Beta3-adrenergic receptor

The beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) may play a key role in the regulation of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. Adrenaline and noradrenaline beta3-AR stimulate lipolysis and thermogenesis in human fat cells and increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Therefore, the beta3-AR gene may be associated with obesity and related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension. Many studies in different ethnic groups showed an association of beta3-AR gene polymorphism with insulin resistance, obesity and its metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension. A Trp64Arg mutation in the beta3-AR gene has been reported to be correlated with the occurrence of those disorders among obese. Several studies revealed also the influence of the Trp/Arg polymorphism on carcinogenesis and its contribution to the link between cancer and obesity. Since obesity is a serious problem as a civilization-related disease, it is very important to investigate genes suspected to be connected with it.     

Endosomal trafficking of the G protein-coupled receptor somatostatin receptor 3

Intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulates their surface availability and determines cellular response to agonists. Rab GTPases regulate membrane trafficking and identifying Rab networks controlling GPCR trafficking is essential for understanding GPCR signaling. We used real time imaging to show that somatostatin receptor 3 (SSTR3) traffics through Rab4-, Rab21-, and Rab11-containing endosomes, but largely bypasses Rab5 and Rab7 endosomes. We show that SSTR3 rapidly traffics through Rab4 endosomes but moves slower through Rab21 and Rab11 endosomes. SSTR3 passage through each endosomal compartment is regulated by the cognate Rab since expression of the inactive Rab4/S22N, Rab21/T33N, and Rab11/S25N inhibits SSTR3 trafficking. Thus, Rab4, Rab21, and Rab11 may represent therapeutic targets to modulate surface availability of SSTR3 for agonist binding. Our novel finding that Rab21 regulates SSTR3 trafficking suggests that Rab21 may play a role in trafficking of other GPCRs.     

Pyrrolidin-3-yl-N-methylbenzamides as potent histamine 3 receptor antagonists

On the basis of the previously reported benzimidazole 1,3'-bipyrrolidine benzamides (1), a series of related pyrrolidin-3-yl-N-methylbenzamides were synthesized and evaluated as H(3) receptor antagonists. In particular, compound 32 exhibits potent H(3) receptor binding affinity, improved pharmaceutical properties and a favorable in vivo profile.     

SH3 ligands in the dopamine D3 receptor

It has recently been observed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can interact with SH3 domains through polyproline motifs. These interactions appear to be involved in receptor internalization and MAPK signalling. Here we report that the third cytoplasmic loop of the dopamine D3 receptor can interact in vitro with the adaptor protein Grb2. While the amino- and carboxy-terminal SH3 domains of Grb2 separately did not interact with the D3 receptor loop, the interaction is at least partially maintained with a Grb2 mutant for the amino-terminal SH3 domain, but disrupted for a Grb2 mutant with a nonfunctional carboxy-terminal SH3 domain. The data indicate the need of structural integrity of the entire Grb2 protein for the interaction and dominant role of the carboxy-terminal SH3 domain in the interaction. Disruption of the PXXP motifs in the D3 receptor did not affect the interaction with Grb2. These results indicate that GPCRs may contain SH3 ligands that do not contain the postulated minimal consensus sequence PXXP.     

Urokinase receptor (uPAR) regulates complement receptor 3 (CR3)-mediated neutrophil phagocytosis

Urokinase receptor (uPAR) associates in cis with complement receptor 3 (CR3). In the present study, we addressed whether this coupling regulates CR3-mediated phagocytosis. CR3-mediated attachment of iC3b-opsonized sheep red blood cells to human neutrophils and internalization of these cells were reduced by removal of cell-bound uPAR by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and reconstituted in the presence of soluble uPAR. The attachment and internalization were suppressed in the presence of anti-uPAR polyclonal antibody, proteolytically inactive urokinase and saccharides that disrupt interaction of uPAR with CR3. Thus, uPAR acts as a cofactor for iC3b binding to CR3 and regulates CR3-mediated phagocytosis.     

C-3 Amido-indole cannabinoid receptor modulators

C-3 Amido-indoles were found to selectively bind to the CB2 receptor. SAR studies led to optimized compounds with excellent in vivo potency against LPS induced TNF-alpha release in murine models of cytokine production.     

Aminoalkoxybiphenylnitriles as histamine-3 receptor ligands

Biaryl nitrile amines were prepared and found to have high affinity and selectivity for human and rat histamine H(3) receptors.     

IRBIT suppresses IP3 receptor activity by competing with IP3 for the common binding site on the IP3 receptor

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) are IP3-gated intracellular Ca2+ channels. We previously identified an IP3R binding protein, IRBIT, which binds to the IP3 binding domain of IP3R and is dissociated from IP3R in the presence of IP3. In the present study, we showed that IRBIT suppresses the activation of IP3R by competing with IP3 by [3H]IP3 binding assays, in vitro Ca2+ release assays, and Ca2+ imaging of intact cells. Multiserine phosphorylation of IRBIT was essential for the binding, and 10 of the 12 key amino acids in IP3R for IP3 recognition participated in binding to IRBIT. We propose a unique mode of IP3R regulation in which IP3 sensitivity is regulated by IRBIT acting as an endogenous "pseudoligand" whose inhibitory activity can be modulated by its phosphorylation status.     

Melanocortin-3 receptor activates MAP kinase via PI3 kinase

HEK 293 cells stably expressing human melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) were exposed to melanocortin receptor agonist, NDP-MSH (10(-)(10)-10(-)(6) M). ERK1/2 was phosphorylated in a dose-dependent manner with an EC(50) of 3.3+/-1.5 x 10(-)(9) M, similar to the IC(50) of NDP-MSH binding to the MC3R. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was blocked by the melanocortin receptor antagonists SHU9119. NDP-MSH-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was sensitive to pertussis toxin and the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin. Rp-cAMPS, BAPTA-AM and Myr-PKC did not inhibit the NDP-MSH-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. NDP-MSH stimulated cellular proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with a similar EC(50) to ERK1/2 phosphorylation, 2.1+/-0.6 x 10(-)(9) M. Cellular proliferation was blocked by AGRP (86-132) and by the MEK inhibitor, PD98059. The NDP-MSH did not inhibit serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. MC3R activation induces ERK1/2 phosphorylation via PI3K and this pathway is involved in cellular proliferation in HEK cells expressing MC3R.     

Non-imidazole heterocyclic histamine H3 receptor antagonists

Continued exploration of the SAR around the lead imidazopyridine histamine H(3) antagonist 1 has led to the discovery of several related series of heterocyclic histamine H(3) antagonists. The synthesis and SAR of indolizine, indole and pyrazolopyridine based compounds are now described.     

Fluorinated non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonists

Fluorine substituents have become a widespread and important component in drug design and development. Here, the synthesis of fluorine containing compounds and some corresponding precursor molecules are presented for potential isotope labelling as well as their data obtained with in vitro and in vivo screenings. The compounds vary in the basic centres (piperidine or pyrrolidine) and are fluoro substituted in different positions of the basic alicyclic moiety. Pharmacological evaluation resulted in ligands with high affinities at hH₃ receptor in the nanomolar and subnanomolar concentration range and some with high antagonist in vivo potencies.     

Neurotrophin-3 and FLT3 tyrosine kinase receptor in perinatal life

Our aim is to determine--in 30 healthy full-term infants and their mothers--circulating levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) (important for antenatal and postnatal brain development and implicated in the immune response) and FLT3 tyrosine kinase receptor (FLT3) (controlling hematopoiesis and found in the nervous tissue), in the fetal and neonatal life. NT-3 levels, in contrast to FLT3 ones, increased significantly on the fourth postnatal day in relation to the low levels found in the mother, fetus, and day 1 neonate (P = .03, respectively). Maternal and umbilical NT3 levels positively correlated with respective FLT3 levels (P = .003 and P = .03). Circulating NT-3 levels increased in early neonatal life, possibly due to exposure to various stimuli soon after birth. FLT3 levels do not seem to behave accordingly, although these two substances probably synergize.     

Toll-like receptor 3 mediates a more potent antiviral response than Toll-like receptor 4

We have recently described an IFN regulatory factor 3-mediated antiviral gene program that is induced by both Toll-like receptor (TLR)3 and TLR4 ligands. In our current study, we show that activation of IFN/viral response gene expression in primary macrophage cells is stronger and prolonged with TLR3 stimulation compared with that of TLR4. Our data also reveal that the cytoplasmic tails of both TLR3 and TLR4 can directly interact with myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). However, although Toll/IL-1 receptor homology domain-containing adaptor protein/MyD88 adaptor-like is able to associate with TLR4, we were unable to detect any interaction between Toll/IL-1 receptor homology domain-containing adaptor protein/MyD88 adaptor-like and TLR3. By using quantitative real-time PCR assays, we found that TLR3 expression is inducible by both TLR3 and TLR4 ligands, while TLR4 expression is not inducible by these same stimuli. Furthermore, using cells derived from mice deficient in the IFN-alphabetaR, we show that both TLR3 and TLR4 require IFN-beta autocrine/paracrine feedback to induce TLR3 expression and activate/enhance genes required for antiviral activity. More specifically, a subset of antiviral genes is initially induced independent of IFN-beta, yet the cytokine further enhances expression at later time points. This was in contrast to a second set of genes (including TLR3) that is induced only after IFN-beta production. Taken together, our data argue that, despite both TLR3 and TLR4 being able to use IFN-beta to activate/enhance antiviral gene expression, TLR3 uses multiple mechanisms to enhance and sustain the antiviral response more strongly than TLR4.     

Production of a bioengineered G-protein coupled receptor of human formyl peptide receptor 3

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) participate in a wide range of vital regulations of our physiological actions. They are also of pharmaceutical importance and have become many therapeutic targets for a number of disorders and diseases. Purified GPCR-based approaches including structural study and novel biophysical and biochemical function analyses are increasingly being used in GPCR-directed drug discovery. Before these approaches become routine, however, several hurdles need to be overcome; they include overexpression, solubilization, and purification of large quantities of functional and stable receptors on a regular basis. Here we report milligram production of a human formyl peptide receptor 3 (FPR3). FPR3 comprises a functionally distinct GPCR subfamily that is involved in leukocyte chemotaxis and activation. The bioengineered FPR3 was overexpressed in stable tetracycline-inducible mammalian cell lines (HEK293S). After a systematic detergent screening, fos-choline-14 (FC-14) was selected for subsequent solubilization and purification processes. A two-step purification method, immunoaffinity using anti-rho-tag monoclonal antibody 1D4 and gel filtration, was used to purify the receptors to near homogeneity. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that expressed FPR3 was predominantly displayed on cellular membrane. Secondary structural analysis using circular dichroism showed that the purified FPR3 receptor was correctly folded with >50% α-helix, which is similar to other known GPCR secondary structures. Our method can readily produce milligram quantities of human FPR3, which would facilitate in developing human FPR as therapeutic drug targets.     

A new octopamine receptor class in locust nervous tissue, the octopamine 3 (OA3) receptor.

The insect neuronal 3H-octopamine binding site represents a new type of octopamine receptor. This receptor has pharmacological features that are characteristic for all known octopamine receptors, but it is possible to distinguish this receptor class from all others using either agonists or antagonists. The quantitative determination of the pharmacological relationships to the other octopamine receptor classes could demonstrate greatest homology with both class 2 (OA2A and OA2B) receptors. Therefore, the neuronal octopamine receptor should be named a class 3 receptor (OA3). A new and simple classification scheme for octopamine receptors which enables classification of the new receptor class is established using antagonists.     

Metabolic roles of the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor studied with M3 receptor mutant mice: a review

The M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M(3) mAChR) is expressed in many central and peripheral tissues. It is a prototypic member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and preferentially activates G proteins of the G(q) family. Recent studies involving the use of newly generated mAChR mutant mice have revealed that the M(3) mAChR plays a key role in regulating many important metabolic functions. Phenotypic analyses of mutant mice that either selectively lacked or overexpressed M(3) receptors in pancreatic beta -cells indicated that beta -cell M(3) mAChRs are essential for maintaining proper insulin release and glucose homeostasis. The experimental data also suggested that strategies aimed at enhancing signaling through beta -cell M(3) mAChRs might be beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies with whole body M(3) mAChR knockout mice showed that the absence of M(3) receptors protected mice against various forms of experimentally or genetically induced obesity and obesity-associated metabolic deficits. Under all experimental conditions tested, M(3) receptor-deficient mice showed greatly ameliorated impairments in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, reduced food intake, and a significant elevation in basal and total energy expenditure, most likely due to increased central sympathetic outflow and increased rate of fatty acid oxidation. These findings are of potential interest for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.     

Co-expression of the 5-HT3B serotonin receptor subunit alters the biophysics of the 5-HT3 receptor

Homomeric complexes of 5-HT(3A) receptor subunits form a ligand-gated ion channel. This assembly does not fully reproduce the biophysical and pharmacological properties of native 5-HT(3) receptors which might contain the recently cloned 5-HT(3B) receptor subunit. In the present study, heteromeric assemblies containing human 5-HT(3A) and 5-HT(3B) subunits were expressed in HEK 293 cells to detail the functional diversity of 5-HT(3) receptors. We designed patch-clamp experiments with homomeric (5-HT(3A)) and heteromeric (5-HT(3AB)) receptors to emphasize the kinetics of channel activation and desensitization. Co-expression of the 5-HT(3B) receptor subunit reduced the sensitivity for 5-HT (5-HT(3A) receptor: EC(50) 3 micro M, Hill coefficient 1.8; 5-HT(3AB) receptor: EC(50) 25 micro M, Hill coefficient 0.9) and markedly altered receptor desensitization. Kinetic modeling suggested that homomeric receptors, but not heteromeric receptors, desensitize via an agonist-induced open-channel block. Furthermore, heteromeric 5-HT(3AB) receptor assemblies recovered much faster from desensitization than homomeric 5-HT(3A) receptor assemblies. Unexpectedly, the specific 5-HT(3) receptor agonist mCPBG induced an open-channel block at both homomeric and heteromeric receptors. Because receptor desensitization and resensitization massively affect amplitude, duration, and frequency of synaptic signaling, these findings are evidence in favor of a pivotal role of subunit composition of 5-HT(3) receptors in serotonergic transmission.