游离脂肪酸受体的结构、分布及功能

游离脂肪酸的生理功能及其与某些疾病的相关性长期以来受到人们的关注。由于特异性膜受体一直未被发现．关于其分子机制的认识无法深入。最近的研究表明,长链脂肪酸是孤儿型G蛋白偶联受体GPR40的配基．而短链脂肪酸则是孤儿型G蛋白偶联受体GPR4l和GPR43的配基。体外实验显示,长链脂肪酸通过GPR40增强胰岛B细胞的分泌功能;短链脂肪酸经GPR41刺激脂肪细胞中瘦蛋白(1eptin)的产生。GPR43在白细胞活化过程中发挥一定的作用。作为潜在的药物作用靶点,游离脂肪酸特异性受体为寻找治疗代谢性疾病的新手段指明了的方向。     

与癌症相关的G 蛋白偶联受体及通路的研究进展

G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptors,GPCRs)是一类重要的细胞膜表面跨膜蛋白受体超家族,具有7个跨膜螺旋结构。GPCRs的细胞内信号由G蛋白介导,可将激素、神经递质、药物、趋化因子等多种物理和化学的细胞外刺激穿过细胞膜转导到细胞内不同的效应分子,激活相应的信号级联系统进而影响恶性肿瘤的生长迁移过程。虽然目前药物市场上有很多治疗癌症的小分子药物属于G蛋白受体相关药物,但所作用的靶点集中于少数特定G蛋白偶联受体。因此,新的具有成药性的G蛋白偶联受体的开发具有很大的研究价值和市场潜力。本文主要以在癌症发生、发展中起重要作用的溶血磷脂酸(LPA),G蛋白偶联受体30(GPR30)、内皮素A受体(ETAR)等不同G蛋白偶联受体为分类依据,综述其与相关的信号通路在癌症进程中的作用,并对相应的小分子药物的临床应用和研究进展进行展望。     

G蛋白偶联受体介导游离脂肪酸的信号通路及生理功能

游离脂肪酸（free fatty acid,FFA）是动物一种重要能量来源,同时它还是一种重要的信号分子,其生理功能和作用机制长期以来倍受关注. 最近研究表明,细胞膜存在FFA的特定孤儿型G蛋白偶联膜受体家族.中长链游离脂肪酸是GPR40和GPR120的配基,而短链游离脂肪酸则是GPR41和GPR43的配基. 该受体家族可以介导游离脂肪酸,通过ERK、PI3K-Akt和MAPK信号通路,在维持机体内的葡萄糖稳态、脂肪形成、白细胞功能和细胞增殖等生理过程中发挥重要作用. 本文就游离脂肪酸G蛋白偶联受体的结构、分布、配体选择性、下游信号通路,及其介导FFA生理功能的最新研究进展进行简要综述.     

一个潜在的糖尿病新靶标——GPR40

G蛋白偶联受体40(GPR40)是典型的七次跨膜受体,在游离脂肪酸的刺激下,它能起到放大葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌效应,是一种潜在的治疗糖尿病药物的靶标。另外,GPR40还被认为和一些神经类疾病以及某些癌症有关。本文着重叙述了游离脂肪酸经由GPR40放大葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌机制,同时也介绍了GPR40的其他一些生理功能。     

G蛋白偶联受体激活的单分子研究进展

G蛋白偶联受体是体内最大的受体超家族,它们参与调节生物体内多种生理功能与病理过程。G蛋白偶联受体的分子内构象变化与G蛋白的偶联以及受体的二聚化等是G蛋白偶联受体激活的重要基本过程。借助于单分予研究手段,在G蛋白偶联受体激活方面取得了重要进展。本文将就这些方面进行简要的综述。     

家鸡GPR15基因的克隆、功能探究及组织表达分析

孤儿受体G蛋白偶联受体15(GPR15)在哺乳动物肠道稳态以及炎症反应中发挥重要生理效应,但在非哺乳动物中,针对GPR15的研究几属空白。本文以家鸡Gallus gallus domesticus为模型,首次克隆了GPR15基因,并对其功能与组织表达进行了探究。结果显示:家鸡GPR15编码区cDNA长度为1 107 bp,由1个外显子组成,可编码368个氨基酸的受体蛋白。序列分析表明家鸡GPR15是具有7次跨膜结构的G蛋白偶联受体,且家鸡GPR15与人Homo sapiens、北美绿蜥蜴Anolis carolinensis、小鼠Mus musculus的GPR15具有约56%的氨基酸序列一致性;虽然系统进化树分析表明GPR15与爱帕琳肽受体(APLNR)有较近的进化关系,但在表达家鸡GPR15的HEK293细胞中,APLNR的内源性配体Apelin和Apela不能激活家鸡GPR15;此外,实时定量PCR分析发现GPR15在家鸡脾脏中高表达,在盲肠、肺中有中等水平表达,而在其他组织中微弱表达。上述结果为探究GPR15在禽类中的生理功能奠定了基础。     

家鸡G蛋白偶联受体85基因的结构、序列与组织表达分析

G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)超家族是细胞膜上广泛存在的一类受体,是细胞跨膜信号转导的一类重要受体分子,参与许多生理过程调节。它们中仍有很多至今尚未找到内源性配体,这类受体被称为孤儿型受体。G蛋白偶联受体85(GPR85)是GPCR超家族中孤儿型受体的一员。目前,在非哺乳类脊椎动物中,针对GPR85的研究极少。本研究以家鸡Gallus gallus domesticus为模型,通过反转录PCR和RACE-PCR等方法从脑中克隆到GPR85基因的cDNA全长序列,揭示其基因结构,并用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)方法探究了该基因在家鸡各组织中的表达情况。结果显示:家鸡GPR85基因位于1号染色体上,由2个外显子组成,其编码区位于第2个外显子上,长为1 113 bp,可编码1个370个氨基酸的7次跨膜受体蛋白。家鸡GPR85与其他脊椎动物(人Homo sapiens、小鼠Mus musculus、大鼠Rattus norvegicus、热带爪蟾Xenopus tropicalis和斑马鱼Danio rerio)的GPR85具有高度的氨基酸序列一致性(>93%)。qPCR分析发现,GPR85基因mRNA在家鸡全脑、垂体、肾上腺、精巢中有较高表达,而在所检测的其他外周组织中表达极低。本研究首次揭示了家鸡GPR85基因的结构与表达特征,为后续探究GPR85基因在家鸡等非哺乳类中的生理功能奠定基础。     

作为2型糖尿病治疗药物的G蛋白偶联受体40激动剂研究进展

2型糖尿病约占糖尿病总病例数的90%,目前研发的其新型治疗药物主要是通过调节糖代谢通路来控制血糖水平,它们可通过激活 G蛋白偶联受体尤其是G蛋白偶联受体40,增强胰岛β细胞功能,促进胰岛素分泌,提高机体对胰岛素的敏感性,从而达到治疗糖尿病的目的。 G蛋白偶联受体40作为抗2型糖尿病的新靶点,以其潜在优势,在糖尿病治疗领域备受关注。简介G蛋白偶联受体与其配体游离脂肪酸, 重点综述不同结构的G蛋白偶联受体40激动剂的研究进展。     

雌激素信号通路概述

过去几十年,人们一直认为雌激素信号通路是雌激素与细胞核中的雌激素受体(ER)结合,作用于雌激素受体反应元件调节基因表达,从而改变细胞功能。雌激素不但与核ER结合,也能与膜ER结合激活PI3K信号通路。G蛋白偶联受体(GPR30)也能与雌激素结合,激活PI3K信号通路。雌激素通过结合不同雌激素受体改变细胞生理功能。我们对雌激素信号通路做简要综述。     

家鸡G蛋白偶联受体139基因的结构、序列及表达特征分析

G蛋白偶联受体139(GPR139)是一种孤儿受体。在脊椎动物中,针对其结构、表达和功能的研究相对缺乏。本文以家鸡大脑c DNA为模板,采用PCR方法,扩增并克隆得到家鸡GPR139(c GPR139)基因。结果显示:家鸡GPR139基因c DNA由2个外显子组成;ORF区域长1056 bp,编码351个氨基酸的前体蛋白,在其第三跨膜区末端包含D-R-Y基序,属于G蛋白偶联受体家族视紫红质亚家族。将家鸡GPR139前体蛋白与人、大鼠、小鼠GPR139前体蛋白的氨基酸序列进行比对,分别具有91.78%、89.17%、89.17%的相似度。采用RT-PCR方法,本研究也检测了家鸡GPR139的组织表达情况。结果显示:家鸡GPR139基因在大脑、中脑、小脑、后脑、下丘脑及垂体中表达量较高,而在卵巢、精巢、肺、肾脏、肌肉组织中,GPR139基因仅有微弱表达。这些结果首次揭示了GPR139基因在非哺乳动物(家鸡)中的结构特征和组织表达特点,为探究其在家鸡中的生理功能奠定一些基础。     

Dual effects of the non-esterified fatty acid receptor ‘GPR40’ for human health

G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), a receptor for diverse non-esterified fatty acids, is expressed predominantly in the wide variety of neurons of the central nervous system and β-cells in the pancreatic islets. Since deorphanization of GPR40 in 2003, the past decade has seen major advances in our understanding of its role in the insulin secretion. However, there is still a great deal to be elucidated about the role of GPR40 in the brain, because the latter shows the most abundant GPR40 mRNA expression among the human tissues. Since a substantial expression of GPR40 is also seen in the hypothalamus, ‘brain-lipid sensing’ might be involved in the control of insulin secretion and energy balance. The preceding experiments using monkeys after transient global brain ischemia, have highlighted implication of GPR40 for amplifying adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Although GPR40-mediated intracellular signaling was recently found to result in phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) necessary for the neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity, the signaling cascade is still incompletely understood. Furthermore, in response to conjugated linoleic acids or trans isomers of arachidonic acid, GPR40 was recently demonstrated in rodents to mediate lipotoxicity to β-cells, neurons, or microvessels, which result in diabetes, retinopathy, stroke, etc. However, it still remains undetermined in humans whether and how oxidized, conjugated, or excessive fatty acids evoke lipotoxicity. Although literature about GPR40 is limited especially about the brain or the brain–pancreas interaction, this review aims at summarizing beneficial as well as detrimental effects of this receptor in the brain and pancreas in response to diverse fatty acids.     

Mouse GPR40 heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes is activated by short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids

Several orphan G protein-coupled receptors, including GPR40, have recently been shown to be responsive to fatty acids. Although previous reports have suggested GPR40 detects medium- and long-chain fatty acids, it has been reported to be unresponsive to short chain fatty acids. In this study, we have heterologously expressed mouse GPR40 in Xenopus laevis oocytes and measured fatty acid-induced increases in intracellular Ca²⁺, via two electrode voltage clamp recordings of the endogenous Ca²⁺-activated chloride conductance. Exposure to 500 µM linoleic acid (C18:2), a long-chain fatty acid, stimulated significant currents in mGPR40-injected oocytes (P < 0.01, ANOVA), but not in water-injected control oocytes (not significant, ANOVA). These currents were confirmed as Ca²⁺-activated chloride conductances because they were biphasic, sensitive to changes in external pH, and inhibited by DIDS. Similar currents were observed with medium-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid (C12:0) (P < 0.01, ANOVA), and more importantly, with short-chain fatty acids, such as butyric acid (C4:0) (P < 0.01, ANOVA). In contrast, no responses were observed in mGPR40-injected oocytes exposed to either acetic acid (C2:0) or propionic acid (C3:0). Therefore, GPR40 has the capacity to respond to fatty acids with chain lengths of four or greater. This finding has important implications for understanding the structure:function relationship of fatty acid sensors, and potentially for short-chain fatty acid sensing in the gastrointestinal tract. fatty acid chain length; nutrient sensing     

A Single Amino Acid Mutation (R104P) in the E/DRY Motif of GPR40 Impairs Receptor Function

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with insulin resistance, pancreatic β cell dysfunction, and hepatic glucose overproduction is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide. G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), a clinically proven anti-diabetic drug target, is mainly expressed in pancreatic β cells and insulin-secreting cell lines. Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) increase intracellular calcium concentration and amplify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by activating GPR40. Here we report that the arginine 104 (R104) is critical for the normal function of GPR40. Mutation of R104 to Proline (R104P) results in complete loss of the receptor function. Linoleic acid, ligand of GPR40, could not elicit calcium increase and ERK phosphorylation in cells expressing this mutant receptor. Further study indicated the R104P mutation reduces cell surface localization of GPR40 without affecting the expression of the protein. The small portion of GPR40 R104P mutant that is still located on the membrane has no physiological function, and does not internalize in response to linoleic acid stimulation. These data demonstrate that R104 in GPR40 is critically involved in the normal receptor functions. Interestingly, R104P is a registered single-nucleotide polymorphism of GPR40. The relationship of this GPR40 variant and type 2 diabetes warrants further investigation.     

Oleic acid induces intracellular calcium mobilization, MAPK phosphorylation, superoxide production and granule release in bovine neutrophils

Oleic acid (OA) is a nonesterified fatty acid that is released into the blood during lipomobilization at the time of calving in cows, a period where increased risk of infection and acute inflammation is observed. These data suggest potential OA-mediated regulation of innate immune responses. In the present study, we assessed the effects of OA on intracellular calcium release, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, superoxide production, CD11b expression and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) release in bovine neutrophils. Furthermore, the presence of GPR40, an OA receptor, was assessed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. OA induced, in a dose-dependent manner, intracellular calcium mobilization, superoxide production and CD11b expression in bovine neutrophils; these effects were reduced by the intracellular chelating agent BAPTA-AM. OA also induced ERK2 phosphorylation and MMP-9 release. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA expression of a bovine ortholog of the GPR40 receptor. Using a polyclonal antibody against human GPR40, we detected a protein of 31 kDa by immunoblotting that was localized predominately in the plasma membrane. The selective agonist of GPR40, GW9508, induced intracellular calcium mobilization and ERK2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, OA can modulate bovine neutrophil responses in an intracellular calcium-dependent manner; furthermore, these responses could be induced by GPR40 activation.     

G protein-coupled receptors in human fat taste perception

In contrast to carbohydrates and proteins, which are detected by specialized taste receptors in the forms of their respective building blocks, sugars, and L-amino acids, the third macronutrient, lipids, has until now not been associated with gustatory receptors. Instead, the recognition of fat stimuli was believed to rely mostly on textural, olfactory, and postingestive cues. During the recent years, however, research done mainly in rodent models revealed an additional gustatory component for the detection of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), the main taste-activating component of lipids. Concomitantly, a number of candidate fat taste receptors were proposed to be involved in rodent's gustatory fatty acid perception. Compared with rodent models, much less is known about human fat taste. In order to investigate the ability of the human gustatory system to respond to fat components, we performed sensory experiments with fatty acids of different chain lengths and derivatives thereof. We found that our panelists discriminated a "fatty" and an irritant "scratchy" taste component, with the "fatty" percept restricted to LCFAs. Using functional calcium-imaging experiments with the human orthologs of mouse candidate fat receptors belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor family, we correlated human sensory data with receptor properties characterized in vitro. We demonstrated that the pharmacological activation profile of human GPR40 and GPR120, 2 LCFA-specific receptors associated with gustatory fat perception in rodents, is inconsistent with the "scratchy" sensation of human subjects and more consistent with the percept described as "fatty." Expression analysis of GPR40 and GPR120 in human gustatory tissues revealed that, while the GPR40 gene is not expressed, GPR120 is detected in gustatory and nongustatory epithelia. On a cellular level, we found GPR120 mRNA and protein in taste buds as well as in the surrounding epithelial cells. We conclude that GPR120 may indeed participate in human gustatory fatty acid perception.     

GPR40 is expressed in glucagon producing cells and affects glucagon secretion

The free fatty acid receptor, GPR40, has been coupled with insulin secretion via its expression in pancreatic beta-cells. However, the role of GPR40 in the release of glucagon has not been studied and previous attempts to identify the receptor in alpha-cells have been unfruitful. Using double-staining for glucagon and GPR40 expression, we demonstrate that the two are expressed in the same cells in the periphery of mouse islets. In-R1-G9 hamster glucagonoma cells respond dose-dependently to linoleic acid stimulation by elevated phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis and glucagon release and the cells become increasingly responsive to fatty acid stimulation when overexpressing GPR40. Isolated mouse islets also secrete glucagon in response to linoleic acid, a response that was abolished by antisense treatment against GPR40. This study demonstrates that GPR40 is present and active in pancreatic alpha-cells and puts further emphasis on the importance of this nutrient sensing receptor in islet function.     

Linoleic acid stimulates gluconeogenesis via Ca2+/PLC, cPLA2, and PPAR pathways through GPR40 in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes

Fatty acids serve vital functions as sources of energy, building materials for cellular structures, and modulators of physiological responses. Therefore, this study examined the effect of linoleic acid on glucose production and its related signal pathways in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes. Linoleic acid (double-unsaturated, long chain) increased glucose production in a dose (> or =10(-4) M)- and time (> or =8 h)-dependent manner. Both oleic acid (monounsaturated, long chain) and palmitic acid (saturated, long chain) also increased glucose production, whereas caproic acid (saturated, short chain) failed to increase glucose production. Linoleic acid increased G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40; also known as free fatty acid receptor-1) protein expression and glucose production that was blocked by GPR40-specific small interfering RNA. Linoleic acid increased intracellular calcium concentration, which was blocked by EGTA (extracellular calcium chelator)/BAPTA-AM (intracellular calcium chelator), U-73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), nifedipine, or methoxyverapamil (L-type calcium channel blockers). Linoleic acid increased cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) phosphorylation and the release of [(3)H]-labeled arachidonic acid. Moreover, linoleic acid increased the level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression, which stimulated the synthesis of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). The increase in PGE(2) production subsequently stimulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression, and MK-886 (PPAR-alpha antagonist) and GW-9662 (PPAR-delta antagonist) inhibited glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. In addition, linoleic acid-induced glucose production was blocked by inhibition of extracellular and intracellular calcium, cPLA(2), COX-2, or PPAR pathways. In conclusion, linoleic acid promoted glucose production via Ca(2+)/PLC, cPLA(2)/COX-2, and PPAR pathways through GPR40 in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes.     

Role of GPR40 in fatty acid action on the beta cell line INS-1E

GPR40 is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed preferentially in beta cells, that has been implicated in mediating free fatty acid-stimulated insulin release. GPR40 RNAi impaired the ability of palmitic acid (PA) to increase both insulin secretion and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). The PA-dependent [Ca2+]i increase was attenuated by inhibitors of Galphaq, PLC, and SERCA. Thus GPR40 activates the Galphaq pathway, leading to release of Ca2+ from the ER. Yet the GPR40-dependent [Ca2+]i rise was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and elevated glucose, and was blocked by inhibition of L-type calcium channels (LTCC) or opening of the K(ATP) channel; this suggests that GPR40 promotes Ca2+ influx through up-regulation of LTCC pre-activated by glucose and membrane depolarization. Taken together, the data indicate that GPR40 mediates the increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion through the Galphaq-PLC pathway, resulting in release of Ca2+ from the ER and leading to up-regulation of Ca2+ influx via LTCC.