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Li H, Sun X, Cui W, Xu M, Dong J, Ekundayo BE, Ni D, Rao Z, Guo L, Stahlberg H, Yuan S, Vogel H. Computational drug development for membrane protein targets. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:229-242. [PMID: 38361054 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01987-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The application of computational biology in drug development for membrane protein targets has experienced a boost from recent developments in deep learning-driven structure prediction, increased speed and resolution of structure elucidation, machine learning structure-based design and the evaluation of big data. Recent protein structure predictions based on machine learning tools have delivered surprisingly reliable results for water-soluble and membrane proteins but have limitations for development of drugs that target membrane proteins. Structural transitions of membrane proteins have a central role during transmembrane signaling and are often influenced by therapeutic compounds. Resolving the structural and functional basis of dynamic transmembrane signaling networks, especially within the native membrane or cellular environment, remains a central challenge for drug development. Tackling this challenge will require an interplay between experimental and computational tools, such as super-resolution optical microscopy for quantification of the molecular interactions of cellular signaling networks and their modulation by potential drugs, cryo-electron microscopy for determination of the structural transitions of proteins in native cell membranes and entire cells, and computational tools for data analysis and prediction of the structure and function of cellular signaling networks, as well as generation of promising drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijian Li
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenqiang Cui
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marc Xu
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junlin Dong
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Babatunde Edukpe Ekundayo
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dongchun Ni
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhili Rao
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liwei Guo
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China
| | - Henning Stahlberg
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, IPHYS, SB, EPFL and Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Shuguang Yuan
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China.
| | - Horst Vogel
- Center for Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology/Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT/CAS), Shenzhen, China.
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques (ISIC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Fessl T, Majellaro M, Bondar A. Microscopy and spectroscopy approaches to study GPCR structure and function. Br J Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 38087925 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16297] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The GPCR signalling cascade is a key pathway responsible for the signal transduction of a multitude of physical and chemical stimuli, including light, odorants, neurotransmitters and hormones. Understanding the structural and functional properties of the GPCR cascade requires direct observation of signalling processes in high spatial and temporal resolution, with minimal perturbation to endogenous systems. Optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques are uniquely suited to this purpose because they excel at multiple spatial and temporal scales and can be used in living objects. Here, we review recent developments in microscopy and spectroscopy technologies which enable new insights into GPCR signalling. We focus on advanced techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution, single-molecule methods, labelling strategies and approaches suitable for endogenous systems and large living objects. This review aims to assist researchers in choosing appropriate microscopy and spectroscopy approaches for a variety of applications in the study of cellular signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Fessl
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Alexey Bondar
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Histology, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Stoneman MR, Raicu V. Fluorescence-Based Detection of Proteins and Their Interactions in Live Cells. J Phys Chem B 2023. [PMID: 37205844 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in fluorescence-based microscopy techniques, such as single molecule fluorescence, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence intensity fluctuations analysis, and super-resolution microscopy have expanded our ability to study proteins in greater detail within their native cellular environment and to investigate the roles that protein interactions play in biological functions, such as inter- and intracellular signaling and cargo transport. In this Perspective, we provide an up-to-date overview of the current state of the art in fluorescence-based detection of proteins and their interactions in living cells with an emphasis on recent developments that have facilitated the characterization of the spatial and temporal organization of proteins into oligomeric complexes in the presence and absence of natural and artificial ligands. Further advancements in this field will only deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of biological processes and help develop new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Stoneman
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
| | - Valerică Raicu
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
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Lim SE, Joseph MD, de Winde CM, Acton SE, Simoncelli S. Quantitative single molecule analysis of podoplanin clustering in fibroblastic reticular cells uncovers CD44 function. Open Biol 2023; 13:220377. [PMID: 37161290 PMCID: PMC10170195 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220377] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon initial immune challenge, dendritic cells (DCs) migrate to lymph nodes and interact with fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) via C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). CLEC-2 binds to the membrane glycoprotein podoplanin (PDPN) on FRCs, inhibiting actomyosin contractility through the FRC network and permitting lymph node expansion. The hyaluronic acid receptor CD44 is known to be required for FRCs to respond to DCs but the mechanism of action is not fully elucidated. Here, we use DNA-PAINT, a quantitative single molecule super-resolution technique, to visualize and quantify how PDPN clustering is regulated in the plasma membrane of FRCs. Our results indicate that CLEC-2 interaction leads to the formation of large PDPN clusters (i.e. more than 12 proteins per cluster) in a CD44-dependent manner. These results suggest that CD44 expression is required to stabilize large pools of PDPN at the membrane of FRCs upon CLEC-2 interaction, revealing the molecular mechanism through which CD44 facilitates cellular crosstalk between FRCs and DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu En Lim
- Stromal Immunology Group, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Megan D. Joseph
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Charlotte M. de Winde
- Stromal Immunology Group, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie E. Acton
- Stromal Immunology Group, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sabrina Simoncelli
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
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Tomas Bort E, Joseph MD, Wang Q, Carter EP, Roth NJ, Gibson J, Samadi A, Kocher HM, Simoncelli S, McCormick PJ, Grose RP. Purinergic GPCR-integrin interactions drive pancreatic cancer cell invasion. eLife 2023; 12:e86971. [PMID: 36942939 PMCID: PMC10069867 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to show no improvement in survival rates. One aspect of PDAC is elevated ATP levels, pointing to the purinergic axis as a potential attractive therapeutic target. Mediated in part by highly druggable extracellular proteins, this axis plays essential roles in fibrosis, inflammation response, and immune function. Analyzing the main members of the PDAC extracellular purinome using publicly available databases discerned which members may impact patient survival. P2RY2 presents as the purinergic gene with the strongest association with hypoxia, the highest cancer cell-specific expression, and the strongest impact on overall survival. Invasion assays using a 3D spheroid model revealed P2Y2 to be critical in facilitating invasion driven by extracellular ATP. Using genetic modification and pharmacological strategies, we demonstrate mechanistically that this ATP-driven invasion requires direct protein-protein interactions between P2Y2 and αV integrins. DNA-PAINT super-resolution fluorescence microscopy reveals that P2Y2 regulates the amount and distribution of integrin αV in the plasma membrane. Moreover, receptor-integrin interactions were required for effective downstream signaling, leading to cancer cell invasion. This work elucidates a novel GPCR-integrin interaction in cancer invasion, highlighting its potential for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tomas Bort
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Megan D Joseph
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Qiaoying Wang
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Edward P Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nicolas J Roth
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jessica Gibson
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ariana Samadi
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Simoncelli
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter J McCormick
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Single-molecule and super-resolved imaging deciphers membrane behavior of onco-immunogenic CCR5. iScience 2022; 25:105675. [PMID: 36561885 PMCID: PMC9763858 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of tumors to establish a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment is an important point of investigation in the search for new therapeutics. Tumors form microenvironments in part by the "education" of immune cells attracted via chemotactic axes such as that of CCR5-CCL5. Further, CCR5 upregulation by cancer cells, coupled with its association with pro-tumorigenic features such as drug resistance and metastasis, has suggested CCR5 as a therapeutic target. However, with several conformational "pools" being reported, phenotypic investigations must be capable of unveiling conformational heterogeneity. Addressing this challenge, we performed super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and single molecule partially TIRF-coupled HILO (PaTCH) microscopy of CCR5 in fixed cells. SIM data revealed a non-random spatial distribution of CCR5 assemblies, while Intensity-tracking of CCR5 assemblies from PaTCH images indicated dimeric sub-units independent of CCL5 perturbation. These biophysical methods can provide important insights into the structure and function of onco-immunogenic receptors and many other biomolecules.
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Milstein JN, Nino DF, Zhou X, Gradinaru CC. Single-molecule counting applied to the study of GPCR oligomerization. Biophys J 2022; 121:3175-3187. [PMID: 35927960 PMCID: PMC9463696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.07.034] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule counting techniques enable a precise determination of the intracellular abundance and stoichiometry of proteins and macromolecular complexes. These details are often challenging to quantitatively assess yet are essential for our understanding of cellular function. Consider G-protein-coupled receptors-an expansive class of transmembrane signaling proteins that participate in many vital physiological functions making them a popular target for drug development. While early evidence for the role of oligomerization in receptor signaling came from ensemble biochemical and biophysical assays, innovations in single-molecule measurements are now driving a paradigm shift in our understanding of its relevance. Here, we review recent developments in single-molecule counting with a focus on photobleaching step counting and the emerging technique of quantitative single-molecule localization microscopy-with a particular emphasis on the potential for these techniques to advance our understanding of the role of oligomerization in G-protein-coupled receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua N Milstein
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Daniel F Nino
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaohan Zhou
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claudiu C Gradinaru
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
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Integration and Spatial Organization of Signaling by G Protein-Coupled Receptor Homo- and Heterodimers. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121828. [PMID: 34944469 PMCID: PMC8698773 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Information flow from a source to a receiver becomes informative when the recipient can process the signal into a meaningful form. Information exchange and interpretation is essential in biology and understanding how cells integrate signals from a variety of information-coding molecules into complex orchestrated responses is a major challenge for modern cell biology. In complex organisms, cell to cell communication occurs mostly through neurotransmitters and hormones, and receptors are responsible for signal recognition at the membrane level and information transduction inside the cell. The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors, with nearly 800 genes coding for these proteins. The recognition that GPCRs may physically interact with each other has led to the hypothesis that their dimeric state can provide the framework for temporal coincidence in signaling pathways. Furthermore, the formation of GPCRs higher order oligomers provides the structural basis for organizing distinct cell compartments along the plasma membrane where confined increases in second messengers may be perceived and discriminated. Here, we summarize evidence that supports these conjectures, fostering new ideas about the physiological role played by receptor homo- and hetero-oligomerization in cell biology.
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