Virus-Encoded G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Constitutively Active (Dys)Regulators of Cell Function and Their Potential as Drug Target

Abstract Platelets play a fundamental role in hemostasis and thrombosis. They are also involved in pathologic conditions resulting from blocked blood vessels, including myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation at sites of vascular injury are regulated by a diverse repertoire of tyrosine kinase–linked and G protein–coupled receptors. Src family kinases (SFKs) play a central role in initiating and propagating signaling from several platelet surface receptors; however, the underlying mechanism of how SFK activity is regulated in platelets remains unclear. CD148 is the only receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase identified in platelets to date. In the present study, we show that mutant mice lacking CD148 exhibited a bleeding tendency and defective arterial thrombosis. Basal SFK activity was found to be markedly reduced in CD148-deficient platelets, resulting in a global hyporesponsiveness to agonists that signal through SFKs, including collagen and fibrinogen. G protein–coupled receptor responses to thrombin and other agonists were also marginally reduced. These results highlight CD148 as a global regulator of platelet activation and a novel antithrombotic drug target.

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Mechanisms of cross-talk between G-protein-coupled receptors resulting in enhanced release of intracellular Ca2+

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20030312 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 374 (2) ◽

pp. 281-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 126

Author(s):

Tim D. WERRY ◽

Graeme F. WILKINSON ◽

Gary B. WILLARS

Keyword(s):

G Protein ◽

Cross Talk ◽

Cell Function ◽

Feedback Regulation ◽

G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽

Negative Feedback Regulation ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Heterologous Desensitization ◽

G Protein Coupled

Alteration in [Ca2+]i (the intracellular concentration of Ca2+) is a key regulator of many cellular processes. To allow precise regulation of [Ca2+]i and a diversity of signalling by this ion, cells possess many mechanisms by which they are able to control [Ca2+]i both globally and at the subcellular level. Among these are many members of the superfamily of GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors), which are characterized by the presence of seven transmembrane domains. Typically, those receptors able to activate PLC (phospholipase C) enzymes cause release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and influence Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. It has been well documented that Ca2+ signalling by one type of GPCR can be influenced by stimulation of a different type of GPCR. Indeed, many studies have demonstrated heterologous desensitization between two different PLC-coupled GPCRs. This is not surprising, given our current understanding of negative-feedback regulation and the likely shared components of the signalling pathway. However, there are also many documented examples of interactions between GPCRs, often coupling preferentially to different signalling pathways, which result in a potentiation of Ca2+ signalling. Such interactions have important implications for both the control of cell function and the interpretation of in vitro cell-based assays. However, there is currently no single mechanism that adequately accounts for all examples of this type of cross-talk. Indeed, many studies either have not addressed this issue or have been unable to determine the mechanism(s) involved. This review seeks to explore a range of possible mechanisms to convey their potential diversity and to provide a basis for further experimental investigation.

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An Intracellular Loop (IL2) Residue Confers Different Basal Constitutive Activities to the Human Lutropin Receptor and Human Thyrotropin Receptor through Structural Communication between IL2 and Helix 6, via Helix 3

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2007-1341 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 149 (4) ◽

pp. 1705-1717 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Xiuyan Feng ◽

Thomas Müller ◽

Dario Mizrachi ◽

Francesca Fanelli ◽

Deborah L. Segaloff

Keyword(s):

G Protein ◽

Structural Model ◽

G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Cell Surface Receptor ◽

Solvent Exposure ◽

Lutropin Receptor ◽

Reciprocal Arrangement ◽

G Protein Coupled ◽

Constitutively Active

The human lutropin receptor (hLHR) and human TSH receptor (hTSHR) are G protein-coupled receptors that play key roles in reproductive and thyroid physiology, respectively. We show using a quantitative assessment of cAMP production as a function of cell surface receptor expression that the hTSHR possesses greater basal constitutive activity than the hLHR. Further studies were undertaken to test the hypothesis that different potential Gs-coupling motifs identified in IL2 of the hTSHR and hLHR contribute to their different basal constitutive activities. Although mutating the receptors to interchange their potential Gs-coupling motifs reversed their relative activities, we show this to be due to the swapping of one IL2 residue (Q476 in the hLHR; R531 in the hTSHR). Molecular dynamics simulations show that the effect of the hLHR(Q476R) mutation, switching the structural features of the hLHR toward those of the hTSHR, is greater than the switching effect of the hTSHR(R531Q) mutant toward the hLHR. The structural model of the hLHR(Q476R) mutant can be considered as a hybrid of wild-type (wt) hTSHR and constitutively active mutant hLHR forms. In this hLHR(Q476R) mutant, IL2 adopts a structure similar to IL2 of the wt hTSHR, but it shares with the hLHR constitutively active mutant the solvent exposure and the reciprocal arrangement of helices 3, 5, and 6, including the weakening of the wt native R3.50-D6.30 interaction. Our results suggest a H3-mediated structural connection between IL2 and the cytosolic extension of H6. Thus, IL2 contributes significantly to the inactive and active state ensembles of these G protein-coupled receptors.

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