Expression of the human melanocortin-2 receptor in different eukaryotic cells

The human melanocortin-2 receptor (hMC2R) is mainly present in the adrenal cortex and has been difficult to express in heterologous cells. The hMC2R fused to the EGFP at its C-terminus has been stably transfected in the murine M3 melanoma and HEK293 cells. In the M3 cells, the hMC2R-EGFP was well-addressed to the cell membrane and functional whereas in the HEK293 cells, the hMC2R-EGFP was retained intracellularly. These results suggest that some specific factors, missing in cells, which do not express any melanocortin receptor, are involved in the correct addressing of the hMC2R to the cell membrane.     

Characterization of cell lines stably expressing human normal or mutated EGFP-tagged MC4R

The melanocortin receptor type 4 (MC4-R) is involved in food intake and represents a potential target for the treatment of some forms of obesity. The fluorescent protein EGFP was fused to the wild-type or mutated coding sequence of the human MC4-R. After transfection in HEK 293, clones stably expressing hMC4-R-EGFP were selected. Wild-type chimeric hMC4-R was well addressed to the cell membrane as demonstrated using confocal microscopy and displayed the same pharmacological characteristics as native hMC4R. NDP-alpha MSH induced a time-dependent internalization of MC4-R that was partially prevented by AgRP. The two mutated chimeric receptors studied here (CTCT-deleted and C271A) showed a high alteration of their response to ligand and were retained inside the cells. In conclusion, we have developed a model of clones stably expressing EGFP-tagged-hMC4-R. This is the only such model available to date and it provides a useful tool to follow the trafficking of MC4-R inside living cells.     

Intracellular trafficking of a tagged and functional mammalian olfactory receptor

Tagged G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been used to facilitate intracellular visualization of these receptors. We have used a combination of adenoviral vector gene transfer and tagged olfactory receptors to help visualize mammalian olfactory receptor proteins in the normal olfactory epithelium of rats, and in cell culture. Three recombinant adenoviral vectors were generated carrying variously tagged versions of rat olfactory receptor I7. The constructs include an N‐terminal Flag epitope tag (Flag:I7), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein (EGFP:I7), and a C‐terminal EGFP fusion (I7:EGFP). These receptor constructs were assayed in rat olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and in a heterologous system (HEK 293 cell line) for protein localization and functional expression. Functional expression of the tagged receptor proteins was tested by electroolfactogram (EOG) recordings in the infected rat olfactory epithelium, and by calcium imaging in single cells. Our results demonstrate that the I7:EGFP fusion protein and Flag:I7 are functionally expressed in OSNs while the EGFP:I7 fusion is not, probably due to inappropriate processing of the protein in the cells. These data suggest that a small epitope tag (Flag) at the N‐terminus, or EGFP located at the C‐terminus of the receptor, does not affect ligand binding or downstream signaling. In addition, both functional fusion proteins (Flag:I7 and I7:EGFP) are properly targeted to the plasma membrane of HEK 293 cells. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 56–68, 2002     

Intracellular trafficking of a tagged and functional mammalian olfactory receptor.

Tagged G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been used to facilitate intracellular visualization of these receptors. We have used a combination of adenoviral vector gene transfer and tagged olfactory receptors to help visualize mammalian olfactory receptor proteins in the normal olfactory epithelium of rats, and in cell culture. Three recombinant adenoviral vectors were generated carrying variously tagged versions of rat olfactory receptor I7. The constructs include an N-terminal Flag epitope tag (Flag:I7), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein (EGFP:I7), and a C-terminal EGFP fusion (I7:EGFP). These receptor constructs were assayed in rat olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and in a heterologous system (HEK 293 cell line) for protein localization and functional expression. Functional expression of the tagged receptor proteins was tested by electroolfactogram (EOG) recordings in the infected rat olfactory epithelium, and by calcium imaging in single cells. Our results demonstrate that the I7:EGFP fusion protein and Flag:I7 are functionally expressed in OSNs while the EGFP:I7 fusion is not, probably due to inappropriate processing of the protein in the cells. These data suggest that a small epitope tag (Flag) at the N-terminus, or EGFP located at the C-terminus of the receptor, does not affect ligand binding or downstream signaling. In addition, both functional fusion proteins (Flag:I7 and I7:EGFP) are properly targeted to the plasma membrane of HEK 293 cells.     

ACTH1-17 is a more potent agonist at the human MC1 receptor than alpha-MSH.

The melanocortin receptor MC1 is expressed on melanocytes and is an important control point for melanogenesis and other responses. Alpha-MSH, which is considered to be the major ligand at the human melanocortin (MC)1 receptor (hMC1R), is produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary and in the skin by melanocytes and keratinocytes. Other POMC peptides are also produced in the skin and their concentrations exceed those of alpha-MSH by several fold. One of the most abundant is ACTH1-17. We have shown that adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)1-17 is more potent than alpha-MSH in stimulating melanogenesis in human melanocytes and unlike alpha-MSH produces a biphasic dose response curve. In this study we have examined the ability of ACTH1-17 to function as a ligand at the hMC1R. Competitive binding assays with [125I]Nle4 DPhe7 alpha-MSH as labelled ligand were carried out in HEK 293 cells transfected with the hMC1R. ACTH1-17 showed high affinity for the hMC1R with a Ki value of 0.21 +/- 0.03 nM which was slightly higher than that of 0.13 +/- 0.005 nM for alpha-MSH. ACTH1-17 was, however, more potent than alpha-MSH in increasing cAMP and IP3 production in the transfected cells. Our results demonstrate that ACTH1-17 is a potent agonist at the hMC1R. It is therefore possible that ACTH1-17, which is found in the skin in greater concentrations than alpha-MSH, has an important role in the regulation of human melanocytes and other cell types that express the hMC1R.     

The EGFP/hERG fusion protein alter the electrophysiological properties of hERG channels in HEK293 cells

EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) tagged to either the N (amino)-terminus [EGFP/hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene)] or C (carboxyl)-terminus (hERG/EGFP) of hERG channel is used to study mutant channel protein trafficking for several years. However, it has been reported that the process can alter hERG channel properties. The aim of the study was to determine whether EGFP tagged to N-terminus of hERG channels would alter the cellular localizations and the electrophysiological properties of hERG channels compared with untagged hERG channels. The hERG channels tagged with or without EGFP were transiently expressed in HEK (human embryonic kidney) 293 cells using a lipofectamine method. HEK 293 cells expressing pCDNA3-hERG or pEGFP-hERG were double immunolabelled with anti-hERG and anti-calnexin (an ER marker protein) followed with FITC- and TRITC (tetramethylrhodamine β-isothiocyanate)-labelled secondary antibodies, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to observe the cellular localization of EGFP-tagged hERG channels and untagged hERG channels. Patch-clamp technique was used to record whole cell currents. We found that the EGFP/hERG fusion protein and untagged hERG channels were both expressed not only on the cell surface membrane but also in the cytoplasm of HEK293 cells. The EGFP/hERG appeared to influence the hERG channel gating properties, including reduction of the peak tail current density, more rapid inactivation process, faster recovery from inactivation and faster deactivation kinetics compared with untagged hERG channels. Our results suggest that the EGFP/hERG channel alter the electrophysiological properties of hERG channel, but it does not seem to alter the cellular location of hERG channels. Thus, EGFP tagging to N-terminus might be used for research of subcellular location of hERG channels but not for the channel electrophysiological properties.     

Use of short-lived green fluorescent protein for the detection of proteasome inhibition

Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were stably transduced with a retroviral vector containing an expression cassette for a short-lived green fluorescent protein (d2EGFP) and the neomycin resistance gene (Neor). When Neor HEK293 clones were treated with proteasome inhibitors, lactacystin or MG132, an increase in the constitutive levels of d2EGFP expression was observed. Based on flow cytometry, proteasome inhibitors induced a 5- to 10-fold increase in the fluorescent intensity of d2EGFP in HEK293 cell clones. However, in the presence of proteasome inhibitors, HEK293 clones showed a 4- to 6.5-fold increase in d2EGFP concentration as determined by western blot analysis. Our data suggest that d2EGFP is a useful indicator of proteasome inhibition. Therefore, stable expression of d2EGFP in mammalian cells is potentially useful for high-throughput screening of cDNAs or pharmaceutical drugs that repress proteasome functions in vivo.     

Impact of Cell Type and Epitope Tagging on Heterologous Expression of G Protein-Coupled Receptor: A Systematic Study on Angiotensin Type II Receptor

Despite heterologous expression of epitope-tagged GPCR is widely adopted for functional characterization, there is lacking of systematic analysis of the impact of expression host and epitope tag on GPCR expression. Angiotensin type II (AT2) receptor displays agonist-dependent and -independent activities, coupling to a spectrum of signaling molecules. However, consensus has not been reached on the subcellular distributions, signaling cascades and receptor-mediated actions. To examine the contributions of host cell and epitope tag on receptor expression and activity, epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants were transiently or stably expressed in HEK293, CHO-K1 and PC12 cells. The epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants were detected both on the cell membrane and in the perinuclear region. In transiently transfected HEK293 cells, Myc-AT2 existed predominantly as monomer. Additionally, a ladder of ubiquitinated AT2 receptor proteins was detected. By contrast, stably expressed epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants existed as both monomer and high molecular weight complexes, and the latter was enriched in cell surface. Glycosylation promoted cell surface expression of Myc-AT2 but had no effect on AT2-GFP in HEK293 cells. In cells that stably expressed Myc-AT2, serum starvation induced apoptosis in CHO-K1 cells but not in HEK293 or PC12 cells. Instead, HEK293 and PC12 cells stably expressing Myc-AT2 exhibited partial cell cycle arrest with cells accumulating at G1 and S phases, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that expression levels, subcellular distributions and ligand-independent constitutive activities of AT2 receptor were cell type-dependent while posttranslational processing of nascent AT2 receptor protein was modulated by epitope tag and mode of expression.     

人P2X7真核表达载体的构建及稳定转染细胞株的建立

目的：构建人P2X7基因的真核表达载体,并通过转染获得稳定表达P2X7分子的HEK293细胞株。方法：以人脑组织P2X7cDNA为模板扩增出P2X7基因,插入到真核表达载体pEGFP-N1中,构建重组质粒pEGFP-N1/P2X7。用X-fect试剂盒将重组质粒转染HEK293细胞,通过G418辅助荧光筛选建立稳定表达P2X7-EGFP细胞株。经流式细胞仪、Western blot和激光共聚焦显微镜检测,了解人P2X7在HEK293细胞中的表达水平及细胞内定位。结果：重组质粒pEGFP-N1/P2X7构建正确,建立了稳定表达人P2X7的HEK293细胞系。Western blot和流式细胞仪检测证实,P2X7在HEK293细胞系中成功表达,激光共聚焦显微镜检测显示P2X7-EGFP定位在细胞膜上。结论：重组载体pEGFP-N1/P2X7构建成功并建立了稳定表达人P2X7的HEK293细胞系,为进一步研究P2X7离子通道结构和功能奠定基础。     

High-resolution detection of ATP release from single cultured mouse dorsal horn spinal cord glial cells and its modulation by noradrenaline

Purinergic Signalling - Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells stably transfected with the rat P2X2 receptor subunit were preincubated with 200 nM progesterone (HEK293-P2X2-PROG), a...     

Ethanol sensitivity of recombinant human N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

In this study, the ethanol sensitivity of human N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors stably expressed in L(tk-) cells, or transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells and Xenopus oocytes was determined. NMDA receptor function was measured using fura-2 calcium imaging for L(tk-) cells, whole cell voltage-clamp for HEK 293 cells, and two-electrode voltage clamp for oocytes. Ethanol inhibited NMDA receptor function in all three expression system, but was less potent for receptors expressed in L(tk-) cells. NMDA receptors composed of NR1a/2B subunits were inhibited to a greater extent by ethanol than NR1a/2A receptors when expressed in L(tk-) cells and HEK 293 cells, but not in oocytes. These results suggest that the method of receptor expression and assay system used may influence the degree of ethanol inhibition of recombinant NMDA receptors.     

Structural insight into the role of the human melanocortin 3 receptor cysteine residues on receptor function

Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R), expressed in the hypothalamus and limbic systems of the brain, as well as by peripheral sites, plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis and other physiological functions. Past work shows that MC3R-deficiency resulted in fat mass increase, feeding efficiency increase, hyperleptinemia and mild hyperinsulinemia in mice and human. MC3R belongs to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family and many studies indicate that some cysteine residues in GPCR play key roles in maintaining receptor tertiary structure and function. In this study, we examined the role of cysteine residues in MC3R on receptor function. Human MC3R (hMC3R) has eighteen cysteine residues where they are located in the extracellular loops (ELs), the transmembrane domains (TMs) and the intracellular loops (ILs). We replaced these cysteines with serine and expressed these receptors in HEK-293 cells which lack endogenous MC3R. Our results indicate that five cysteines in eighteen of the hMC3R are important for hMC3R function. Mutations, C305S, C311S, and C313S in EL3, resulted in significant decrease in receptor expression and receptor function while two other mutations C115S and C162S in TM3 significantly decreased NDP-MSH binding affinity and potency. These results suggest that extracellular cysteine residue 305, 311 and 313 are crucial for receptor expression and the transmembrane cysteine residue, C115 and 162 are important for ligand binding and signaling. These findings provide important insights into the importance of cysteine residues of hMC3R on receptor tertiary structure and function.     

The putative signal peptide of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor is not required for receptor synthesis but promotes receptor expression

GLP-1R (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor) mediates the ‘incretin effect’ and many other anti-diabetic actions of its cognate ligand, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). It belongs to the class B family of GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors) and possesses an N-terminal putative SP (signal peptide). It has been reported that this sequence is required for the synthesis of GLP-1R and is cleaved after receptor synthesis. In the present study, we conducted an in-depth exploration towards the role of the putative SP in GLP-1R synthesis. A mutant GLP-1R without this sequence was expressed in HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney 293 cells) and displayed normal functionality with respect to ligand binding and activation of adenylate cyclase. Thus the putative SP does not seem to be required for receptor synthesis. Immunoblotting analysis shows that the amount of GLP-1R synthesized in HEK293 cells is low when the putative SP is absent. This indicates that the role of the sequence is to promote the expression of GLP-1R. Furthermore, epitopes tagged at the N-terminal of GLP-1R are detectable by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting in our experiments. In conclusion, the present study points to different roles of SP in GLP-1R expression which broadens our understanding of the functionality of this putative SP of GLP-1R and possibly other Class B GPCRs.     

果蝇来源的GPCR Methuselah G蛋白偶联信号转导通路研究

Methuselah(MTH)是果蝇来源的GPCR中的一员,它的突变可延长果蝇平均寿命并提高果蝇对外界胁迫因素的耐受性。但目前对MTH在细胞水平的信号转导研究鲜有报道。该研究用稳定表达MTH的HEK293细胞株,对与该受体偶联的G蛋白选择性做了研究。首先,用免疫荧光染色、Western blot及钙流实验验证了MTH在HEK293/Myc-MTH细胞表面能稳定表达,且具有正常生物学活性;MTH受体被其配体N-stunted活化后所引起细胞内钙的上升不能被PTX预处理抑制,提示活化的MTH可能通过与Gq/11而非Gi/o蛋白相偶联;进一步研究发现,MTH激活后不显著改变细胞中的cAMP水平,表明MTH不与Gs和Gi/o相偶联;MTH被激活后可引起ERK磷酸化。这些结果提示:MTH可能是Gq/11蛋白的偶联受体,为进一步研究MTH的下游信号转导和生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Quantitative measurement of cell membrane receptor internalization by the nanoluciferase reporter: Using the G protein-coupled receptor RXFP3 as a model

Nanoluciferase (NanoLuc) is a newly developed small luciferase reporter with the brightest bioluminescence to date. In the present work, we developed NanoLuc as a sensitive bioluminescent reporter to measure quantitatively the internalization of cell membrane receptors, based on the pH dependence of the reporter activity. The G protein-coupled receptor RXFP3, the cognate receptor of relaxin-3/INSL7, was used as a model receptor. We first generated stable HEK293T cells that inducibly coexpressed a C-terminally NanoLuc-tagged human RXFP3 and a C-terminally enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged human RXFP3. The C-terminal EGFP-tag and NanoLuc-tag had no detrimental effects on the ligand-binding potency and intracellular trafficking of RXFP3. Based on the fluorescence of the tagged EGFP reporter, the ligand-induced RXFP3 internalization was visualized directly under a fluorescence microscope. Based on the bioluminescence of the tagged NanoLuc reporter, the ligand-induced RXFP3 internalization was measured quantitatively by a convenient bioluminescent assay. Coexpression of an EGFP-tagged inactive [E141R]RXFP3 had no detrimental effect on the ligand-binding potency and ligand-induced internalization of the NanoLuc-tagged wild-type RXFP3, suggesting that the mutant RXFP3 and wild-type RXFP3 worked independently. The present bioluminescent internalization assay could be extended to other G protein-coupled receptors and other cell membrane receptors to study ligand –receptor and receptor–receptor interactions.     

人尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活因子截短型突变体与绿色荧光蛋白在真核细胞HEK293F中的融合表达

目的:构建人尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活因子(uPA)截短型突变体与绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)分泌型融合表达载体并在真核细胞中表达。方法:采用PCR法,分别以质粒pIRES2-EGFP和重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/uPA为模板,扩增出带BamHⅠ和XbaⅠ酶切位点的EGFP及带NheⅠ和HindⅢ酶切位点的uPA截短体基因片段,先后将EGFP和截短型uPA基因片段克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)上,转入HEK293F细胞,用G418对转染细胞进行加压筛选,通过共聚焦显微镜观察和ELISA方法鉴定表达产物。结果:DNA测序结果显示,uPA不同截短型突变体基因片段与EGFP基因融合的真核表达载体构建成功,共聚焦显微镜观察发现HEK293F细胞中有绿色荧光且定位于细胞质中,ELISA检测到HEK293F细胞培养上清中分泌型融合蛋白的表达。结论:构建了uPA截短型突变体与EGFP分泌型融合表达载体并在真核细胞中表达,为后期研究uPA的相互作用蛋白及其生理功能奠定了基础。     

Agonist-independent localization of the NOP receptor in detergent-resistant membrane rafts

A lipid rafts/detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) fraction was prepared from recombinant HEK293 cells stably expressing the human NOP receptor fused to the green fluorescent protein EGFP (hNOPr-EGFP), and probed for the presence and functionality of the fusion protein. Fluorescence detection as well as immunoblotting with an anti-GFP antibody revealed that most of the fusion protein was recovered in the DRM fraction, wherein it mediated efficiently NOP-induced stimulation of GTPgamma(35)S binding. Recovery of hNOPr-EGFP in the DRM fraction was not affected had the cells been acutely or chronically exposed to NOP prior to detergent treatment. Therefore, in HEK cells, the NOP receptor localizes constitutively to DRMs wherein it retains ability to couple with hetero-trimeric G protein.     

Ether derivatives of 3-piperidinopropan-1-ol as non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonists

A series of aliphatic and aromatic ether derivatives of 3-piperidinopropan-1-ol has been prepared by four different methods. The ethers obtained were evaluated for their affinities at recombinant human histamine H3 receptor, stably expressed in CHO-K1 or HEK 293 cells. All compounds investigated show from moderate to high in vitro affinities in the nanomolar concentration range. Selected compounds were investigated under in vivo conditions after oral administration to mice. Some proved to be highly potent and orally available histamine H3 receptor antagonists. The most potent antagonists in this series have been in vitro the 4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl ether 19 (hH3R K(i) = 8.4 nM) and in vivo the simple ethyl ether 2 (ED50 = 1.0mg/kg).