Conditional and reversible activation of class A and B G protein-coupled receptors using tethered pharmacology
File(s)ACS Central paper.pdf (6.09 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Understanding the activation and internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using conditional approaches is paramount to developing new therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and testing of ExONatide, a benzylguanine-linked peptide agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B GPCR required for maintenance of glucose levels in humans. ExONatide covalently binds to SNAP-tagged GLP-1R-expressing cells, leading to prolonged cAMP generation, Ca2+ rises, and intracellular retention of the receptor. These effects were readily switched OFF following cleavage of the introduced disulfide bridge using the cell-permeable reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol (BME). A similar approach could be extended to a class A GPCR using GhrelON, a benzylguanine-linked peptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a), which is involved in food intake and growth. Thus, ExONatide and GhrelON allow SNAP-tag-directed activation of class A and B GPCRs involved in gut hormone signaling in a reversible manner. This tactic, termed reductively cleavable agONist (RECON), may be useful for understanding GLP-1R and GHS-R1a function both in vitro and in vivo, with applicability across GPCRs.
Date Issued
2018-01-16
Date Acceptance
2017-12-28
Citation
ACS Central Science, 2018, 4 (2), pp.166-179
ISSN
2374-7943
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
166
End Page
179
Journal / Book Title
ACS Central Science
Volume
4
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2018 American Chemical Society. This is an open access article published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the author and source are cited.
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council
Grant Number
MR/M012646/1
Publication Status
Published