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Pharmacological Reviews Sep 2023The two -arrestins, -arrestin-1 and -2 (systematic names: arrestin-2 and -3, respectively), are multifunctional intracellular proteins that regulate the activity of a... (Review)
Review
The two -arrestins, -arrestin-1 and -2 (systematic names: arrestin-2 and -3, respectively), are multifunctional intracellular proteins that regulate the activity of a very large number of cellular signaling pathways and physiologic functions. The two proteins were discovered for their ability to disrupt signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) via binding to the activated receptors. However, it is now well recognized that both -arrestins can also act as direct modulators of numerous cellular processes via either GPCR-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Recent structural, biophysical, and biochemical studies have provided novel insights into how -arrestins bind to activated GPCRs and downstream effector proteins. Studies with -arrestin mutant mice have identified numerous physiologic and pathophysiological processes regulated by -arrestin-1 and/or -2. Following a short summary of recent structural studies, this review primarily focuses on -arrestin-regulated physiologic functions, with particular focus on the central nervous system and the roles of -arrestins in carcinogenesis and key metabolic processes including the maintenance of glucose and energy homeostasis. This review also highlights potential therapeutic implications of these studies and discusses strategies that could prove useful for targeting specific -arrestin-regulated signaling pathways for therapeutic purposes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The two β-arrestins, structurally closely related intracellular proteins that are evolutionarily highly conserved, have emerged as multifunctional proteins able to regulate a vast array of cellular and physiological functions. The outcome of studies with β-arrestin mutant mice and cultured cells, complemented by novel insights into β-arrestin structure and function, should pave the way for the development of novel classes of therapeutically useful drugs capable of regulating specific β-arrestin functions.
Topics: Mice; Animals; beta-Arrestins; Arrestins; Signal Transduction; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; beta-Arrestin 1
PubMed: 37028945
DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000302 -
Molecular Biomedicine Dec 2023G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are versatile and vital proteins involved in a wide array of physiological processes and responses, such as sensory perception (e.g.,... (Review)
Review
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are versatile and vital proteins involved in a wide array of physiological processes and responses, such as sensory perception (e.g., vision, taste, and smell), immune response, hormone regulation, and neurotransmission. Their diverse and essential roles in the body make them a significant focus for pharmaceutical research and drug development. Currently, approximately 35% of marketed drugs directly target GPCRs, underscoring their prominence as therapeutic targets. Recent advances in structural biology have substantially deepened our understanding of GPCR activation mechanisms and interactions with G-protein and arrestin signaling pathways. This review offers an in-depth exploration of both traditional and recent methods in GPCR structure analysis. It presents structure-based insights into ligand recognition and receptor activation mechanisms and delves deeper into the mechanisms of canonical and noncanonical signaling pathways downstream of GPCRs. Furthermore, it highlights recent advancements in GPCR-related drug discovery and development. Particular emphasis is placed on GPCR selective drugs, allosteric and biased signaling, polyphamarcology, and antibody drugs. Our goal is to provide researchers with a thorough and updated understanding of GPCR structure determination, signaling pathway investigation, and drug development. This foundation aims to propel forward-thinking therapeutic approaches that target GPCRs, drawing upon the latest insights into GPCR ligand selectivity, activation, and biased signaling mechanisms.
PubMed: 38047990
DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00156-w -
Nature Aug 2023Arrestins have pivotal roles in regulating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling by desensitizing G protein activation and mediating receptor internalization. It...
Arrestins have pivotal roles in regulating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling by desensitizing G protein activation and mediating receptor internalization. It has been proposed that the arrestin binds to the receptor in two different conformations, 'tail' and 'core', which were suggested to govern distinct processes of receptor signalling and trafficking. However, little structural information is available for the tail engagement of the arrestins. Here we report two structures of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) bound to β-arrestin 1 (βarr1) in glucagon-bound and ligand-free states. These structures reveal a receptor tail-engaged binding mode of βarr1 with many unique features, to our knowledge, not previously observed. Helix VIII, instead of the receptor core, has a major role in accommodating βarr1 by forming extensive interactions with the central crest of βarr1. The tail-binding pose is further defined by a close proximity between the βarr1 C-edge and the receptor helical bundle, and stabilized by a phosphoinositide derivative that bridges βarr1 with helices I and VIII of GCGR. Lacking any contact with the arrestin, the receptor core is in an inactive state and loosely binds to glucagon. Further functional studies suggest that the tail conformation of GCGR-βarr governs βarr recruitment at the plasma membrane and endocytosis of GCGR, and provides a molecular basis for the receptor forming a super-complex simultaneously with G protein and βarr to promote sustained signalling within endosomes. These findings extend our knowledge about the arrestin-mediated modulation of GPCR functionalities.
Topics: beta-Arrestin 1; Cell Membrane; Endocytosis; Endosomes; Glucagon; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; Ligands; Phosphatidylinositols; Receptors, Glucagon; Protein Binding
PubMed: 37558880
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06420-x -
Cell Reports Nov 2023Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIPR) receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors involved in glucose homeostasis....
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIPR) receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors involved in glucose homeostasis. Diabetogenic conditions decrease β-arrestin 2 (ARRB2) levels in human islets. In mouse β cells, ARRB2 dampens insulin secretion by partially uncoupling cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling at physiological doses of GLP-1, whereas at pharmacological doses, the activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)/cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) requires ARRB2. In contrast, GIP-potentiated insulin secretion needs ARRB2 in mouse and human islets. The GIPR-ARRB2 axis is not involved in cAMP/PKA or ERK signaling but does mediate GIP-induced F-actin depolymerization. Finally, the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist tirzepatide does not require ARRB2 for the potentiation of insulin secretion. Thus, ARRB2 plays distinct roles in regulating GLP-1R and GIPR signaling, and we highlight (1) its role in the physiological context and the possible functional consequences of its decreased expression in pathological situations such as diabetes and (2) the importance of assessing the signaling pathways engaged by the agonists (biased/dual) for therapeutic purposes.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Insulin; beta-Arrestin 2; beta-Arrestin 1; Glucose
PubMed: 37897727
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113326 -
Cell Oct 2023The complement system is a critical part of our innate immune response, and the terminal products of this cascade, anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, exert their physiological...
The complement system is a critical part of our innate immune response, and the terminal products of this cascade, anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, exert their physiological and pathophysiological responses primarily via two GPCRs, C3aR and C5aR1. However, the molecular mechanism of ligand recognition, activation, and signaling bias of these receptors remains mostly elusive. Here, we present nine cryo-EM structures of C3aR and C5aR1 activated by their natural and synthetic agonists, which reveal distinct binding pocket topologies of complement anaphylatoxins and provide key insights into receptor activation and transducer coupling. We also uncover the structural basis of a naturally occurring mechanism to dampen the inflammatory response of C5a via proteolytic cleavage of the terminal arginine and the G-protein signaling bias elicited by a peptide agonist of C3aR identified here. In summary, our study elucidates the innerworkings of the complement anaphylatoxin receptors and should facilitate structure-guided drug discovery to target these receptors in a spectrum of disorders.
Topics: Anaphylatoxins; Complement C3a; Immunity, Innate; Receptors, Complement; Signal Transduction; Humans; Animals; Mice
PubMed: 37852260
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.09.020 -
The Journal of Clinical Investigation Aug 2023CXCR7 is an atypical chemokine receptor that recruits β-arrestin (ARRB2) and internalizes into clathrin-coated intracellular vesicles where the complex acts as a...
CXCR7 is an atypical chemokine receptor that recruits β-arrestin (ARRB2) and internalizes into clathrin-coated intracellular vesicles where the complex acts as a scaffold for cytoplasmic kinase assembly and signal transduction. Here, we report that CXCR7 was elevated in the majority of prostate cancer (PCa) cases with neuroendocrine features (NEPC). CXCR7 markedly induced mitotic spindle and cell cycle gene expression. Mechanistically, we identified Aurora Kinase A (AURKA), a key regulator of mitosis, as a novel target that was bound and activated by the CXCR7-ARRB2 complex. CXCR7 interacted with proteins associated with microtubules and golgi, and, as such, the CXCR7-ARRB2-containing vesicles trafficked along the microtubules to the pericentrosomal golgi apparatus, where the complex interacted with AURKA. Accordingly, CXCR7 promoted PCa cell proliferation and tumor growth, which was mitigated by AURKA inhibition. In summary, our study reveals a critical role of CXCR7-ARRB2 in interacting and activating AURKA, which can be targeted by AURKA inhibitors to benefit a subset of patients with NEPC.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aurora Kinase A; Signal Transduction; Receptors, CXCR; Prostatic Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 37347559
DOI: 10.1172/JCI166248 -
Molecular insights into atypical modes of β-arrestin interaction with seven transmembrane receptors.Science (New York, N.Y.) Jan 2024β-arrestins (βarrs) are multifunctional proteins involved in signaling and regulation of seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), and their interaction is driven...
β-arrestins (βarrs) are multifunctional proteins involved in signaling and regulation of seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), and their interaction is driven primarily by agonist-induced receptor activation and phosphorylation. Here, we present seven cryo-electron microscopy structures of βarrs either in the basal state, activated by the muscarinic receptor subtype 2 (M2R) through its third intracellular loop, or activated by the βarr-biased decoy D6 receptor (D6R). Combined with biochemical, cellular, and biophysical experiments, these structural snapshots allow the visualization of atypical engagement of βarrs with 7TMRs and also reveal a structural transition in the carboxyl terminus of βarr2 from a β strand to an α helix upon activation by D6R. Our study provides previously unanticipated molecular insights into the structural and functional diversity encoded in 7TMR-βarr complexes with direct implications for exploring novel therapeutic avenues.
Topics: beta-Arrestins; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction; Protein Conformation, beta-Strand; Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; Humans
PubMed: 38175886
DOI: 10.1126/science.adj3347 -
Science Signaling Aug 2023G protein-coupled receptors engage both G proteins and β-arrestins, and their coupling can be biased by ligands and mutations. Here, to resolve structural elements and...
G protein-coupled receptors engage both G proteins and β-arrestins, and their coupling can be biased by ligands and mutations. Here, to resolve structural elements and mechanisms underlying effector coupling to the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R), we combined alanine scanning mutagenesis of the entire sequence of the receptor with pharmacological profiling of Gα and β-arrestin engagement to mutant receptors and molecular dynamics simulations. We showed that Gα coupling to AT1R involved a large number of residues spread across the receptor, whereas fewer structural regions of the receptor contributed to β-arrestin coupling regulation. Residue stretches in transmembrane domain 4 conferred β-arrestin bias and represented an important structural element in AT1R for functional selectivity. Furthermore, we identified allosteric small-molecule binding sites that were enclosed by communities of residues that produced biased signaling when mutated. Last, we showed that allosteric communication within AT1R emanating from the Gα coupling site spread beyond the orthosteric AngII-binding site and across different regions of the receptor, including currently unresolved structural regions. Our findings reveal structural elements and mechanisms within AT1R that bias Gα and β-arrestin coupling and that could be harnessed to design biased receptors for research purposes and to develop allosteric modulators.
Topics: beta-Arrestins; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; beta-Arrestin 1; Signal Transduction; GTP-Binding Proteins; Angiotensin II
PubMed: 37552769
DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adf2173 -
Pharmacology & Therapeutics Mar 2024The original paradigm of classical - also referred to as canonical - cellular signal transduction of heterotrimeric G proteins (G protein) is defined by a hierarchical,... (Review)
Review
The original paradigm of classical - also referred to as canonical - cellular signal transduction of heterotrimeric G proteins (G protein) is defined by a hierarchical, orthograde interaction of three players: the agonist-activated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which activates the transducing G protein, that in turn regulates its intracellular effectors. This receptor-transducer-effector concept was extended by the identification of regulators and adapters such as the regulators of G protein signaling (RGS), receptor kinases like βARK, or GPCR-interacting arrestin adapters that are integrated into this canonical signaling process at different levels to enable fine-tuning. Finally, the identification of atypical signaling mechanisms of classical regulators, together with the discovery of novel modulators, added a new and fascinating dimension to the cellular G protein signal transduction. This heterogeneous group of accessory G protein modulators was coined "activators of G protein signaling" (AGS) proteins and plays distinct roles in canonical and non-canonical G protein signaling pathways. AGS proteins contribute to the control of essential cellular functions such as cell development and division, intracellular transport processes, secretion, autophagy or cell movements. As such, they are involved in numerous biological processes that are crucial for diseases, like diabetes mellitus, cancer, and stroke, which represent major health burdens. Although the identification of a large number of non-canonical G protein signaling pathways has broadened the spectrum of this cellular communication system, their underlying mechanisms, functions, and biological effects are poorly understood. In this review, we highlight and discuss atypical G protein-dependent signaling mechanisms with a focus on inhibitory G proteins (G) involved in canonical and non-canonical signal transduction, review recent developments and open questions, address the potential of new approaches for targeted pharmacological interventions.
Topics: Humans; Signal Transduction; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
PubMed: 38295906
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108589 -
Science Advances Dec 2023The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are family C, dimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play critical roles in synaptic transmission. Despite an...
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are family C, dimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play critical roles in synaptic transmission. Despite an increasing appreciation of the molecular diversity of this family, how distinct mGluR subtypes are regulated remains poorly understood. We reveal that different group II/III mGluR subtypes show markedly different beta-arrestin (β-arr) coupling and endocytic trafficking. While mGluR2 is resistant to internalization and mGluR3 shows transient β-arr coupling, which enables endocytosis and recycling, mGluR8 and β-arr form stable complexes, which leads to efficient lysosomal targeting and degradation. Using chimeras and mutagenesis, we pinpoint carboxyl-terminal domain regions that control β-arr coupling and trafficking, including the identification of an mGluR8 splice variant with impaired internalization. We then use a battery of high-resolution fluorescence assays to find that heterodimerization further expands the diversity of mGluR regulation. Together, this work provides insight into the relationship between GPCR/β-arr complex formation and trafficking while revealing diversity and intricacy in the regulation of mGluRs.
Topics: beta-Arrestins; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
PubMed: 38055809
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8076