Deorphanization of Dresden G protein-coupled receptor for an odorant receptor

Dresden G protein-coupled receptor (D-GPCR) is one of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Here we report the identification of the ligands and the characterization of D-GPCR. We investigated over 5000 compounds to evoke the response mediated by D-GPCR and identified 3-methyl-valeric acid and 4-methyl-valeric acid as agonists using a cAMP assay. It is of interest that they dramatically enhanced the intracellular cAMP accumulation and the CRE-luciferase activity in CHO-K1 cells and HEK293 cells expressing the chimeric protein of D-GPCR with a rhodopsin-tag at its N-terminus. Our results established new characteristics of D-GPCR as an olfactory receptor. First, agonists of D-GPCR belong to odorants. Second, D-GPCR mRNA is expressed in the olfactory bulb. In addition, D-GPCR was reported to have similar sequences and its genome locus nearby other olfactory receptors. These results suggest D-GPCR is an olfactory receptor.     

孤儿G蛋白偶联受体hGPCRc的亚细胞定位及组织分布

利用相关生物信息学软件,对从人结肠组织克隆所得某一孤儿G蛋白偶联受体(orphanGprotein_coupledreceptors ,oGPCRs)成员hGPCRc的氨基酸序列进行分析显示,hGPCRc对应的氨基酸序列组成了七个跨膜区段的结构域,具备GPCR的结构特征;然后,将hGPCRc之cDNA与绿色荧光载体pEGFP-N₁ 构建GFP_hGPCRc表达载体,以空白质粒pEGFP-N₁ 作对照,转染CHO-K₁ 细胞,在激光扫描共聚焦显微镜下观察到空白质粒pEGFP-N₁ 转染的细胞表达了GFP并均匀分布于整个细胞,而GFP_hGPCRc转染的细胞观察到荧光清晰聚集于细胞膜和各细胞器质膜上,因而hGPCRc蛋白定位于膜上并稳定表达,与软件分析结果相一致;最后,以RT_PCR检测hGPCRc在2 0周龄胎儿重要组织器官及部分成人组织中的表达情况,结果显示hGPCRc在人心、肾、小脑及结肠等组织均有表达,但在肝、大脑、小肠及肌肉等组织里未检测到表达。该表达谱对于进一步认识hGPCRc在胚胎发育中的作用及生理功能提供了线索。     

Mechanisms of Lipid Scrambling by the G Protein-Coupled Receptor Opsin

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Structural Studies of G Protein-Coupled Receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest and the most physiologically important membrane protein family that recognizes a variety of environmental stimuli, and are drug targets in the treatment of numerous diseases. Recent progress on GPCR structural studies shed light on molecular mechanisms of GPCR ligand recognition, activation and allosteric modulation, as well as structural basis of GPCR dimerization. In this review, we will discuss the structural features of GPCRs and structural insights of different aspects of GPCR biological functions.     

RACK1 Regulates the Cell Surface Expression of the G Protein-Coupled Receptor for Thromboxane A2

We used the yeast two-hybrid system to screen for proteins that interact with the C-terminus of the β isoform of the thromboxane A₂ receptor (TPβ). This screen identified receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) as a new TPβ-interacting protein. Here, we show that RACK1 directly binds to the C-terminus and the first intracellular loop of TPβ. The TPβ–RACK1 association was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation studies in HEK293 cells and was not modulated by stimulation of the receptor. We observed that cell surface expression of TPβ was increased when RACK1 was overexpressed, while it was inhibited when endogenous RACK1 expression was knocked down by small interfering RNA. Confocal microscopy confirmed the impaired cell surface expression of TPβ and suggested that the receptors remained predominantly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in RACK1-depleted cells. Confocal microscopy also revealed that a transient TPβ–RACK1 association takes place in the ER. The effect of RACK1 on receptor trafficking to the cell surface appears to be selective to some G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) because inhibition of RACK1 expression also affected cell surface targeting of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor and CXCR4 but not of β₂-adrenergic and prostanoid DP receptors. Our data demonstrate for the first time a direct interaction between RACK1 and a GPCR and identify a novel role for RACK1 in the regulation of the transport of a membrane receptor from the ER to the cell surface.     

On the G Protein-Coupled Receptor Neuromodulation of the Claustrum

Neurochemical Research - G protein-coupled receptors modulate the synaptic glutamate and GABA transmission of the claustrum. The work focused on the transmitter–receptor relationships in the...     

Cholesterol Interaction Sites on the Transmembrane Domain of the Hedgehog Signal Transducer and Class F G Protein-Coupled Receptor Smoothened

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Structural Model of Ghrelin Bound to its G Protein-Coupled Receptor

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Regulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling by A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins

Specificity of transduction events is controlled at the molecular level by scaffold, anchoring, and adaptor proteins, which position signaling enzymes at proper subcellular localization. This allows their efficient catalytic activation and accurate substrate selection. A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) are group of functionally related proteins that compartmentalize the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and other signaling enyzmes at precise subcellular sites in close proximity to their physiological substrate(s) and favor specific phosphorylation events. Recent evidence suggests that AKAP transduction complexes play a key role in regulating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Regulation can occur at multiple levels because AKAPs have been shown both to directly modulate GPCR function and to act as downstream effectors of GPCR signaling. In this minireview, we focus on the molecular mechanisms through which AKAP-signaling complexes modulate GPCR transduction cascades.     

Internalization of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Single Olfactory Receptor Neurons

Abstract : Desensitization of many G protein-coupled receptors after ligand binding generally involves phosphorylation of the receptors and internalization of the ligandbound, phosphorylated receptors by a clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. Olfactory receptor neurons from the channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) express the G protein-coupled odorant receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors. To determine whether a clathrin-dependent receptor internalization pathway exists in olfactory receptor neurons, western blotting and immunocytochemistry were used to identify and localize clathrin and dynamin in isolated olfactory neurons. Clathrin and dynamin immunoreactivity was found in the cell bodies, dendrites, and dendritic knobs of the neurons. Using the activity-dependent fluorescent dye FM1-43 to monitor receptor internalization, we show that single olfactory neurons stimulated with the odorant amino acid l -glumate internalized the dye. Odorant-stimulated neurons showed a consistent pattern of internalized FM1-43 fluorescence localized in the cell bodies and dendritic knobs. Odorant-stimulated internalization was unaffected by the caveolae activator okadaic acid and was significantly decreased by a metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, suggesting that a functional, clathrindependent, receptor-mediated internalization pathway exists in olfactory receptor neurons.     

G蛋白偶联胆汁酸受体1促进胃癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭的实验研究

目的:探讨G蛋白偶联胆汁酸受体1(G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1,GPBAR1/TGR5)对胃癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法:免疫组织化学染色方法(Immunohistochemistry,IHC)检测胃癌及癌旁组织芯片中TGR5表达情况;qRT-PCR及Western blot检测胃癌细胞系中TGR5表达水平;小干扰RNA处理AGS、MKN-45胃癌细胞后构建TGR5敲减细胞系,慢病毒载体转染胃癌SGC-7901细胞构建TGR5过表达细胞系;CCK-8实验、平板克隆形成实验、裸鼠皮下移植瘤实验检测TGR5对细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞仪检测TGR5对细胞周期及凋亡的影响;Tanswell实验检测TGR5对胃癌细胞迁移及侵袭的影响;Western blot检测上皮间充质转化(Epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)相关分子β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)、锌脂蛋白转录因子(Snail)、E盒结合锌指蛋白(Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1,ZEB)1在AGS、MKN-45及SGC-7901胃癌细胞中的表达。结果:TGR5在胃癌及癌旁组织中均有表达,胃癌组织TGR5高表达率(41.0%)显著高于癌旁组织(9.5%),伴肠化生癌旁组织TGR5高表达率(50%)显著高于不伴肠化生的癌旁组织(0%),胃癌组织TGR5表达与肿瘤大小相关。TGR5在正常人胃上皮永生化细胞株GES-1及各胃癌细胞系中均有表达。TGR5表达敲低的AGS和MKN-45细胞增殖能力减弱、凋亡率显著升高、侵袭和迁移能力显著降低。过表达TGR5的SGC-7901细胞增殖能力增强、克隆形成能力提高、凋亡率明显减低、侵袭和迁移能力显著升高。此外,TGR5过表达显著上调了间质细胞标志物β-catenin、Snail、ZEB1的表达水平。结论:TGR5能够增强胃癌细胞增殖及迁移能力,并抑制细胞凋亡。TGR5可能通过EMT途径介导胃癌细胞转移。     

Agonist-Specific Regulation of δ-Opioid Receptor Trafficking by G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase and β-Arrestin

Abstract

Opioid receptors mediate multiple biological functions through their interaction with endogenous opioid peptides as well as opioid alkaloids including morphine and etorphine. Previously we have reported that the ability of distinct opioid agonists to differentially regulate μ-opioid receptor (μOR) responsiveness is related to their ability to promote G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-dependent phosphorylation of the receptor (1). In the present study, we further examined the role of GRK and β-arrestin in agonist-specific regulation of the δ-opioid receptor (δOR). While both etorphine and morphine effectively activate the δOR, only etorphine triggers robust δOR phosphorylation followed by plasma membrane translocation of β-arrestin and receptor internalization. In contrast, morphine is unable to either elicit δOR phosphorylation or stimulate β-arrestin translocation, correlating with its inability to cause δOR internalization. Unlike for the μOR, overexpression of GRK2 results in neither the enhancement of δOR sequestration nor the rescue of δOR-mediated β-arrestin translocation. Therefore, our findings not only point to the existence of marked differences in the ability of different opioid agonists to promote δOR phosphorylation by GRK and binding to β-arrestin, but also demonstrate differences in the regulation of two opioid receptor subtypes. These observations may have important implications for our understanding of the distinct ability of various opioids in inducing opioid tolerance and addiction.     

G蛋白偶联受体激酶的调控

G蛋白偶联受体激酶(G protein-coupled receptor kinase,GRK)特异地使活化的G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptor,GPCR)发生磷酸化及脱敏化,从而终止后者介导的信号转导通路。研究表明,GRK的功能被高度调控,并具有下行调节GPCR的能力。调控GRK功能的机制包括两个层次：(1)多种途径调控激酶的亚细胞定位及活性,包括GPCR介导、G蛋白偶联、磷脂作用、Ca^2 结合蛋白调控、蛋白激酶C活化、MAPK反馈抑制、小窝蛋白抑制等;(2)调控GRK表达水平,主要体现在其与某些疾病的联系。     

Characterisation of AmphiAmR11, an Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) D2-Dopamine-Like G Protein-Coupled Receptor

The evolution of the biogenic amine signalling system in vertebrates is unclear. However, insights can be obtained from studying the structures and signalling properties of biogenic amine receptors from the protochordate, amphioxus, which is an invertebrate species that exists at the base of the chordate lineage. Here we describe the signalling properties of AmphiAmR11, an amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) G protein-coupled receptor which has structural similarities to vertebrate α₂-adrenergic receptors but which functionally acts as a D₂ dopamine-like receptor when expressed in Chinese hamster ovary -K1 cells. AmphiAmR11 inhibits forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP levels with tyramine, phenylethylamine and dopamine being the most potent agonists. AmphiAmR11 also increases mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and calcium mobilisation, and in both pathways, dopamine was found to be more potent than tyramine. Thus, differences in the relative effectiveness of various agonists in the different second messenger assay systems suggest that the receptor displays agonist-specific coupling (biased agonism) whereby different agonists stabilize different conformations of the receptor which lead to the enhancement of one signalling pathway over another. The present study provides insights into the evolution of α₂-adrenergic receptor signalling and support the hypothesis that α₂-adrenergic receptors evolved from D₂-dopamine receptors. The AmphiAmR11 receptor may represent a transition state between D₂-dopamine receptors and α₂-adrenergic receptors.     

雌激素膜受体GPER1 通过调节Nrf2 减轻心肌氧化损伤

目的:观察雌激素膜受体GPER1对心肌细胞氧化损伤的保护作用,并探讨其通过PI3K/Akt信号通路上调Nrf2,减轻心肌氧化损伤的机制。方法:H_2O_2处理原代培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞建立氧化损伤模型,分为对照组、H_2O_2处理组,GPER1受体激动剂G1预处理+H_2O_2处理组和GPER1拮抗剂G15+G1预处理+H_2O_2处理组,MTT检测细胞活性,Hoechst33342染色和cleaved caspase-3免疫荧光染色观察细胞凋亡,并检测细胞内氧自由基,总抗氧化能力,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)的水平。Western blot测定细胞中p-Akt和细胞核内Nrf2的水平。结果:G1显著抑制H_2O_2导致细胞活性下降和细胞凋亡,并降低细胞内氧自由基水平,提高总抗氧化能力,增加SOD活性,减少MDA含量,但G15能拮抗G1的上述效应。同时G1能增加细胞内Akt磷酸化水平和细胞核内Nrf2的表达,这些效应可被G15和LY-294002阻断。结论:GPER1通过PI3K/Akt信号通路,调节Nrf2的表达,抑制氧化应激导致的心肌细胞损伤。GPER1可以作为开发心肌缺血损伤保护剂的一个潜在靶点。     

Radiolabeled Ligands Specific for the G Protein-Coupled State of Neurotensin Receptors

Abstract: Radiolabeled analogues of neuromedin N have been prepared by acylation of the α, ε1, and ε2 amino groups of [Lys²]neuromedin N (Lys-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu) either with the ¹²⁵I-labeled Bolton-Hunter reagent or with N -succinimidyl[2,3-³H]propionate. The binding properties of the purified analogues toward newborn mouse brain homogenate or toward membranes of cells transitorily (COS) or permanently (AA1) transfected with the cloned rat brain neurotensin receptor cDNA were evaluated and compared with those of radiolabeled neurotensin. The α-modified analogue of [Lys²]neuromedin N behaves exactly like neurotensin in these binding experiments, whereas the ε1- and ε2-modified analogues selectively recognize the fraction of neurotensin binding sites that is sensitive to GTPγS. The proportion of neurotensin receptors coupled to GTP binding proteins is ∼50% in membranes of newborn mouse brain or of AA1 cells that respond to neurotensin by an increase of the intracellular inositol trisphosphate concentration. By contrast, membranes of transitorily transfected COS cells that do not respond to neurotensin exhibit very low levels of GTP-sensitive receptors labeled with the ε1- or ε2-modified analogues. These radiolabeled peptides offer new tools to selectively detect active neurotensin receptors.