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Sharrocks KL, Swaih AM, Hanyaloglu AC. Single-molecule localization microscopy as a tool to quantify di/oligomerization of receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2025; 107:100033. [PMID: 40228395 DOI: 10.1016/j.molpha.2025.100033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2025] [Accepted: 03/20/2025] [Indexed: 04/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Dimerization and oligomerization of membrane receptors, including G protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases, are fundamental for regulating cell signaling and diversifying downstream responses to mediate a range of physiological processes. Receptor di/oligomers play roles in diverse facets of receptor function. Changes in receptor di/oligomers have been implicated in a range of diseases; therefore, better understanding of the specific composition and interactions between receptors in complexes is essential, especially for the development of di/oligomer-specific drugs. Previously, different optical microscopy approaches and proximity-based biophysical assays have been used to demonstrate di/oligomerization of membrane receptors. However, in recent years, single-molecule super-resolution microscopy techniques have allowed researchers to quantify and uncover the precise dynamics and stoichiometry of specific receptor complexes. This allows the organization of membrane protein receptors to be mapped across the plasma membrane to explore the effects of factors such as ligands, effectors, membrane environment, and therapeutic agents. Quantification of receptor complexes is required to better understand the intricate balance of distinct receptor complexes in cells. In this brief review, we provide an overview of single-molecule approaches for the quantification of receptor di/oligomerization. We will discuss the techniques commonly employed to study membrane receptor di/oligomerization and their relative advantages and limitations. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Receptor di/oligomerization plays an important role in their function. For some receptors, di/oligomerization is essential for functional signaling, whereas for others, it acts as a mechanism to achieve signaling pleiotropy. Aberrant receptor di/oligomerization has been implicated in a wide range of diseases. Single-molecule super-resolution microscopy techniques provide convincing methods to precisely quantify receptor complexes at the plasma membrane. Understanding receptor complex organization in disease models can also influence the targeting of specific monomeric or oligomeric complexes in therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aylin C Hanyaloglu
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Kim Y, Kim J, Eom S, Jun H, Lee HB, Jeong D, Kang S. Protein Nanoparticles Simultaneously Displaying TRAIL and EGFR-Binding Ligands Effectively Induce Apoptotic Cancer Cell Death and Overcome EGFR-TKI Resistance in Lung Cancer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2025; 17:25139-25151. [PMID: 40237189 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c04021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2025]
Abstract
Lung cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers globally, with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) representing the predominant subtype. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, overcoming therapeutic resistance in NSCLC remains a significant challenge, particularly in cases resistant to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Here, we developed target-specific, apoptosis-inducing protein nanoparticles using Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase (AaLS), which were engineered to simultaneously display multiple TRAIL molecules and EGFR-binding ligands, including EGFR affibody (Afb) or anti-EGFR nanobodies (7D12, 9G8, and EgB4). These nanoparticles utilize the EGFR-binding ligand to enhance selective targeting of EGFR-overexpressing lung adenocarcinoma (PC9, HCC827, A549) and squamous cell carcinoma (H226) cells, regardless of mutations within the intracellular kinase domain of EGFR, which are primarily driven by tyrosine kinase inhibitors commonly used as first-line treatments in lung cancer therapy. The codisplayed EGFR-binding ligands enhance the attachment of TRAIL-displaying protein nanoparticles to cancer cells by stabilizing interactions with EGFR, promoting cell surface clustering of TRAIL molecules and improving TRAIL engagement with death receptors (DRs). This sustained interaction significantly amplifies TRAIL-mediated apoptotic cancer cell death signaling, effectively overcoming both TRAIL and EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC cells. Our findings suggest that dual ligand-displaying protein nanoparticles targeting DRs and EGFR represent a promising therapeutic strategy to potentiate TRAIL efficacy and circumvent EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Soomin Eom
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejin Jun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Bin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Diane Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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Catapano C, Dietz MS, Kompa J, Jang S, Freund P, Johnsson K, Heilemann M. Long-Term Single-Molecule Tracking in Living Cells using Weak-Affinity Protein Labeling. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025; 64:e202413117. [PMID: 39545345 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202413117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 09/30/2024] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 11/17/2024]
Abstract
Single-particle tracking (SPT) has become a powerful tool to monitor the dynamics of membrane proteins in living cells. However, permanent labeling strategies for SPT suffer from photobleaching as a major limitation, restricting observation times, and obstructing the study of long-term cellular processes within single living cells. Here, we use exchangeable HaloTag Ligands (xHTLs) as an easy-to-apply labeling approach for live-cell SPT and demonstrate extended observation times of individual living cells of up to 30 minutes. Using the xHTL/HaloTag7 labeling system, we measure the ligand-induced activation kinetics of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in single living cells. We generate spatial maps of receptor diffusion in cells, report non-uniform distributions of receptor mobility, and the formation of spatially confined 'hot spots' of EGFR activation. Furthermore, we measured the mobility of an ER-luminal protein in living cells and found diffusion coefficients that correlated with the ER nano-structure. This approach represents a general strategy to monitor protein mobility in a functional context and for extended observation times in single living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Catapano
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marina S Dietz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julian Kompa
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Soohyen Jang
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Petra Freund
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kai Johnsson
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mike Heilemann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
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Gonzalez-Magaldi M, Gullapalli A, Papoulas O, Liu C, Leung AYH, Guo L, Brilot A, Marcotte EM, Ke Z, Leahy DJ. Structure and organization of full-length Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in extracellular vesicles by cryo-electron tomography. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.11.25.625301. [PMID: 39651119 PMCID: PMC11623583 DOI: 10.1101/2024.11.25.625301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2024]
Abstract
We report here transport of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), Insulin Receptor, 7-pass transmembrane receptor Smoothened, and 13-pass Sodium-iodide symporter to extracellular vesicles (EVs) for structural and functional studies. Mass spectrometry confirmed the transported proteins as the most abundant in EV membranes, and the presence of many receptor-interacting proteins demonstrates the utility of EVs for characterizing membrane protein interactomes. Cryo-electron tomography of EGFR-containing EVs reveals that EGFR forms clusters in the presence of EGF with a ∼3 nm gap between the inner membrane and cytoplasmic density. EGFR extracellular regions do not form regular arrays, suggesting that clustering is mediated by the intracellular region. Subtomogram averaging of the EGFR extracellular region (ECR) yielded a 15 Å map into which the crystal structure of the ligand-bound EGFR ECR dimer fits well. These findings refine our understanding of EGFR activation, clustering, and signaling, and they establish EVs as a versatile platform for structural and functional characterization of human membrane proteins in a native-like environment. Significance Statement Atomic or near-atomic resolution structural studies of proteins embedded in cell membranes have proven challenging. We show that transporting integral membrane proteins to cell-derived extracellular vesicles enables structural and functional studies of human membrane proteins in a native membrane environment. We have used this approach to visualize an active form of full-length Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and show that it forms clusters in the membrane and projects its cytoplasmic signaling domains ∼3 nm away from the membrane surface. EGFR is essential for normal development, but abnormal EGFR activity is associated with several human cancers and is the target of many anticancer therapies. Our studies refine current models of how ligand binding to EGFR transmits signals across cell membranes.
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Goetz A, Dixit PD. Receptor polarization through localized activity and global sensitization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.11.22.624862. [PMID: 39605570 PMCID: PMC11601552 DOI: 10.1101/2024.11.22.624862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells chemosense concentration gradients of extracellular ligands using membrane-bound receptors that polarize their activity. Receptors from several chemosensing families are preferentially degraded after activation and undergo significant lateral diffusion, both of which may blunt their polarization. To explore the combined role of these two seemingly detrimental phenomena on active receptor polarization, we use a reaction/diffusion model. The model elucidates a counterintuitive principle that governs receptor polarization under external gradients: Localized Activity and Global Sensitization (LAGS). In LAGS, receptor activity is localized through receptor degradation or ligand unbinding. In contrast, uniform sensitivity to ligands is maintained over the plasma membrane through lateral receptor diffusion. Surprisingly, increasing preferential degradation of active receptors and increasing lateral diffusion of all receptors both sharpen active receptor polarization. Additionally, when combined with receptor oligomerization, an increase in preferential degradation allows cells to sense relative ligand gradients over a larger range of background ligand concentrations. An analytical model identifies parameter regimes that dictate which processes dominate receptor polarization. A survey of kinetic parameters suggests that receptor polarization in many mammalian pathways can be modeled using LAGS.
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Abe M, Yanagawa M, Hiroshima M, Kobayashi T, Sako Y. Bilateral regulation of EGFR activity and local PI(4,5)P 2 dynamics in mammalian cells observed with superresolution microscopy. eLife 2024; 13:e101652. [PMID: 39513999 PMCID: PMC11548882 DOI: 10.7554/elife.101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Anionic lipid molecules, including phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), are implicated in the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the role of the spatiotemporal dynamics of PI(4,5)P2 in the regulation of EGFR activity in living cells is not fully understood, as it is difficult to visualize the local lipid domains around EGFR. Here, we visualized both EGFR and PI(4,5)P2 nanodomains in the plasma membrane of HeLa cells using super-resolution single-molecule microscopy. The EGFR and PI(4,5)P2 nanodomains aggregated before stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF) through transient visits of EGFR to the PI(4,5)P2 nanodomains. The degree of coaggregation decreased after EGF stimulation and depended on phospholipase Cγ, the EGFR effector hydrolyzing PI(4,5)P2. Artificial reduction in the PI(4,5)P2 content of the plasma membrane reduced both the dimerization and autophosphorylation of EGFR after stimulation with EGF. Inhibition of PI(4,5)P2 hydrolysis after EGF stimulation decreased phosphorylation of EGFR-Thr654. Thus, EGFR kinase activity and the density of PI(4,5)P2 around EGFR molecules were found to be mutually regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Abe
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Masataka Yanagawa
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Michio Hiroshima
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
- Laboratory of Single Molecule Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Toshihide Kobayashi
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de PharmacieIllkirchFrance
| | - Yasushi Sako
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
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Markotić A, Omerović J, Marijan S, Režić-Mužinić N, Čikeš Čulić V. Biochemical Pathways Delivering Distinct Glycosphingolipid Patterns in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:10200-10217. [PMID: 39329960 PMCID: PMC11430773 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex structure of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) supports their important role in cell function as modulators of growth factor receptors and glutamine transporters in plasma membranes. The aberrant composition of clustered GSLs within signaling platforms, so-called lipid rafts, inevitably leads to tumorigenesis due to disturbed growth factor signal transduction and excessive uptake of glutamine and other molecules needed for increased energy and structural molecule cell supply. GSLs are also involved in plasma membrane processes such as cell adhesion, and their transition converts cells from epithelial to mesenchymal with features required for cell migration and metastasis. Glutamine activates the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), resulting in nucleotide synthesis and proliferation. In addition, glutamine contributes to the cancer stem cell GD2 ganglioside-positive phenotype in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative possesses higher cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 than against MCF-7 cells and induces a shift to aerobic metabolism and a decrease in S(6)nLc4Cer GSL-positive cancer stem cells in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. In this review, we discuss findings in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and other breast cancer cell lines concerning their differences in growth factor receptors and recent knowledge of the main biochemical pathways delivering distinct glycosphingolipid patterns during tumorigenesis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Markotić
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Omerović
- Department of Immunology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Sandra Marijan
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Režić-Mužinić
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Čikeš Čulić
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
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