scholarly journals Fusion with Promiscuous Gα16 Subunit Reveals Signaling Bias at Muscarinic Receptors

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10089
Author(s):  
Alena Randáková ◽  
Dominik Nelic ◽  
Martina Hochmalová ◽  
Pavel Zimčík ◽  
Mutale Jane Mulenga ◽  
...  

A complex evaluation of agonist bias at G-protein coupled receptors at the level of G-protein classes and isoforms including non-preferential ones is essential for advanced agonist screening and drug development. Molecular crosstalk in downstream signaling and a lack of sufficiently sensitive and selective methods to study direct coupling with G-protein of interest complicates this analysis. We performed binding and functional analysis of 11 structurally different agonists on prepared fusion proteins of individual subtypes of muscarinic receptors and non-canonical promiscuous α-subunit of G16 protein to study agonist bias. We have demonstrated that fusion of muscarinic receptors with Gα16 limits access of other competitive Gα subunits to the receptor, and thus enables us to study activation of Gα16 mediated pathway more specifically. Our data demonstrated agonist-specific activation of G16 pathway among individual subtypes of muscarinic receptors and revealed signaling bias of oxotremorine towards Gα16 pathway at the M2 receptor and at the same time impaired Gα16 signaling of iperoxo at M5 receptors. Our data have shown that fusion proteins of muscarinic receptors with α-subunit of G-proteins can serve as a suitable tool for studying agonist bias, especially at non-preferential pathways.

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (11) ◽  
pp. L878-L889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M. Greenlee ◽  
Jeremiah D. Mitzelfelt ◽  
Ling Yu ◽  
Qiang Yue ◽  
Billie Jeanne Duke ◽  
...  

Female sex predisposes individuals to poorer outcomes during respiratory disorders like cystic fibrosis and influenza-associated pneumonia. A common link between these disorders is dysregulation of alveolar fluid clearance via disruption of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity. Recent evidence suggests that female sex hormones directly regulate expression and activity of alveolar ENaC. In our study, we identified the mechanism by which estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4) independently regulates alveolar ENaC. Using cell-attached patch clamp, we measured ENaC single-channel activity in a rat alveolar cell line (L2) in response to overnight exposure to either E2 or P4. In contrast to P4, E2 increased ENaC channel activity ( NPo) through an increase in channel open probability ( Po) and an increased number of patches with observable channel activity. Apical plasma membrane abundance of the ENaC α-subunit (αENaC) more than doubled in response to E2 as determined by cell surface biotinylation. αENaC membrane abundance was approximately threefold greater in lungs from female rats in proestrus, when serum E2 is greatest, compared with diestrus, when it is lowest. Our results also revealed a significant role for the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (Gper) to mediate E2's effects on ENaC. Overall, our results demonstrate that E2 signaling through Gper selectively activates alveolar ENaC through an effect on channel gating and channel density, the latter via greater trafficking of channels to the plasma membrane. The results presented herein implicate E2-mediated regulation of alveolar sodium channels in the sex differences observed in the pathogenesis of several pulmonary diseases.


2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Vanderbeld ◽  
Gregory M Kelly

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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (2) ◽  
pp. L312-L319 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. L. Walker ◽  
R. R. Gainetdinov ◽  
D. S. Feldman ◽  
P. K. McFawn ◽  
M. G. Caron ◽  
...  

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce extracellular signals into intracellular events. The waning responsiveness of GPCRs in the face of persistent agonist stimulation, or desensitization, is a necessary event that ensures physiological homeostasis. GPCR kinases (GRKs) are important regulators of GPCR desensitization. GRK5, one member of the GRK family, desensitizes central M2 muscarinic receptors in mice. We questioned whether GRK5 might also be an important regulator of peripheral muscarinic receptor responsiveness in the cardiopulmonary system. Specifically, we wanted to determine the role of GRK5 in regulating muscarinic receptor-mediated control of airway smooth muscle tone or regulation of cholinergic-induced bradycardia. Tracheal pressure, heart rate, and tracheal smooth muscle tension were measured in mice having a targeted deletion of the GRK5 gene ( GRK5- /-) and littermate wild-type (WT) control mice. Both in vivo and in vitro results showed that the airway contractile response to a muscarinic receptor agonist was not different between GRK5- /- and WT mice. However, the relaxation component of bilateral vagal stimulation and the airway smooth muscle relaxation resulting from β2-adrenergic receptor activation were diminished in GRK5- /- mice. These data suggest that M2 muscarinic receptor-mediated opposition of airway smooth muscle relaxation is regulated by GRK5 and is, therefore, excessive in GRK5- /- mice. In addition, this study shows that GRK5 regulates pulmonary responses in a tissue- and receptor-specific manner but does not regulate peripheral cardiac muscarinic receptors. GRK5 regulation of airway responses may have implications in obstructive airway diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.


2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. R39-R45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei S Chagin ◽  
Henry M Kronenberg

Herein, we review the regulation of differentiation of the growth plate chondrocytes by G-proteins. In connection with this, we summarize the current knowledge regarding each family of G-protein α subunit, specifically, Gαs, Gαq/11, Gα12/13, and Gαi/o. We discuss different mechanisms involved in chondrocyte differentiation downstream of G-proteins and different G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activating G-proteins in the epiphyseal chondrocytes. We conclude that among all G-proteins and GPCRs expressed by chondrocytes, Gαshas the most important role and prevents premature chondrocyte differentiation. Receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTHR1) appears to be the major activator of Gαsin chondrocytes and ablation of either one leads to accelerated chondrocyte differentiation, premature fusion of the postnatal growth plate, and ultimately short stature.


Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taisuke Seike ◽  
Natsue Sakata ◽  
Chikashi Shimoda ◽  
Hironori Niki ◽  
Chikara Furusawa

Abstract Most sexually reproducing organisms have the ability to recognize individuals of the same species. In ascomycete fungi including yeasts, mating between cells of opposite mating type depends on the molecular recognition of two peptidyl mating pheromones by their corresponding G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although such pheromone/receptor systems are likely to function in both mate choice and prezygotic isolation, very few studies have focused on the stringency of pheromone receptors. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two mating types, Plus (P) and Minus (M). Here we investigated the stringency of the two GPCRs, Mam2 and Map3, for their respective pheromones, P-factor and M-factor, in fission yeast. First, we switched GPCRs between S. pombe and the closely related species Schizosaccharomyces octosporus, which showed that SoMam2 (Mam2 of S. octosporus) is partially functional in S. pombe, whereas SoMap3 (Map3 of S. octosporus) is not interchangeable. Next, we swapped individual domains of Mam2 and Map3 with the respective domains in SoMam2 and SoMap3, which revealed differences between the receptors both in the intracellular regions that regulate the downstream signaling of pheromones and in the activation by the pheromone. In particular, we demonstrated that two amino acid residues of Map3, F214 and F215, are key residues important for discrimination of closely related M-factors. Thus, the differences in these two GPCRs might reflect the significantly distinct stringency/flexibility of their respective pheromone/receptor systems; nevertheless, species-specific pheromone recognition remains incomplete.


2001 ◽  
Vol 354 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
William K. LIM ◽  
Richard R. NEUBIG

G-protein-coupled receptors activate signal-transducing G-proteins, which consist of an α subunit and a βγ dimer. Membrane extraction with 5–7M urea has been used to uncouple receptors from endogenous G-proteins to permit reconstitution with purified G-proteins. We show that αi subunits are inactivated with 5M urea whereas the βγ dimer requires at least 7M urea for its inactivation. There is no significant loss of receptors. Surprisingly, Western-blot analysis indicates that the urea-denatured αi subunit remains mostly membrane-bound and that β is only partially removed. After 7M urea treatment, both αi1 and βγ subunits are required to restore high-affinity agonist binding and receptor-catalysed guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate binding. We demonstrate the generality of this approach for four Gi-coupled receptors (α2A-adrenergic, adenosine A1, 5-hydroxytryptamine1A and µ-opioid) expressed in insect cells and two mammalian cell lines. Thus a selectivity of urea for G-protein α versus βγ subunits is established in both concentration and mechanism.


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