scholarly journals Residue 6.43 defines receptor function in class F GPCRs

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainoleena Turku ◽  
Hannes Schihada ◽  
Pawel Kozielewicz ◽  
Carl-Fredrik Bowin ◽  
Gunnar Schulte
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Function ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Class F

AbstractThe class Frizzled of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), consisting of ten Frizzled (FZD1-10) subtypes and Smoothened (SMO), remains one of the most enigmatic GPCR families. While SMO relies on cholesterol binding to the 7TM core of the receptor to activate downstream signaling, underlying details of receptor activation remain obscure for FZDs. Here, we aimed to investigate the activation mechanisms of class F receptors utilizing a computational biology approach and mutational analysis of receptor function in combination with ligand binding and downstream signaling assays in living cells. Our results indicate that FZDs differ substantially from SMO in receptor activation-associated conformational changes. SMO manifests a preference for a straight TM6 in both ligand binding and functional readouts. Similar to the majority of GPCRs, FZDs present with a kinked TM6 upon activation owing to the presence of residue P6.43. Functional comparison of FZD and FZD P6.43F mutants in different assay formats monitoring ligand binding, G protein activation, DVL2 recruitment and TOPflash activity, however, underlines further the functional diversity among FZDs and not only between FZDs and SMO.

scholarly journals Receptor-wide Determinants of G Protein Coupling Selectivity in Aminergic GPCRs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berkay Selçuk ◽  
Ismail Erol ◽  
Serdar Durdağı ◽  
Ogun Adebali
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Selective Activation ◽  
G Protein Coupling ◽  
Protein Coupling ◽  
Gpcr Activation ◽  
Activation Mechanisms

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) induce signal transduction pathways through coupling to four main subtypes of G proteins (Gs, Gi, Gq, G12/13), selectively. However, G protein selective activation mechanisms and residual determinants in GPCRs have remained obscure. Here, we identified conserved G protein selective activation mechanisms determining receptors’ ability to couple to a type of G protein. Herein, we performed an extensive phylogenetic analysis and identified specifically conserved residues for the receptors having similar coupling profiles in each aminergic receptor. By integrating our methodology of differential evolutionary conservation of G protein-specific amino acids with structural analyses, we identified selective activation networks for Gs, Gi1, Go, and Gq. We found that G protein selectivity is determined by not only the G protein interaction site but also other parts of the receptor including the ligand binding pocket. To validate our findings, we further studied an amino acid residue that we revealed as a selectivity-determining in Gs coupling and performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We showed that previously uncharacterized Glycine at position 7×41 plays an important role in both receptor activation and Gs coupling. Finally, we gathered our results into a comprehensive model of G protein selectivity called “sequential switches of activation” describing three main molecular switches controlling GPCR activation: ligand binding, G protein selective activation mechanisms and G protein contact. We believe that our work provides a broader view on receptor-level determinants of G protein coupling selectivity.

scholarly journals Common activation mechanism of class A GPCRs

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingtong Zhou ◽  
Dehua Yang ◽  
Meng Wu ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Wanjing Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Activation Pathway ◽  
Class A ◽  
Gpcr Activation ◽  
The Common

Class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) influence virtually every aspect of human physiology. Understanding receptor activation mechanism is critical for discovering novel therapeutics since about one-third of all marketed drugs target members of this family. GPCR activation is an allosteric process that couples agonist binding to G-protein recruitment, with the hallmark outward movement of transmembrane helix 6 (TM6). However, what leads to TM6 movement and the key residue level changes of this movement remain less well understood. Here, we report a framework to quantify conformational changes. By analyzing the conformational changes in 234 structures from 45 class A GPCRs, we discovered a common GPCR activation pathway comprising of 34 residue pairs and 35 residues. The pathway unifies previous findings into a common activation mechanism and strings together the scattered key motifs such as CWxP, DRY, Na+ pocket, NPxxY and PIF, thereby directly linking the bottom of ligand-binding pocket with G-protein coupling region. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments support this proposition and reveal that rational mutations of residues in this pathway can be used to obtain receptors that are constitutively active or inactive. The common activation pathway provides the mechanistic interpretation of constitutively activating, inactivating and disease mutations. As a module responsible for activation, the common pathway allows for decoupling of the evolution of the ligand binding site and G-protein-binding region. Such an architecture might have facilitated GPCRs to emerge as a highly successful family of proteins for signal transduction in nature.

scholarly journals The Molecular Basis of G Protein–Coupled Receptor Activation

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 897-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
William I. Weis ◽  
Brian K. Kobilka
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Cellular Responses ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Active Conformation ◽  
Allosteric Coupling ◽  
External Stimuli ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the majority of cellular responses to external stimuli. Upon activation by a ligand, the receptor binds to a partner heterotrimeric G protein and promotes exchange of GTP for GDP, leading to dissociation of the G protein into α and βγ subunits that mediate downstream signals. GPCRs can also activate distinct signaling pathways through arrestins. Active states of GPCRs form by small rearrangements of the ligand-binding, or orthosteric, site that are amplified into larger conformational changes. Molecular understanding of the allosteric coupling between ligand binding and G protein or arrestin interaction is emerging from structures of several GPCRs crystallized in inactive and active states, spectroscopic data, and computer simulations. The coupling is loose, rather than concerted, and agonist binding does not fully stabilize the receptor in an active conformation. Distinct intermediates whose populations are shifted by ligands of different efficacies underlie the complex pharmacology of GPCRs.

scholarly journals Ligand recognition, unconventional activation, and G protein coupling of the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2 subtype

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
pp. eabf1268
Author(s):  
Changxiu Qu ◽  
Chunyou Mao ◽  
Peng Xiao ◽  
Qingya Shen ◽  
Ya-Ni Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Toggle Switch ◽  
G Protein Coupling ◽  
Protein Coupling ◽  
Ligand Selectivity ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Prostaglandin E2 Receptor

Selective modulation of the heterotrimeric G protein α S subunit–coupled prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP2 subtype is a promising therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis, ocular hypertension, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disorders. Here, we report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of the EP2-Gs complex with its endogenous agonist PGE2 and two synthesized agonists, taprenepag and evatanepag (CP-533536). These structures revealed distinct features of EP2 within the EP receptor family in terms of its unconventional receptor activation and G protein coupling mechanisms, including activation in the absence of a typical W6.48 “toggle switch” and coupling to Gs via helix 8. Moreover, inspection of the agonist-bound EP2 structures uncovered key motifs governing ligand selectivity. Our study provides important knowledge for agonist recognition and activation mechanisms of EP2 and will facilitate the rational design of drugs targeting the PGE2 signaling system.

scholarly journals Low intrinsic efficacy for G protein activation can explain the improved side effect profiles of new opioid agonists

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (625) ◽  
pp. eaaz3140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gillis ◽  
Arisbel B. Gondin ◽  
Andrea Kliewer ◽  
Julie Sanchez ◽  
Herman D. Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Opioid Analgesics ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Biased Agonism ◽  
Opioid Ligands ◽  
Intrinsic Efficacy ◽  
Respiratory Depressant

Biased agonism at G protein–coupled receptors describes the phenomenon whereby some drugs can activate some downstream signaling activities to the relative exclusion of others. Descriptions of biased agonism focusing on the differential engagement of G proteins versus β-arrestins are commonly limited by the small response windows obtained in pathways that are not amplified or are less effectively coupled to receptor engagement, such as β-arrestin recruitment. At the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), G protein–biased ligands have been proposed to induce less constipation and respiratory depressant side effects than opioids commonly used to treat pain. However, it is unclear whether these improved safety profiles are due to a reduction in β-arrestin–mediated signaling or, alternatively, to their low intrinsic efficacy in all signaling pathways. Here, we systematically evaluated the most recent and promising MOR-biased ligands and assessed their pharmacological profile against existing opioid analgesics in assays not confounded by limited signal windows. We found that oliceridine, PZM21, and SR-17018 had low intrinsic efficacy. We also demonstrated a strong correlation between measures of efficacy for receptor activation, G protein coupling, and β-arrestin recruitment for all tested ligands. By measuring the antinociceptive and respiratory depressant effects of these ligands, we showed that the low intrinsic efficacy of opioid ligands can explain an improved side effect profile. Our results suggest a possible alternative mechanism underlying the improved therapeutic windows described for new opioid ligands, which should be taken into account for future descriptions of ligand action at this important therapeutic target.

Improved ligand-binding- and signaling-competent human NK2R yields in yeast using a chimera with the rat NK2R C-terminus enable NK2R-G protein signaling platform

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 459-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinav R Jain ◽  
Zachary T Britton ◽  
Chester E Markwalter ◽  
Anne S Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Engineering ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Engineering Strategy

Abstract The tachykinin 2 receptor (NK2R) plays critical roles in gastrointestinal, respiratory and mental disorders and is a well-recognized target for therapeutic intervention. To date, therapeutics targeting NK2R have failed to meet regulatory agency approval due in large part to the limited characterization of the receptor-ligand interaction and downstream signaling. Herein, we report a protein engineering strategy to improve ligand-binding- and signaling-competent human NK2R that enables a yeast-based NK2R signaling platform by creating chimeras utilizing sequences from rat NK2R. We demonstrate that NK2R chimeras incorporating the rat NK2R C-terminus exhibited improved ligand-binding yields and downstream signaling in engineered yeast strains and mammalian cells, where observed yields were better than 4-fold over wild type. This work builds on our previous studies that suggest exchanging the C-termini of related and well-expressed family members may be a general protein engineering strategy to overcome limitations to ligand-binding and signaling-competent G protein-coupled receptor yields in yeast. We expect these efforts to result in NK2R drug candidates with better characterized signaling properties.

scholarly journals Single-molecule view of basal activity and activation mechanisms of the G protein-coupled receptor β2AR

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (46) ◽  
pp. 14254-14259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Lamichhane ◽  
Jeffrey J. Liu ◽  
Goran Pljevaljcic ◽  
Kate L. White ◽  
Edwin van der Schans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Fluorescence Probe ◽  
Inverse Agonist ◽  
Inactive Conformation ◽  
Basal Activity ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
High Level ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Binding of extracellular ligands to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) initiates transmembrane signaling by inducing conformational changes on the cytoplasmic receptor surface. Knowledge of this process provides a platform for the development of GPCR-targeting drugs. Here, using a site-specific Cy3 fluorescence probe in the human β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR), we observed that individual receptor molecules in the native-like environment of phospholipid nanodiscs undergo spontaneous transitions between two distinct conformational states. These states are assigned to inactive and active-like receptor conformations. Individual receptor molecules in the apo form repeatedly sample both conformations, with a bias toward the inactive conformation. Experiments in the presence of drug ligands show that binding of the full agonist formoterol shifts the conformational distribution in favor of the active-like conformation, whereas binding of the inverse agonist ICI-118,551 favors the inactive conformation. Analysis of single-molecule dwell-time distributions for each state reveals that formoterol increases the frequency of activation transitions, while also reducing the frequency of deactivation events. In contrast, the inverse agonist increases the frequency of deactivation transitions. Our observations account for the high level of basal activity of this receptor and provide insights that help to rationalize, on the molecular level, the widely documented variability of the pharmacological efficacies among GPCR-targeting drugs.

scholarly journals High Throughput Quantitation of cAMP Production Mediated by Activation of Seven Transmembrane Domain Receptors

1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Kariv ◽  
Michelle E. Stevens ◽  
Davette L. Behrens ◽  
Kevin R. Oldenburg
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
G Protein ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Receptor Function ◽  
Camp Production ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Native Ligand

Impairment of G protein—coupled seven-transmembrane (7 TM) receptor function has been implicated in a variety of different pathologic conditions, suggesting that the discovery of specific antagonists may lead to the development of successful therapeutic agents. The effect of different agents on receptor-ligand interaction is often measured directly in a receptor binding assay; however, this assay format can be time consuming and does not detect agents that interact at sites distal to the native ligand binding site. Cyclic adenosine monophospate (cAMP) represents a ubiquitous second messenger generated in response to ligand binding to many 7 TM receptors. The present study describes the practical adaptation of scintillation proximity methodology, using FlashPlate™ (NEN Life Sciences, Boston, MA) technology to evaluate cAMP production. The bioassay is based on competition between endogenously produced cAMP and exogenously added radiolabeled [125I]-cAMP. Cyclic AMP capture is mediated through an anti-cAMP antibody onto a microplate well surface. Removal of unbound radioligand is not necessary because only ligand within ≤20 μm of the plate surface is detected due to the proximity effect. The data indicate that the use of scintillation proximity technology allows accurate and specific evaluation of G protein—coupled receptor function as measured by cAMP production and is suitable for high throughput screening.

scholarly journals Loss-of-Function Mutations in the Human Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Predominantly Cause Intracellular Retention

Endocrinology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 157 (11) ◽  
pp. 4364-4377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Louise Newton ◽  
Ross Calley Anderson ◽  
Arieh Anthony Katz ◽  
Robert Peter Millar
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Receptor Function ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pharmacological Chaperone

Mutations in G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been identified for many endocrine hormone signaling deficiencies. Inactivating mutations can impair ligand binding, receptor activation/coupling to signaling pathways, or can cause receptor misfolding and consequent impaired expression at the cell membrane. Here we examine the cell surface expression, ligand binding, and signaling of a range of mutant human luteinizing hormone receptors (LHRs) identified as causing reproductive dysfunction in human patients. The data obtained reveal how mutations in GPCRs can have diverse and severely deleterious effects on receptor function. Furthermore, it was found that impaired functionality of the majority of the mutant LHRs was due to reduced expression at the cell surface (14/20) while only two mutations caused impaired binding affinity and two impaired in signaling. An additional two mutations were found to cause no impairment of receptor function. These data demonstrate that the majority of LHR mutations lead to intracellular retention and highlight the potential for novel pharmacological chaperone therapeutics that can “rescue” expression/function of retained mutant GPCRs.

scholarly journals Identification of key phosphorylation sites in PTH1R that determine arrestin3 binding and fine-tune receptor signaling

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (22) ◽  
pp. 4173-4192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zindel ◽  
Sandra Engel ◽  
Andrew R. Bottrill ◽  
Jean-Philippe Pin ◽  
Laurent Prézeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone Receptor ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTH1R) is a member of family B of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), predominantly expressed in bone and kidney where it modulates extracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and bone turnover. It is well established that phosphorylation of GPCRs constitutes a key event in regulating receptor function by promoting arrestin recruitment and coupling to G-protein-independent signaling pathways. Mapping phosphorylation sites on PTH1R would provide insights into how phosphorylation at specific sites regulates cell signaling responses and also open the possibility of developing therapeutic agents that could target specific receptor functions. Here, we have used mass spectrometry to identify nine sites of phosphorylation in the C-terminal tail of PTH1R. Mutational analysis revealed identified two clusters of serine and threonine residues (Ser489–Ser495 and Ser501–Thr506) specifically responsible for the majority of PTH(1–34)-induced receptor phosphorylation. Mutation of these residues to alanine did not affect negatively on the ability of the receptor to couple to G-proteins or activate extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer to monitor PTH(1–34)-induced interaction of PTH1R with arrestin3, we show that the first cluster Ser489–Ser495 and the second cluster Ser501–Thr506 operated in concert to mediate both the efficacy and potency of ligand-induced arrestin3 recruitment. We further demonstrate that Ser503 and Thr504 in the second cluster are responsible for 70% of arrestin3 recruitment and are key determinants for interaction of arrestin with the receptor. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the pattern of C-terminal tail phosphorylation on PTH1R may determine the signaling outcome following receptor activation.

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