TM Domain Research Articles

Pharmacological studies of morphine in a novel humanized mu opioid receptor mouse model

Full‐length 7‐transmembrane (TM) variants of mu opioid receptor (MOR) share similar amino acid sequences of TM domains in rodents and humans; however, interspecies differences in N‐ and C‐terminal amino acid sequences of MOR splice variants dramatically affect the downstream signaling. Thus, it is essential to develop a mouse model that expresses human MOR for opioid pharmacological studies. We generated two lines of fully humanized MOR mice, line #1 and #2. The novel murine model having human OPRM1 genes and human‐specific variants was examined by RT‐PCR. Humanized MOR mice were characterized in vivo using a tail‐flick, charcoal meal, open field, tail suspension, naloxone precipitation tests, and rectal temperature measurement. The data indicated that wild‐type (WT) and humanized MOR mice exhibited different pharmacology of morphine, including antinociception, tolerance, sedation, and withdrawal syndromes, suggesting the presence of species difference between mouse and human MORs. Therefore, humanized MOR mice could serve as a novel mouse model for pharmacogenetic studies of opioids.

Probing biophysical sequence constraints within the transmembrane domains of rhodopsin by deep mutational scanning.

Membrane proteins must balance the sequence constraints associated with folding and function against the hydrophobicity required for solvation within the bilayer. We recently found the expression and maturation of rhodopsin are limited by the hydrophobicity of its seventh transmembrane domain (TM7), which contains polar residues that are essential for function. On the basis of these observations, we hypothesized that rhodopsin's expression should be less tolerant of mutations in TM7 relative to those within hydrophobic TM domains. To test this hypothesis, we used deep mutational scanning to compare the effects of 808 missense mutations on the plasma membrane expression of rhodopsin in HEK293T cells. Our results confirm that a higher proportion of mutations within TM7 (37%) decrease rhodopsin's plasma membrane expression relative to those within a hydrophobic TM domain (TM2, 25%). These results in conjunction with an evolutionary analysis suggest solvation energetics likely restricts the evolutionary sequence space of polar TM domains.

Morphine produces potent antinociception, sedation, and hypothermia in humanized mice expressing human mu-opioid receptor splice variants.

Morphine is a strong painkiller acting through mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Full-length 7-transmembrane (TM) variants of MOR share similar amino acid sequences of TM domains in rodents and humans; however, interspecies differences in N- and C-terminal amino acid sequences of MOR splice variants dramatically affect the downstream signaling. Thus, it is essential to develop a mouse model that expresses human MOR splice variants for opioid pharmacological studies. We generated 2 lines of fully humanized MOR mice (hMOR; mMOR mice), line #1 and #2. The novel murine model having human OPRM1 genes and human-specific variants was examined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and the MinION nanopore sequencing. The differences in the regional distribution of MOR between wild-type and humanized MOR mice brains were detected by RNAscope and radioligand binding assay. hMOR; mMOR mice were characterized in vivo using a tail-flick, charcoal meal, open field, tail suspension, naloxone precipitation tests, and rectal temperature measurement. The data indicated that wild-type and humanized MOR mice exhibited different pharmacology of morphine, including antinociception, tolerance, sedation, and withdrawal syndromes, suggesting the presence of species difference between mouse and human MORs. Therefore, hMOR; mMOR mice could serve as a novel mouse model for pharmacogenetic studies of opioids.

Effect of Cholesterol on the Structural Dynamics of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR1): A Molecular Dynamics Study

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which regulate neurotransmission and are prevalently expressed in the central nervous system. The mGluR subfamily has eight members divided into three subgroups (I (mGluR1,5), II (mGluR2,3) and III (mGluR4,6,7,8)) based on their sequence homology, agonist selectivity and signaling function. The group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) are useful for treating diseases such as cancer, pain, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and autism. Unlike most GPCRs which have the orthosteric binding pocket located in the transmembrane helices, the extracellular VFT domain of the mGluRs serves as the orthosteric ligand binding site while the 7-transmembrane (7TM) domain has allosteric binding sites. Using all-atom equilibrium MD simulations, we have studied the effect of different amounts of membrane cholesterol on the local structural dynamics of the mGlur1 7TM region in the inactive state. In addition, we have also studied the effect of thermostabilized apocytochrome b562RIL (BRIL) on the 7TM region. We observed that BRIL and cholesterol had contrasting effects on the 7TM domain of mGluR1. While the presence of BRIL was found to maintain the inactive conformation of the protein, increasing the amount of membrane cholesterol was found to trigger a conformational transition towards the active state. A salt bridge (E783-K834) present in the inactive state was found to break when membrane cholesterol was increased to 25%. We also observed similar protein fluctuations in the absence of BRIL and with the increased membrane cholesterol. This study thus sheds light on conformational changes observed in mGluR1 and the effect of cholesterol within the 7TM region, providing a framework for determining the activation process of mGluRs.

The Role of Protein-Lipid Interactions in the Functioning of Bitopic Membrane Proteins

The biological function of bitopic membrane proteins, having only one transmembrane segment, provides a variety of intermolecular interactions on the cell membrane. Bitopic receptors of type I are directly involved in the development and maintenance of homeostasis of tissues of the human body. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/HER) and growth hormone (GHR) receptors serve as convenient models of type I receptors to show how ligand-induced conformational rearrangements and specific dimerization of extracellular and TM domains lead to allosteric activation of cytoplasmic domains during signal transmission through the cell membrane. Disfunctioning of these receptors leads to the development of a number of human pathologies. RTK inhibitors are one of the most successful examples of targeted cancer therapy today. At the same time, Alzheimer's disease is an age-related pathology associated with the accumulation of β-amyloid peptides, - products of enzymatic cleavage by membrane sites of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Over the several years, we experimentally determined alternative β-protein conformations in the membrane regions and TM domains of the EGFR/HER, GHR, and APP proteins in membrane-like media using high-resolution NMR spectroscopy in combination with MD relaxation. According to the recent biophysical and biochemical data, it has been shown that the functioning of these bitopic proteins is determined not only by specific protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions, but also by the physical state of the lipid environment, as one of the main components of the self-consistent biological membrane system. This allowed us to propose new principles that underlie signal transmission through the cell membrane and substrate recognition by membrane proteins, as well as the mechanisms of action of a number of pathogenic mutations in the TM domains of proteins. This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project 18-14-00375).

Analysis of the polycystin complex (PCC) in human urinary exosome\u2013like vesicles (ELVs)

The polycystin–1 (PC1), polycystin–2 (PC2) and fibrocystin proteins, the respective products of the PKD1, PKD2 and PKHD1 genes, are abundant in urinary exosome–like vesicles (ELVs) where they form the polycystin complex (PCC). ELVs are 100 nm diameter membrane vesicles shed into the urine by the cells lining the nephron. Using MS/MS analysis of ELVs from individuals with PKD1 mutations and controls, we show that in addition to the well-described GPS/GAIN cleavage event in PC1 at 3048 aa and the proprotein convertase cleavage (PPC) event in fibrocystin at 3616 aa, there are multiple other cleavage events in these proteins. The C–terminal 11 transmembrane portion of PC1 undergoes three cleavage events in vivo. The absence of peptides from the C–terminal cytoplasmic tail of fibrocystin implies a cleavage event close to its single TM domain prior to loading onto the ELVs. There is also evidence that the C–terminal tail of PC2 is also cleaved in ELVs. Native gel analysis of the PCC shows that the entire complex is > 2 MDa in size and that N–terminal GPS/GAIN cleaved PC1 and PPC cleaved fibrocystin ectodomains can be released under non-reducing conditions and resolve at 300 kDa. This paper shows that the three major human cystogene proteins are detectable in human urinary ELVs and that all three undergo post-translational proteolytic processing. Human urinary ELVs may be a useful source of material in the search for proteins that interact with the PCC.

Graphene-extracted membrane lipids facilitate the activation of integrin αvβ8.

Despite the remarkable electrochemical properties of graphene, strong van der Waals attraction between graphene and biomolecules often causes cytotoxicity, which hinders its applications in the biomedical field. Unfortunately, surface passivation of graphene might stimulate undesired immune response as the nanomaterial triggers cytokine production through membrane receptor activation. Herein, we use all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to unravel the underlying mechanism of graphene-induced inside-out activation of integrin αvβ8, a prominent membrane receptor expressed in immune cells. We model the transmembrane (TM) domains of integrin αvβ8 in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid bilayer and observe the structural changes in the integrin-membrane complex when interacting with a graphene nanosheet across the membrane. We find that the β8 TM domain interacts with the graphene nanosheet directly or indirectly through extracted lipids, facilitating the pulling of a β8 subunit away from an αv subunit and thus leading to the disruption of the TM domain association by breaking the hydrophobic cluster in the cytoplasmic domains of the αv and β8 subunits. Alanine substitution of two conserved phenylalanine residues on the αv subunit at this hydrophobic cluster further reveals the importance of a stable T-shaped structure in retaining integrin in its inactive state. Our results agree with previous studies on the interactions between other integrin subtypes and their endogenous activators, suggesting an intriguing role that the graphene nanosheet may play in the integrin-related signal transduction during its interaction with the membrane.

1H/13C/15N Assignments for the TM domains of the KcsA potassium channel

1H/13C/15N Assignments for the TM domains of the KcsA potassium channel

SLC14 family of facilitative urea transporters (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

As a product of protein catabolism, urea is moved around the body and through the kidneys for excretion. Although there is experimental evidence for concentrative urea transporters, these have not been defined at the molecular level. The SLC14 family are facilitative transporters, allowing urea movement down its concentration gradient. Multiple splice variants of these transporters have been identified; for UT-A transporters, in particular, there is evidence for cell-specific expression of these variants with functional impact [3]. Topographical modelling suggests that the majority of the variants of SLC14 transporters have 10 TM domains, with a glycosylated extracellular loop at TM5/6, and intracellular C- and N-termini. The UT-A1 splice variant, exceptionally, has 20 TM domains, equivalent to a combination of the UT-A2 and UT-A3 splice variants.

Acid-sensing (proton-gated) ion channels (ASICs) (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs, nomenclature as agreed by NC-IUPHAR [35]) are members of a Na+ channel superfamily that includes the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), the FMRF-amide activated channel (FaNaC) of invertebrates, the degenerins (DEG) of Caenorhabitis elegans, channels in Drosophila melanogaster and 'orphan' channels that include BLINaC [46] and INaC [47] that have also been named BASICs, for bile acid-activated ion channels [58]. ASIC subunits contain two TM domains and assemble as homo- or hetero-trimers [34, 31, 5] to form proton-gated, voltage-insensitive, Na+ permeable, channels (reviewed in [33, 57]). Splice variants of ASIC1 [termed ASIC1a (ASIC, ASICα, BNaC2α) [55], ASIC1b (ASICβ, BNaC2β) [13] and ASIC1b2 (ASICβ2) [50]; note that ASIC1a is also permeable to Ca2+] and ASIC2 [termed ASIC2a (MDEG1, BNaC1α, BNC1α) [45, 56, 30] and ASIC2b (MDEG2, BNaC1β) [40]] have been cloned. Unlike ASIC2a (listed in table), heterologous expression of ASIC2b alone does not support H+-gated currents. A third member, ASIC3 (DRASIC, TNaC1) [54], has been identified. A fourth mammalian member of the family (ASIC4/SPASIC) does not support a proton-gated channel in heterologous expression systems and is reported to downregulate the expression of ASIC1a and ASIC3 [1, 32, 24, 39]. ASIC channels are primarily expressed in central and peripheral neurons including nociceptors where they participate in neuronal sensitivity to acidosis. They have also been detected in taste receptor cells (ASIC1-3), photoreceptors and retinal cells (ASIC1-3), cochlear hair cells (ASIC1b), testis (hASIC3), pituitary gland (ASIC4), lung epithelial cells (ASIC1a and -3), urothelial cells, adipose cells (ASIC3), vascular smooth muscle cells (ASIC1-3), immune cells (ASIC1,-3 and -4) and bone (ASIC1-3). A neurotransmitter-like function of protons has been suggested, involving postsynaptically located ASICs of the CNS in functions such as learning and fear perception [25, 36, 63], responses to focal ischemia [59] and to axonal degeneration in autoimmune inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis [29], as well as seizures [64] and pain [19, 20, 10, 22]. Heterologously expressed heteromultimers form ion channels with differences in kinetics, ion selectivity, pH- sensitivity and sensitivity to blockers that resemble some of the native proton activated currents recorded from neurones [40, 3, 28, 8].

SLCO family of organic anion transporting polypeptides (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

The SLCO superfamily is comprised of the organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs). The 11 human OATPs are divided into 6 families and ten subfamilies based on amino acid identity. These proteins are located on the plasma membrane of cells throughout the body. They have 12 TM domains and intracellular termini, with multiple putative glycosylation sites. OATPs mediate the sodium-independent uptake of a wide range of amphiphilic substrates, including many drugs and toxins. Due to the multispecificity of these proteins, this guide lists classes of substrates and inhibitors for each family member. More comprehensive lists of substrates, inhibitors, and their relative affinities may be found in the review articles listed below.

SLC22 family of organic cation and anion transporters (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

The SLC22 family of transporters is mostly composed of non-selective transporters, which are expressed highly in liver, kidney and intestine, playing a major role in drug disposition. The family may be divided into three subfamilies based on the nature of the substrate transported: organic cations (OCTs), organic anions (OATs) and organic zwiterrion/cations (OCTN). Membrane topology is predicted to contain 12 TM domains with intracellular termini, and an extended extracellular loop at TM 1/2.

Calcitonin receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

This receptor family comprises a group of receptors for the calcitonin/CGRP family of peptides. The calcitonin (CT), amylin (AMY), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin (AM) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on CGRP, AM, AMY, and CT receptors [122, 67]) are generated by the genes CALCR (which codes for the CT receptor) and CALCRL (which codes for the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CLR, previously known as CRLR). Their function and pharmacology are altered in the presence of RAMPs (receptor activity-modifying proteins), which are single TM domain proteins of ca. 130 amino acids, identified as a family of three members; RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3. There are splice variants of the CT receptor; these in turn produce variants of the AMY receptor [122], some of which can be potently activated by CGRP. The endogenous agonists are the peptides calcitonin, α-CGRP (formerly known as CGRP-I), β-CGRP (formerly known as CGRP-II), amylin (occasionally called islet-amyloid polypeptide, diabetes-associated polypeptide), adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin 2/intermedin. There are species differences in peptide sequences, particularly for the CTs. CTR-stimulating peptide (CRSP) is another member of the family with selectivity for the CT receptor but it is not expressed in humans [87]. olcegepant (also known as BIBN4096BS, pKi~10.5) and telcagepant (also known as MK0974, pKi~9) are the most selective antagonists available, showing selectivity for CGRP receptors, with a particular preference for those of primate origin. CLR (calcitonin receptor-like receptor) by itself binds no known endogenous ligand, but in the presence of RAMPs it gives receptors for CGRP, adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin 2/intermedin.

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Adenylyl cyclase, E.C. 4.6.1.1, converts ATP to cyclic AMP and pyrophosphate. Mammalian membrane-delimited adenylyl cyclases (nomenclature as approved by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Adenylyl cyclases [9]) are typically made up of two clusters of six TM domains separating two intracellular, overlapping catalytic domains that are the target for the nonselective activators Gαs (the stimulatory G protein α subunit) and forskolin (except AC9, [21]). adenosine and its derivatives (e.g. 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine), acting through the P-site,are inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase activity [27]. Four families of membranous adenylyl cyclase are distinguishable: calmodulin-stimulated (AC1, AC3 and AC8), Ca2+- and Gβγ-inhibitable (AC5, AC6 and AC9), Gβγ-stimulated and Ca2+-insensitive (AC2, AC4 and AC7), and forskolin-insensitive (AC9) forms. A soluble adenylyl cyclase (AC10) lacks membrane spanning regions and is insensitive to G proteins.It functions as a cytoplasmic bicarbonate (pH-insensitive) sensor [5].

P2X receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

P2X receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on P2X Receptors [46, 134]) have a trimeric topology [118, 132, 177] with two putative TM domains, gating primarily Na+, K+ and Ca2+, exceptionally Cl-. The Nomenclature Subcommittee has recommended that for P2X receptors, structural criteria should be the initial criteria for nomenclature where possible. X-ray crystallography indicates that functional P2X receptors are trimeric and three agonist molecules are required to bind to a single receptor in order to activate it [132, 88, 96, 161]. Native receptors may occur as either homotrimers (e.g. P2X1 in smooth muscle) or heterotrimers (e.g. P2X2:P2X3 in the nodose ganglion [251], P2X1:P2X5 in mouse cortical astrocytes [146], and P2X2:P2X5 in mouse dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord and mid pons [50, 207]. P2X2, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors have been shown to form functional homopolymers which, in turn, activate pores permeable to low molecular weight solutes [229]. The hemi-channel pannexin-1 has been implicated in the pore formation induced by P2X7 [188], but not P2X2 [38], receptor activation.

The structural basis for membrane assembly of immunoreceptor signalling complexes

Immunoreceptors are TM complexes that consist of separate ligand-binding and signal-transducing modules. Mounting evidence suggests that interactions with the local environment may influence the architecture of these TM domains, which assemble via crucial sets of conserved ionisable residues, and also control the peripheral association of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) whose phosphorylation triggers cytoplasmic signalling cascades. We now report a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study of the archetypal T cell receptor (TCR) and its cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) signalling partners, along with the analogous DNAX-activation protein of 12kDa (DAP12)/natural killer group 2C (NKG2C) complex. Based on > 15μs of explicitly solvated, atomic-resolution sampling, we explore molecular aspects of immunoreceptor complex stability in different functionally relevant states. A novel alchemical approach is used to simulate the cytoplasmic CD3ε tail at different depths within lipid bilayer models, revealing that the conformation and cytoplasmic exposure of ITAMs are highly sensitive to local enrichment by different lipid species and to phosphorylation. Furthermore, simulations of the TCR and DAP12 TM domains in various states of oligomerisation suggest that, during the early stages of assembly, stable membrane insertion is facilitated by the interfacial lipid/solvent environment and/or partial ionisation of charged residues. Collectively, our results indicate that the architecture and mechanisms of signal transduction in immunoreceptor complexes are tightly regulated by interactions with the microenvironment.

A Hydrophobic Target: Using the Paramyxovirus Fusion Protein Transmembrane Domain To Modulate Fusion Protein Stability.

Enveloped viruses utilize surface glycoproteins to bind and fuse with a target cell membrane. The zoonotic Hendra virus (HeV), a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, utilizes the attachment protein (G) and the fusion protein (F) to perform these critical functions. Upon triggering, the trimeric F protein undergoes a large, irreversible conformation change to drive membrane fusion. Previously, we have shown that the transmembrane (TM) domain of the F protein, separate from the rest of the protein, is present in a monomer-trimer equilibrium. This TM-TM association contributes to the stability of the prefusion form of the protein, supporting a role for TM-TM interactions in the control of F protein conformational changes. To determine the impact of disrupting TM-TM interactions, constructs expressing the HeV F TM with limited flanking sequences were synthesized. Coexpression of these constructs with HeV F resulted in dramatic reductions in the stability of F protein expression and fusion activity. In contrast, no effects were observed when the HeV F TM constructs were coexpressed with the nonhomologous parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) fusion protein, indicating a requirement for specific interactions. To further examine this, a TM peptide homologous to the PIV5 F TM domain was synthesized. Addition of the peptide prior to infection inhibited infection with PIV5 but did not significantly affect infection with human metapneumovirus, a related virus. These results indicate that targeted disruption of TM-TM interactions significantly impact viral fusion protein stability and function, presenting these interactions as a novel target for antiviral development.IMPORTANCE Enveloped viruses require virus-cell membrane fusion to release the viral genome and replicate. The viral fusion protein triggers from the pre- to the postfusion conformation, an essentially irreversible change, to drive membrane fusion. We found that small proteins containing the TM and a limited flanking region homologous to the fusion protein of the zoonotic Hendra virus reduced protein expression and fusion activity. The introduction of exogenous TM peptides may displace a TM domain, disrupting native TM-TM interactions and globally destabilizing the fusion protein. Supporting this hypothesis, we showed that a sequence-specific transmembrane peptide dramatically reduced viral infection in another enveloped virus model, suggesting a broader inhibitory mechanism. Viral fusion protein TM-TM interactions are important for protein function, and disruption of these interactions dramatically reduces protein stability.

Genome-wide identification of OSCA gene family and their potential function in the regulation of dehydration and salt stress in Gossypium hirsutum

BackgroundCotton (Gossypium hirsutum) provides the largest natural fiber for the textile manufacturing industries, but its production is on the decline due to the effects of salinity. Soil salt-alkalization leads to damage in cotton growth and a decrease in yields. Hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channels (OSCA) have been found to be involved in the detection of extracellular changes which trigger an increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration. Hyperosmolality-induced calcium ion increases have been widely speculated to be playing a role in osmosensing in plants. However, the molecular nature of the corresponding calcium ion channels remains unclearly. In this research work, we describe the OSCA genes and their putative function in osmosensing in plants by carrying out genome-wide identification, characterization and functional analysis of the significantly up-regulated OSCA gene, GhOSCA1.1 through reverse genetics.ResultA total of 35, 21 and 22 OSCA genes were identified in G. hirsutum, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii genomes, respectively, and were classified into four different clades according to their gene structure and phylogenetic relationship. Gene and protein structure analysis indicated that 35 GhOSCA genes contained a conserved RSN1_7TM (PF02714) domain. Moreover, the cis-regulatory element analysis indicated that the OSCA genes were involved in response to abiotic stress. Furthermore, the knockdown of one of the highly up-regulated genes, Gh_OSCA1.1 showed that the virus-induced gene silenced (VIGS) plants were highly sensitive to dehydration and salinity stresses compared with the none VIGS plants as evident with higher concentration levels of oxidant enzymes compared with the antioxidant enzymes on the leaves of the stressed plants.ConclusionThis study provides the first systematic analysis of the OSCA gene family and will be important for understanding the putative functions of the proteins encoded by the OSCA genes in cotton. These results provide a new insight of defense responses in general and lay the foundation for further investigation of the molecular role played by the OSCA genes, thereby providing suitable approaches to improve crop performance under salinity and drought stress conditions.

ADGRL4/ELTD1 is a highly conserved angiogenesis-associated orphan adhesion GPCR that emerged with the first vertebrates and comprises 3 evolutionary variants

BackgroundOur laboratory identified ADGRL4/ELTD1, an orphan GPCR belonging to the adhesion GPCR (aGPCR) family, as a novel regulator of angiogenesis and a potential anti-cancer therapeutic target. Little is known about how ADGRL4/ELTD1 (and aGPCRs in general) function, a problem compounded by a lack of known ligands or means of activation. With this in mind, we turned to computational evolutionary biology with the aim of better understanding ADGRL4/ELTD1.ResultsWe identified ADGRL4/ELTD1 as a highly conserved early angiogenic gene which emerged in the first true vertebrates (bony fish) approximately 435 million years ago (mya), evolving alongside key angiogenic genes VEGFR2 and DLL4. We identified 3 evolutionary ADGRL4/ELTD1 variants based on EGF domain deletions with variant 2 first emerging 101 mya (95% CI 96–105) in Afrotheria and 82 mya (95% CI 76–89) in Primates. Additionally, conservation mapping across all orthologues reveals highest level conservation in EGF Ca binding domain 1, suggesting that this motif plays an essential role, as well as specific regions of the GAIN domain, GPS motif and 7TM domain, suggesting possible activation mechanisms and ligand binding positions. Additionally, we found that ADGRL4/ELTD1 (a member aGPCR family 1) is possibly ancestral to members of aGPCR family 2.ConclusionThis work establishes ADGRL4/ELTD1’s evolution, sheds light on its possible activation and ligand binding zones, and establishes the first temporal references for the emergence of ADGRL4/ELTD1 variants during vertebrate evolution. Our approach is applicable to the greater aGPCR family and opens up new avenues for future experimental work.

The expanding functional roles and signaling mechanisms of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors.

The adhesion class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is the second largest family of GPCRs (33 members in humans). Adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) are defined by a large extracellular N-terminal region that is linked to a C-terminal seven transmembrane (7TM) domain via a GPCR-autoproteolysis inducing (GAIN) domain containing a GPCR proteolytic site (GPS). Most aGPCRs undergo autoproteolysis at the GPS motif, but the cleaved fragments stay closely associated, with the N-terminal fragment (NTF) bound to the 7TM of the C-terminal fragment (CTF). The NTFs of most aGPCRs contain domains known to be involved in cell-cell adhesion, while the CTFs are involved in classical G protein signaling, as well as other intracellular signaling. In this workshop report, we review the most recent findings on the biology, signaling mechanisms, and physiological functions of aGPCRs.