Showing papers by "Robert J. Lefkowitz published in 2013"

Structure of active β-arrestin-1 bound to a G-protein-coupled receptor phosphopeptide

Abstract: The functions of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are primarily mediated and modulated by three families of proteins: the heterotrimeric G proteins, the G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and the arrestins. G proteins mediate activation of second-messenger-generating enzymes and other effectors, GRKs phosphorylate activated receptors, and arrestins subsequently bind phosphorylated receptors and cause receptor desensitization. Arrestins activated by interaction with phosphorylated receptors can also mediate G-protein-independent signalling by serving as adaptors to link receptors to numerous signalling pathways. Despite their central role in regulation and signalling of GPCRs, a structural understanding of β-arrestin activation and interaction with GPCRs is still lacking. Here we report the crystal structure of β-arrestin-1 (also called arrestin-2) in complex with a fully phosphorylated 29-amino-acid carboxy-terminal peptide derived from the human V2 vasopressin receptor (V2Rpp). This peptide has previously been shown to functionally and conformationally activate β-arrestin-1 (ref. 5). To capture this active conformation, we used a conformationally selective synthetic antibody fragment (Fab30) that recognizes the phosphopeptide-activated state of β-arrestin-1. The structure of the β-arrestin-1-V2Rpp-Fab30 complex shows marked conformational differences in β-arrestin-1 compared to its inactive conformation. These include rotation of the amino- and carboxy-terminal domains relative to each other, and a major reorientation of the 'lariat loop' implicated in maintaining the inactive state of β-arrestin-1. These results reveal, at high resolution, a receptor-interacting interface on β-arrestin, and they indicate a potentially general molecular mechanism for activation of these multifunctional signalling and regulatory proteins.

Conformation Guides Molecular Efficacy in Docking Screens of Activated β-2 Adrenergic G Protein Coupled Receptor

Abstract: A prospective, large library virtual screen against an activated β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) structure returned potent agonists to the exclusion of inverse-agonists, providing the first complement to the previous virtual screening campaigns against inverse-agonist-bound G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structures, which predicted only inverse-agonists. In addition, two hits recapitulated the signaling profile of the co-crystal ligand with respect to the G protein and arrestin mediated signaling. This functional fidelity has important implications in drug design, as the ability to predict ligands with predefined signaling properties is highly desirable. However, the agonist-bound state provides an uncertain template for modeling the activated conformation of other GPCRs, as a dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) activated model templated on the activated β2AR structure returned few hits of only marginal potency.

Pharmacological blockade of a β(2)AR-β-arrestin-1 signaling cascade prevents the accumulation of DNA damage in a behavioral stress model.

Abstract: Chronic stress is known to have a profound negative impact on human health and has been suggested to influence a number of disease states. However, the mechanisms underlying the deleterious effects of stress remain largely unknown. Stress is known to promote the release of epinephrine, a catecholamine stress hormone that binds to β(2)-adrenergic receptors (β(2)ARs) with high affinity. Our previous work has demonstrated that chronic stimulation of a β(2)AR-β-arrestin-1-mediated signaling pathway by infusion of isoproterenol suppresses p53 levels and impairs genomic integrity. In this pathway, β-arrestin-1, which is activated via β(2)ARs, facilitates the AKT-mediated activation of Mdm2 and functions as a molecular scaffold to promote the binding and degradation of p53 by the E3-ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2. Here, we show that chronic restraint stress in mice recapitulates the effects of isoproterenol infusion to reduce p53 levels and results in the accumulation of DNA damage in the frontal cortex of the brain, two effects that are abrogated by the β-blocker, propranolol and by genetic deletion of β-arrestin-1. These data suggest that the β(2)AR-β-arrestin-1 signaling pathway may represent an attractive therapeutic target to prevent some of the negative consequences of stress in the treatment of stress-related disorders.

Discovery of β2 Adrenergic Receptor Ligands Using Biosensor Fragment Screening of Tagged Wild-Type Receptor

Abstract: G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the primary target class of currently marketed drugs, accounting for about a quarter of all drug targets of approved medicines. However, almost all the screening efforts for novel ligand discovery rely exclusively on cellular systems overexpressing the receptors. An alternative ligand discovery strategy is a fragment-based drug discovery, where low molecular weight compounds, known as fragments, are screened as initial starting points for optimization. However, the screening of fragment libraries usually employs biophysical screening methods, and as such, it has not been routinely applied to membrane proteins. We present here a surface plasmon resonance biosensor approach that enables, cell-free, label-free, fragment screening that directly measures fragment interactions with wild-type GPCRs. We exemplify the method by the discovery of novel, selective, high affinity antagonists of human β2 adrenoceptor.

Arrestins come of age: a personal historical perspective

Abstract: Visual arrestin and the two β-arrestins (1 and 2) were originally discovered 25-30 years ago in the context of their ability to desensitize phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors (rhodopsin and the β2-adrenergic receptor, respectively). A fourth retinal-specific member of the family (X-arrestin) was discovered later. Over the past 10-15 years, however, it has become clear that these versatile molecules subserve a host of other roles in modulating and mediating the function of most GPCRs as well as other types of receptors. Functioning as multifunctional adaptor proteins, the β-arrestins also play prominent roles in receptor endocytosis, signaling, trafficking, and ubiquitination among others. Here, I provide a brief personal perspective on how the field has evolved since its inception and speculate on future directions.

A Brief History of G‐Protein Coupled Receptors (Nobel Lecture)

Abstract: The idea of receptors has fascinated scientists for more than a century and has certainly fascinated me and Brian throughout the entirety of our research careers. Today we know that the G protein coupled receptors, also known as seven transmembrane receptors, represent by far the largest, most versatile and most ubiquitous of the several families of plasma membrane receptors. They comprise almost a thousand genes which regulate virtually all known physiological processes in humans including the sensory modalities of vision, taste and smell. Moreover, these receptors are the targets for drugs accounting for more than half of all prescription drug sales in the world (1). Despite the very central role that the study of receptors plays in biomedical research today, it is only in the last thirty years or so that there has been any general acceptance they even exist. Prior to that time, the notion of cellular receptors was highly controversial and associated with a great deal of skepticism. Perhaps the earliest explicit assertion concerning the existence of receptors was made by the British pharmacologist, J.N. Langley. In 1905 he wrote the following: “So we may suppose that in all cells two constituents at least are to be distinguished. The chief substance which is concerned with the chief function of the cell as contraction and secretion and receptive substances which are acted upon by chemical bodies and in certain cases by nervous stimuli. The receptive

β-Arrestin Regulation of Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation Promotes AT1aR-mediated Cell Contraction and Migration

Abstract: Over the last decade, it has been established that G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal not only through canonical G-protein-mediated mechanisms, but also through the ubiquitous cellular scaffolds β-arrestin-1 and β-arrestin-2. Previous studies have implicated β-arrestins as regulators of actin reorganization in response to GPCR stimulation while also being required for membrane protrusion events that accompany cellular motility. One of the most critical events in the active movement of cells is the cyclic phosphorylation and activation of myosin light chain (MLC), which is required for cellular contraction and movement. We have identified the myosin light chain phosphatase Targeting Subunit (MYPT-1) as a binding partner of the β-arrestins and found that β-arrestins play a role in regulating the turnover of phosphorylated myosin light chain. In response to stimulation of the angiotensin Type 1a Receptor (AT1aR), MLC phosphorylation is induced quickly and potently. We have found that β-arrestin-2 facilitates dephosphorylation of MLC, while, in a reciprocal fashion, β-arrestin 1 limits dephosphorylation of MLC. Intriguingly, loss of either β-arrestin-1 or 2 blocks phospho-MLC turnover and causes a decrease in the contraction of cells as monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, by employing the β-arrestin biased ligand [Sar(1),Ile(4),Ile(8)]-Ang, we demonstrate that AT1aR-mediated cellular motility involves a β-arrestin dependent component. This suggests that the reciprocal regulation of MLC phosphorylation status by β-arrestins-1 and 2 causes turnover in the phosphorylation status of MLC that is required for cell contractility and subsequent chemotaxic motility.

Crystal structure of active Beta-arrestin1 bound to phosphorylated carboxy-terminus of a G protein-coupled receptor

Abstract: The functions of the ubiquitous family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), are mediated and critically modulated by beta arrestins. Beta arrestins bind to phosphorylated receptors and lead to r...