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Schafer RM, Giancotti LA, Davis DJ, Larrea IG, Farr SA, Salvemini D. Behavioral characterization of G-protein-coupled receptor 160 knockout mice. Pain 2024; 165:1361-1371. [PMID: 38198232 PMCID: PMC11090760 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain is a devastating condition where current therapeutics offer little to no pain relief. Novel nonnarcotic therapeutic targets are needed to address this growing medical problem. Our work identified the G-protein-coupled receptor 160 (GPR160) as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. However, the lack of small-molecule ligands for GPR160 hampers our understanding of its role in health and disease. To address this void, we generated a global Gpr160 knockout (KO) mouse using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to validate the contributions of GPR160 in nociceptive behaviors in mice. Gpr160 KO mice are healthy and fertile, with no observable physical abnormalities. Gpr160 KO mice fail to develop behavioral hypersensitivities in a model of neuropathic pain caused by constriction of the sciatic nerve. On the other hand, responses of Gpr160 KO mice in the hot-plate and tail-flick assays are not affected. We recently deorphanized GPR160 and identified cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CARTp) as a potential ligand. Using Gpr160 KO mice, we now report that the development of behavioral hypersensitivities after intrathecal or intraplantar injections of CARTp are dependent on GPR160. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide plays a role in various affective behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, and cognition. There are no differences in learning, memory, and anxiety between Gpr160 KO mice and their age-matched and sex-matched control floxed mice. Results from these studies support the pronociceptive roles of CARTp/GPR160 and GPR160 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Schafer
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology School of Medicine and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd. 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Luigino A Giancotti
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology School of Medicine and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd. 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel J Davis
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Ivonne G Larrea
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology School of Medicine and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd. 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Susan A Farr
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology School of Medicine and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd. 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, Saint Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- VA Medical Center, St Louis. MO 63106, USA
| | - Daniela Salvemini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology School of Medicine and Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd. 63104, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Costanzi S, Stahr LG, Trivellin G, Stratakis CA. GPR101: Modeling a constitutively active receptor linked to X-linked acrogigantism. J Mol Graph Model 2024; 127:108676. [PMID: 38006624 PMCID: PMC10843723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
GPR101 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in a rare form of genetic gigantism known as X-linked acrogigantism, or X-LAG. In particular, X-LAG patients harbor microduplications in the long arm of the X-chromosome that invariably include the GPR101 gene. Duplications of the GPR101 gene lead to the formation of a new chromatin domain that causes over-expression of the receptor in the pituitary tumors of the patients. Notably, GPR101 is a constitutively active receptor, which stimulates cells to produce the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the absence of ligands. Moreover, GPR101 was recently reported to constitutively activate not only the cAMP pathway via Gs, but also other G protein subunits (Gq/11 and G12/13). Hence, chemicals that block the constitutive activity of GPR101, known as inverse agonists, have the potential to be useful for the development of pharmacological tools for the treatment of X-LAG. In this study, we provide structural insights into the putative structure of GPR101 based on in-house built homology models, as well as third party models based on the machine learning methods AlphaFold and AlphaFold-Multistate. Moreover, we report a molecular dynamics study, meant to further probe the constitutive activity of GPR101. Finally, we provide a structural comparison with the closest GPCRs, which suggests that GPR101 does not share their natural ligands. While this manuscript was under review, cryo-electron microscopy structures of GPR101 were reported. These structures are expected to enable computer-aided ligand discovery efforts targeting GPR101.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Costanzi
- American University, Department of Chemistry, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Lea G Stahr
- American University, Department of Chemistry, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Giampaolo Trivellin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Yanik T, Durhan ST. Specific Functions of Melanocortin 3 Receptor (MC3R). J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2023; 15:1-6. [PMID: 36053086 PMCID: PMC9976164 DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2022.2022-5-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) is a G-protein coupled receptor which has been defined mostly as a regulator of the appetite/hunger balance mechanisms to date. In addition to its function regarding the weight gain and appetite control mechanisms of MC3R, recent studies have shown that MC3R controls growth, puberty, and circadian rhythms as well. Despite the drastic effects of MC3R deficiency in humans and other mammals, its cellular mechanisms are still under investigation. In this review paper, we aimed to point out the importance of MC3R regulations in three main areas: 1) its impact on weight and appetite control, 2) its role in the control of growth, puberty, and the circadian rhythm, and, 3) its protein-protein interactions and cellular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulin Yanik
- Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkey,* Address for Correspondence: Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkey Phone: +90 312 210 64 65 E-mail:
| | - Seyda Tugce Durhan
- Middle East Technical University, Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
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Shaw TI, Zhao B, Li Y, Wang H, Wang L, Manley B, Stewart PA, Karolak A. Multi-omics approach to identifying isoform variants as therapeutic targets in cancer patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1051487. [PMID: 36505834 PMCID: PMC9730332 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1051487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-specific alternatively spliced events (ASE) play a role in cancer pathogenesis and can be targeted by immunotherapy, oligonucleotide therapy, and small molecule inhibition. However, identifying actionable ASE targets remains challenging due to the uncertainty of its protein product, structure impact, and proteoform (protein isoform) function. Here we argue that an integrated multi-omics profiling strategy can overcome these challenges, allowing us to mine this untapped source of targets for therapeutic development. In this review, we will provide an overview of current multi-omics strategies in characterizing ASEs by utilizing the transcriptome, proteome, and state-of-art algorithms for protein structure prediction. We will discuss limitations and knowledge gaps associated with each technology and informatics analytics. Finally, we will discuss future directions that will enable the full integration of multi-omics data for ASE target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy I. Shaw
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States,*Correspondence: Timothy I. Shaw,
| | - Bi Zhao
- Department of Machine Learning, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Yuxin Li
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Hong Wang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Brandon Manley
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Paul A. Stewart
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Aleksandra Karolak
- Department of Machine Learning, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
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