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Saito A, Kise R, Inoue A. Generation of Comprehensive GPCR-Transducer-Deficient Cell Lines to Dissect the Complexity of GPCR Signaling. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:599-619. [PMID: 38719480 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.124.001186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) compose the largest family of transmembrane receptors and are targets of approximately one-third of Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs owing to their involvement in almost all physiologic processes. GPCR signaling occurs through the activation of heterotrimeric G-protein complexes and β-arrestins, both of which serve as transducers, resulting in distinct cellular responses. Despite seeming simple at first glance, accumulating evidence indicates that activation of either transducer is not a straightforward process as a stimulation of a single molecule has the potential to activate multiple signaling branches. The complexity of GPCR signaling arises from the aspects of G-protein-coupling selectivity, biased signaling, interpathway crosstalk, and variable molecular modifications generating these diverse signaling patterns. Numerous questions relative to these aspects of signaling remained unanswered until the recent development of CRISPR genome-editing technology. Such genome editing technology presents opportunities to chronically eliminate the expression of G-protein subunits, β-arrestins, G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), and many other signaling nodes in the GPCR pathways at one's convenience. Here, we review the practicality of using CRISPR-derived knockout (KO) cells in the experimental contexts of unraveling the molecular details of GPCR signaling mechanisms. To mention a few, KO cells have revealed the contribution of β-arrestins in ERK activation, Gα protein selectivity, GRK-based regulation of GPCRs, and many more, hence validating its broad applicability in GPCR studies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review emphasizes the practical application of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) transducer knockout (KO) cells in dissecting the intricate regulatory mechanisms of the GPCR signaling network. Currently available cell lines, along with accumulating KO cell lines in diverse cell types, offer valuable resources for systematically elucidating GPCR signaling regulation. Given the association of GPCR signaling with numerous diseases, uncovering the system-based signaling map is crucial for advancing the development of novel drugs targeting specific diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaki Saito
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryoji Kise
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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2
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Qualliotine JR, Nakagawa T, Rosenthal SB, Sadat S, Ballesteros-Merino C, Xu G, Mark A, Nasamran A, Gutkind JS, Fisch KM, Guo T, Fox BA, Khan Z, Molinolo AA, Califano JA. A Network Landscape of HPVOPC Reveals Methylation Alterations as Significant Drivers of Gene Expression via an Immune-Mediated GPCR Signal. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4379. [PMID: 37686653 PMCID: PMC10486378 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
HPV-associated oropharynx carcinoma (HPVOPC) tumors have a relatively low mutational burden. Elucidating the relative contributions of other tumor alterations, such as DNA methylation alterations, alternative splicing events (ASE), and copy number variation (CNV), could provide a deeper understanding of carcinogenesis drivers in this disease. We applied network propagation analysis to multiple classes of tumor alterations in a discovery cohort of 46 primary HPVOPC tumors and 25 cancer-unaffected controls and validated our findings with TCGA data. We identified significant overlap between differential gene expression networks and all alteration classes, and this association was highest for methylation and lowest for CNV. Significant overlap was seen for gene clusters of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. HPV16-human protein interaction analysis identified an enriched cluster defined by an immune-mediated GPCR signal, including CXCR3 cytokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. CXCR3 was found to be expressed in primary HPVOPC, and scRNA-seq analysis demonstrated CXCR3 ligands to be highly expressed in M2 macrophages. In vivo models demonstrated decreased tumor growth with antagonism of the CXCR3 receptor in immunodeficient but not immunocompetent mice, suggesting that the CXCR3 axis can drive tumor proliferation in an autocrine fashion, but the effect is tempered by an intact immune system. In conclusion, methylation, ASE, and SNV alterations are highly associated with network gene expression changes in HPVOPC, suggesting that ASE and methylation alterations have an important role in driving the oncogenic phenotype. Network analysis identifies GPCR networks, specifically the CXCR3 chemokine axis, as modulators of tumor-immune interactions that may have proliferative effects on primary tumors as well as a role for immunosurveillance; however, CXCR3 inhibition should be used with caution, as these agents may both inhibit and stimulate tumor growth considering the competing effects of this cytokine axis. Further investigation is needed to explore opportunities for targeted therapy in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse R. Qualliotine
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Takuya Nakagawa
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sayed Sadat
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Guorong Xu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Adam Mark
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Art Nasamran
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - J. Silvio Gutkind
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Theresa Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Bernard A. Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Portland, OR 97213, USA
| | - Zubair Khan
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alfredo A. Molinolo
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph A. Califano
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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3
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Progesterone receptors in normal breast development and breast cancer. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:951-969. [PMID: 34061163 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone receptors (PR) play a pivotal role in many female reproductive tissues such as the uterus, the ovary, and the mammary gland (MG). Moreover, PR play a key role in breast cancer growth and progression. This has led to the development and study of different progestins and antiprogestins, many of which are currently being tested in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Recent reviews have addressed the role of PR in MG development, carcinogenesis, and breast cancer growth. Thus, in this review, in addition to making an overview on PR action in normal and tumor breast, the focus has been put on highlighting the still unresolved topics on hormone treatment involving PR isoforms and breast cancer prognosis.
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Zemkewicz JL, Akwii RG, Mikelis CM, Doçi CL. Investigating Epidermal Interactions Through an In Vivo Cutaneous Wound-Healing Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2193:1-11. [PMID: 32808253 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0845-6_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous wound healing is an intricate and multifaceted process. Despite these complexities, the distinct phases of wound healing provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the roles of different targets in these coordinated responses. This protocol details an in vivo wound healing assay to study the intersection of cellular, molecular, and systemic effector pathways. The role of certain proteins in the wound healing process can be efficiently explored in vivo through the generation of tissue-specific deficient mice. This approach, although optimized for use with animal models displaying epithelial deficiencies, can be used for other tissue-specific deficiencies, and utilizes simple and cost-effective methods, allowing investigators to precisely devise their experimental design. The coordination of immunological, epithelial, vascular, and microenvironmental factors in wound healing makes this technique a valuable tool for investigators across fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Zemkewicz
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Racheal G Akwii
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Constantinos M Mikelis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Colleen L Doçi
- College of Health Professions, Marian University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Pedro MP, Lund K, Iglesias-Bartolome R. The landscape of GPCR signaling in the regulation of epidermal stem cell fate and skin homeostasis. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1520-1531. [PMID: 32896043 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Continuous integration of signals from the micro and macro-environment is necessary for somatic stem cells to adapt to changing conditions, maintain tissue homeostasis and activate repair mechanisms. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) facilitate this integration by binding to numerous hormones, metabolites and inflammatory mediators, influencing a diverse network of pathways that regulate stem cell fate. This adaptive mechanism is particularly relevant for tissues that are exposed to environmental assault, like skin. The skin is maintained by a set of basal keratinocyte stem and progenitor cells located in the hair follicle and interfollicular epidermis, and several GPCRs and their signaling partners serve as makers and regulators of epidermal stem cell activity. GPCRs utilize heterotrimeric G protein dependent and independent pathways to translate extracellular signals into intracellular molecular cascades that dictate the activation of keratinocyte proliferative and differentiation networks, including Hedgehog GLI, Hippo YAP1 and WNT/β-catenin, ultimately regulating stem cell identity. Dysregulation of GPCR signaling underlines numerous skin inflammatory diseases and cancer, with smoothened-driven basal cell carcinoma being a main example of a GPCR associated cancer. In this review, we discuss the impact of GPCRs and their signaling partners in skin keratinocyte biology, particularly in the regulation of the epidermal stem cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pilar Pedro
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Lund
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Girard M, Dagenais Bellefeuille S, Eiselt É, Brouillette R, Placet M, Arguin G, Longpré JM, Sarret P, Gendron FP. The P2Y 6 receptor signals through Gα q /Ca 2+ /PKCα and Gα 13 /ROCK pathways to drive the formation of membrane protrusions and dictate cell migration. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:9676-9690. [PMID: 32420639 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell migration is a ubiquitous process necessary to maintain and restore tissue functions. However, in cancer, cell migration leads to metastasis development and thus worsens the prognosis. Although the mechanism of cell migration is well understood, the identification of new targets modulating cell migration and deciphering their signaling events could lead to new therapies to restore tissue functions in diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or to block metastatic development in different forms of cancer. Previous research has identified the G-protein-coupled P2Y6 receptor as an innovative target that could dictate cell migration under normal and pathological conditions. Surprisingly, there is little information on the cellular events triggered by activated P2Y6 during cell migration. Here, we demonstrated that P2Y6 activation stimulated A549 human lung cancer cells and Caco-2 colorectal cancer cell migration. Activated P2Y6 increased the number of filopodia and focal adhesions; two migratory structures required for cell migration. The generation of these structures involved Gαq /calcium/protein kinases C (PKC) and Gα13 /RHO-associated protein kinase-dependent pathways that dictate the formation of the migratory structures. These pathways led to the stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton through a PKC-dependent phosphorylation of cofilin. These results support the idea that the P2Y6 receptor represents a target of interest to modulate cell migration and revealed an intricate dialogue between two Gα-protein signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Girard
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steve Dagenais Bellefeuille
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Émilie Eiselt
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rebecca Brouillette
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Morgane Placet
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Arguin
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fernand-Pierre Gendron
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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7
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Kuschak M, Namasivayam V, Rafehi M, Voss JH, Garg J, Schlegel JG, Abdelrahman A, Kehraus S, Reher R, Küppers J, Sylvester K, Hinz S, Matthey M, Wenzel D, Fleischmann BK, Pfeifer A, Inoue A, Gütschow M, König GM, Müller CE. Cell-permeable high-affinity tracers for G q proteins provide structural insights, reveal distinct binding kinetics and identify small molecule inhibitors. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:1898-1916. [PMID: 31881095 PMCID: PMC7070167 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose G proteins are intracellular switches that transduce and amplify extracellular signals from GPCRs. The Gq protein subtypes, which are coupled to PLC activation, can act as oncogenes, and their expression was reported to be up‐regulated in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Gq inhibition may be an efficient therapeutic strategy constituting a new level of intervention. However, diagnostic tools and therapeutic drugs for Gq proteins are lacking. Experimental Approach We have now developed Gq‐specific, cell‐permeable 3H‐labelled high‐affinity probes based on the macrocyclic depsipeptides FR900359 (FR) and YM‐254890 (YM). The tracers served to specifically label and quantify Gq proteins in their native conformation in cells and tissues with high accuracy. Key Results FR and YM displayed low nanomolar affinity for Gαq, Gα11 and Gα14 expressed in CRISPR/Cas9 Gαq‐knockout cells, but not for Gα15. The two structurally very similar tracers showed strikingly different dissociation kinetics, which is predicted to result in divergent biological effects. Computational studies suggested a “dowel” effect of the pseudoirreversibly binding FR. A high‐throughput binding assay led to the discovery of novel Gq inhibitors, which inhibited Gq signalling in recombinant cells and primary murine brown adipocytes, resulting in enhanced differentiation. Conclusions and Implications The Gq protein inhibitors YM and FR are pharmacologically different despite similar structures. The new versatile tools and powerful assays will contribute to the advancement of the rising field of G protein research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kuschak
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vigneshwaran Namasivayam
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Muhammad Rafehi
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan H Voss
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jaspal Garg
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonathan G Schlegel
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aliaa Abdelrahman
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Kehraus
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Raphael Reher
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jim Küppers
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Sylvester
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sonja Hinz
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Matthey
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniela Wenzel
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Systems Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Bernd K Fleischmann
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Physiology I, Life and Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Pfeifer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Michael Gütschow
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele M König
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Main KA, Mikelis CM, Doçi CL. In Vitro Wound Healing Assays to Investigate Epidermal Migration. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2109:147-154. [PMID: 31123996 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2019_235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Re-epithelialization after cutaneous injury is a complex and multifaceted process that incorporates numerous cellular components interacting in a myriad of pathways. One of the most crucial aspects of this process is the initiation of keratinocyte migration to fill the wound bed. Re-epithelialization involves both the individual and collective movement of epidermal cells under the control of integrated signaling paradigms. It is therefore essential to develop a simple methodology to dissect the basic movement of epidermal cells in vitro. Scratch assays are relatively simple experiments in which a single layer of cells are plated onto a prepared dish with multiple furrows created in the cell bed. The resulting cellular migration to fill the wound bed can then be imaged and processed quantitatively to investigate migration rates and other factors of interest. Here, we provide important adaptations to the classic scratch assay to make it a robust, reproducible, and quantitative tool for the evaluation of epidermal cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegan A Main
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Marian University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Constantinos M Mikelis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Colleen L Doçi
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Marian University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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9
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Milligan G, Inoue A. Genome Editing Provides New Insights into Receptor-Controlled Signalling Pathways. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:481-493. [PMID: 29548548 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Rapid developments in genome editing, based largely on CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, are offering unprecedented opportunities to eliminate the expression of single or multiple gene products in intact organisms and in model cell systems. Elimination of individual G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), both single and multiple G protein subunits, and arrestin adaptor proteins is providing new and sometimes unanticipated insights into molecular details of the regulation of cell signalling pathways and the behaviour of receptor ligands. Genome editing is certain to become a central component of therapeutic target validation, and will provide pharmacologists with new understanding of the complexities of action of novel and previously studied ligands, as well as of the transmission of signals from individual cell-surface receptors to intracellular signalling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578 Japan.
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