Apelin and its g protein-coupled receptor regulate cardiac development as well as cardiac function

The Apelin pathway has only recently emerged as an important regulator of cardiac and vascular function, mediating adaptation to physiological stress and disease. In this issue of Developmental Cell, experiments in zebrafish convincingly show a critical role for this pathway in myocardial cell specification and heart development.     

The C-terminus of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1b regulates dimerization of the receptor

The Group C G protein-coupled receptors include the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), the GABA_B receptor, the calcium sensor and several taste receptors, most of which are obligate dimers, indeed recent work has shown that dimerization is necessary for the activation of these receptors. Consequently factors that regulate their ability to homo- or heterodimerize are important. The Group 1 mGluRs include mGluR1 and mGluR5 both of which have splice variants with altered C-termini. In this study, we show that mGluR1b is a dimer and that it does not efficiently heterodimerize with mGluR1a, unlike the two splice variants of mGluR5 that can heterodimerize. Mutation of a positively charged motif (RRKK) at the C-terminus of the mGluR1b tail permits mGluR1b to heterodimerize with mGluR1a. Co-expression of mGluR1a and mGluR1b in COS-7 cells results in the accumulation of mGluR1b in intracellular inclusions that do not contain mGluR1a. This behaviour is mimicked by a chimera of the lymphocyte antigen CD2 with the C-terminus of mGluR1b (pCD1b) and depends on the presence of the RRKK motif. These accumulations are immunoreactive for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers, but not Golgi and ERGIC markers. This segregation of mGluR1b from other ER proteins may contribute to its failure to dimerize with mGluR1a.     

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.     

FGF/EGF signaling regulates the renewal of early nephron progenitors during embryonic development

Recent studies indicate that nephron progenitor cells of the embryonic kidney are arranged in a series of compartments of an increasing state of differentiation. The earliest progenitor compartment, distinguished by expression of CITED1, possesses greater capacity for renewal and differentiation than later compartments. Signaling events governing progression of nephron progenitor cells through stages of increasing differentiation are poorly understood, and their elucidation will provide key insights into normal and dysregulated nephrogenesis, as well as into regenerative processes that follow kidney injury. In this study, we found that the mouse CITED1(+) progenitor compartment is maintained in response to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands that activate both FGF and EGF receptors. This RTK signaling function is dependent on RAS and PI3K signaling but not ERK. In vivo, RAS inactivation by expression of sprouty 1 (Spry1) in CITED1(+) nephron progenitors results in loss of characteristic molecular marker expression and in increased death of progenitor cells. Lineage tracing shows that surviving Spry1-expressing progenitor cells are impaired in their subsequent epithelial differentiation, infrequently contributing to epithelial structures. These findings demonstrate that the survival and developmental potential of cells in the earliest embryonic nephron progenitor cell compartment are dependent on FGF/EGF signaling through RAS.     

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 regulates beta 1-adrenergic receptor association with PSD-95.

We previously reported that the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (beta(1)AR) associates with PSD-95 through a PDZ domain-mediated interaction, by which PSD-95 modulates beta(1)AR function and facilitates the physical association of beta(1)AR with other synaptic proteins such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Here we demonstrate that beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 is regulated by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5). When beta(1)AR and PSD-95 were coexpressed with either GRK2 or GRK5 in COS-7 cells, GRK5 alone dramatically decreased the association of beta(1)AR with PSD-95, although GRK2 and GRK5 both could be co-immunoprecipitated with beta(1)AR and both could enhance receptor phosphorylation in vivo. Increasing expression of GRK5 in the cells led to further decreased beta(1)AR association with PSD-95. Stimulation with the beta(1)AR agonist isoproterenol further decreased PSD-95 binding to beta(1)AR. In addition, GRK5 protein kinase activity was required for this regulatory effect since a kinase-inactive GRK5 mutant had no effect on PSD-95 binding to beta(1)AR. Moreover, the regulatory effect of GRK5 on beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 was observed only when GRK5 was expressed together with the receptor, but not when GRK5 was coexpressed with PSD-95. Thus, we propose that GRK5 regulates beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 through phosphorylation of beta(1)AR. Regulation of protein association through receptor phosphorylation may be a general mechanism used by G protein-coupled receptors that associate via PDZ domain-mediated protein/protein interactions.     

Integration of signals from receptor tyrosine kinases and g protein-coupled receptors

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) leads to stimulation of classical G protein signaling pathways. In addition, GPCRs can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPKs, and thereby influence cell proliferation, cell differentiation and mitogenesis. Cross talk between GPCRs and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is an incredibly complex process, and the exact signaling molecules involved are largely dependent on the cell type and the type of receptor that is activated. In this review we investigate recent advances that have been made in understanding the mechanisms of cross talk between GPCRs and RTKs, with a focus on GPCR-mediated activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway, GPCR-induced transactivation of RTKs, GPCR-mediated activation of JNK, and p38 MAPK, integration of signals by RhoGTPases, and activation of G protein signaling pathways by RTKs.     

The Medicago truncatula CRE1 cytokinin receptor regulates lateral root development and early symbiotic interaction with Sinorhizobium meliloti

Legumes develop different types of lateral organs from their primary root, lateral roots and nodules, the latter depending on a symbiotic interaction with Sinorhizobium meliloti. Phytohormones have been shown to function in the control of these organogeneses. However, related signaling pathways have not been identified in legumes. We cloned and characterized the expression of Medicago truncatula genes encoding members of cytokinin signaling pathways. RNA interference of the cytokinin receptor homolog Cytokinin Response1 (Mt CRE1) led to cytokinin-insensitive roots, which showed an increased number of lateral roots and a strong reduction in nodulation. Both the progression of S. meliloti infection and nodule primordia formation were affected. We also identified two cytokinin signaling response regulator genes, Mt RR1 and Mt RR4, which are induced early during the symbiotic interaction. Induction of these genes by S. meliloti infection is altered in mutants affected in the Nod factor signaling pathway; conversely, cytokinin regulation of the early nodulin Nodule Inception1 (Mt NIN) depends on Mt CRE1. Hence, cytokinin signaling mediated by a single receptor, Mt CRE1, leads to an opposite control of symbiotic nodule and lateral root organogenesis. Mt NIN, Mt RR1, and Mt RR4 define a common pathway activated during early S. meliloti interaction, allowing crosstalk between plant cytokinins and bacterial Nod factors signals.     

Presynaptic regulation of neurotransmission in Drosophila by the g protein-coupled receptor methuselah

Regulation of synaptic strength is essential for neuronal information processing, but the molecular mechanisms that control changes in neuroexocytosis are only partially known. Here we show that the putative G protein-coupled receptor Methuselah (Mth) is required in the presynaptic motor neuron to acutely upregulate neurotransmitter exocytosis at larval Drosophila NMJs. Mutations in the mth gene reduce evoked neurotransmitter release by approximately 50%, and decrease synaptic area and the density of docked and clustered vesicles. Pre- but not postsynaptic expression of normal Mth restored normal release in mth mutants. Conditional expression of Mth restored normal release and normal vesicle docking and clustering but not the reduced size of synaptic sites, suggesting that Mth acutely adjusts vesicle trafficking to synaptic sites.     

The G protein-coupled receptor gpr1 is a nutrient sensor that regulates pseudohyphal differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Pseudohyphal differentiation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is induced in diploid cells in response to nitrogen starvation and abundant fermentable carbon source. Filamentous growth requires at least two signaling pathways: the pheromone responsive MAP kinase cascade and the Gpa2p-cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. Recent studies have established a physical and functional link between the Galpha protein Gpa2 and the G protein-coupled receptor homolog Gpr1. We report here that the Gpr1 receptor is required for filamentous and haploid invasive growth and regulates expression of the cell surface flocculin Flo11. Epistasis analysis supports a model in which the Gpr1 receptor regulates pseudohyphal growth via the Gpa2p-cAMP-PKA pathway and independently of both the MAP kinase cascade and the PKA related kinase Sch9. Genetic and physiological studies indicate that the Gpr1 receptor is activated by glucose and other structurally related sugars. Because expression of the GPR1 gene is known to be induced by nitrogen starvation, the Gpr1 receptor may serve as a dual sensor of abundant carbon source (sugar ligand) and nitrogen starvation. In summary, our studies reveal a novel G protein-coupled receptor senses nutrients and regulates the dimorphic transition to filamentous growth via a Galpha protein-cAMP-PKA signal transduction cascade.     

Phosphorylation-independent regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 signaling requires g protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 binding to the second intracellular loop

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are members of a unique class of G protein-coupled receptors (class III) that include the calcium-sensing and gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptors. The activity of mGluRs is regulated by second messenger-dependent protein kinases and G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). The attenuation of both mGluR1a and mGluR1b signaling by GRK2 is phosphorylation- and beta-arrestin-independent and requires the concomitant association of GRK2 with both the receptor and Galpha(q/11). G protein interactions are mediated, in part, by the mGluR1 intracellular second loop, but the domains required for GRK2 binding are unknown. In the present study, we showed that GRK2 binds to the second intracellular loop of mGluR1a and mGluR1b and also to the mGluR1a carboxyl-terminal tail. Alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed a discrete domain within loop 2 that contributes to GRK2 binding, and the mutation of either lysine 691 or 692 to an alanine within this domain resulted in a loss of GRK2 binding to both mGluR1a and mGluR1b. Mutation of either Lys(691) or Lys(692) prevented GRK2-mediated attenuation of mGluR1b signaling, whereas the mutation of only Lys(692) prevented GRK2-mediated inhibition of mGluR1a signaling. Thus, the mGluR1a carboxyl-terminal tail may also be involved in regulating the signaling of the mGluR1a splice variant. Taken together, our findings indicated that kinase binding to an mGluR1 domain involved in G protein-coupling is essential for the phosphorylation-independent attenuation of signaling by GRK2.     

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 phosphorylates nucleophosmin and regulates cell sensitivity to polo-like kinase 1 inhibition

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) phosphorylate activated G protein-coupled receptors, leading to their desensitization and endocytosis. GRKs have also been implicated in phosphorylating other classes of proteins and can localize in a variety of cellular compartments, including the nucleus. Here, we attempted to identify potential nuclear substrates for GRK5. Our studies reveal that GRK5 is able to interact with and phosphorylate nucleophosmin (NPM1) both in vitro and in intact cells. NPM1 is a nuclear protein that regulates a variety of cell functions including centrosomal duplication, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. GRK5 interaction with NPM1 is mediated by the N-terminal domain of each protein, and GRK5 primarily phosphorylates NPM1 at Ser-4, a site shared with polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). NPM1 phosphorylation by GRK5 and PLK1 correlates with the sensitivity of cells to undergo apoptosis with cells having higher GRK5 levels being less sensitive and cells with lower GRK5 being more sensitive to PLK1 inhibitor-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GRK5 phosphorylates Ser-4 in nucleophosmin and regulates the sensitivity of cells to PLK1 inhibition.     

The chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 couple to distinct g protein-coupled receptor kinases to mediate and regulate leukocyte functions

The chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, couple to Gαi to induce leukocyte recruitment and activation at sites of inflammation. Upon activation by CXCL8, these receptors become phosphorylated, desensitized, and internalized. In this study, we investigated the role of different G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) in CXCR1- and CXCR2-mediated cellular functions. To that end, short hairpin RNA was used to inhibit GRK2, 3, 5, and 6 in RBL-2H3 cells stably expressing CXCR1 or CXCR2, and CXCL8-mediated receptor activation and regulation were assessed. Inhibition of GRK2 and GRK6 increased CXCR1 and CXCR2 resistance to phosphorylation, desensitization, and internalization, respectively, and enhanced CXCL8-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis and exocytosis in vitro. GRK2 depletion diminished CXCR1-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation but had no effect on CXCR2-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. GRK6 depletion had no significant effect on CXCR1 function. However, peritoneal neutrophils from mice deficient in GRK6 (GRK6(-/-)) displayed an increase in CXCR2-mediated G protein activation but in vitro exhibited a decrease in chemotaxis, receptor desensitization, and internalization relative to wild-type (GRK6(+/+)) cells. In contrast, neutrophil recruitment in vivo in GRK6(-/-) mice was increased in response to delivery of CXCL1 through the air pouch model. In a wound-closure assay, GRK6(-/-) mice showed enhanced myeloperoxidase activity, suggesting enhanced neutrophil recruitment, and faster wound closure compared with GRK6(+/+) animals. Taken together, the results indicate that CXCR1 and CXCR2 couple to distinct GRK isoforms to mediate and regulate inflammatory responses. CXCR1 predominantly couples to GRK2, whereas CXCR2 interacts with GRK6 to negatively regulate receptor sensitization and trafficking, thus affecting cell signaling and angiogenesis.     

Interaction of 11-cis-retinol dehydrogenase with the chromophore of retinal g protein-coupled receptor opsin

Vertebrate opsins in both photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have fundamental roles in the visual process. The visual pigments in photoreceptors are bound to 11-cis-retinal and are responsible for the initiation of visual excitation. Retinochrome-like opsins in the RPE are bound to all-trans-retinal and play an important role in chromophore metabolism. The retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) of the RPE and Müller cells is an abundant opsin that generates 11-cis-retinal by stereospecific photoisomerization of its bound all-trans-retinal chromophore. We have analyzed a 32-kDa protein (p32) that co-purifies with bovine RGR from RPE microsomes. The co-purified p32 was identified by mass spectrometric analysis as 11-cis-retinol dehydrogenase (cRDH), and enzymatic assays have confirmed the isolation of an active cRDH. The co-purified cRDH showed marked substrate preference to 11-cis-retinal and preferred NADH rather than NADPH as the cofactor in reduction reactions. cRDH did not react with endogenous all-trans-retinal bound to RGR but reacted specifically with 11-cis-retinal that was generated by photoisomerization after irradiation of RGR. The reduction of 11-cis-retinal to 11-cis-retinol by cRDH enhanced the net photoisomerization of all-trans-retinal bound to RGR. These results indicate that cRDH is involved in the processing of 11-cis-retinal after irradiation of RGR opsin and suggest that cRDH has a novel role in the visual cycle.     

Conformational changes in the g protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin revealed by histidine hydrogen-deuterium exchange

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are activated by ligand binding, allowing extracellular signals to be efficiently transmitted through the membrane to the G protein recognition site, 40 ? away. Utilizing His residues found spaced throughout the GPCR, rhodopsin, we used His hydrogen-deuterium exchange (His-HDX) to monitor long-time scale structural rearrangements previously inaccessible by other means. The half-lives of His-HDX indicate clear differences in the solvent accessibility of three His residues in rhodopsin/opsin and Zn2+-dependent changes in the pKa for His195. These results indicate the utility of His-HDX in examining structural rearrangements in native source and membrane proteins without requiring structural modification.     

Cytoplasmic tail of D1 dopaminergic receptor differentially regulates desensitization and phosphorylation by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and 3

Herein, we investigate the differential D1 dopaminergic receptor (D1R) regulation by G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) 2 and 3 using two truncated receptors lacking the distal (Δ425) and distal-central (Δ379) cytoplasmic tail (CT) regions. We first show the association between D1R and GRKs in co-transfected cells and rat striatum. Our studies further indicate that deletion of distal CT region of D1R does not alter the association between receptor and GRK2. Meanwhile, removal of both distal and central CT regions culminates in a drastic increase in the basal association between Δ379 and GRK2 relative to D1R and Δ425. Interestingly, CT truncations have no effect on the basal and DA-induced association of receptors with GRK3. Furthermore, we demonstrate that desensitization of D1R is considerably more robust in cells expressing GRK3. Notably, the robust GRK3-induced D1R desensitization is not attenuated by CT deletions. However, GRK2-induced Δ425 desensitization is not detectable whereas we unexpectedly find that Δ379 desensitization is similar to GRK2-induced D1R desensitization. GRK2 and GRK3-dependent desensitization of wild type D1R is not linked to differences in the extent of DA-induced receptor phosphorylation. Moreover, our studies show that GRK2-induced D1R phosphorylation is only modulated by deletion of distal CT region while distal and central CT regions control GRK3-induced D1R phosphorylation. Intriguingly, dopamine-induced Δ379 phosphorylation by GRK3 was significantly lower than receptor phosphorylation in cells harboring Δ379 alone or Δ379 and GRK2. Overall, our study suggests an intricate interplay between CT regions of D1R in differentially regulating receptor responsiveness by GRK2 and GRK3.     

The Arabidopsis putative G protein-coupled receptor GCR1 interacts with the G protein alpha subunit GPA1 and regulates abscisic acid signaling

Heterotrimeric G proteins composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits link ligand perception by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with downstream effectors, providing a ubiquitous signaling mechanism in eukaryotes. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes single prototypical Galpha (GPA1) and Gbeta (AGB1) subunits, and two probable Ggamma subunits (AGG1 and AGG2). One Arabidopsis gene, GCR1, encodes a protein with significant sequence similarity to nonplant GPCRs and a predicted 7-transmembrane domain structure characteristic of GPCRs. However, whether GCR1 actually interacts with GPA1 was unknown. We demonstrate by in vitro pull-down assays, by yeast split-ubiquitin assays, and by coimmunoprecipitation from plant tissue that GCR1 and GPA1 are indeed physically coupled. GCR1-GPA1 interaction depends on intracellular domains of GCR1. gcr1 T-DNA insertional mutants exhibit hypersensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) in assays of root growth, gene regulation, and stomatal response. gcr1 guard cells are also hypersensitive to the lipid metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is a transducer of the ABA signal upstream of GPA1. Because gpa1 mutants exhibit insensitivity in aspects of guard cell ABA and S1P responses, whereas gcr1 mutants exhibit hypersensitivity, GCR1 may act as a negative regulator of GPA1-mediated ABA responses in guard cells.