scholarly journals The cell biology of smell

2010 ◽  
Vol 191 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon DeMaria ◽  
John Ngai
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory System ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Odorant Receptor ◽  
Large Family ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Odorant Receptors ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
The Brain

The olfactory system detects and discriminates myriad chemical structures across a wide range of concentrations. To meet this task, the system utilizes a large family of G protein–coupled receptors—the odorant receptors—which are the chemical sensors underlying the perception of smell. Interestingly, the odorant receptors are also involved in a number of developmental decisions, including the regulation of their own expression and the patterning of the olfactory sensory neurons' synaptic connections in the brain. This review will focus on the diverse roles of the odorant receptor in the function and development of the olfactory system.

scholarly journals Lipid nanoparticle technologies for the study of G protein-coupled receptors in lipid environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1287-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Lavington ◽  
Anthony Watts
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Large Family ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Integral Membrane Proteins ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticle ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Biophysical Studies ◽  
G Protein Coupled

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of integral membrane proteins which conduct a wide range of biological roles and represent significant drug targets. Most biophysical and structural studies of GPCRs have been conducted on detergent-solubilised receptors, and it is clear that detergents can have detrimental effects on GPCR function. Simultaneously, there is increasing appreciation of roles for specific lipids in modulation of GPCR function. Lipid nanoparticles such as nanodiscs and styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) offer opportunities to study integral membrane proteins in lipid environments, in a form that is soluble and amenable to structural and biophysical experiments. Here, we review the application of lipid nanoparticle technologies to the study of GPCRs, assessing the relative merits and limitations of each system. We highlight how these technologies can provide superior platforms to detergents for structural and biophysical studies of GPCRs and inform on roles for protein-lipid interactions in GPCR function.

Recent Advances of Small Molecular Regulators Targeting G Protein- Coupled Receptors Family for Oncology Immunotherapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 1464-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng He ◽  
Wenbo Zhou ◽  
Mingyao Liu ◽  
Yihua Chen
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Immune Checkpoints ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The great clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) and PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitor therapies suggests the drawing of a cancer immunotherapy age. However, a considerable proportion of cancer patients currently receive little benefit from these treatment modalities, indicating that multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms exist in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we mainly discuss recent advances in small molecular regulators targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) that are associated with oncology immunomodulation, including chemokine receptors, purinergic receptors, prostaglandin E receptor EP4 and opioid receptors. Moreover, we outline how they affect tumor immunity and neoplasia by regulating immune cell recruitment and modulating tumor stromal cell biology. We also summarize the data from recent clinical advances in small molecular regulators targeting these GPCRs, in combination with immune checkpoints blockers, such as PD-1/PDL-1 and CTLA4 inhibitors, for cancer treatments.

scholarly journals Mini-review: antibody therapeutics targeting G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-264
Author(s):  
Catherine J Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channels ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Antibody Therapeutics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Abstract Antibodies are now well established as therapeutics with many additional advantages over small molecules and peptides relative to their selectivity, bioavailability, half-life and effector function. Major classes of membrane-associated protein targets include G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels that are linked to a wide range of disease indications across all therapeutic areas. This mini-review summarizes the antibody target landscape for both GPCRs and ion channels as well as current progress in the respective research and development pipelines with some example case studies highlighted from clinical studies, including those being evaluated for the treatment of symptoms in COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Assembly of G Protein-Coupled Receptors onto Nanosized Bacterial Magnetic Particles Using Mms16 as an Anchor Molecule

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 2880-2885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Yoshino ◽  
Masayoshi Takahashi ◽  
Haruko Takeyama ◽  
Yoshiko Okamura ◽  
Fukuichi Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Magnetic Particles ◽  
Lipid Membrane ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Native Conformation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bacterial Magnetic Particles ◽  
Magnetospirillum Magneticum ◽  
G Protein Coupled

ABSTRACT G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a central role in a wide range of biological processes and are prime targets for drug discovery. GPCRs have large hydrophobic domains, and therefore purification of GPCRs from cells is frequently time-consuming and typically results in loss of native conformation. In this work, GPCRs have been successfully assembled into the lipid membrane of nanosized bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs) produced by the magnetic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. A BMP-specific protein, Mms16, was used as an anchor molecule, and localization of heterologous Mms16 on BMPs was confirmed by luciferase fusion studies. Stable luminescence was obtained from BMPs bearing Mms16 fused with luciferase at the C-terminal region. D1 dopamine receptor (D1R), a GPCR, was also efficiently assembled onto BMPs by using Mms16 as an anchor molecule. D1R-BMP complexes were simply extracted by magnetic separation from ruptured AMB-1 transformants. After washing, the complexes were ready to use for analysis. This system conveniently refines the native conformation of GPCRs without the need for detergent solubilization, purification, and reconstitution after cell disruption.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors in radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentine Suteau ◽  
Valérie Seegers ◽  
Mathilde Munier ◽  
Rym Ben Boubaker ◽  
Cécile Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Thyroid Cancers ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Abstract Context Radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancers have poor outcomes and limited therapeutic options, i.e tyrosine kinase inhibitors, due to transient efficacy and toxicity of treatments. Therefore, combinatorial treatments with new therapeutic approaches are needed. Many studies link G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) to cancer cell biology. Objective To perform a specific atlas of GPCRs expression in progressive and refractory thyroid cancer to identify potential targets among GPCRs aiming at drug repositioning. Method We analyzed samples from tumor and normal thyroid tissues from 17 patients with refractory thyroid cancer (twelve papillary thyroid cancers (PTC) and five follicular thyroid cancers (FTC)). We assessed the GPCR mRNA expression using the NanoString technology with a custom panel of 371 GPCRs. The data were compared with public repositories and pharmacological databases to identify eligible drugs. The analysis of prognostic value of genes was also performed with TCGA datasets. Results With our transcriptomic analysis, 4 receptors were found down regulated in FTC (VIPR1, ADGRL2/LPHN2, ADGRA3 and ADGRV1). In PTC, 24 receptors were deregulated, seven of which identified also by bioinformatics analyses of publicly available dataset on primary thyroid cancers (VIPR1, ADORA1, GPRC5B, P2RY8, GABBR2, CYSLTR2 and LPAR5). Among all the differentially expressed genes, 22 GPCRs are the target of approved drugs and some GPCRs were also associated with prognostic factors. Conclusions For the first time, we performed GPCR mRNA expression profiling in progressive and refractory thyroid cancers. These findings provide an opportunity to identify potential therapeutic targets for drug repositioning and precision medicine in radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer.

scholarly journals Beyond the Flavour: The Potential Druggability of Chemosensory G Protein-Coupled Receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Di Pizio ◽  
Maik Behrens ◽  
Dietmar Krautwurst
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Odorant Receptors ◽  
Taste Receptors ◽  
Umami Taste ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to the largest class of drug targets. Approximately half of the members of the human GPCR superfamily are chemosensory receptors, including odorant receptors (ORs), trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), sweet and umami taste receptors (TAS1Rs). Interestingly, these chemosensory GPCRs (csGPCRs) are expressed in several tissues of the body where they are supposed to play a role in biological functions other than chemosensation. Despite their abundance and physiological/pathological relevance, the druggability of csGPCRs has been suggested but not fully characterized. Here, we aim to explore the potential of targeting csGPCRs to treat diseases by reviewing the current knowledge of csGPCRs expressed throughout the body and by analysing the chemical space and the drug-likeness of flavour molecules.

Self-Checking Cell-Based Assays for GPCR Desensitization and Resensitization

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1220-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory W. Fisher ◽  
Margaret H. Fuhrman ◽  
Sally A. Adler ◽  
Christopher Szent-Gyorgyi ◽  
Alan S. Waggoner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Receptor Desensitization ◽  
Endogenous Ligand ◽  
Target Class ◽  
Cell Assays ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Gpcr Desensitization

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) play stimulatory or modulatory roles in numerous physiological states and processes, including growth and development, vision, taste and olfaction, behavior and learning, emotion and mood, inflammation, and autonomic functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. GPCRs constitute the largest protein superfamily in the human and are the largest target class for prescription drugs, yet most are poorly characterized, and of the more than 350 nonolfactory human GPCRs, over 100 are orphans for which no endogenous ligand has yet been convincingly identified. We here describe new live-cell assays that use recombinant GPCRs to quantify two general features of GPCR cell biology—receptor desensitization and resensitization. The assays employ a fluorogen-activating protein (FAP) reporter that reversibly complexes with either of two soluble organic molecules (fluorogens) whose fluorescence is strongly enhanced when complexed with the FAP. Both assays require no wash or cleanup steps and are readily performed in microwell plates, making them adaptable to high-throughput drug discovery applications.

Systems biochemistry approaches to vertebrate phototransduction: towards a molecular understanding of disease

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1275-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Dell'Orco ◽  
Karl-Wilhelm Koch
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Response ◽  
Photoreceptor Cells ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Retinal Diseases ◽  
Rod Cells ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nucleotide Interactions ◽  
Light Stimuli ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Phototransduction Cascade

Phototransduction in vertebrates represents a paradigm of signalling pathways, in particular those mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors. The variety of protein–protein, protein–ion and protein–nucleotide interactions makes up an intricate network which is finely regulated by activating–deactivating molecules and chemical modifications. The holistic systems properties of the network allow for typical adaptation mechanisms, which ultimately result in fine adjustments of sensitivity and electrical response of the photoreceptor cells to the broad range of light stimuli. In the present article, we discuss a novel bottom-up strategy to study the phototransduction cascade in rod cells starting from the underlying biochemistry. The resulting network model can be simulated and the predicted dynamic behaviour directly compared with data from electrophysiological experiments performed on a wide range of illumination conditions. The advantage of applying procedures typical of systems theory to a well-studied signalling pathway is also discussed. Finally, the potential application to the study of the molecular basis of retinal diseases is highlighted through a practical example, namely the simulation of conditions related to Leber congenital amaurosis.

Transmembrane Signaling in the Brain by Serotonin, A Key Regulator of Physiology and Emotion

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 363-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana Adayev ◽  
Buddima Ranasinghe ◽  
Probal Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Living Organism ◽  
Covalent Modification ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Compare And Contrast ◽  
The Brain

Serotonin (5-HT) is an ancient chemical that plays a crucial functional role in almost every living organism. It regulates platelet aggregation, activation of immune cells, and contraction of stomach and intestinal muscles. In addition, serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. These activities are initiated by the binding of serotonin to 15 or more receptors that are pharmacologically classified into seven groups, 5-HT1 through 5-HT7. Each group is further divided into subgroups of receptors that are homologous but are encoded by discrete genes. With the exception of the 5-HT3 receptor-a cation channel—all of the others are G protein-coupled receptors that potentially activate or inhibit a large number of biochemical cascades. This review will endeavor to compare and contrast such signaling pathways with special attention to their tissue-specific occurrence, their possible role in immediate effects on covalent modification of other proteins, and relatively slower effects on gene expression, physiology and behavior.

scholarly journals Methods used to study the oligomeric structure of G-protein-coupled receptors

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Guo ◽  
Su An ◽  
Richard Ward ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Experimental Techniques ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Function ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which constitute the largest family of cell surface receptors, were originally thought to function as monomers, but are now recognized as being able to act in a wide range of oligomeric states and indeed, it is known that the oligomerization state of a GPCR can modulate its pharmacology and function. A number of experimental techniques have been devised to study GPCR oligomerization including those based upon traditional biochemistry such as blue-native PAGE (BN-PAGE), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and protein-fragment complementation assays (PCAs), those based upon resonance energy transfer, FRET, time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET), FRET spectrometry and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Those based upon microscopy such as FRAP, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), spatial intensity distribution analysis (SpIDA) and various single molecule imaging techniques. Finally with the solution of a growing number of crystal structures, X-ray crystallography must be acknowledged as an important source of discovery in this field. A different, but in many ways complementary approach to the use of more traditional experimental techniques, are those involving computational methods that possess obvious merit in the study of the dynamics of oligomer formation and function. Here, we summarize the latest developments that have been made in the methods used to study GPCR oligomerization and give an overview of their application.

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