likely also contribute. In addition, Tyr-112 is involved in 7α,25-OHC binding but via hydrophobic interactions. Finally, we show that II:20/2.60 constitutes an important residue for ligand binding in receptors carrying a positively charged residue at this position. This group is dominated by lipid- and nucleotide-activated receptors, here exemplified by the CysLTs, P2Y12, and P2Y14. In conclusion, we present the first molecular characterization of oxysterol binding to a 7TM receptor and identify position II:20/2.60 as a generally important residue for ligand binding in certain 7TM receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tau Benned-Jensen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Christoffer Norn
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Stephane Laurent
- Developmental and Molecular Pathways, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian M Madsen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hjalte M Larsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kristine N Arfelt
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Romain M Wolf
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Frimurer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Andreas W Sailer
- Developmental and Molecular Pathways, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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Benned-Jensen T, Mokrosinski J, Rosenkilde MM. The E92K melanocortin 1 receptor mutant induces cAMP production and arrestin recruitment but not ERK activity indicating biased constitutive signaling. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24644. [PMID: 21931793 PMCID: PMC3172247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) constitutes a key regulator of melanism. Consequently, many naturally-occurring MC1R mutations are associated with a change in color. An example is the Glu-to-Lys substitution found at position II:20/2.60 in the top of transmembrane helix II which has been identified in melanic mice and several other species. This mutation induces a pronounced increase in MC1R constitutive activity suggesting a link between constitutive activity and melanism which is corroborated by the attenuation of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) induced activation. However, the mechanism by which the mutation induces constitutive activity is currently not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we characterize the constitutive activity, cell surface expression and internalization of the mouse mutant, Mc1r E92K. As previously reported, only positively charged residues at position II:20/2.60 induced an increase in constitutive activity as measured by cAMP accumulation and CREB activation. Furthermore, the mutation induced a constitutive recruitment of β-arrestin. This phenomenon is only observed in MC1R, however, as the equivalent mutations in MC2-5R had no effect on receptor signaling. Interestingly, the mutation did not induce constitutive ERK1/2 phosphorylation or increase the internalization rate indicating the constitutive activity to be biased. Finally, to identify regions of importance for the increased constitutive activity of Mc1r E92K, we employed a chimeric approach and identified G102 and L110 in the extracellular loop 1 to be selectively important for the constitutive activity as this, but not αMSH-mediated activation, was abolished upon Ala substitution. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE It is concluded that the E92K mutation induces an active conformation distinct from that induced by αMSH and that the extracellular loop 1 is involved in maintaining this conformational state. In turn, the results suggest that in MC1R, which lacks an extracellular loop 2, the first extracellular loop may play a more prominent role during receptor activation than in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tau Benned-Jensen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacek Mokrosinski
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette M. Rosenkilde
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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Joseph CG, Yao H, Scott JW, Sorensen NB, Marnane RN, Mountjoy KG, Haskell-Luevano C. γ₂-Melanocyte stimulation hormone (γ₂-MSH) truncation studies results in the cautionary note that γ₂-MSH is not selective for the mouse MC3R over the mouse MC5R. Peptides 2010; 31:2304-13. [PMID: 20833220 PMCID: PMC2967600 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2010] [Revised: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin system has been implicated in a multitude of physiological pathways including obesity, satiety, energy homeostasis, sexual behavior, pigmentation, sodium regulation, hypertension, and many others. Based upon studies of the endogenous melanocortin receptor agonists at the cloned human melanocortin receptor proteins, it was concluded that the γ-MSH related agonist ligands are selective for the MC3 versus the MC4 and MC5 receptors. In attempts to understand and identify the specific amino acids of γ₂-MSH important for MC3R selectivity, we have performed N- and C-terminal truncation studies and pharmacologically characterized twenty-eight ligands at the mouse MC1 and MC3-5 melanocortin receptors. The C-terminal Trp-Asp⁹-Arg¹⁰-Phe¹¹ residues are important for nM potency at the mMC3R and the Arg⁷-Trp⁸ residues are important for mMC5R nM potency. We observed the unanticipated results that several of the C-terminal truncated analogs possessed nM agonist potency at the mMC3 and mMC5Rs which lead us to perform a comparative side-by-side study of the mouse and human MC5R. These data resulted in μM γ₂-MSH analog potency at the hMC5R, consistent with previous reports, however at the mMC5R, nM γ₂-MSH analog potency was observed. Thus, these data support the hypothesis of important species specific differences in γ-MSH related ligand potency at the rodent versus human MC5R subtype that is critical for the interpretation of in vivo rodent physiological studies. These results prompted us to examine the affects of a peripherally administered melanocortin agonist on hypothalamic gene expression levels of the MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. The super potent non-selective NDP-MSH agonist was administered i.p. and resulted in significantly decreased levels of mMC3R and mMC5R hypothalamic mRNA versus saline control. These data provide for the first time data demonstrating peripherally administered NDP-MSH can modify hypothalamic melanocortin receptor expression levels.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/chemistry
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/chemistry
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/chemistry
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Receptors, Melanocortin/chemistry
- Receptors, Melanocortin/genetics
- Receptors, Melanocortin/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- alpha-MSH/analogs & derivatives
- alpha-MSH/pharmacology
- gamma-MSH/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine G. Joseph
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Hua Yao
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Joseph W. Scott
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | | | - Rebecca N. Marnane
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1, New Zealand
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Interactions of the melanocortin-4 receptor with the peptide agonist NDP-MSH. J Mol Biol 2010; 401:433-50. [PMID: 20600126 PMCID: PMC3101337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Revised: 06/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) has an important regulatory role in energy homeostasis and food intake. Peptide agonists of the MC4R are characterized by the conserved sequence His6-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9, which is crucial for their interaction with the receptor. This investigation utilized the covalent attachment approach to identify receptor residues in close proximity to the bound ligand [Nle4,d-Phe7]melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH), thereby differentiating between residues directly involved in ligand binding and those mutations that compromise ligand binding by inducing conformational changes in the receptor. Also, recent X-ray structures of G-protein-coupled receptors were utilized to refine a model of human MC4R in the active state (R⁎), which was used to generate a better understanding of the binding mode of the ligand NDP-MSH at the atomic level. The mutation of residues in the human MC4R—such as Leu106 of extracellular loop 1, and Asp122, Ile125, and Asp126 of transmembrane (TM) helix 3, His264 (TM6), and Met292 (TM7)—to Cys residues produced definitive indications of proximity to the side chains of residues in the core region of the peptide ligand. Of particular interest was the contact between d-Phe7 on the ligand and Ile125 of TM3 on the MC4R. Additionally, Met292 (TM7) equivalent to Lys(7.45) (Ballesteros numbering scheme) involved in covalently attaching retinal in rhodopsin is shown to be in close proximity to Trp9. For the first time, the interactions between the terminal regions of NDP-MSH and the receptor are described. The amino-terminus appears to be adjacent to a series of hydrophilic residues with novel interactions at Cys196 (TM5) and Asp189 (extracellular loop 2). These interactions are reminiscent of sequential ligand binding exhibited by the β2-adrenergic receptor, with the former interaction being equivalent to the known interaction involving Ser204 of the β2-adrenergic receptor.
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Uy J, Moyle R, Filardi C, Cheviron Z. Difference in Plumage Color Used in Species Recognition between Incipient Species Is Linked to a Single Amino Acid Substitution in the Melanocortin‐1 Receptor. Am Nat 2009; 174:244-54. [DOI: 10.1086/600084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Kingsley EP, Manceau M, Wiley CD, Hoekstra HE. Melanism in peromyscus is caused by independent mutations in agouti. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6435. [PMID: 19649329 PMCID: PMC2713407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the molecular basis of phenotypes that have evolved independently can provide insight into the ways genetic and developmental constraints influence the maintenance of phenotypic diversity. Melanic (darkly pigmented) phenotypes in mammals provide a potent system in which to study the genetic basis of naturally occurring mutant phenotypes because melanism occurs in many mammals, and the mammalian pigmentation pathway is well understood. Spontaneous alleles of a few key pigmentation loci are known to cause melanism in domestic or laboratory populations of mammals, but in natural populations, mutations at one gene, the melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), have been implicated in the vast majority of cases, possibly due to its minimal pleiotropic effects. To investigate whether mutations in this or other genes cause melanism in the wild, we investigated the genetic basis of melanism in the rodent genus Peromyscus, in which melanic mice have been reported in several populations. We focused on two genes known to cause melanism in other taxa, Mc1r and its antagonist, the agouti signaling protein (Agouti). While variation in the Mc1r coding region does not correlate with melanism in any population, in a New Hampshire population, we find that a 125-kb deletion, which includes the upstream regulatory region and exons 1 and 2 of Agouti, results in a loss of Agouti expression and is perfectly associated with melanic color. In a second population from Alaska, we find that a premature stop codon in exon 3 of Agouti is associated with a similar melanic phenotype. These results show that melanism has evolved independently in these populations through mutations in the same gene, and suggest that melanism produced by mutations in genes other than Mc1r may be more common than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan P Kingsley
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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26
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Pérez Oliva AB, Fernéndez LP, Detorre C, Herráiz C, Martínez-Escribano JA, Benítez J, Lozano Teruel JA, García-Borrón JC, Jiménez-Cervantes C, Ribas G. Identification and functional analysis of novel variants of the human melanocortin 1 receptor found in melanoma patients. Hum Mutat 2009; 30:811-22. [PMID: 19338054 DOI: 10.1002/humu.20971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin 1 receptor, a Gs protein-coupled receptor expressed in epidermal melanocytes, is a major determinant of skin pigmentation and phototype and an important contributor to melanoma risk. MC1R activation stimulates synthesis of black, strongly photoprotective eumelanin pigments. Several MC1R alleles are associated with red hair, fair skin, increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, and increased skin cancer risk. The MC1R gene is highly polymorphic, but only a few naturally occurring alleles have been functionally characterized, which complicates the establishment of accurate correlations between the signaling properties of mutant alleles and defined cutaneous phenotypes. We report the functional characterization of six MC1R alleles found in Spanish melanoma patients. Two variants (c.152T>C, p.Val51Ala and c.865T>C, p.Cys289Arg) have never been described, and the others (c.112G>A, p.Val38Met; c.122C>T, p.Ser41Phe; c.383T>C, p.Met128Thr; and c.842A>G, p.Asn281Ser) have not been analyzed for function. p.Asn281Ser corresponds to a functionally silent polymorphism. The other mutations are associated with varying degrees of loss of function (LOF), from moderate decreases in coupling to the cAMP pathway (p.Val38Met and p.Val51Ala) to nearly complete absence of functional coupling (p.Ser41Phe, p.Met128Thr, and p.Cys289Arg). The LOF p.Met128Thr and p.Cys289Arg mutants are trafficked to the cell surface, but are unable to bind agonists efficiently. Conversely, LOF of p.Val38Met, p.Ser41Phe, and p.Val51Ala is due to reduced cell surface expression as a consequence of retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Therefore, LOF of MC1R alleles is frequently associated with aberrant forward trafficking and accumulation within the ER or with inability to bind properly the activatory ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Pérez Oliva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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27
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Peterschmitt M, Grain F, Arnaud B, Deléage G, Lambert V. Mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor is associated with amber colour in the Norwegian Forest Cat. Anim Genet 2009; 40:547-52. [PMID: 19422360 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2009.01864.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amber (previously called X-Colour) is a yellow recessive coat colour observed in the Norwegian Forest Cat (NFC) population and apparently absent in other cat breeds. Until now, there has never been any scientific evidence of yellow recessive mutation (e) reported in the extension gene in Felidae. We sequenced the complete coding sequence region for the melanocortin 1 receptor in 12 amber, three carriers, two wild-type NFCs, one wild-type European Shorthair and two 'golden' Siberian cats and identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): a non-synonymous (FM180571: c.250G>A) and a synonymous (FM180571: c.840T>C) mutation. The c.250G>A SNP, further genotyped on 56 cats using PCR-RFLP, is associated with amber colour and only present in the amber cat lineages. It replaced an aspartic acid with a neutral polar asparagine in the second transmembrane helix (p.Asp84Asn), a position where e mutations have already been described. Three-dimensional models were built and showed electrostatic potential modification in the mutant receptor. With these results and together with those in the scientific literature, we can conclude that amber colour in NFCs is caused by a single MC1R allele called e, which has never been documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Peterschmitt
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, Unité Génétique & Biologie Moléculaire et Laboratoire Vétérinaire Départemental du Rhône, F-69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
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28
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Haslach EM, Schaub JW, Haskell-Luevano C. Beta-turn secondary structure and melanocortin ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2009; 17:952-8. [PMID: 18343128 PMCID: PMC2662475 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.02.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2007] [Revised: 02/26/2008] [Accepted: 02/27/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin pathway has emerged during this past decade as an important target area for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents related to obesity and type 2 diabetes. This peptide-G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) pathway has evolved from peptide-based ligands to small molecules possessing a variety of different molecular scaffolds. Herein, we summarize the originating hypothesis of the importance of the reverse beta-turn secondary structure for agonist ligand potency at the melanocortin receptors and how that information was utilized for the discovery of small molecules based upon this type of turn structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M. Haslach
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 100485, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Jay W. Schaub
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 100485, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida PO Box 100485, Gainesville, FL 32610
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29
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Linde Y, Ovadia O, Safrai E, Xiang Z, Portillo FP, Shalev DE, Haskell-Luevano C, Hoffman A, Gilon C. Structure-activity relationship and metabolic stability studies of backbone cyclization and N-methylation of melanocortin peptides. Biopolymers 2008; 90:671-82. [PMID: 18655141 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Backbone cyclization (BC) and N-methylation have been shown to enhance the activity and/or selectivity of biologically active peptides and improve metabolic stability and intestinal permeability. In this study, we describe the synthesis, structure-activity relationship (SAR) and intestinal metabolic stability of a backbone cyclic peptide library, BL3020, based on the linear alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone analog Phe-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly. The drug lead, BL3020-1, selected from the BL3020 library (compound 1) has been shown to inhibit weight gain in mice following oral administration. Another member of the BL3020 library, BL3020-17, showed improved biological activity towards the mMC4R, in comparison to BL3020-1, although neither were selective for MC4R or MC5R. N-methylation, which restrains conformational freedom while increasing metabolic stability beyond that which is imparted by BC, was used to find analogs with increased selectivity. N-methylated backbone cyclic libraries were synthesized based on the BL3020 library. SAR studies showed that all the N-methylated backbone cyclic peptides demonstrated reduced biological activity and selectivity for all the analyzed receptors. N-methylation of active backbone cyclic peptides destabilized the active conformation or stabilized an inactive conformation, rendering the peptides biologically inactive. N-methylation of backbone cyclic peptides maintained stability to degradation by intestinal enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Linde
- Institute of Chemistry, Safra Campus, Givat Ram, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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30
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Sharma P, Bottje W, Okimoto R. Polymorphisms in uncoupling protein, melanocortin 3 receptor, melanocortin 4 receptor, and pro-opiomelanocortin genes and association with production traits in a commercial broiler line. Poult Sci 2008; 87:2073-86. [PMID: 18809870 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2008-00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Because avian uncoupling protein (avUCP), melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) genes may be associated with production traits [e.g., BW, weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR)], male and female broilers from an elite broiler line were screened for polymorphisms in these genes. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) tests were developed to type the missense polymorphisms UCPAla118Val, MC4RSer76Leu, MC3R-Met54Leu, and Gly104Ser and POMCPro61Leu. Of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in all 4 genes, 24/39 were transitions with 11 having a C to T change. Of the 23 polymorphisms in UCP, 17 represented at least 7 haplotypes in this pedigreed broiler line. The UCP Ala-118Val allele was associated with a) high feed efficiency (FE; P = 0.03) and WG (P = 0.053) in selected males, and b) high BW in selected females (P = 0.07) and unselected males (P = 0.015). The UCPVal118Val allele was found in approximately 10% of the birds that were screened. Five silent substitutions, 3 in MC3R and 2 in MC4R, were also identified. Thirteen polymorphisms were identified in the POMC gene representing at least 3 different alleles. A missense Pro61Leu heterozygote was associated with greater BW in females. The heterozygote MC3R Gly104Ser polymorphism was associated with greater FE in selected males (P = 0.03) and greater BW in unselected males (P = 0.007). The MC4R Ser76Leu heterozygote polymorphism was associated with greater BW than the Leu76 homozygote in females (P = 0.05). From these findings, we hypothesize that UCP, MC3R, MC4R and POMC genes may play important roles and could be candidate loci for production traits such as feed conversion and BW in commercial broiler breeding stock.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sharma
- University of Arkansas, Poultry Science, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA.
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31
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Nakayama K, Shotake T, Takeneka O, Ishida T. Variation of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene in the macaques. Am J Primatol 2008; 70:778-85. [PMID: 18454455 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a G-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor protein, plays a key role in the regulation of melanin synthesis in mammals. Sequence variation of the MC1R gene (MC1R) has been associated with pigmentation phenotypes in humans and in several animal species. The macaques (genus Macaca) are known to show a marked inter-specific variation in coat color although the causative genetic variation remains unclear. We investigated nucleotide sequences of the MC1R in 67 individuals of 18 macaque species with different coat color phenotypes including black and agouti. Twenty-eight amino acid replacements were identified in the macaques, but none of these amino acid replacements could explain the black coat color of Macaca silenus and the Sulawesi macaque species. Our molecular evolutionary analysis has revealed that nonsynonymous substitution/synonymous substitution (dN/dS) ratio of the MC1R has not been uniform in the macaque groups and, moreover, their coat color and dN/dS ratio were not related. These results suggest that the MC1R is unlikely to be responsible for the coat color variation of the macaques and functions of MC1R other than pigmentation might be associated with the different selective pressures on the MC1R in macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Nakayama
- Unit of Human Biology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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32
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Joseph CG, Wilson KR, Wood MS, Sorenson NB, Phan DV, Xiang Z, Witek RM, Haskell-Luevano C. The 1,4-Benzodiazepine-2,5-dione Small Molecule Template Results in Melanocortin Receptor Agonists with Nanomolar Potencies. J Med Chem 2008; 51:1423-31. [DOI: 10.1021/jm701303z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine G. Joseph
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Krista R. Wilson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Michael S. Wood
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Nicholas B. Sorenson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Dong V. Phan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Zhimin Xiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Rachel M. Witek
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Carrie Haskell-Luevano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
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33
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Oliveira L, Costa-Neto CM, Nakaie CR, Schreier S, Shimuta SI, Paiva ACM. The Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Structure-Activity Correlations in the Light of Rhodopsin Structure. Physiol Rev 2007; 87:565-92. [PMID: 17429042 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent physiological effects of ANG II, the main product of the renin-angiotensin system, are mediated by the AT1 receptor, a rhodopsin-like AGPCR. Numerous studies of the cardiovascular effects of synthetic peptide analogs allowed a detailed mapping of ANG II's structural requirements for receptor binding and activation, which were complemented by site-directed mutagenesis studies on the AT1 receptor to investigate the role of its structure in ligand binding, signal transduction, phosphorylation, binding to arrestins, internalization, desensitization, tachyphylaxis, and other properties. The knowledge of the high-resolution structure of rhodopsin allowed homology modeling of the AT1 receptor. The models thus built and mutagenesis data indicate that physiological (agonist binding) or constitutive (mutated receptor) activation may involve different degrees of expansion of the receptor's central cavity. Residues in ANG II structure seem to control these conformational changes and to dictate the type of cytosolic event elicited during the activation. 1) Agonist aromatic residues (Phe8 and Tyr4) favor the coupling to G protein, and 2) absence of these residues can favor a mechanism leading directly to receptor internalization via phosphorylation by specific kinases of the receptor's COOH-terminal Ser and Thr residues, arrestin binding, and clathrin-dependent coated-pit vesicles. On the other hand, the NH2-terminal residues of the agonists ANG II and [Sar1]-ANG II were found to bind by two distinct modes to the AT1 receptor extracellular site flanked by the COOH-terminal segments of the EC-3 loop and the NH2-terminal domain. Since the [Sar1]-ligand is the most potent molecule to trigger tachyphylaxis in AT1 receptors, it was suggested that its corresponding binding mode might be associated with this special condition of receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laerte Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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34
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Abstract
The melanocortin system refers to a set of hormonal, neuropeptidergic, and paracrine signaling pathways that are defined by components that include the five G protein-coupled melanocortin receptors; peptide agonists derived from the proopiomelanocortin preprohormone precursor; and the endogenous antagonists, agouti and agouti-related protein. This signaling system regulates a remarkably diverse array of physiological functions including pigmentation, adrenocortical steroidogenesis, energy homeostasis, natriuresis, erectile responses, energy homeostasis, and exocrine gland secretion. There are many complex and unique aspects of melanocortin signaling, such as the existence of endogenous antagonists, the agouti proteins, that act at three of the five melanocortin receptors. However, there is an aspect of melanocortin signaling that has facilitated highly reductionist approaches aimed at understanding the physiological functions of each receptor and peptide: in contrast to many peptides, the melanocortin agonists and antagonists are expressed in a limited number of very discrete locations. Similarly, the melanocortin receptors are also expressed in a limited number of discrete locations where they tend to be involved in rather circumscribed physiological functions. This review examines my laboratory's participation in the cloning of the melanocortin receptors and characterization of their physiological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger D Cone
- Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders, and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA.
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35
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Wilczynski AM, Joseph CG, Haskell-Luevano C. Current trends in the structure—activity relationship studies of the endogenous agouti-related protein (AGRP) melanocortin receptor antagonist. Med Res Rev 2005; 25:545-56. [PMID: 16044415 DOI: 10.1002/med.20037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Agouti-related protein (AGRP) is an endogenous antagonist of the melanocortin-3 and -4 (MC3R and MC4) G-protein coupled receptors. The 87-132 amino acid C-terminal domain of hAGRP possesses five disulfide bridges and a well-defined three-dimensional structure that displays full biological activity as compared to the full-length protein. Based on the NMR structure of the C-terminal AGRP(87-132), a novel mini-protein, referred to as "Mini-AGRP" was designed that exhibited receptor binding affinity and antagonism similar to that of the parent hAGRP(87-132) protein. It was demonstrated that this new-engineered protein autonomously folds to the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motif. As this AGRP is a novel mammalian protein involved in energy homeostasis and possibly other physiological functions remaining to be identified, structure-function studies are starting to emerge toward the understanding of how this unique protein putatively interacts with the melanocortin receptors with the objective of designing potential therapeutic agents for in vivo physiological studies. This article summarizes the progress to date of AGRP-based structure-activity relationships and putative ligand-receptor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej M Wilczynski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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36
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Srinivasan S, Lubrano-Berthelier C, Govaerts C, Picard F, Santiago P, Conklin BR, Vaisse C. Constitutive activity of the melanocortin-4 receptor is maintained by its N-terminal domain and plays a role in energy homeostasis in humans. J Clin Invest 2004; 114:1158-64. [PMID: 15489963 PMCID: PMC522250 DOI: 10.1172/jci21927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2004] [Accepted: 08/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a centrally expressed G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is essential for the maintenance of long-term energy balance in humans. Mutations in MC4R are the most common genetic cause of obesity. Since activation of this receptor leads to a decrease in food intake, MC4R is also a major therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity. Control of MC4R activity in vivo is modulated by the opposing effects of the anorexigenic agonist alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and the orexigenic antagonist agouti-related protein (AGRP). In addition, experiments in vitro have demonstrated that the human MC4R has an intrinsic constitutive activity on which AGRP also acts as an inverse agonist. The physiological role of this constitutive activity in the control of energy balance as well as the domain of the protein implicated in its maintenance are unknown. By systematically studying functional defects in naturally occurring MC4R mutations from obese patients, we defined a cluster of N-terminal mutations that selectively impair the constitutive activity of the receptor. Further characterization of this domain demonstrated that it functions as a tethered intramolecular ligand that maintains the constitutive activity of MC4R and may provide novel avenues for the design of drugs targeting this receptor. Our results also suggest that the tonic satiety signal provided by the constitutive activity of MC4R may be required for maintaining long-term energy homeostasis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Srinivasan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, UCSF, San Francisco, California 94143-0540, USA
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37
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Holder JR, Haskell-Luevano C. Melanocortin ligands: 30 years of structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Med Res Rev 2004; 24:325-56. [PMID: 14994367 DOI: 10.1002/med.10064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The challenge of peptide and peptidomimetic research is the development of methods and techniques to improve the biological properties of native peptides and to convert peptide ligands into non-peptide compounds. Improved biological properties of peptides includes enhancement of stability, potency, and receptor selectivity, for both in vivo and in vitro applications. The design of a ligand with specific activity and desired biological properties is a complex task, and, to accomplish this objective, knowledge about putative interactions between a ligand and the corresponding receptor will be valuable. This includes interactions for both the binding and signal transduction processes. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies involve systematic modification of a lead peptide and are designed to provide insight into potential interactions involved in the formation of the ligand-receptor complex. It is desirable to have knowledge about both favorable and unfavorable processes that may occur in putative ligand-receptor interactions that result in either receptor stimulation or inhibition. Herein, we discuss various SAR studies that have involved melanocortin peptides over three decades and the information these studies have provided to the melanocortin field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Ryan Holder
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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38
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Srinivasan S, Vaisse C, Conklin BR. Engineering the melanocortin-4 receptor to control G(s) signaling in vivo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 994:225-32. [PMID: 12851320 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb03184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest known family of cell surface receptors, and they control many important physiological events, including sensory perception, chemotaxis, neurotransmission, and energy homeostasis. However, GPCR signaling can be difficult to study in vivo because of the multitude of GPCRs, the lack of specific synthetic agonists, and the fact that some GPCRs activate multiple signaling pathways. One method to circumvent these problems is to develop an engineered receptor that is unresponsive to its endogenous agonist, yet can be fully activated by synthetic, small-molecule drugs. Such a receptor, called a receptor activated solely by a synthetic ligand (RASSL), can be rapidly and reversibly activated by a small-molecule drug and would be a powerful tool to control G-protein signaling in vivo. Here we present the development of a G(s)-coupled RASSL based on the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). MC4R couples exclusively to G(s) at physiologically relevant concentrations of its endogenous ligand, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Data from human patients and structure-activity studies have shown that several mutations in MC4R cause a decreased affinity for alpha-MSH and can be exploited for RASSL development. Synthetic, small-molecule agonists of MC4R are now available and can be used to activate mutated receptors in vivo. We are engineering a series of mutations in MC4R to remove the peptide-binding site while retaining small-molecule binding and activation. The MC4R G(s) RASSL could be used to control many physiological responses associated with G(s) signaling such as heart rate, energy homeostasis, and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Srinivasan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California, San Francisco, California 94141, USA.
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39
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Abstract
Although homogeneous pigmentation usually is observed in wild animals, most domestic animal species display a wide variety of coat colors. In fur animals, the coat color is an important production trait, and in other species such as cattle and sheep, the coat color is a major breed characteristic. Variability in coat color is seen both within and between breeds, and makes domesticated species unique for studying gene function and gene regulation of loci affecting pigmentation. In several species, mutations in the MC1-R gene have been shown to cause the dominant expression of black pigment. In fox, alleles of both the agouti and the MC1-R gene could cause eumelanin synthesis. In addition, a nonepistatic interaction between MC1-R and agouti has been observed, resulting in several different coat color phenotypes expressing a mixture of red and black pigmentation. Also in cattle and sheep, amino acid substitutions within the MC1-R explain the dominant inheritance of black pigmentation. Unlike the constitutively activated MC1-R found in the Alaska silver fox, dominant variants of the MC1-R found in cattle and sheep seem to be completely dominant with no antagonizing effect of agouti. MC1-R variants with premature stop codons are widespread in several cattle populations, indicating that this well-conserved gene has no other fundamental function beside pigmentation. Other well-established breed characteristics include distinct coat color patterns in which the distribution of melanocytes, partly regulated by the c-kit gene, seems to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Klungland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7006 Trondheim, Norway.
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40
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Holder JR, Haskell-Luevano C. Melanocortin tetrapeptides modified at the N-terminus, His, Phe, Arg, and Trp positions. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 994:36-48. [PMID: 12851296 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb03160.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous melanocortin agonists all contain the conserved His-Phe-Arg-Trp sequence proposed to be important for melanocortin receptor selectivity and stimulation. We have generated peptide libraries consisting of over 100 peptides modified at the N-terminus and at each of the four amino acid positions. These peptides were characterized at the mouse melanocortin MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5 receptors for agonist or antagonist functional activity. The results from these studies include the identification of a nM MC4 versus MC3 receptor selective (>4700-fold) agonist (JRH 420-12), a nM MC4 receptor agonist that is a nM MC3 receptor antagonist (JRH 322-18), a nM MC5 receptor selective (>100-fold) agonist versus the MC1, MC3, and MC4 receptors (FFM 1-60), and side-chain substitutions that may be utilized for non-peptide design considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Ryan Holder
- University of Florida, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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41
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Vaisse C, Clement K, Durand E, Hercberg S, Guy-Grand B, Froguel P. Melanocortin-4 receptor mutations are a frequent and heterogeneous cause of morbid obesity. J Clin Invest 2000; 106:253-62. [PMID: 10903341 PMCID: PMC314306 DOI: 10.1172/jci9238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 590] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/1999] [Accepted: 06/07/2000] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
By integrating an agonist satiety signal, provided by alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and an antagonist signal, provided by agouti-related protein (AGRP), the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) is a key element in the hypothalamic control of food intake. Inactivation of the gene encoding this G protein-coupled receptor causes obesity in mice. In humans, frameshift mutations in MC4-R cause an early-onset dominant form of obesity in two families. In this study we find a high frequency (4%) of rare heterozygous MC4-R mutations in a large population of morbidly obese patients. No such mutations were found in controls. By analyzing the phenotypes of the probands carrying these mutations, we demonstrate that these patients display a common, nonsyndromic form of obesity. Interestingly, functional analysis of the mutant receptors indicates that obesity-associated defects in MC4-R range from loss of function to constitutive activation. Transmission of these mutations in the families of the carriers indicates a variable expressivity that is not related to the functional severity of the mutations. This variable expressivity of MC4-R-associated obesity is not due to variations in genes for alpha-MSH or AGRP. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MC4-R mutations are a frequent but heterogeneous genetic cause of morbid obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Vaisse
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPRES A 8090, Institute of Biology of Lille, Lille, France.
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42
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Ho HH, Du D, Gershengorn MC. The N terminus of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus G protein-coupled receptor is necessary for high affinity chemokine binding but not for constitutive activity. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:31327-32. [PMID: 10531332 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.44.31327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) contains a gene encoding a G protein-coupled receptor (KSHV-GPCR) that is homologous to mammalian chemokine receptors. KSHV-GPCR signals constitutively (in an agonist-independent manner) via the phosphoinositide-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway. Because it has been proposed that the N terminus (N-TERM) of other GPCRs may act as tethered agonists, we determined whether the N-TERM of KSHV-GPCR is necessary for constitutive signaling activity or ligand binding, or both. We show that replacement of the entire N-TERM of KSHV-GPCR with those of two other GPCRs, deletion of residues within the N-TERM, and disruption of a putative disulfide bond that may hold the N-TERM in close proximity to extracellular loop 3 do not affect constitutive signaling activity but decrease chemokine binding. There were differences in the effects of mutation of the N-TERM on binding of the chemokines growth-related oncogene alpha, which is an agonist, and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10, which is an inverse agonist. The effects on chemokine binding were accompanied by changes in chemokine regulation of KSHV-GPCR signaling. We conclude that the N-TERM is not necessary for constitutive KSHV-GPCR signaling, i.e. the N-TERM is not a tethered agonist, but plays a crucial role in binding of chemokine ligands and of chemokine regulation of KSHV-GPCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Ho
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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43
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Silvente-Poirot S, Escrieut C, Galès C, Fehrentz JA, Escherich A, Wank SA, Martinez J, Moroder L, Maigret B, Bouisson M, Vaysse N, Fourmy D. Evidence for a direct interaction between the penultimate aspartic acid of cholecystokinin and histidine 207, located in the second extracellular loop of the cholecystokinin B receptor. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:23191-7. [PMID: 10438490 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.33.23191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported that the mutation of His(207) to Phe located in the second extracellular loop of the cholecystokinin B receptor strongly affected cholecystokinin (CCK) binding (Silvente-Poirot, S., Escrieut, C., and Wank, S. A. (1998) Mol. Pharmacol. 54, 364-371). To characterize the functional group in CCK that interacts with His(207), we first substituted His(207) to Ala. This mutation decreased the affinity and the potency of CCK to produce total inositol phosphates 302-fold and 456-fold without affecting the expression of the mutant receptor. The screening of L-alanine-modified CCK peptides to bind and activate the wild type and mutant receptors allowed the identification of the interaction of the C-terminal Asp(8) of CCK with His(207). The H207A-CCKBR mutant, unlike the wild type receptor, was insensitive to substitution of Asp(8) of CCK to other amino acid residues. This interaction was further confirmed by mutating His(207) to Asp. The affinity of CCK for the H207D-CCKBR mutant was 100-fold lower than for the H207A-CCKBR mutant, consistent with an electrostatic repulsion between the negative charges of the two interacting aspartic acids. Peptides with neutral amino acids in position eight of CCK reversed this effect and displayed a gain of affinity for the H207D mutant compared with CCK. To date, this is the first report concerning the identification of a direct contact point between the CCKB receptor and CCK.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Silvente-Poirot
- INSERM U 151, Institute Louis Bugnart, CHU Rangueil, Bat L3, 31403 Toulouse Cedex, France.
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