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Chagas Monteiro KL, dos Santos Alcântara MG, de Aquino TM, Ferreira da Silva-Júnior E. Insights on Natural Products Against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1169-1188. [PMID: 38708921 PMCID: PMC10964095 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231016153606] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of motor neurons and consequent muscle paralysis. Despite many efforts to address it, current therapy targeting ALS remains limited, increasing the interest in complementary therapies. Over the years, several herbal preparations and medicinal plants have been studied to prevent and treat this disease, which has received remarkable attention due to their blood-brain barrier penetration properties and low toxicity. Thus, this review presents the therapeutic potential of a variety of medicinal herbs and their relationship with ALS and their physiopathological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadja Luana Chagas Monteiro
- Research Group on Therapeutic Strategies - GPET, Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry - LSPMED, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, 57072-970, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Marcone Gomes dos Santos Alcântara
- Research Group on Therapeutic Strategies - GPET, Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry - LSPMED, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, 57072-970, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Thiago Mendonça de Aquino
- Research Group on Therapeutic Strategies - GPET, Laboratory of Synthesis and Research in Medicinal Chemistry - LSPMED, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, 57072-970, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
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Taneva SG, Todinova S, Andreeva T. Morphometric and Nanomechanical Screening of Peripheral Blood Cells with Atomic Force Microscopy for Label-Free Assessment of Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14296. [PMID: 37762599 PMCID: PMC10531602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814296] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are complex, multifactorial disorders with significant social and economic impact in today's society. NDDs are predicted to become the second-most common cause of death in the next few decades due to an increase in life expectancy but also to a lack of early diagnosis and mainly symptomatic treatment. Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, there are yet no reliable biomarkers identifying the complex pathways contributing to these pathologies. The development of new approaches for early diagnosis and new therapies, together with the identification of non-invasive and more cost-effective diagnostic biomarkers, is one of the main trends in NDD biomedical research. Here we summarize data on peripheral biomarkers, biofluids (cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma), and peripheral blood cells (platelets (PLTs) and red blood cells (RBCs)), reported so far for the three most common NDDs-Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PLTs and RBCs, beyond their primary physiological functions, are increasingly recognized as valuable sources of biomarkers for NDDs. Special attention is given to the morphological and nanomechanical signatures of PLTs and RBCs as biophysical markers for the three pathologies. Modifications of the surface nanostructure and morphometric and nanomechanical signatures of PLTs and RBCs from patients with AD, PD, and ALS have been revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM is currently experiencing rapid and widespread adoption in biomedicine and clinical medicine, in particular for early diagnostics of various medical conditions. AFM is a unique instrument without an analog, allowing the generation of three-dimensional cell images with extremely high spatial resolution at near-atomic scale, which are complemented by insights into the mechanical properties of cells and subcellular structures. Data demonstrate that AFM can distinguish between the three pathologies and the normal, healthy state. The specific PLT and RBC signatures can serve as biomarkers in combination with the currently used diagnostic tools. We highlight the strong correlation of the morphological and nanomechanical signatures between RBCs and PLTs in PD, ALS, and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefka G. Taneva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Acad. G. Bontchev” Str. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (T.A.)
| | - Svetla Todinova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Acad. G. Bontchev” Str. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (T.A.)
| | - Tonya Andreeva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Acad. G. Bontchev” Str. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (T.A.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstraße 150, D-72762 Reutlingen, Germany
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Huber RG, Pandey S, Chhangani D, Rincon-Limas DE, Staff NP, Yeo CJJ. Identification of potential pathways and biomarkers linked to progression in ALS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:150-165. [PMID: 36533811 PMCID: PMC9930436 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for clinical management and clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS We analysed proteomics data of ALS patient-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons available through the AnswerALS consortium. After stratifying patients using clinical ALSFRS-R and ALS-CBS scales, we identified differentially expressed proteins indicative of ALS disease severity and progression rate as candidate ALS-related and prognostic biomarkers. Pathway analysis for identified proteins was performed using STITCH. Protein sets were correlated with the effects of drugs using the Connectivity Map tool to identify compounds likely to affect similar pathways. RNAi screening was performed in a Drosophila TDP-43 ALS model to validate pathological relevance. A statistical classification machine learning model was constructed using ridge regression that uses proteomics data to differentiate ALS patients from controls. RESULTS We identified 76, 21, 71 and 1 candidate ALS-related biomarkers and 22, 41, 27 and 64 candidate prognostic biomarkers from patients stratified by ALSFRS-R baseline, ALSFRS-R progression slope, ALS-CBS baseline and ALS-CBS progression slope, respectively. Nineteen proteins enhanced or suppressed pathogenic eye phenotypes in the ALS fly model. Nutraceuticals, dopamine pathway modulators, statins, anti-inflammatories and antimicrobials were predicted starting points for drug repurposing using the connectivity map tool. Ten diagnostic biomarker proteins were predicted by machine learning to identify ALS patients with high accuracy and sensitivity. INTERPRETATION This study showcases the powerful approach of iPSC-motor neuron proteomics combined with machine learning and biological confirmation in the prediction of novel mechanisms and diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland G Huber
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix #07-01, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138671, Singapore
| | - Swapnil Pandey
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, and Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Deepak Chhangani
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, and Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Diego E Rincon-Limas
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, and Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Nathan P Staff
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
| | - Crystal Jing Jing Yeo
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), IMCB, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Imperial College London and NTU Singapore, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, AB243FX, Scotland, UK
- National Neuroscience Institute, TTSH Campus, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
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Platelets’ Nanomechanics and Morphology in Neurodegenerative Pathologies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092239. [PMID: 36140340 PMCID: PMC9496241 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092239] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The imaging and force–distance curve modes of atomic force microscopy (AFM) are explored to compare the morphological and mechanical signatures of platelets from patients diagnosed with classical neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and healthy individuals. Our data demonstrate the potential of AFM to distinguish between the three NDDs—Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and normal healthy platelets. The common features of platelets in the three pathologies are reduced membrane surface roughness, area and height, and enhanced nanomechanics in comparison with healthy cells. These changes might be related to general phenomena associated with reorganization in the platelet membrane morphology and cytoskeleton, a key factor for all platelets’ functions. Importantly, the platelets’ signatures are modified to a different extent in the three pathologies, most significant in ALS, less pronounced in PD and the least in AD platelets, which shows the specificity associated with each pathology. Moreover, different degree of activation, distinct pseudopodia and nanocluster formation characterize ALS, PD and AD platelets. The strongest alterations in the biophysical properties correlate with the highest activation of ALS platelets, which reflect the most significant changes in their nanoarchitecture. The specific platelet signatures that mark each of the studied pathologies can be added as novel biomarkers to the currently used diagnostic tools.
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Cocchi M, Mondo E, Romeo M, Traina G. The Inflammatory Conspiracy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Crossroads of Clues and Insights through Mast Cells, Platelets, Inflammation, Gut Microbiota, Mood Disorders and Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063253. [PMID: 35328673 PMCID: PMC8950240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease characterized by demyelination and axonal loss. This pathology, still largely of unknown etiology, carries within it a complex series of etiopathogenetic components of which it is difficult to trace the origin. An inflammatory state is likely to be the basis of the pathology. Crucial elements of the inflammatory process are the interactions between platelets and mast cells as well as the bacterial component of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, the involvement of mast cells in autoimmune demyelinating diseases has been shown. The present work tries to hang up on that Ariadne’s thread which, in the molecular complexity of the interactions between mast cells, platelets, microbiota and inflammation, characterizes Multiple Sclerosis and attempts to bring the pathology back to the causal determinism of psychopathological phenomenology. Therefore, we consider the possibility that the original error of Multiple Sclerosis can be investigated in the genetic origin of the depressive pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Cocchi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisabetta Mondo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Marcello Romeo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Traina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Ferrer-Raventós P, Beyer K. Alternative platelet activation pathways and their role in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 159:105512. [PMID: 34537329 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The study of platelets in the context of neurodegenerative diseases is intensifying, and increasing evidence suggests that platelets may play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of platelets and their diverse activation pathways in the development of these diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Platelets participate in synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and platelets activated by exercise promote neuronal differentiation in several brain regions. Platelets also contribute to the immune response by modulating their surface protein profile and releasing pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. In Alzheimer's disease, increased levels of platelet amyloid precursor protein raise the production of amyloid-beta peptides promoting platelet activation, triggering at the same time amyloid-beta fibrillation. In Parkinson's disease, increased platelet α-synuclein is associated with elevated ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction. SUMMARY In this review, we revise different platelet activation pathways, those classically involved in hemostasis and wound healing, and alternative activation pathways recently described in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ferrer-Raventós
- Memory Unit, Neurology Department and Sant Pau Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Katrin Beyer
- Department of Pathology, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Murdock BJ, Goutman SA, Boss J, Kim S, Feldman EL. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Survival Associates With Neutrophils in a Sex-specific Manner. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2021; 8:8/2/e953. [PMID: 33531377 PMCID: PMC8057067 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective To determine whether neutrophils contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) progression, we tested the association of baseline neutrophil count on
ALS survival, whether the effect was sex specific, and whether neutrophils
accumulate in the spinal cord. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted between June 22, 2011, and October
30, 2019. Blood leukocytes were isolated from ALS participants and
neutrophil levels assessed by flow cytometry. Participant survival outcomes
were analyzed by groups (<2 × 106, 2–4 ×
106, and >4 × 106 neutrophils/mL) with
adjustments for relevant ALS covariates and by sex. Neutrophil levels were
assessed from CNS tissue from a subset of participants. Results A total of 269 participants with ALS within 2 years of an ALS diagnosis were
included. Participants with baseline neutrophil counts over 4 ×
106/mL had a 2.1 times higher mortality rate than those with
a neutrophil count lower than 2 × 106/mL (95% CI:
1.3–3.5, p = 0.004) when adjusting for age,
sex, and other covariates. This effect was more pronounced in females, with
a hazard ratio of 3.8 (95% CI: 1.8–8.2, p =
0.001) in the >4 × 106/mL vs <2 ×
106/mL group. Furthermore, ALS participants (n = 8) had
increased neutrophils in cervical (p = 0.049) and
thoracic (p = 0.022) spinal cord segments compared
with control participants (n = 8). Conclusions Higher neutrophil counts early in ALS associate with a shorter survival in
female participants. Furthermore, neutrophils accumulate in ALS spinal cord
supporting a pathophysiologic correlate. These data justify the
consideration of immunity and sex for personalized therapeutic development
in ALS. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class III evidence that in female participants with ALS,
higher baseline neutrophil counts are associated with shorter survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Murdock
- From the Department of Neurology (B.J.M., S.A.G., E.L.F.), and Department of Biostatistics (J.B., S.K.), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Stephen A Goutman
- From the Department of Neurology (B.J.M., S.A.G., E.L.F.), and Department of Biostatistics (J.B., S.K.), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
| | - Jonathan Boss
- From the Department of Neurology (B.J.M., S.A.G., E.L.F.), and Department of Biostatistics (J.B., S.K.), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Sehee Kim
- From the Department of Neurology (B.J.M., S.A.G., E.L.F.), and Department of Biostatistics (J.B., S.K.), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Eva L Feldman
- From the Department of Neurology (B.J.M., S.A.G., E.L.F.), and Department of Biostatistics (J.B., S.K.), School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Ramezani F, Babaie F, Aslani S, Hemmatzadeh M, Mohammadi FS, Gowhari-Shabgah A, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Ezzatifar F, Mohammadi H. The Role of the IL-33/ST2 Immune Pathway in Autoimmunity: New Insights and Perspectives. Immunol Invest 2021; 51:1060-1086. [PMID: 33522348 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2021.1878212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-33, a member of IL-1 cytokine family, is produced by various immune cells and acts as an alarm to alert the immune system after epithelial or endothelial cell damage during cell necrosis, infection, stress, and trauma. The biological functions of IL-33 largely depend on its ligation to the corresponding receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). The pathogenic roles of this cytokine have been implicated in several disorders, including allergic disease, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and cancers. However, alerted levels of IL-33 may result in either disease amelioration or progression. Genetic variations of IL33 gene may confer protective or susceptibility risk in the onset of autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the involvement of IL-33 and ST2 in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune rheumatic, neurodegenerative, and endocrine diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Ramezani
- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Farhad Babaie
- Department of Immunology and Genetic, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Saeed Aslani
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Hemmatzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadat Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Division, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ezzatifar
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Forty Years Since the Structural Elucidation of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF): Historical, Current, and Future Research Perspectives. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234414. [PMID: 31816871 PMCID: PMC6930554 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the late 1960s, Barbaro and Zvaifler described a substance that caused antigen induced histamine release from rabbit platelets producing antibodies in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Henson described a ‘soluble factor’ released from leukocytes that induced vasoactive amine release in platelets. Later observations by Siraganuan and Osler observed the existence of a diluted substance that had the capacity to cause platelet activation. In 1972, the term platelet-activating factor (PAF) was coined by Benveniste, Henson, and Cochrane. The structure of PAF was later elucidated by Demopoulos, Pinckard, and Hanahan in 1979. These studies introduced the research world to PAF, which is now recognised as a potent phospholipid mediator. Since its introduction to the literature, research on PAF has grown due to interest in its vital cell signalling functions and more sinisterly its role as a pro-inflammatory molecule in several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. As it is forty years since the structural elucidation of PAF, the aim of this review is to provide a historical account of the discovery of PAF and to provide a general overview of current and future perspectives on PAF research in physiology and pathophysiology.
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Audet M, Stevens RC. Emerging structural biology of lipid G protein-coupled receptors. Protein Sci 2019; 28:292-304. [PMID: 30239054 PMCID: PMC6319753 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The first crystal structure of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) was that of the bovine rhodopsin, solved in 2000, and is a light receptor within retina rode cells that enables vision by transducing a conformational signal from the light-induced isomerization of retinal covalently bound to the receptor. More than 7 years after this initial discovery and following more than 20 years of technological developments in GPCR expression, stabilization, and crystallography, the high-resolution structure of the adrenaline binding β2 -adrenergic receptor, a ligand diffusible receptor, was discovered. Since then, high-resolution structures of more than 53 unique GPCRs have been determined leading to a significant improvement in our understanding of the basic mechanisms of ligand-binding and ligand-mediated receptor activation that revolutionized the field of structural molecular pharmacology of GPCRs. Recently, several structures of eight unique lipid-binding receptors, one of the most difficult GPCR families to study, have been reported. This review presents the outstanding structural and pharmacological features that have emerged from these new lipid receptor structures. The impact of these findings goes beyond mechanistic insights, providing evidence of the fundamental role of GPCRs in the physiological integration of the lipid signaling system, and highlighting the importance of sustained research into the structural biology of GPCRs for the development of new therapeutics targeting lipid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Audet
- Departments of Biological Sciences and ChemistryBridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCalifornia90089
| | - Raymond C. Stevens
- Departments of Biological Sciences and ChemistryBridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCalifornia90089
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