scholarly journals Unconventional Actions of Glycoprotein Hormone Subunits: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Querat
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormones ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Specific Receptor ◽  
Truncated Form ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Evolutionary Relatedness ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The glycoprotein hormones (GPH) are heterodimers composed of a common α subunit and a specific β subunit. They act by activating specific leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptors. However, individual subunits have been shown to elicit responses in cells devoid of the receptor for the dimeric hormones. The α subunit is involved in prolactin production from different tissues. The human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (βhCG) plays determinant roles in placentation and in cancer development and metastasis. A truncated form of the thyrotropin (TSH) β subunit is also reported to have biological effects. The GPH α- and β subunits are derived from precursor genes (gpa and gpb, respectively), which are expressed in most invertebrate species and are still represented in vertebrates as GPH subunit paralogs (gpa2 and gpb5, respectively). No specific receptor has been found for the vertebrate GPA2 and GPB5 even if their heterodimeric form is able to activate the TSH receptor in mammals. Interestingly, GPA and GPB are phylogenetically and structurally related to cysteine-knot growth factors (CKGF) and particularly to a group of antagonists that act independently on any receptor. This review article summarizes the observed actions of individual GPH subunits and presents the current hypotheses of how these actions might be induced. New approaches are also proposed in light of the evolutionary relatedness with antagonists of the CKGF family of proteins.

scholarly journals Heterodimeric Fly Glycoprotein Hormone-α2 (GPA2) and Glycoprotein Hormone-β5 (GPB5) Activate Fly Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor-1 (DLGR1) and Stimulation of Human Thyrotropin Receptors by Chimeric Fly GPA2 and Human GPB5

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (8) ◽  
pp. 3596-3604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoko Sudo ◽  
Yoshimitsu Kuwabara ◽  
Jae-Il Park ◽  
Sheau Yu Hsu ◽  
Aaron J. W. Hsueh
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
G Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Abstract Glycoprotein hormones play important roles in thyroid and gonadal function in vertebrates. The glycoprotein hormone α-subunit forms heterodimers with different β-subunits to activate TSH or gonadotropin (LH and FSH) receptors. Recent genomic analyses allowed the identification of another α-subunit, GPA2, and another β-subunit, GPB5, in human, capable of forming heterodimers to activate TSH receptors. Based on comparative genomic searches, we isolated the fly orthologs for human GPA2 and GPB5, each consisting of 10 cysteine residues likely involved in cystine-knot formation. RT-PCR analyses in Drosophila melanogaster demonstrated the expression of GPA2 and GPB5 at different developmental stages. Immunoblot analyses further showed that fly GPA2 and GPB5 subunit proteins are of approximately 16 kDa, and coexpression of these subunits yielded heterodimers. Purified recombinant fly GPA2/GPB5 heterodimers were found to be glycoproteins with N-linked glycosylated α-subunits and nonglycosylated β-subunits, capable of stimulating cAMP production mediated by fly orphan receptor DLGR1 but not DLGR2. Although the fly GPA2/GPB5 heterodimers did not activate human TSH or gonadotropin receptors, chimeric fly GPA2/human GPB5 heterodimers stimulated human TSH receptors. These findings indicated that fly GPA2/GPB5 is a ligand for DLGR1, thus showing the ancient origin of this glycoprotein hormone-seven transmembrane receptor-G protein signaling system. The fly GPA2 also could form heterodimers with human GPB5 to activate human TSH receptors, indicating the evolutionary conservation of these genes and suggesting that the GPA2 subunit may serve as a scaffold for the β-subunit to activate downstream G protein-mediated signaling.

Insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus express both O- and N-glycosylated forms of the rat glycoprotein hormone α-subunit

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Delahaye ◽  
P Berreur ◽  
R Salesse ◽  
R Counis
Keyword(s):  
Post Infection ◽  
Insect Cells ◽  
Recombinant Baculovirus ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormones ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT Glycoprotein hormones LH, FSH, TSH and chorionic gonadotrophin are heterodimers composed of two non-covalently associated subunits, a common α- and a specific β-subunit. A recombinant baculo-virus containing a cDNA encoding the α-subunit of rat glycoprotein hormones was constructed. Viral-infected cells expressed, 48 h post infection, 7–10mg immunoreactive α-glycopolypeptide/6×108 cells, of which 65·6% was able to associate with native LHβ and formed a biologically active heterodimeric hormone that bound to testicular receptors. The treatment with specific glycanases showed that the recombinant α-subunit was produced as two differently glycosylated forms; an Mr 23 000 form which contained exclusively N-linked carbohydrate units and another of Mr 25 000 which appeared to contain additional O-linked carbohydrate. Data demonstrated that the α-subunit was expressed by insect cells in a manner similar to that by mammalian pituitary gonadotropes producing both the N- and O-glycosylated forms although only the N-glycosylated α-subunit is known to be capable of associating with the β-subunit.

scholarly journals Thyroid hormone regulation of mRNAs encoding thyrotropin β-subunit, glycoprotein α-subunit, and thyroid hormone receptors α and β in brain, pituitary gland, liver, and gonads of an adult teleost, Pimephales promelas

2009 ◽  
Vol 202 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean C Lema ◽  
Jon T Dickey ◽  
Irvin R Schultz ◽  
Penny Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Teleost Fish ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Thyroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit

Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate growth, morphological development, and migratory behaviors in teleost fish, yet little is known about the transcriptional dynamics of gene targets for THs in these taxa. Here, we characterized TH regulation of mRNAs encoding thyrotropin subunits and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in an adult teleost fish model, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Breeding pairs of adult minnows were fed diets containing 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) or the goitrogen methimazole for 10 days. In males and females, dietary intake of exogenous T3 elevated circulating total T3, while methimazole depressed plasma levels of total thyroxine (T4). In both sexes, this methimazole-induced reduction in T4 led to elevated mRNA abundance for thyrotropin β-subunit (tshβ) in the pituitary gland. Fish treated with T3 had elevated transcript levels for TR isoforms α and β (trα and trβ) in the liver and brain, but reduced levels of brain mRNA for the immediate-early gene basic transcription factor-binding protein (bteb). In the ovary and testis, exogenous T3 elevated gene transcripts for tshβ, glycoprotein hormone α-subunit (gphα), and trβ, while not affecting trα levels. Taken together, these results demonstrate negative feedback of T4 on pituitary tshβ, identify trα and trβ as T3-autoinduced genes in the brain and liver, and provide new evidence that tshβ, gphα, and trβ are THs regulated in the gonad of teleosts. Adult teleost models are increasingly used to evaluate the endocrine-disrupting effects of chemical contaminants, and our results provide a systemic assessment of TH-responsive genes during that life stage.

scholarly journals A Minimal Model for G Protein–Mediated Synaptic Facilitation and Depression

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1643-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bertram ◽  
Jessica Swanson ◽  
Mohammad Yousef ◽  
Zhong-Ping Feng ◽  
Gerald W. Zamponi
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Synaptic Facilitation ◽  
Protein Inhibition ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
High Pass

G protein–coupled receptors are ubiquitous in neurons, as well as other cell types. Activation of receptors by hormones or neurotransmitters splits the G protein heterotrimer into Gα and Gβγ subunits. It is now clear that Gβγ directly inhibits Ca2+ channels, putting them into a reluctant state. The effects of Gβγ depend on the specific β and γ subunits present, as well as the β subunit isoform of the N-type Ca2+ channel. We describe a minimal mathematical model for the effects of G protein action on the dynamics of synaptic transmission. The model is calibrated by data obtained by transfecting G protein and Ca2+ channel subunits into tsA-201 cells. We demonstrate with numerical simulations that G protein action can provide a mechanism for either short-term synaptic facilitation or depression, depending on the manner in which G protein–coupled receptors are activated. The G protein action performs high-pass filtering of the presynaptic signal, with a filter cutoff that depends on the combination of G protein and Ca2+ channel subunits present. At stimulus frequencies above the cutoff, trains of single spikes are transmitted, while only doublets are transmitted at frequencies below the cutoff. Finally, we demonstrate that relief of G protein inhibition can contribute to paired-pulse facilitation.

New thoughts on the role of the βγ subunit in G protein signal transduction

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Vanderbeld ◽  
Gregory M Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
G Protein ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Downstream Effectors ◽  
Receptor Signal ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Heterotrimeric G proteins are involved in numerous biological processes, where they mediate signal transduction from agonist-bound G-protein-coupled receptors to a variety of intracellular effector molecules and ion channels. G proteins consist of two signaling moieties: a GTP-bound α subunit and a βγ heterodimer. The βγ dimer, recently credited as a significant modulator of G-protein-mediated cellular responses, is postulated to be a major determinant of signaling fidelity between G-protein-coupled receptors and downstream effectors. In this review we have focused on the role of βγ signaling and have included examples to demonstrate the heterogeneity in the heterodimer composition and its implications in signaling fidelity. We also present an overview of some of the effectors regulated by βγ and draw attention to the fact that, although G proteins and their associated receptors play an instrumental role in development, there is rather limited information on βγ signaling in embryogenesis.Key words: G protein, βγ subunit, G-protein-coupled receptor, signal transduction, adenylyl cyclase.

scholarly journals Monomeric Expression of Bovine β2-Integrin Subunits Reveals Their Role in Mannheimia haemolytica Leukotoxin-Induced Biological Effects

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 5004-5010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohana P. Dassanayake ◽  
Samuel K. Maheswaran ◽  
Subramaniam Srikumaran
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Mannheimia Haemolytica ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Cellular Activation ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Bovine Pneumonic Pasteurellosis ◽  
Functional Receptor ◽  
Hek 293 Cell Line

ABSTRACT The ruminant-specific leukotoxin (Lkt) of Mannheimia haemolytica is the key virulence factor contributing to the pathogenesis of lung injury in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Previous studies by us and others indicate that M. haemolytica Lkt binds to CD18, the β subunit of bovine β2-integrins on leukocytes, and that the species specificity of Lkt-induced effects is resident in the β subunit CD18 and not in the α subunit CD11. However, Lkt also binds to the CD11a subunit of LFA-1. Furthermore, antibodies specific for CD18 or CD11a inhibit signaling events leading to elevation of intracellular [Ca2+], tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic domain of CD18, and cytolysis of bovine leukocytes. These observations underscore the need for further investigation to identify the precise subunit of bovine LFA-1 utilized by M. haemolytica Lkt as the functional receptor. For this purpose, monomeric bovine CD18 and CD11a and heterodimeric LFA-1 were expressed in the HEK-293 cell line by transfection, and the resulting transfectants were tested for susceptibility to Lkt-induced effects. All three transfectants effectively bound Lkt. However, Lkt-induced cytolysis was observed only with transfectants expressing monomeric bovine CD18 or LFA-1. Furthermore, intracellular [Ca2+] elevation following exposure to Lkt, which is a marker for postbinding signaling leading to cellular activation, was seen only with transfectants expressing monomeric bovine CD18 or LFA-1. These results clearly indicate that the bovine CD18 subunit of β2-integrins is the functional receptor for M. haemolytica Lkt.

scholarly journals Pituitary transcription factor Prop-1 stimulates porcine pituitary glycoprotein hormone α subunit gene expression

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takanobu Sato ◽  
Kousuke Kitahara ◽  
Takao Susa ◽  
Takako Kato ◽  
Yukio Kato
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Gh3 Cells ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit

Recently, we have reported that a Prophet of Pit-1 homeodomain factor, Prop-1, is a novel transcription factor for the porcine follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (FSHβ) gene. This study subsequently aimed to examine the role of Prop-1 in the gene expression of two other porcine gonadotropin subunits, pituitary glycoprotein hormone α subunit (αGSU), and luteinizing hormone β subunit (LHβ). A series of deletion mutants of the porcine αGSU (up to −1059 bp) and LHβ (up to −1277 bp) promoters were constructed in the reporter vector, fused with the secreted alkaline phosphatase gene (pSEAP2-Basic). Transient transfection studies using GH3 cells were carried out to estimate the activation of the porcine αGSU and LHβ promoters by Prop-1, which was found to activate the αGSU promoter of −1059/+12 bp up to 11.7-fold but not the LHβ promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting analysis revealed that Prop-1 binds to six positions, −1038/−1026, −942/−928, −495/−479, −338/−326, −153/−146, and −131/−124 bp, that comprise the A/T cluster. Oligonucleotides of six Prop-1 binding sites were directly connected to the minimum promoter of αGSU, fused in the pSEAP2-Basic vector, followed by transfecting GH3 cells to determine the cis-acting activity. Finally, we concluded that at least five Prop-1 binding sites are the cis-acting elements for αGSU gene expression. The present results revealed a notable feature of the proximal region, where three Prop-1-binding sites are close to and/or overlap the pituitary glycoprotein hormone basal element, GATA-binding element, and junctional regulatory element. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the role of Prop-1 in the regulation of αGSU gene expression. These results, taken together with our previous finding that Prop-1 is a transcription factor for FSHβ gene, confirm that Prop-1 modulates the synthesis of FSH at the transcriptional level. On the other hand, the defects of Prop-1 are known to cause dwarfism and combined pituitary hormone deficiency accompanying hypogonadism. Accordingly, the present observations provide a novel view to understand the hypogonadism caused by Prop-1 defects at the molecular level through the regulatory mechanism of αGSU and FSHβ gene expressions.

scholarly journals II. Regulation of neuropeptide receptors in enteric neurons

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (5) ◽  
pp. G792-G796
Author(s):  
Karen McConalogue ◽  
Nigel W. Bunnett
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
Target Cell ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Neuropeptide Receptors ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Neuropeptides exert their diverse biological effects by interacting with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this review we address the question, What regulates the ability of a target cell, in particular a neuron, to respond to a neuropeptide? Available evidence from studies of many GPCRs in reconstituted systems and transfected cell lines indicates that much of this regulation occurs at the level of the receptor and serves to alter the capacity of the receptor to bind ligands with high affinity and to couple to heterotrimeric G proteins. Although some of the knowledge gained from these studies is applicable to the regulation of neuropeptide receptors on neurons, at present there are far more questions than answers.

158 PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT LH FOR USE IN TIGER (TIGRIS ALTAICA) ASSISTED REPRODUCTION:A PRELIMINARY REPORT

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
J. T. Aaltonen ◽  
E. Bedows ◽  
K. A. Estes ◽  
V. Y. Butnev ◽  
G. Bousfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leydig Cell ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Granulosa Cell Tumor ◽  
Methionine Sulfoximine ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Glycoprotein Hormone ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Cell Assay ◽  
Cell Assays

Genetically, porcine LH is the closest commercially available gonadotropin analog to tiger LH (93% homologous); however, its use may lead to possible autoimmune reactions, lessening ovarian responses in stimulated tigresses over time (Crichton et al. 2005 Biol. Reprod. 68, 105–113). To overcome this problem for use in assisted reproduction, we produced recombinant tiger LH (tLH), and tested the bioactivity of several tLH constructs using heterologous (rat) and homologous (cat) Leydig cell assays. To clone tLH, mRNA was isolated from an Amur tiger pituitary by TRIzol extraction (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). DNA was synthesized from the mRNA using reverse transcriptase (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) and PCR was performed using tiger-specific primers for glycoprotein hormone α subunit or LH β subunit. The α subunit was cloned into the double-expression vector pIRES (Invitrogen). The tLH β subunit was cloned into the second site of pIRES and also into the plasmid pGS. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 and human granulosa cell tumor (COV 434) cells were transfected with plasmid DNA by calcium-phosphate precipitation: (1) pIRES containing α and pGS containing LH β, or (2) pIRES containing α and LH β. Cells were grown in selection media (250 µg mL–1 geneticine for pIRES, or 25 µm methionine sulfoximine for pGS). Media was collected and clarified at 1500g for 30 min. An immature rat Leydig cell assay protocol (Bousfield et al. 2001 Biol. Reprod. 64, 136–147) detected biological activity (testosterone production) by RIA. Of 14 tLH constructs created, 1 wild-type construct (LH WTCHO8) had LH activity 3 times greater than any other. A domestic kitten Leydig cell assay was performed in order to assess comparative sensitivities and specificities. Domestic kitten testicles, obtained from a local spay clinic, were disassociated with collagenase (225 U mg–1, Worthington Biochemical, Lakewood, NJ); however, the cells were more difficult to disperse than rat testicles, leading to low Leydig cell yields as determined histologically. Modification of the Leydig cell collagenase protocol for the cat was achieved by increasing the temperature and surface area, and agitating the minced tissue in medium on a stir plate. Samples of the 14 tLH constructs were run in parallel using rat and cat Leydig cell assays. Although rat Leydig cell testosterone concentrations (3.4 ng mL–1) were nearly 10-fold greater, the same trend for the different constructs was found in the cat Leydig cells with the same wild-type construct (LH WTCHO8, 0.37 ng mL–1) having greater LH activity than any other. The lower testosterone concentrations in the cat bioassay may be explained by insufficient Leydig cell numbers, age (sensitivity), damaging effect(s) of collagenase, or felid specificity. Still, these results lend validity to the use of the heterologous rat Leydig cell bioassay for recombinant tiger LH.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document