Beta-arrestin/Ral signaling regulates lysophosphatidic acid-mediated migration and invasion of human breast tumor cells

The lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays a role in cancer progression and signals via specific G protein-coupled receptors, LPA(1-3). LPA has been shown to enhance the metastasis of breast carcinoma cells to bone. However, the mechanisms by which LPA receptors regulate breast cancer cell migration and invasion remain unclear. Breast cancer cell proliferation has been shown to be stimulated by Ral GTPases, a member of the Ras superfamily. Ral activity can be regulated by the multifunctional protein beta-arrestin. We now show that HS578T and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and MDA-MB-435 melanoma cells have higher expression of beta-arrestin 1 mRNA compared with the nontumorigenic mammary MCF-10A cells. Moreover, we found that the mRNA levels of LPA1, LPA2, beta-arrestin 2, and Ral GTPases are elevated in the advanced stages of breast cancer. LPA stimulates the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, but not of MCF-10A cells, and this is mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and LPA1. However, ectopic expression of LPA1 in MCF-10A cells caused these cells to acquire an invasive phenotype. Gene knockdown of either beta-arrestin or Ral proteins significantly impaired LPA-stimulated migration and invasion. Thus, our data show a novel role for beta-arrestin/Ral signaling in mediating LPA-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion, two important processes in metastasis.

Beta-arrestins regulate a Ral-GDS Ral effector pathway that mediates cytoskeletal reorganization

beta-Arrestins are important in chemoattractant receptor-induced granule release, a process that may involve Ral-dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. We have identified the Ral GDP dissociation stimulator (Ral-GDS) as a beta-arrestin-binding protein by yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation from human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs). Under basal conditions, Ral-GDS is localized to the cytosol and remains inactive in a complex formed with beta-arrestins. In response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) receptor stimulation, beta-arrestin Ral-GDS protein complexes dissociate and Ral-GDS translocates with beta-arrestin from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, resulting in the Ras-independent activation of the Ral effector pathway required for cytoskeletal rearrangement. The subsequent re-association of beta-arrestin Ral-GDS complexes is associated with the inactivation of Ral signalling. Thus, beta-arrestins regulate multiple steps in the Ral-dependent processes that result in chemoattractant-induced cytoskeletal reorganization.

Rab5 association with the angiotensin II type 1A receptor promotes Rab5 GTP binding and vesicular fusion

Previous studies have demonstrated that the internalization of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT(1A)R) may be mediated by both beta-arrestin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms. Therefore, we have used the AT(1A)R carboxyl-terminal tail to screen a rat brain yeast two-hybrid expression library for novel AT(1A)R-interacting proteins that might contribute to the regulation of AT(1A)R internalization. We have identified Rab5a as an AT(1A)R-binding protein that selectively associates with the AT(1A)R and not with the beta2-adrenergic receptor. A Rab5a-S34N mutant defective in GTP binding does not prevent the internalization of the AT(1A)R but does prevent the trafficking of the AT(1A)R into larger hollow cored vesicular structures. Agonist activation of the AT(1A)R promotes both the formation of Rab5a.AT(1A)R protein complexes and Rab5a GTP binding. Rab5a interactions with the AT(1A)R are mediated in part by the last 10 amino acid residues of the AT(1A)R carboxyl-terminal tail, and although a mutant receptor lacking these residues internalizes normally, it does not redistribute into larger hollow vesicles. Our data suggest that AT(1A)R activation modulates Rab5a activity leading to the homotypic fusion of endocytic vesicles. These observations suggest that vesicular cargo proteins, such as the AT(1A)R, may control their targeting between intracellular compartments by directly regulating the activity of components of the intracellular trafficking machinery such as Rab5a.

Regulation of Angiotensin II Type 1A Receptor Intracellular Retention, Degradation, and Recycling by Rab5, Rab7, and Rab11 GTPases

Previous studies have demonstrated that the interaction of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT(1A)R) carboxyl-terminal tail with Rab5a may modulate Rab5a activity, leading to the homotypic fusion of endocytic vesicles. Therefore, we have investigated whether AT(1A)R/Rab5a interactions mediate the retention of AT(1A)R.beta-arrestin complexes in early endosomes and whether the overexpression of Rab7 and Rab11 GTPases influences AT(1A)R lysosomal degradation and plasma membrane recycling. We found that internalized AT(1A)R was retained in Rab5a-positive early endosomes and was neither targeted to lysosomes nor recycled back to the cell surface, whereas a mutant defective in Rab5a binding, AT(1A)R-(1-349), was targeted to lysosomes for degradation. However, the loss of Rab5a binding to the AT(1A)R carboxyl-terminal tail did not promote AT(1A)R recycling. Rather, it was the stable binding of beta-arrestin to the AT(1A)R that prevented, at least in part, AT(1A)R recycling. The overexpression of wild-type Rab7 and Rab7-Q67L resulted in both increased AT(1A)R degradation and AT(1A)R targeting to lysosomes. The Rab7 expression-dependent transition of "putative" AT(1A)R.beta-arrestin complexes to late endosomes was blocked by the expression of dominant-negative Rab5a-S34N. Rab11 overexpression established AT(1A)R recycling and promoted the redistribution of AT(1A)R.beta-arrestin complexes from early to recycling endosomes. Taken together, our data suggest that Rab5, Rab7, and Rab11 work in concert with one another to regulate the intracellular trafficking patterns of the AT(1A)R.

Regulation of GPR54 signaling by GRK2 and {beta}-arrestin

Kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, are major regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis as well as regulators of human placentation and tumor metastases. GPR54 is a G(q/11)-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), and activation by kisspeptin stimulates phosphatidy linositol 4, 5-biphosphate hydrolysis, Ca(2+) mobilization, arachidonic acid release, and ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation. Physiological evidence suggests that GPR54 undergoes agonist-dependent desensitization, but underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Furthermore, very little has been reported on the early events that regulate GPR54 signaling. The lack of information in these important areas led to this study. Here we report for the first time on the role of GPCR serine/threonine kinase (GRK)2 and beta-arrestin in regulating GPR54 signaling in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, a model cell system for studying the molecular regulation of GPCRs, and genetically modified MDA MB-231 cells, an invasive breast cancer cell line expressing about 75% less beta-arrestin-2 than the control cell line. Our study reveals that in HEK 293 cells, GPR54 is expressed both at the plasma membrane and intracellularly and also that plasma membrane expression is regulated by cytoplasmic tail sequences. We also demonstrate that GPR54 exhibits constitutive activity, internalization, and association with GRK2 and beta- arrestins-1 and 2 through sequences in the second intracellular loop and cytoplasmic tail of the receptor. We also show that GRK2 stimulates the desensitization of GPR54 in HEK 293 cells and that beta-arrestin-2 mediates GPR54 activation of ERK1/2 in MDA-MB-231 cells. The significance of these findings in developing molecular-based therapies for treating certain endocrine-related disorders is discussed.

Small GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors

Heterotrimeric GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) form the largest group of integral membrane receptor proteins and mediate diverse physiological processes. In addition to signalling via heterotrimeric G-proteins, GPCRs can also signal by interacting with various small G-proteins to regulate downstream effector pathways. The small G-protein superfamily is structurally classified into at least five families: the Ras, Rho/Rac/cdc42, Rab, Sar1/Arf and Ran families. They are monomeric G-proteins with molecular masses over the range 20-30 kDa, which function as molecular switches to control many eukaryotic cell functions. Several studies have provided evidence of crosstalk between GPCRs and small G-proteins. It is well documented that GPCR signalling through heterotrimeric G-proteins can lead to the activation of Ras and Rho GTPases. In addition, RhoA, Rabs, ARFs and ARF GEFs (guanine nucleotide-exchange factors) can associate directly with GPCRs, and GPCRs may also function as GEFs for small GTPases. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in understanding the interaction between GPCRs and small GTPases, focusing on understanding how the association of small G-proteins with GPCRs and GPCR-regulatory proteins may influence GPCR signalling and intracellular trafficking.

Ral and phospholipase D2-dependent pathway for constitutive metabotropic glutamate receptor endocytosis

G-protein-coupled receptors play a central role in the regulation of neuronal cell communication. Class 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) mGluR1a and mGluR5a, which are coupled with the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, are essential for modulating excitatory neurotransmission at glutamatergic synapses. These receptors are constitutively internalized in heterologous cell cultures, neuronal cultures, and intact neuronal tissues. We show here that the small GTP-binding protein Ral, its guanine nucleotide exchange factor RalGDS (Ral GDP dissociation stimulator), and phospholipase D2 (PLD2) are constitutively associated with class 1 mGluRs and regulate constitutive mGluR endocytosis. Moreover, both Ral and PLD2 are colocalized with mGluRs in endocytic vesicles in both human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells and neurons. Ral and PLD2 activity is required for the internalization of class 1 mGluRs but is not required for the internalization of the beta2-adrenergic receptor. Constitutive class 1 mGluR internalization is not dependent on the downstream Ral effector proteins Ral-binding protein 1 and PLD1 or either ADP-ribosylation factors ARF1 or ARF6. The treatment of HEK 293 cells and neurons with small interfering RNA both downregulates PLD2 expression and blocks mGluR1a and mGluR5a endocytosis. The constitutive internalization of mGluR1a and mGluR5a is also attenuated by the treatment of cells with 1-butanol to prevent PLD2-mediated phosphatidic acid formation. We propose that the formation of a mGluR-scaffolded RalGDS/Ral/PLD2 protein complex provides a novel alternative mechanism to beta-arrestins for the constitutive endocytosis of class 1 mGluRs.

Differential regulation of corticotropin releasing factor 1alpha receptor endocytosis and trafficking by beta-arrestins and Rab GTPases

The corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) type 1alpha receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subfamily B, is involved in the aetiology of anxiety and depressive disorders. In the present study, we examined the internalization and trafficking of the CRF1alpha receptor in both human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells and primary cortical neurons. We found that CRF1alpha receptor activation leads to the selective recruitment of beta-arrestin2 in both HEK293 cells and neurons. We observed distinct distribution patterns of CRF1alpha receptor and beta-arrestin2 in HEK293 cells and cortical neurons. In HEK293 cells, beta-arrestin2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) co-localized with CRF1alpha receptor in vesicles at the plasma membrane but was dissociated from the receptor in endosomes. In contrast, in primary cortical neurons, beta-arrestin2 and CRF1alpha receptor were internalized in distinct endocytic vesicles. By bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrated that beta-arrestin2 association with CRF1alpha receptor was increased in cells transfected with G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)3 and GRK6 and decreased in cells transfected with GRK2 and GRK5. In both HEK293 cells and cortical neurons, internalized CRF1alpha receptor transited from Rab5-positive early endosomes to Rab4-positive recycling endosomes and was not targeted to lysosomes. However, CRF1alpha receptor resensitization was blocked by the overexpression of wild-type, but not dominant-negative, Rab5 and Rab4 GTPases. Taken together, our results suggest that beta-arrestin trafficking differs between HEK293 cells and neurons, and that CRF1alpha receptor resensitization is regulated in an atypical manner by Rab GTPases.

GPR54 (KISS1R) transactivates EGFR to promote breast cancer cell invasiveness

Kisspeptins (Kp), peptide products of the Kisspeptin-1 (KISS1) gene are endogenous ligands for a G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54). Previous findings have shown that KISS1 acts as a metastasis suppressor in numerous cancers in humans. However, recent studies have demonstrated that an increase in KISS1 and GPR54 expression in human breast tumors correlates with higher tumor grade and metastatic potential. At present, whether or not Kp signaling promotes breast cancer cell invasiveness, required for metastasis and the underlying mechanisms, is unknown. We have found that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10), the most potent Kp, stimulates the invasion of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells using Matrigel-coated Transwell chamber assays and induces the formation of invasive stellate structures in three-dimensional invasion assays. Furthermore, Kp-10 stimulated an increase in matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 activity. We also found that Kp-10 induced the transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Knockdown of the GPCR scaffolding protein, β-arrestin 2, inhibited Kp-10-induced EGFR transactivation as well as Kp-10 induced invasion of breast cancer cells via modulation of MMP-9 secretion and activity. Finally, we found that the two receptors associate with each other under basal conditions, and FRET analysis revealed that GPR54 interacts directly with EGFR. The stability of the receptor complex formation was increased upon treatment of cells by Kp-10. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which Kp signaling via GPR54 stimulates breast cancer cell invasiveness.

Taurine prevents cardiomyocyte death by inhibiting NADPH oxidase-mediated calpain activation

Taurine has been shown to prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis. This study investigated the effects of taurine on NADPH oxidase and calpain activation in mediating apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis was induced by norepinephrine (NE) in cultured adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. NE (5 microM) increased NADPH oxidase activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induced apoptosis. These effects of NE on cardiomyocytes were diminished by taurine (0.5 mg/kg) but not beta-alanine. Inhibition of gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase or ROS production protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis. NE also induced calpain-1 activation in cardiomyocytes. This effect of NE on calpain was abrogated by gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase inhibition or ROS scavengers and was mimicked by H(2)O(2) (25 microM) in cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological inhibitors of calpain or overexpression of calpastatin, a specific calpain inhibitor, blocked calpain activation and prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis during NE stimulation. Furthermore, taurine treatment inhibited NE- or H(2)O(2)-induced calpain activation in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, NADPH oxidase induces calpain activation, leading to apoptosis in NE-induced cardiomyocytes. Taurine inhibits NADPH oxidase and calpain activation. Thus, inhibition of NADPH oxidase-mediated calpain activation may be an important mechanism for taurine's antiapoptotic action in cardiomyocytes.

Spatial-temporal patterning of metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, calcium, and protein kinase C oscillations: protein kinase C-dependent receptor phosphorylation is not required

The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), mGluR1a and mGluR5a, are G protein-coupled receptors that couple via G(q) to the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores, and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). We show here that mGluR1/5 activation results in oscillatory G protein coupling to phospholipase C thereby stimulating oscillations in both inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations. The mGluR1/5-stimulated Ca(2+) oscillations are translated into the synchronized repetitive redistribution of PKCbetaII between the cytosol and plasma membrane. The frequency at which mGluR1a and mGluR5a subtypes stimulate inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, Ca(2+), and PKCbetaII oscillations is regulated by the charge of a single amino acid residue localized within their G protein-coupling domains. However, oscillatory mGluR signaling does not involve the repetitive feedback phosphorylation and desensitization of mGluR activity, since mutation of the putative PKC consensus sites within the first and second intracellular loops as well as the carboxyl-terminal tail does not prevent mGluR1a-stimulated PKCbetaII oscillations. Furthermore, oscillations in Ca(2+) continued in the presence of PKC inhibitors, which blocked PKCbetaII redistribution from the plasma membrane back into the cytosol. We conclude that oscillatory mGluR signaling represents an intrinsic receptor/G protein coupling property that does not involve PKC feedback phosphorylation.

Kisspeptin: beyond the brain

The hypothalamic-based kisspeptin-signaling system is a major positive regulator of the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis in mammals. During the last decade, major advances have been made in understanding how this signaling system is regulated and how it can be manipulated clinically to achieve beneficial outcomes in treating sex steroid-dependent disorders. Interestingly, kisspeptin was not first identified as a regulator of fertility. Instead, approximately 7 years earlier KISS1 was reported to be expressed in nonmetastatic melanoma cells and was subsequently demonstrated to act as a powerful suppressor of the metastatic potential of malignant melanoma cells. Since this discovery, numerous studies have demonstrated the expression of the kisspeptin-signaling system at several peripheral sites implicating it in biological processes such as the regulation of ovarian function, embryo implantation, placentation, angiogenesis, insulin secretion, and kidney development. Although much work remains to be done to assess how important kisspeptin signaling is in regulating some of these processes, for other processes recent studies have made tremendous strides toward such an assessment. Using mice lacking either Kiss1 or Kiss1r alleles, researchers have provided compelling evidence for kisspeptin playing a major role in regulating breast cancer metastasis, oocyte survival, follicular maturation, ovulation, and embryo implantation. This review critically discusses the findings from these as well as other studies which suggest roles for kisspeptin in regulating important physiological processes beyond the brain. It also discusses the challenges that lie ahead in determining whether findings made with animal models are relevant in humans.

GPR54 regulates ERK1/2 activity and hypothalamic gene expression in a Gα(q/11) and β-arrestin-dependent manner

G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) is a G_q/11-coupled 7 transmembrane-spanning receptor (7TMR). Activation of GPR54 by kisspeptin (Kp) stimulates PIP₂ hydrolysis, Ca²⁺ mobilization and ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation. Kp and GPR54 are established regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and loss-of-function mutations in GPR54 are associated with an absence of puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, thus defining an important role of the Kp/GPR54 signaling system in reproductive function. Given the tremendous physiological and clinical importance of the Kp/GPR54 signaling system, we explored the contributions of the GPR54-coupled G_q/11 and β-arrestin pathways on the activation of a major downstream signaling molecule, ERK, using G_q/11 and β-arrestin knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our study revealed that GPR54 employs the G_q/11 and β-arrestin-2 pathways in a co-dependent and temporally overlapping manner to positively regulate ERK activity and pERK nuclear localization. We also show that while β-arrestin-2 potentiates GPR54 signaling to ERK, β-arrestin-1 inhibits it. Our data also revealed that diminished β-arrestin-1 and -2 expression in the GT1-7 GnRH hypothalamic neuronal cell line triggered distinct patterns of gene expression following Kp-10 treatment. Thus, β-arrestin-1 and -2 also regulate distinct downstream responses in gene expression. Finally, we showed that GPR54, when uncoupled from the G_q/11 pathway, as is the case for several naturally occurring GPR54 mutants associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, continues to regulate gene expression in a G protein-independent manner. These new and exciting findings add significantly to our mechanistic understanding of how this important receptor signals intracellularly in response to kisspeptin stimulation.

Implantation failure in female Kiss1-/- mice is independent of their hypogonadic state and can be partially rescued by leukemia inhibitory factor

The hypothalamic kisspeptin signaling system is a major positive regulator of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis, and loss of Kiss1 in the mouse results in infertility, a condition generally attributed to its hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. We demonstrate that in Kiss1(-/-) female mice, acute replacement of gonadotropins and estradiol restores ovulation, mating, and fertilization; however, these mice are still unable to achieve pregnancy because embryos fail to implant. Progesterone treatment did not overcome this defect. Kiss1(+/-) embryos transferred to a wild-type female mouse can successfully implant, demonstrating the defect is due to maternal factors. Kisspeptin and its receptor are expressed in the mouse uterus, and we suggest that it is the absence of uterine kisspeptin signaling that underlies the implantation failure. This absence, however, does not prevent the closure of the uterine implantation chamber, proper alignment of the embryo, and the ability of the uterus to undergo decidualization. Instead, the loss of Kiss1 expression specifically disrupts embryo attachment to the uterus. We observed that on the day of implantation, leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif), a cytokine that is absolutely required for implantation in mice, is weakly expressed in Kiss1(-/-) uterine glands and that the administration of exogenous Lif to hormone-primed Kiss1(-/-) female mice is sufficient to partially rescue implantation. Taken together, our study reveals that uterine kisspeptin signaling regulates glandular Lif levels, thereby identifying a novel and critical role for kisspeptin in regulating embryo implantation in the mouse. This study provides compelling reasons to explore this role in other species, particularly livestock and humans.

β-Arrestin2 regulates lysophosphatidic acid-induced human breast tumor cell migration and invasion via Rap1 and IQGAP1

β-Arrestins play critical roles in chemotaxis and cytoskeletal reorganization downstream of several receptor types, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are targets for greater than 50% of all pharmaceuticals. Among them, receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), namely LPA(1) are overexpressed in breast cancer and promote metastatic spread. We have recently reported that β-arrestin2 regulates LPA(1)-mediated breast cancer cell migration and invasion, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly understood. We show here that LPA induces activity of the small G protein, Rap1 in breast cancer cells in a β-arrestin2-dependent manner, but fails to activate Rap1 in non-malignant mammary epithelial cells. We found that Rap1A mRNA levels are higher in human breast tumors compared to healthy patient samples and Rap1A is robustly expressed in human ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive tumors, in contrast to the normal mammary ducts. Rap1A protein expression is also higher in aggressive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t) relative to the weakly invasive MCF-7 cells or non-malignant MCF10A mammary cells. Depletion of Rap1A expression significantly impaired LPA-stimulated migration of breast cancer cells and invasiveness in three-dimensional Matrigel cultures. Furthermore, we found that β-arrestin2 associates with the actin binding protein IQGAP1 in breast cancer cells, and is necessary for the recruitment of IQGAP1 to the leading edge of migratory cells. Depletion of IQGAP1 blocked LPA-stimulated breast cancer cell invasion. Finally, we have identified that LPA enhances the binding of endogenous Rap1A to β-arrestin2, and also stimulates Rap1A and IQGAP1 to associate with LPA(1). Thus our data establish novel roles for Rap1A and IQGAP1 as critical regulators of LPA-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion.

Mechanisms of metabotropic glutamate receptor desensitization: role in the patterning of effector enzyme activation

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) constitute an unique subclass of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors are activated by the excitatory amino acid glutamate and play an essential role in regulating neural development and plasticity. In the present review, we overview the current understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the desensitization and endocytosis of Group 1 mGluRs as well as the relative contribution of desensitization to the spatial-temporal patterning of glutamate receptor signaling. Similar to what has been reported previously for prototypic GPCRs, mGluRs desensitization is mediated by second messenger-dependent protein kinases and GPCR kinases (GRKs). However, it remains to be determined whether mGluRs phosphorylation by GRKs and beta-arrestin binding are absolutely required for desensitization. Group 1 mGluRs endocytosis is both agonist-dependent and -independent. Agonist-dependent mGluRs internalization is mediated by a beta-arrestin- and dynamin-dependent clathrin-coated vesicle dependent endocytic pathway. The activation of Group 1 mGluRs also results in oscillatory Gq protein-coupling leading to the cyclical activation of phospholipase Cbeta thereby stimulating oscillations in both inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation and Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. These glutamate receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) oscillations are translated into the synchronous activation of protein kinase C (PKC), which has led to the hypothesis that oscillatory mGluRs signaling involves the repetitive phosphorylation of mGluRs by PKC. However, recent experimental evidence suggests that oscillatory signaling is an intrinsic glutamate receptor property that is independent of feedback receptor phosphorylation by PKC. The challenge in the future will be to determine the structural determinants underlying mGluRs-mediated spatial-temporal signaling as well as to understand how complex signaling patterns can be interpreted by cells in both the developing and adult nervous systems.

The human gonadotropin releasing hormone type I receptor is a functional intracellular GPCR expressed on the nuclear membrane

The mammalian type I gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) is a structurally unique G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that lacks cytoplasmic tail sequences and displays inefficient plasma membrane expression (PME). Compared to its murine counterparts, the primate type I receptor is inefficiently folded and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to a further reduction in PME. The decrease in PME and concomitant increase in intracellular localization of the mammalian GnRH-RI led us to characterize the spatial distribution of the human and mouse GnRH receptors in two human cell lines, HEK 293 and HTR-8/SVneo. In both human cell lines we found the receptors were expressed in the cytoplasm and were associated with the ER and nuclear membrane. A molecular analysis of the receptor protein sequence led us to identify a putative monopartite nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in the first intracellular loop of GnRH-RI. Surprisingly, however, neither the deletion of the NLS nor the addition of the Xenopus GnRH-R cytoplasmic tail sequences to the human receptor altered its spatial distribution. Finally, we demonstrate that GnRH treatment of nuclei isolated from HEK 293 cells expressing exogenous GnRH-RI triggers a significant increase in the acetylation and phosphorylation of histone H3, thereby revealing that the nuclear-localized receptor is functional. Based on our findings, we conclude that the mammalian GnRH-RI is an intracellular GPCR that is expressed on the nuclear membrane. This major and novel discovery causes us to reassess the signaling potential of this physiologically and clinically important receptor.

Phosphorylation-independent regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 signaling requires g protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 binding to the second intracellular loop

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are members of a unique class of G protein-coupled receptors (class III) that include the calcium-sensing and gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptors. The activity of mGluRs is regulated by second messenger-dependent protein kinases and G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). The attenuation of both mGluR1a and mGluR1b signaling by GRK2 is phosphorylation- and beta-arrestin-independent and requires the concomitant association of GRK2 with both the receptor and Galpha(q/11). G protein interactions are mediated, in part, by the mGluR1 intracellular second loop, but the domains required for GRK2 binding are unknown. In the present study, we showed that GRK2 binds to the second intracellular loop of mGluR1a and mGluR1b and also to the mGluR1a carboxyl-terminal tail. Alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed a discrete domain within loop 2 that contributes to GRK2 binding, and the mutation of either lysine 691 or 692 to an alanine within this domain resulted in a loss of GRK2 binding to both mGluR1a and mGluR1b. Mutation of either Lys(691) or Lys(692) prevented GRK2-mediated attenuation of mGluR1b signaling, whereas the mutation of only Lys(692) prevented GRK2-mediated inhibition of mGluR1a signaling. Thus, the mGluR1a carboxyl-terminal tail may also be involved in regulating the signaling of the mGluR1a splice variant. Taken together, our findings indicated that kinase binding to an mGluR1 domain involved in G protein-coupling is essential for the phosphorylation-independent attenuation of signaling by GRK2.

KISS1R induces invasiveness of estrogen receptor-negative human mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells

Kisspeptins (KPs), peptide products of the KISS1 metastasis-suppressor gene, are endogenous ligands for a G protein-coupled receptor (KISS1R). KISS1 acts as a metastasis suppressor in numerous human cancers. However, recent studies have demonstrated that an increase in KISS1 and KISS1R expression in patient breast tumors correlates with higher tumor grade and metastatic potential. We have shown that KP-10 stimulates invasion of estrogen receptor α (ERα)-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Here, we report that either KP-10 treatment of ERα-negative nonmalignant mammary epithelial MCF10A cells or expression of KISS1R in MCF10A cells induced a mesenchymal phenotype and stimulated invasiveness. Similarly, exogenous expression of KISS1R in ERα-negative SKBR3 breast cancer cells was sufficient to trigger invasion and induced extravasation in vivo. In contrast, KP-10 failed to transactivate EGFR or stimulate invasiveness in the ERα-positive MCF7 and T47D breast cancer cells. This suggested that ERα negatively regulates KISS1R-dependent breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and EGFR transactivation. In support of this, we found that these KP-10-induced effects were ablated upon exogenous expression of ERα in the MDA-MB-231 cells, by down-regulating KISS1R expression. Lastly, we have identified IQGAP1, an actin cytoskeletal binding protein as a novel binding partner of KISS1R, and have shown that KISS1R regulates EGFR transactivation in breast cancer cells in an IQGAP1-dependent manner. Overall, our data strongly suggest that the ERα status of mammary cells dictates whether KISS1R may be a novel clinical target for treating breast cancer metastasis.

Protein kinase C isoform-specific differences in the spatial-temporal regulation and decoding of metabotropic glutamate receptor1a-stimulated second messenger responses

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) coupled via Gq to the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides stimulate Ca(2+) and PKCbetaII oscillations in both excitable and non-excitable cells. In the present study, we show that mGluR1a activation stimulates the repetitive plasma membrane translocation of each of the conventional and novel, but not atypical, PKC isozymes. However, despite similarities in sequence and cofactor regulation by diacyglycerol and Ca(2+), conventional PKCs exhibit isoform-specific oscillation patterns. PKCalpha and PKCbetaI display three distinct patterns of activity: (1) agonist-independent oscillations, (2) agonist-stimulated oscillations, and (3) persistent plasma membrane localization in response to mGluR1a activation. In contrast, only agonist-stimulated PKCbetaII translocation responses are observed in mGluR1a-expressing cells. PKCbetaI expression also promotes persistent increases in intracellular diacyglycerol concentrations in response to mGluR1a stimulation without affecting PKCbetaII oscillation patterns in the same cell. PKCbetaII isoform-specific translocation patterns are regulated by specific amino acid residues localized within the C-terminal PKC V5 domain. Specifically, Asn-625 and Lys-668 localized within the V5 domain of PKCbetaII cooperatively suppress PKCbetaI-like response patterns for PKCbetaII. Thus, redundancy in PKC isoform expression and differential decoding of second messenger response provides a novel mechanism for generating cell type-specific responses to the same signal.

Kisspeptin/KISS1R System in Breast Cancer

Kisspeptins (KP), peptide products of the kisspeptin-1 (KISS1) gene are the endogenous ligands for a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) - KP receptor (KISS1R). KISS1R couples to the Gα_q/11 signaling pathway. KISS1 is a metastasis suppressor gene and the KP/KISS1R signaling has anti-metastatic and tumor-suppressant effects in numerous human cancers. On the other hand, recent studies indicate that KP/KISS1R pathway plays detrimental roles in breast cancer. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the understanding of the mechanisms regulating KP/KISS1R signaling in breast cancer metastasis.

Kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling potentiates extravillous trophoblast adhesion to type-I collagen in a PKC- and ERK1/2-dependent manner

During the first trimester of human pregnancy, cytotrophoblasts proliferate within the tips of the chorionic villi to form cell columns that anchor the placenta to the uterus. This migration coincides with a widespread change in the adhesion molecule repertoire of these trophoblasts. Kisspeptin and its receptor, KISS1R, are best known as potent triggers of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. The kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling system is also highly expressed in the human placenta, where it was demonstrated to inhibit extra-villous trophoblast (EVT) migration and invasion in vitro. Here we show that kisspeptin, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, induces increased adhesion of human EVTs to type-I collagen, a major component of the human placenta. This increased adhesion was both rapid and transient, suggesting that it likely occurred through the activation of KISS1R secondary effectors such as PKC and ERK, which underwent rapid and transient kisspeptin-dependent activation in EVTs. We then showed that inhibition of both PKC and ERK1/2 attenuated the kisspeptin-dependent increase in EVT adhesion, suggesting that these molecules are key positive regulators of trophoblast adhesion. We therefore propose that kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling potentiates EVT adhesion to type-I collagen via "inside-out signaling." Furthermore, kisspeptin treatment increased mouse blastocyst adhesion to collagen I, suggesting that kisspeptin signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast function during implantation as well as early placentation.

Dual regulation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA1) receptor signalling by Ral and GRK

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a major constituent of blood and is involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. LPA signals via the ubiquitously expressed G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), LPA(1) and LPA(2) that are specific for LPA. However, in large, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the signalling of these receptors are unknown. We show that the small GTPase RalA associates with both LPA(1) and LPA(2) in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells and that stimulation of LPA(1) receptors with LPA triggers the activation of RalA. While RalA was not found to play a role in the endocytosis of LPA receptors, we reveal that LPA(1) receptor stimulation promoted Ral-dependent phospholipase C activity. Furthermore, we found that GRK2 is required for the desensitization of LPA(1) and LPA(2) and have identified a novel interaction between RalA and GRK2, which is promoted by LPA(1) receptor activity. Taken together, these results establish RalA and GRK2 as key regulators of LPA receptor signalling and demonstrate for the first time that LPA(1) activity facilitates the formation of a novel protein complex between these two proteins.

KISS1/KISS1R in Cancer: Friend or Foe?

The KISS1 gene encodes KISS1, a protein that is rapidly processed in serum into smaller but biologically active peptides called kisspeptins (KPs). KISS1 and the KPs signal via the G-protein coupled receptor KISS1R. While KISS1 and KPs are recognized as potent positive regulators of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis in mammals, the first reported role for KISS1 was that of metastasis suppression in melanoma. Since then, it has become apparent that KISS1, KPs, and KISS1R regulate the development and progression of several cancers but interestingly, while these molecules act as suppressors of tumorigenesis and metastasis in many cancers, in breast and liver cancer they function as promoters. Thus, they join a small but growing number of molecules that exhibit dual roles in cancer highlighting the importance of studying cancer in context. Given their roles, KISS1, KPs and KISS1R represent important molecules in the development of novel therapies and/or as prognostic markers in treating cancer. However, getting to that point requires a detailed understanding of the relationship between these molecules and different cancers. The purpose of this review is therefore to highlight and discuss the clinical studies that have begun describing this relationship in varying cancer types including breast, liver, pancreatic, colorectal, bladder, and ovarian. An emerging theme from the reviewed studies is that the relationship between these molecules and a given cancer is complex and affected by many factors such as the micro-environment and steroid receptor status of the cancer cell. Our review and discussion of these important clinical studies should serve as a valuable resource in the successful development of future clinical studies.

KISS1R signals independently of Gαq/11 and triggers LH secretion via the β-arrestin pathway in the male mouse

Hypothalamic GnRH is the master regulator of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis, and its secretion is regulated by many factors. Among these is kisspeptin (Kp), a potent trigger of GnRH secretion. Kp signals via the Kp receptor (KISS1R), a Gαq/11-coupled 7-transmembrane-spanning receptor. Until this study, it was understood that KISS1R mediates GnRH secretion via the Gαq/11-coupled pathway in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. We recently demonstrated that KISS1R also signals independently of Gαq/11 via β-arrestin and that this pathway also mediates ERK1/2 activation. Because GnRH secretion is ERK1/2-dependent, we hypothesized that KISS1R regulates GnRH secretion via both the Gαq/11- and β-arrestin-coupled pathways. To test this hypothesis, we measured LH secretion, a surrogate marker of GnRH secretion, in mice lacking either β-arrestin-1 or β-arrestin-2. Results revealed that Kp-dependent LH secretion was significantly diminished relative to wild-type mice (P < .001), thus supporting that β-arrestin mediates Kp-induced GnRH secretion. Based on this, we hypothesized that Gαq/11-uncoupled KISS1R mutants, like L148S, will display Gαq/11-independent signaling. To test this hypothesis, L148S was expressed in HEK 293 cells. and results confirmed that, although strongly uncoupled from Gαq/11, L148S retained the ability to trigger significant Kp-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P < .05). Furthermore, using mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking β-arrestin-1 and -2, we demonstrated that L148S-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation is β-arrestin-dependent. Overall, we conclude that KISS1R signals via Gαq/11 and β-arrestin to regulate GnRH secretion. This novel and important finding could explain why patients bearing some types of Gαq/11-uncoupled KISS1R mutants display partial gonadotropic deficiency and even a reversal of the condition, idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.