G Protein-coupled Receptors Internalization Research Articles

Engineered mini-G proteins block the internalization of cognate GPCRs and disrupt downstream intracellular signaling.

Mini-G proteins are engineered, thermostable variants of Gα subunits designed to stabilize G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in their active conformations. Because of their small size and ease of use, they are popular tools for assessing GPCR behaviors in cells, both as reporters of receptor coupling to Gα subtypes and for cellular assays to quantify compartmentalized signaling at various subcellular locations. Here, we report that overexpression of mini-G proteins with their cognate GPCRs disrupted GPCR endocytic trafficking and associated intracellular signaling. In cells expressing the Gαs-coupled GPCR glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), coexpression of mini-Gs, a mini-G protein derived from Gαs, blocked β-arrestin 2 recruitment and receptor internalization and disrupted endosomal GLP-1R signaling. These effects did not involve changes in receptor phosphorylation or lipid nanodomain segregation. Moreover, we found that mini-G proteins derived from Gαi and Gαq also inhibited the internalization of GPCRs that couple to them. Finally, we developed an alternative intracellular signaling assay for GLP-1R using a nanobody specific for active Gαs:GPCR complexes (Nb37) that did not affect GLP-1R internalization. Our results have important implications for designing methods to assess intracellular GPCR signaling.

Roles of the gate loop in β-arrestin-1 conformational dynamics and phosphorylated receptor interaction

Arrestins interact with phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and regulate the homologous desensitization and internalization of GPCRs. The gate loop in arrestins is a critical region for both stabilization of the basal state and interaction with phosphorylated receptors. We investigated the roles of specific residues in the gate loop (K292, K294, and H295) using β-arrestin-1 and phosphorylated C-tail peptide of vasopressin receptor type 2 (V2Rpp) as a model system. We measured the binding affinity of V2Rpp and analyzed conformational dynamics of β-arrestin-1. Our results suggest that K294 plays a critical role in the interaction with V2Rpp without influencing the overall conformation of the V2Rpp-bound state. The residues K292 and H295 contribute to the stability of the polar core in the basal state and form a specific conformation of the finger loop in the V2Rpp-bound state.

Characterization of the real-time internalization of nine GPCRs reveals distinct dependence on arrestins and G proteins

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven transmembrane receptors that respond to external stimuli and undergo conformational changes to activate G proteins and modulate cellular processes leading to biological outcomes. To prevent overstimulation and prolonged exposure to stimuli, GPCRs are regulated by internalization. While the canonical GPCR internalization mechanism in mammalian cells is arrestin-dependent, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, more diverse GPCR internalization mechanisms have been described over the years. However, there is a lack of consistent methods used in the literature making it complicated to determine a receptor's internalization pathway. Here, we utilized a highly efficient time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) internalization assay to determine the internalization profile of nine distinct GPCRs representing the GPCR classes A, B and C and with different G protein coupling profiles. This technique, coupled with clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) engineered knockout cells allows us to effectively study the involvement of heterotrimeric G proteins and non-visual arrestins. We found that all the nine receptors internalized upon agonist stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner and six receptors showed basal internalization. Yet, there is no correlation between the receptor class and primary G protein coupling to the arrestin and G protein dependence for GPCR internalization. Overall, this study presents a platform for studying internalization that is applicable to most GPCRs and may even be extended to other membrane proteins. This method can be easily applicable to other endocytic machinery of interest and ultimately will lend itself towards the construction of comprehensive receptor internalization profiles.

GPCR targeting of E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 by inactive β-arrestin

E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 facilitates β-arrestin ubiquitination, leading to the internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this process, β-arrestins bind to Mdm2 and recruit it to the receptor; however, the molecular architecture of the β-arrestin-Mdm2 complex has not been elucidated yet. Here, we identified the β-arrestin-binding region (ABR) on Mdm2 and solved the crystal structure of β-arrestin1 in complex with Mdm2ABR peptide. The acidic residues of Mdm2ABR bind to the positively charged concave side of the β-arrestin1 N-domain. The C-tail of β-arrestin1 is still bound to the N-domain, indicating that Mdm2 binds to the inactive state of β-arrestin1, whereas the phosphorylated C-terminal tail of GPCRs binds to activate β-arrestins. The overlapped binding site of Mdm2 and GPCR C-tails on β-arrestin1 suggests that the binding of GPCR C-tails might trigger the release of Mdm2. Moreover, hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments further show that Mdm2ABR binding to β-arrestin1 induces the interdomain interface to be more dynamic and uncouples the IP6-induced oligomer of β-arrestin1. These results show how the E3 ligase, Mdm2, interacts with β-arrestins to promote the internalization of GPCRs.

Proximity Labeling to Identify β-Arrestin1 Binding Partners Downstream of Ligand-Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptors.

β-arrestins are multifaceted adaptor proteins that regulate various aspects of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. β-arrestins are recruited to agonist-activated and phosphorylated GPCRs at the plasma membrane, thereby preventing G protein coupling, while also targeting GPCRs for internalization via clathrin-coated pits. In addition, β-arrestins can activate various effector molecules to prosecute their role in GPCR signaling; however, the full extent of their interacting partners remains unknown. To discover potentially novel β-arrestin interacting partners, we used APEX-based proximity labeling coupled with affinity purification and quantitative mass spectrometry. We appended APEX in-frame to the C-terminus of β-arrestin1 (βarr1-APEX), which we show does not impact its ability to support agonist-stimulated internalization of GPCRs. By using coimmunoprecipitation, we show that βarr1-APEX interacts with known interacting proteins. Furthermore, following agonist stimulation βarr1-APEX labeled known βarr1-interacting partners as assessed by streptavidin affinity purification and immunoblotting. Aliquots were prepared in a similar manner and analyzed by tandem mass tag labeling and high-content quantitative mass spectrometry. Several proteins were found to be increased in abundance following GPCR stimulation. Biochemical experiments confirmed two novel proteins that interact with β-arrestin1, which we predict are novel ligand-stimulated βarr1 interacting partners. Our study highlights that βarr1-APEX-based proximity labeling represents a valuable approach to identifying novel players involved in GPCR signaling.

Atypical regulation of an atypical chemokine receptor: ACKR3 'senses' CXCR4 activation through phosphorylation.

ACKR3 is an arrestin-biased 7-transmembrane receptor that is unable to activate G proteins. The receptor shares the chemokine agonist, CXCL12, with the canonical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), CXCR4. The receptor pair plays a critical role in mediating cell migration during cardiac and CNS development as well as contributing to cancer growth and metastasis. Whereas CXCR4 drives cellular migration through G protein signaling, ACKR3 primarily acts to scavenge chemokines, which indirectly regulates migration through shaping the extracellular chemokine gradient. Scavenging is driven by constitutive internalization and recycling of the receptor and concomitant shuttling of CXCL12 to lysosomes for degradation. Since internalization of GPCRs is often dependent on phosphorylation and β-arrestins, we set out to resolve how GPCR kinases (GRKs) and β-arrestins influence ACKR3 scavenging. Despite robust β-arrestin recruitment by ACKR3, knockouts of β-arrestins had little impact on CXCL12 scavenging by the receptor; nevertheless, GRK phosphorylation is essential. Employing GRK knockout cells, we discovered that GRK5 is the dominant kinase for ACKR3 phosphorylation and primary driver of chemokine scavenging in HEK293 cells. In comparison the responses elicited by GRK2 were much more limited. Because GRK2 requires free Gβγ released by heterotrimeric G protein activation, we hypothesized that the muted GRK2 impact may be due to the lack of G protein coupling by ACKR3. Indeed, addition of Gβγ significantly enhanced GRK2-mediated ACKR3 phosphorylation and scavenging of CXCL12. Additionally, co-activation of CXCR4 produced sufficient Gβγ to promote GRK2 phosphorylation of ACKR3. These results suggest a mechanism for ACKR3 to ‘sense’ CXCR4 activation through GRK2 activity. Likewise, this would allow CXCR4 to influence CXCL12 scavenging as well as its own signaling by promoting β-arrestin recruitment to ACKR3.

Arrestin C-tail dynamics regulate activation and GPCR engagement.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a family of seven transmembrane proteins that function to transduce extracellular signals, such as hormones and neurotransmitters, into intracellular signals. To achieve temporal regulation of signaling, a family of proteins called beta-arrestins function to terminate G protein-mediated signaling and desensitizing receptors. beta-arrestins also mediate the internalization of most GPCRs, and thus dictating their recycling and re-sensitization behavior. For a beta-arrestin to engage a GPCR it must transition from a basally autoinhibited state to an active state. The prevailing mechanism for beta-arrestin activation involves displacement of the beta-arrestin autoinhibitory C-terminal tail (C-tail) by the phosphorylated C-terminus of a GPCR. However, this mechanism raises questions as to how GPCRs which exhibit little C-terminal phosphorylation are still able to activate beta-arrestins. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, from in-cell proximity assays to hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET), we investigated the assembly and dynamics of GPCR-beta-arrestin complexes. We find that the beta-arrestin C-tail is intrinsically dynamic, but largely occupies the autoinhibited state. However, mutations to the C-tail which compromise the inactive state show faster complex assembly in cells and spend an increased proportion of time in an intermediate “active-like” state as seen by smFRET. Further, we find that membrane phosphoinositides act as allosteric modulators of beta-arrestin dynamics, altering the behavior of the C-tail through binding to a distal region of the beta-arrestin. In the context of GPCR engagement, our data show that membrane-derived allosteric inputs function in concert with canonical beta-arrestin inputs (e.g., GPCR phosphorylation, GPCR conformation) to regulate GPCR-beta-arrestin complex assembly. Together, our studies provide valuable mechanistic insights into the process of beta-arrestin activation and the assembly of GPCR-beta-arrestin complexes, a process of crucial importance for regulating diverse physiological processes.

The dual-function chemokine receptor CCR2 drives migration and chemokine scavenging through distinct mechanisms.

C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is a dual-function receptor. Similar to other G protein-coupled chemokine receptors, it promotes monocyte infiltration into tissues in response to the chemokine CCL2, and, like atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs), it scavenges chemokine from the extracellular environment. CCR2 therefore mediates CCL2-dependent signaling as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and also limits CCL2 signaling as a scavenger receptor. We investigated the mechanisms underlying CCR2 scavenging, including the involvement of intracellular proteins typically associated with GPCR signaling and internalization. Using CRISPR knockout cell lines, we showed that CCR2 scavenged by constitutively internalizing to remove CCL2 from the extracellular space and recycling back to the cell surface for further rounds of ligand sequestration. This process occurred independently of G proteins, GPCR kinases (GRKs), β-arrestins, and clathrin, which is distinct from other "professional" chemokine scavenger receptors that couple to GRKs, β-arrestins, or both. These findings set the stage for understanding the molecular regulators that determine CCR2 scavenging and may have implications for drug development targeting this therapeutically important receptor.

Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors for GPCR research.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological cellular processes, thus it is important to understand how GPCRs are activated and function in various cellular contexts. In particular, the activation process of GPCRs is dynamically regulated upon various extracellular stimuli, and emerging evidence suggests the subcellular functions of GPCRs at endosomes and other organelles. Therefore, precise monitoring of the GPCR activation process with high spatiotemporal resolution is required to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of GPCR functions. In this review, we will introduce genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors that can precisely monitor the real-time GPCR activation process in live cells. The process includes the binding of extracellular GPCR ligands, conformational change of GPCR, recruitment of G proteins or β-arrestin, GPCR internalization and trafficking, and the GPCR-related downstream signaling events. We will introduce fluorescent GPCR biosensors based on a variety of strategies such as fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), circular permuted fluorescent protein (cpFP), and nanobody. We will discuss the pros and cons of these GPCR biosensors as well as their applications in GPCR research.

G protein–coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation of distal C-tail sites specifies βarrestin1-mediated signaling by chemokine receptor CXCR4

G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) and arrestins mediate GPCR desensitization, internalization, and signaling. The spatial pattern of GPCR phosphorylation is predicted to trigger these discrete GRK and arrestin-mediated functions. Here, we provide evidence that distal carboxyl-terminal tail (C-tail), but not proximal, phosphorylation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 specifies βarrestin1 (βarr1)-dependent signaling. We demonstrate by pharmacologic inhibition of GRK2/3-mediated phosphorylation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 coupled with site-directed mutagenesis and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer approaches that distal, not proximal, C-tail phosphorylation sites are required for recruitment of the adaptor protein STAM1 (signal-transducing adaptor molecule) to βarr1 and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation but not extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, we show that GPCRs that have similarly positioned C-tail phosphoresidues are also able to recruit STAM1 to βarr1. However, although necessary for some GPCRs, we found that distal C-tail sites might not be sufficient to specify recruitment of STAM1 to βarr1 for other GPCRs. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that distal C-tail phosphorylation sites specify GRK–βarrestin-mediated signaling by CXCR4 and other GPCRs.

Posttranslational modifications in GPCR internalization.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors that serve as the most important drug targets. Classically, GPCR internalization has been considered to lead to receptor desensitization. However, many studies over the past decade have reported that internalized membrane receptors can trigger distinct signal activation. The "internalized activation" provides a completely new understanding for the receptor internalization, the mechanism of physiology/pathology and novel drug targets for precision medicine. GPCR internalization undergoes a series of strict regulations, especially by posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Here, this review summarizes different PTMs in GPCR internalization and analyzes their significance in GPCR internalization dynamics, internalization routes, postinternalization fates, and related diseases, which will offer new insights into the regulatory mechanism of GPCR signaling and novel drug targets for precision medicine.

Beta‐agonist Profiling Reveals Novel Biased Signaling Phenotypes for the Beta 2‐adrenergic Receptor with Implications in the Treatment of Asthma

Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell contraction. Current treatments for asthma include beta‐agonists which activate the beta 2‐adrenergic receptor, a G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) that promotes Gs‐dependent production of cAMP leading to ASM relaxation. Unfortunately, beta‐agonists can also promote severe side effects including an increased risk of having a severe asthmatic attack that can result in death. Such side effects have been correlated with the action of beta‐arrestins, scaffolding proteins that mediate GPCR desensitization and internalization as well as G protein independent signaling. In this scenario, biased ligands that promote selective receptor interaction with Gs should be beneficial in promoting airway relaxation while attenuating beta‐arrestin‐induced side effects. To test this, we have used high‐throughput screening to identify Gs‐biased beta‐agonists. The initial lead candidates were further analyzed for their ability to modulate receptor induced Gs and Gi interaction, cAMP production, and beta‐arrestin interaction using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) analysis. We identified three compounds with Gs‐biased properties which showed minimal beta‐arrestin recruitment. These compounds were also able to decrease beta‐arrestin mediated outputs including receptor internalization and ERK activation. These compounds also showed reduced GRK‐mediated phosphorylation of the receptor as well as decreased agonist‐promoted desensitization in a physiological model of asthma (human ASM cells). In conclusion, these Gs‐biased beta‐agonists may pave the way for the development of more effective drugs for the treatment of asthma and may help to clarify the structural determinants of receptor mediated biased signaling.

The Effects of Disabled ARR1 Gene on C. Elegans Expression of Substance Preferences

A vital component in the mechanisms of processing addictive substances are G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which function as a mediator of behavioral effects of addictive drugs. Arrestins (ARR‐1) are adaptor proteins that regulate the G protein‐coupled receptor desensitization and internalization, and are a key to the effect of dopamine, opioids, and cannabinoid receptors. The ARR‐1 gene in C. Elegans is shown to be responsible for the internalization of GPCRs. GPCRs send signals downstream to the C. Elegans chemosensory nerves, which regulates their olfactory and gustatory senses. In C. Elegans, inhibition of the ARR‐1 gene is shown to affect worms' abilities to desensitize from substances such as alcohol. Using an ethanol tolerance assay, this project aims to analyze the relationship between neural plasticity and its relationship to Arrestin. We hypothesize that ARR‐1 is integral to alcohol sensing, and to investigate this, we use the Arrestin deficient strain of C. Elegans, RB660, wtN2, and an ethanol preference assay. We examine worm behavior using camera‐tracking and represent the data using a heat map.

AKAP12 Modulates β‐arrestin2 Recruitment to the β2‐Adrenergic Receptors

BackgroundG‐Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are central mediators of signaling cascades in many biological systems. GPCRs internalization rates vary based on the presence/absence of its ligand and the type of the receptor. β2‐Adrenergic Receptor (β2AR) is a prototypical GPCR, reaching its maximum in internalization within ~10 minutes after ligand treatment. One regulator of β2AR internalization is β‐arrestin2. GPCR–β‐arrestin binding is biphasic where the phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of GPCRs docks to the N‐domain of β‐arrestin first, and then the seven transmembrane core of the receptor engages with β‐arrestin. However, it has been discovered that the core interaction is dispensable for receptor endocytosis. AKAP12 is a large scaffolding protein that was reported to be essential in agonist‐induced internalization and resensitization of β2AR. Our central hypothesis is that higher expression levels of AKAP12 may enhance β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the β2AR and subsequently increase β2AR internalization.MethodsHEK293 cells were grouped into three groups: [1] Controls: endogenous AKAP12 expression, [2] Overexpression (OX): transiently overexpressing human AKAP12, and [3] Knockdown (KD): treated with human AKAP12 siRNA. β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the receptor and β2AR internalization was evaluated using the Nanobit luciferase system. For each assay, we tested four β2AR‐β‐arrestin2 or Early Endosome‐β2AR orientations. Orientation pairs with the highest luminescence signals were used for the experiments to obtain maximum sensitivity. At 48 hours post‐transfection, Nanobit assays were performed by recording baseline luminescence for 10 minutes. Next, 10µM epinephrine was added and luminescence measurements were recorded immediately and then once every minute for 1 hour. Results are represented as Luminescence Fold Induction (LFI). Receptor trafficking to early endosomes post epinephrine treatment was further confirmed using the Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA).ResultsHEK cells, OX AKAP12 [9 fold higher] had a significantly lower β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the β2AR (2.26±0.39, LFI) as compared to controls (7.47±1.12, LFI; p=0.0004). AKAP12 KD [AKAP12 ~80% silenced] had a significantly higher β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the β2AR (10.35±0.56, LFI) as compared to both control and OX AKAP12 groups (p=0.035 and p<0.0001), respectively. At 15 minutes post epinephrine addition, β2AR trafficking to early endosomes was significantly lower in the OX AKAP12 group (1.82±0.22, LFI), as compared to the control (2.47±0.09, LFI; p=0.01), while the KD AKAP12 group had a significantly higher internalization (2.98±0.14, LFI), as compared to control and OX AKAP12 groups (p=0.005 and p=0.0003), respectively. Our PLA data further confirmed that the OX AKAP12 group displayed significantly lower β2AR trafficking as defined by its decreased interaction with Early Endosome Antigen 1 (EEA1), as compared to the control (p= 0.0451).ConclusionsContrary to previously thought, higher AKAP12 expression levels may interfere with β2AR trafficking to early endosomes partially through inhibiting β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the β2AR.

Covalent drug discovery targeting G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play pivotal roles in converting physicochemical stimuli due to environmental changes to intracellular responses. After ligand stimulation, many GPCRs are desensitized and then recycled or degraded through phosphorylation and β-arrestin-dependent internalization, an important process to maintain protein quality control of GPCRs. However, it is unknown how GPCRs with low β-arrestin sensitivity are controlled. Here we unmasked a β-arrestin-independent GPCR internalization, named Redox-dependent Alternative Internalization (REDAI), focusing on β-arrestin-resistant purinergic P2Y6 receptor (P2Y6R). P2Y6R is highly expressed in macrophage and pathologically contributes to the development of colitis in mice. Natural electrophiles including in functional foods induce REDAI-mediated P2Y6R degradation leading to anti-inflammation in macrophages. Prevention of Cys220 modification on P2Y6R resulted in aggravation of the colitis. These results strongly suggest that targeting REDAI on GPCRs will be a breakthrough strategy for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Discovery of a dual Ras and ARF6 inhibitor from a GPCR endocytosis screen

Internalization and intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play pivotal roles in cell responsiveness. Dysregulation in receptor trafficking can lead to aberrant signaling and cell behavior. Here, using an endosomal BRET-based assay in a high-throughput screen with the prototypical GPCR angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), we sought to identify receptor trafficking inhibitors from a library of ~115,000 small molecules. We identified a novel dual Ras and ARF6 inhibitor, which we named Rasarfin, that blocks agonist-mediated internalization of AT1R and other GPCRs. Rasarfin also potently inhibits agonist-induced ERK1/2 signaling by GPCRs, and MAPK and Akt signaling by EGFR, as well as prevents cancer cell proliferation. In silico modeling and in vitro studies reveal a unique binding modality of Rasarfin within the SOS-binding domain of Ras. Our findings unveil a class of dual small G protein inhibitors for receptor trafficking and signaling, useful for the inhibition of oncogenic cellular responses.

Substance P Serves as a Balanced Agonist for MRGPRX2 and a Single Tyrosine Residue Is Required for β-Arrestin Recruitment and Receptor Internalization.

The neuropeptide substance P (SP) mediates neurogenic inflammation and pain and contributes to atopic dermatitis in mice through the activation of mast cells (MCs) via Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-B2 (MrgprB2, human ortholog MRGPRX2). In addition to G proteins, certain MRGPRX2 agonists activate an additional signaling pathway that involves the recruitment of β-arrestins, which contributes to receptor internalization and desensitization (balanced agonists). We found that SP caused β-arrestin recruitment, MRGPRX2 internalization, and desensitization. These responses were independent of G proteins, indicating that SP serves as a balanced agonist for MRGPRX2. A tyrosine residue in the highly conserved NPxxY motif contributes to the activation and internalization of many GPCRs. We have previously shown that Tyr279 of MRGPRX2 is essential for G protein-mediated signaling and degranulation. To assess its role in β-arrestin-mediated MRGPRX2 regulation, we replaced Tyr279 in the NPxxY motif of MRGPRX2 with Ala (Y279A). Surprisingly, we found that, unlike the wild-type receptor, Y279A mutant of MRGPRX2 was resistant to SP-induced β-arrestin recruitment and internalization. This study reveals the novel findings that activation of MRGPRX2 by SP is regulated by β-arrestins and that a highly conserved tyrosine residue within MRGPRX2’s NPxxY motif contributes to both G protein- and β-arrestin-mediated responses.

Confocal and TIRF microscopy based approaches to visualize arrestin trafficking in living cells.

Arrestins are key proteins that serve as versatile scaffolds to control and mediate G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) activity. Arrestin control of GPCR functions involves their recruitment from the cytosol to plasma membrane-localized GPCRs and to endosomal compartments, where they mediate internalization, sorting and signaling of GPCRs. Several methods can be used to monitor trafficking of arrestins; however, live fluorescence imaging remains the method of choice to both assess arrestin recruitment to ligand-activated receptors and to monitor its dynamic subcellular localization. Here, we present two approaches based on Total Internal Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and confocal microscopy to visualize arrestin trafficking in live cells in real time and to assess their co-localization with the GPCR of interest and their localization at specific subcellular locations.

Many faces of the GPCR-arrestin interaction.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to a major receptor family and regulate important physiological and pathological functions. Upon agonist activation, GPCRs couple to G proteins and induce the activation of G protein-dependent signaling pathways. The agonist-activated GPCRs are also phosphorylated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), which promote their interaction with arrestins. Arrestin binding induces desensitization (i.e., inability to couple to G proteins) and/or internalization of GPCRs. Arrestins not only desensitize and/or internalize GPCRs but also mediate other downstream signals such as mitogen-activated protein kinases. G protein-mediated signaling and arrestin-mediated signaling often result in different functional outcomes, and therefore, it has been suggested that signaling-selective regulation of GPCRs could lead to the development of more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Thus, studies have attempted to develop functionally biased (i.e., signaling-selective) GPCR-targeting drugs. To this end, it is important to elucidate the structural mechanism underlying functionally biased GPCR signaling, which includes understanding the structural mechanism underlying the GPCR-arrestin interaction. This review aims discuss the structural aspects of the GPCR-arrestin interaction, focusing on the differences between reported GPCR-arrestin complex structures.

Dynamics and structural communication in the ternary complex of fully phosphorylated V2 vasopressin receptor, vasopressin, and β-arrestin 1

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critically regulated by arrestins, which not only desensitize G-protein signaling but also initiate a G protein-independent wave of signaling.The information from structure determination was herein exploited to build a structural model of the ternary complex, comprising fully phosphorylated V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R), the agonist arginine vasopressin (AVP), and β-arrestin 1 (β-arr1). Molecular simulations served to explore dynamics and structural communication in the ternary complex.Flexibility and mechanical profiles reflect fold of V2R and β-arr1. Highly conserved amino acids tend to behave as hubs in the structure network and contribute the most to the mechanical rigidity of V2R seven-helix bundle and of β-arr1. Two structurally and dynamically distinct receptor-arrestin interfaces assist the twist of the N- and C-terminal domains (ND and CD, respectively) of β-arr1 with respect to each other, which is linked to arrestin activation. While motion of the ND is essentially assisted by the fully phosphorylated C-tail of V2R (V2RCt), that of CD is assisted by the second and third intracellular loops and the cytosolic extensions of helices 5 and 6. In the presence of the receptor, the β-arr1 inter-domain twist angle correlates with the modes describing the essential subspace of the ternary complex. β-arr1 motions are also influenced by the anchoring to the membrane of the C-edge-loops in the β-arr1-CD. Overall fluctuations reveal a coupling between motions of the agonist binding site and of β-arr1-ND, which are in allosteric communication between each other. Mechanical rigidity points, often acting as hubs in the structure network and distributed along the main axis of the receptor helix bundle, contribute to establish a preferential communication pathway between agonist ligand and the ND of arrestin. Such communication, mediated by highly conserved amino acids, involves also the first amino acid in the arrestin C-tail, which is highly dynamic and is involved in clathrin-mediated GPCR internalization.