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.

β-Arrestin2-mediated inotropic effects of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor in isolated cardiac myocytes

Abstract: The G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and β-arrestins, families of molecules essential to the desensitization of G protein-dependent signaling via seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), have been recently shown to also transduce G protein-independent signals from receptors. However, the physiologic consequences of this G protein-independent, GRK/β-arrestin-dependent signaling are largely unknown. Here, we establish that GRK/β-arrestin-mediated signal transduction via the angiotensin II (ANG) type 1A receptor (AT1AR) results in positive inotropic and lusitropic effects in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes. We used the “biased” AT1AR agonist [Sar1, Ile4, Ile8]-angiotensin II (SII), which is unable to stimulate Gαq-mediated signaling, but which has previously been shown to promote β-arrestin interaction with the AT1AR. Cardiomyocytes from WT, but not AT1AR-deficient knockout (KO) mice, exhibited positive inotropic and lusitropic responses to both ANG and SII. Responses of WT cardiomyocytes to ANG were dramatically reduced by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition, whereas those to SII were unaffected. In contrast, cardiomyocytes from β-arrestin2 KO and GRK6 KO mice failed to respond to SII, but displayed preserved responses to ANG. Cardiomyocytes from GRK2 heterozygous knockout mice (GRK2+/−) exhibited augmented responses to SII in comparison to ANG, whereas those from GRK5 KO mice did not differ from those from WT mice. These findings indicate the existence of independent Gαq/PKC- and GRK6/β-arrestin2-dependent mechanisms by which stimulation of the AT1AR can modulate cardiomyocyte function, and which can be differentially activated by selective receptor ligands. Such ligands may have potential as a novel class of therapeutic agents.

Role of extracellular disulfide-bonded cysteines in the ligand binding function of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

Abstract: Evidence is presented for a role of disulfide bridging in forming the ligand binding site of the {beta}{sub 2}-adrenergic receptor ({beta}AR). The presence of disulfide bonds at the ligand binding site is indicated by competitive inhibition by dithiothreitol (DTT) in radioligand binding assays, by specific protection by {beta}-adrenergic ligands of these effects, and by the requirement of disulfide reduction for limit proteolysis of affinity ligand labeled receptor. The kinetics of binding inhibition by DTT suggest at least two pairs of disulfide-bonded cysteines essential for normal binding. Through site-directed mutagenesis, the authors indeed were able to identify four cysteines which are critical for normal binding affinities and for the proper expression of functional {beta}AR at the cell surface. Unexpectedly, the four cysteines required for normal ligand binding are not those located within the hydrophobic transmembrane domains of the receptor (where ligand binding is presumed to occur) but lie in the extracellular hydrophilic loops connecting these transmembrane segments. These findings indicate that in addition to the well-documented involvement of the membrane-spanning domains of the receptor in ligand binding, there is an important and previously unsuspected role of the hydrophilic extracellular domains in forming the ligand binding site.

β-Arrestin1 mediates nicotinic acid–induced flushing, but not its antilipolytic effect, in mice

Abstract: Nicotinic acid is one of the most effective agents for both lowering triglycerides and raising HDL. However, the side effect of cutaneous flushing severely limits patient compliance. As nicotinic acid stimulates the GPCR GPR109A and Gi/Go proteins, here we dissected the roles of G proteins and the adaptor proteins, beta-arrestins, in nicotinic acid-induced signaling and physiological responses. In a human cell line-based signaling assay, nicotinic acid stimulation led to pertussis toxin-sensitive lowering of cAMP, recruitment of beta-arrestins to the cell membrane, an activating conformational change in beta-arrestin, and beta-arrestin-dependent signaling to ERK MAPK. In addition, we found that nicotinic acid promoted the binding of beta-arrestin1 to activated cytosolic phospholipase A2 as well as beta-arrestin1-dependent activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and release of arachidonate, the precursor of prostaglandin D2 and the vasodilator responsible for the flushing response. Moreover, beta-arrestin1-null mice displayed reduced cutaneous flushing in response to nicotinic acid, although the improvement in serum free fatty acid levels was similar to that observed in wild-type mice. These data suggest that the adverse side effect of cutaneous flushing is mediated by beta-arrestin1, but lowering of serum free fatty acid levels is not. Furthermore, G protein-biased ligands that activate GPR109A in a beta-arrestin-independent fashion may represent an improved therapeutic option for the treatment of dyslipidemia.

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)