Site directed mutagenesis of the complement C5a receptor--examination of a model for its interaction with the ligand C5a

C5a receptor expression by TGW neuroblastoma cells

We recently reported that not only lymphoid cells, but cells of neuronal origin may harbor C5a receptors (C5aR) as suggested by results of RT-PCR testing and that an apoptotic pathway is associated with the C5aR. To determine whether C5aR is expressed as an integral membrane protein, we generated mono- and polyclonal anti-C5aR antibodies. Flow cytometry showed a low-level expression of C5aR in TGW neuroblastoma cells. Epitope mapping suggested that a conformation change in C5aR occurs when exposed to C5a. Although an aphysiologically high concentration of C5a is necessary for inducing a transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level, TGW cells do employ the signal transduction pathway associated with C5aR, suggesting that these cells may serve as putative model for C5aR-expressing neurons.

Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved charged residues in the helical region of the human C5a receptor. Arg2O6 determines high-affinity binding sites of C5a receptor

The human C5a receptor (C5aR) belongs to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane helices. This part of the molecule is thought to contain part of the ligand-binding pocket, specifically to bind the C-terminal Arg of human C5a. Guided by sequence similarity and molecular modelling studies, several residues including polar (Asn119, Thr168, Gln259) as well as all conserved charged amino acids in the upper transmembrane region of the C5aR (Asp37, Asp82, Arg175, Arg2O6, Asp282) were exchanged by site-directed mutagenesis. Receptor mutants were transiently expressed in COS cells and analyzed for altered binding behaviour and/or localization at the cell surface by immunofluorescence. For all residues, suitable mutants could be found that exhibited wild-type affinity towards the ligand, providing evidence against a major contribution of these residues to high-affinity ligand binding. Some mutants, however, exhibited a complete (Asp282-->Ala) or partial loss of ligand-binding capacity (Arg175-->Ala, Arg2O6-->Gln) despite adequate expression levels on the cell surface. This phenotype was further analyzed in the [Gln2O6]C5aR mutant: quantitative flow cytometric analysis of epitope-tagged receptor derivatives in 293 cells confirmed an equal level of wild-type and mutant C5aR on the cell surface. Competitive binding curves revealed the presence of only a small population (<10%) of high-affinity sites (Kd approximately 2 nM), which was functionally active at 20 nM in the heterologous Xenopus oocyte expression system after coexpression of G alpha-16. The number of high-affinity sites of wild-type and [Gln2O6]C5aR in 293 cells could be up-regulated by coexpression of Gi alpha-2 and down-regulated by GTP[gamma S]-mediated uncoupling of the G-protein receptor interaction in membrane preparations. These findings are compatible with a model in which the Arg2O6 residue located in the upper third of transmembrane helix V determines high-affinity binding in the human C5aR by affecting the intracellular G-protein coupling.

Mutation of glutamate 199 of the human C5a receptor defines a binding site for ligand distinct from the receptor N terminus

C5a, a potent chemoattractant for monocytes, neutrophils, and other leukocytes, binds to a cell surface receptor of the seven-transmembrane superfamily. Here we report the effects of substituting Gln for Glu199 of the human C5a receptor (hC5aR) expressed in a model cell system for chemoattractant receptor signaling, the rat basophilic leukemia cell line RBL-2H3. Both the binding affinity for hC5a and the EC50 for subsequent cellular signals are reduced 5-10-fold by this substitution. A peptide mimic of the C terminus of C5a also binds to, and activates, hC5aR. The response to this peptide is reduced in cells bearing mutated hC5aR, indicating that the mutation affects interactions with the C terminus of hC5a. The C-terminal peptide contains only two basic residues, a Lys and an Arg (assumed to be analogous to Lys68 and Arg74 of hC5a), which could act as counter-ions for Glu199 of the receptor. If the counter-ion on hC5a was Arg74, then it would be expected that intact hC5a and hC5a des-Arg74 would have identical affinities and potencies when interacting with mutant hC5aR. It was found, however, that the binding affinity and potency (for receptor signaling events) of hC5a des-Arg74 was always lower than for intact hC5a. Furthermore, the equivalent C-terminal peptide to hC5a des-Arg74 (i.e. lacking the C-terminal Arg) could partially activate the wild type but not the mutant receptor, whereas the converse peptide, containing Arg but containing Met instead of Lys, had equal potencies for both wild type and mutant receptors. Taken together these data indicate that Glu199 of hC5aR is not involved in an interaction with Arg74 of hC5a, but may interact with Lys68 of hC5a. Mutation of Glu199 defines a second ligand binding site on hC5aR, distinct from the previously characterized site on the receptor N terminus. Unlike the N-terminal binding site, this second site is associated not just with the interaction with hC5a, but also with receptor activation.

Structure, function and cellular expression of complement anaphylatoxin receptors

The past year has seen significant advances in determining the important structural-functional domains of the complement C5a anaphylatoxin receptor. The current model suggests a two-site binding motif in which part of the amino-terminal extracellular domain of the receptor is recognized first by the amino-terminal end and disulfide-linked core of the C5a ligand. This is followed by interaction of the carboxy-terminal end of C5a with a second, and as yet undefined, site on the receptor that results in activating appropriate signal transduction pathways via receptor coupled G proteins. Another recent advance has been the discovery that the C5a receptor is expressed on non-myeloid cells, suggesting that C5a confers previously unexpected functions on certain target tissue cells, including bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, hepatocytes, astrocytes, and vascular endothelial cells.