Robert J. Lefkowitz

Bio: Robert J. Lefkowitz is an academic researcher from Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Receptor & G protein-coupled receptor. The author has an hindex of 214, co-authored 860 publications receiving 147995 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert J. Lefkowitz include University of Nice Sophia Antipolis & University of Stuttgart.

Multiple ligand-specific conformations of the β2-adrenergic receptor

Abstract: Seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), also called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), represent the largest class of drug targets, and they can signal through several distinct mechanisms including those mediated by G proteins and the multifunctional adaptor proteins β-arrestins. Moreover, several receptor ligands with differential efficacies toward these distinct signaling pathways have been identified. However, the structural basis and mechanism underlying this 'biased agonism' remains largely unknown. Here, we develop a quantitative mass spectrometry strategy that measures specific reactivities of individual side chains to investigate dynamic conformational changes in the β(2)-adrenergic receptor occupied by nine functionally distinct ligands. Unexpectedly, only a minority of residues showed reactivity patterns consistent with classical agonism, whereas the majority showed distinct patterns of reactivity even between functionally similar ligands. These findings demonstrate, contrary to two-state models for receptor activity, that there is significant variability in receptor conformations induced by different ligands, which has significant implications for the design of new therapeutic agents.

Synergistic regulation of beta2-adrenergic receptor sequestration: intracellular complement of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and beta-arrestin determine kinetics of internalization.

Abstract: Two of the common mechanisms regulating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signal transduction are phosphorylation and sequestration (internalization). Agonist-mediated receptor phosphorylation by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (betaARK) facilitates subsequent interaction with an arrestin protein, resulting in receptor desensitization. Studies of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) receptor in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells indicate that betaARK and arrestin proteins (beta-arrestins) also regulate sequestration. Consistent with this notion, we show in HEK 293 cells that reduction in or removal of the ability of the beta2AR to be phosphorylated by betaARK or to interact normally with beta-arrestin substantially reduces agonist-mediated sequestration. To evaluate betaARK and beta-arrestin regulation of beta2AR sequestration, we examined the relationship between betaARK and/or beta-arrestin expression and beta2AR sequestration in a variety of cultured cells, including HEK 293, COS 7, CHO, A431, and CHW. COS cells had both the lowest levels of endogenous beta-arrestin expression and beta2AR sequestration, whereas HEK 293 had the highest. Overexpression of beta-arrestin, but not betaARK, in COS cells increased the extent of wild-type beta2AR sequestration to levels observed in HEK 293 cells. However, a betaARK phosphorylation-impaired beta2AR mutant (Y326A) required the simultaneous overexpression of both betaARK and beta-arrestin for this to occur. Among all cell lines, sequestration correlated best with the product of betaARK and beta-arrestin expression. Moreover, an agonist-mediated translocation of wild-type beta2AR and endogenous beta-arrestin 2 to endocytic vesicles prepared from CHO fibroblasts was observed. These data suggest not only that the complement of cellular betaARK and arrestin proteins synergistically regulate beta2AR sequestration but also that beta-arrestins directly regulate beta2AR trafficking as well as desensitization.

The superfamily of heptahelical receptors

Abstract: Despite a growing appreciation of functional analogies between visual and hormonal signalling systems in the early 1980s, the discovery of the close structural relationship between rhodopsin and the β2-adrenergic receptor, and of the existence of a larger ‘superfamily’ of such receptors, came as a total surprise. Here I provide a personal perspective on events leading up to and flowing from this exciting discovery that opened up a vast field of research.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract: Experimental introduction of RNA into cells can be used in certain biological systems to interfere with the function of an endogenous gene Such effects have been proposed to result from a simple antisense mechanism that depends on hybridization between the injected RNA and endogenous messenger RNA transcripts RNA interference has been used in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to manipulate gene expression Here we investigate the requirements for structure and delivery of the interfering RNA To our surprise, we found that double-stranded RNA was substantially more effective at producing interference than was either strand individually After injection into adult animals, purified single strands had at most a modest effect, whereas double-stranded mixtures caused potent and specific interference The effects of this interference were evident in both the injected animals and their progeny Only a few molecules of injected double-stranded RNA were required per affected cell, arguing against stochiometric interference with endogenous mRNA and suggesting that there could be a catalytic or amplification component in the interference process

How do glucocorticoids influence stress responses? Integrating permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative actions.

Abstract: The secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) is a classic endocrine response to stress. Despite that, it remains controversial as to what purpose GCs serve at such times. One view, stretching back to the time of Hans Selye, posits that GCs help mediate the ongoing or pending stress response, either via basal levels of GCs permitting other facets of the stress response to emerge efficaciously, and/or by stress levels of GCs actively stimulating the stress response. In contrast, a revisionist viewpoint posits that GCs suppress the stress response, preventing it from being pathologically overactivated. In this review, we consider recent findings regarding GC action and, based on them, generate criteria for determining whether a particular GC action permits, stimulates, or suppresses an ongoing stressresponse or, as an additional category, is preparative for a subsequent stressor. We apply these GC actions to the realms of cardiovascular function, fluid volume and hemorrhage, immunity and inflammation, metabolism, neurobiology, and reproductive physiology. We find that GC actions fall into markedly different categories, depending on the physiological endpoint in question, with evidence for mediating effects in some cases, and suppressive or preparative in others. We then attempt to assimilate these heterogeneous GC actions into a physiological whole. (Endocrine Reviews 21: 55‐ 89, 2000)