The amino-terminal region of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor contacts both subunits of human choriogonadotropin. I. Mutational analysis

A novel compound heterozygous mutation of the luteinizing hormone receptor -implications for fertility

The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) belongs to the family of G-protein coupled receptors and binds both luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Ligand-receptor interaction mediates a downstream cascade of events which is essential for ovulation in women, and expression of the male phenotype in men. The human LHCGR gene consists of 11exons and 10 introns. Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations may inactivate the receptor by altering its structure and subsequent function. Herein we reported a novel, compound heterozgygous inactivating LHCGR mutation in a woman who presented with secondary infertility, having previously carried to term a donor oocyte pregnancy. A 27 bp deletion was detected in exon I at amino acid number 12. This mutation involved the signal peptide region, which is important for protein targeting, maturation and cellular expression. Another mutation involving a 2 base pair (thymine and cytosine) deletion was detected in exon 11 at amino acid number 586. This deletion produced a frameshift resulting in a premature stop codon and a truncated protein. An XY sibling with the same mutations was phenotypically female and misdiagnosed as complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Other unaffected family members were genetically tested and carried one of the two mutations.

Differences between lutropin-mediated and choriogonadotropin-mediated receptor activation

The human lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (hLHR) for the gonadotropic hormones human luteinizing hormone (hLH; lutropin) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) is crucial for normal sexual development and fertility. We aimed to unravel differences between the two hLHR hormones in molecular activation mechanisms at hLHR. We utilized a specific hLHR variant that lacks exon 10 (hLHR-delExon10), which maintains full cAMP signaling by hCG, but decreases hLH-induced receptor signaling, resulting in a pathogenic phenotype. Exon 10 encodes 27 amino acids within the hinge region, which is an extracellular segment that is important for signaling and hormone interaction. Initially, we assumed that the lack of exon 10 might disturb intermolecular trans-activation of hLH, a mechanism that has been reported for hCG at hLHR. Coexpression of signaling-deficient hLHR and binding-deficient hLHR can be used to examine the mechanisms of receptor signaling, in particular intermolecular cooperation and intramolecular cis-activation. Therefore, hLHR-delExon10 was combined with the hLHR Lys605→Glu mutant, in which signaling is abolished, and the hLHR mutant Cys131→Arg, in which binding is deficient. We found that hCG signaling was partially rescued, indicating trans-activation. However, the hLH signal could not be restored via forced trans-activation with any construct. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy detected oligomerization in all combinations, indicating that these functional differences cannot be explained by monomerization of hLHR-delExon10. Thus, our data demonstrate not only that the different behavior of hLH at hLHR-delExon10 is unlikely to be related to modified intermolecular receptor activation, but also that hLH may exclusively stimulate the targeted hLHR by cis-activation, whereas hCG is also capable of inducing trans-activation.

Functional differences of invariant and highly conserved residues in the extracellular domain of the glycoprotein hormone receptors

Multiple interactions exist between human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the N-terminal hormone-binding fragment of the human FSH receptor (FSHR) extracellular domain (ECD). Binding of the other human glycoprotein hormones to their cognate human receptors (luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR)) was expected to be similar. This study focuses on amino acid residues in β-strands 2 (Lys(74)), 4 (Tyr(124), Asn(129), and Thr(130)), and 5 (Asp(150) and Asp(153)) of the FSHR ECD identified in the human FSH·FSHR ECD crystal structure as contact sites with the common glycoprotein hormone α-subunit, and on noncontact residues in β-strands 2 (Ser(78)) and 8 (Asp(224) and Ser(226)) as controls. These nine residues are either invariant or highly conserved in LHR and TSHR. Mutagenesis and functional characterization of these residues in all three human receptors allowed an assessment of their contribution to binding and receptor activation. Surprisingly, the six reported α-subunit contact residues of the FSHR ECD could be replaced without significant loss of FSH binding, while cAMP signaling potency was diminished significantly with several replacements. Comparative studies of the homologous residues in LHR and TSHR revealed both similarities and differences. The results for FSH/FSHR were analyzed on the basis of the crystal structure of the FSH·FSHR ECD complex, and comparative modeling was used to generate structures for domains, proteins, and complexes for which no structures were available. Although structural information of hormone-receptor interaction allowed the identification of hormone-receptor contact sites, functional analysis of each contact site was necessary to assess its contribution to hormone binding and receptor activation.

Increased plasma membrane expression of human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor by a small molecule thienopyr(im)idine

A thienopyr(im)idine (Org41841) activates the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor but does not compete with the natural ligand binding site and does not show agonistic action on the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (hFSHR) at sub-millimolar concentrations. When this drug is preincubated at sub-micromolar concentrations with host cells expressing the hFSHR, and then washed out, binding analysis and assessment of receptor-effector coupling show that it increases plasma membrane expression of the hFSHR. Real-time PCR shows that this effect did not result from increased hFSHR mRNA accumulation. It is possible that Org41841 behaves as a pharmacoperone, a drug which increases the percentage of newly synthesized receptor routing to the membrane. Like pharmacoperones for other receptors, this drug was able to rescue a particular mutant hFSHR (A(189)V) associated with misrouting and endoplasmic reticulum retention, although other mutants could not be rescued. This is potentially the first member of the pharmacoperone drug class which binds at a site that is distinctive from the ligand binding site.

Asp330 and Tyr331 in the C-terminal cysteine-rich region of the luteinizing hormone receptor are key residues in hormone-induced receptor activation

The luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor plays an essential role in male and female gonadal function. Together with the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, the LH receptor forms the family of glycoprotein hormone receptors. All glycoprotein hormone receptors share a common modular topography, with an N-terminal extracellular ligand binding domain and a C-terminal seven-transmembrane transduction domain. The ligand binding domain consists of 9 leucine-rich repeats, flanked by N- and C-terminal cysteine-rich regions. Recently, crystal structures have been published of the extracellular domains of the FSH and TSH receptors. However, the C-terminal cysteine-rich region (CCR), also referred to as the "hinge region," was not included in these structures. Both structure and function of the CCR therefore remain unknown. In this study we set out to characterize important domains within the CCR of the LH receptor. First, we mutated all cysteines and combinations of cysteines in the CCR to identify the most probable disulfide bridges. Second, we exchanged large parts of the LH receptor CCR by its FSH receptor counterparts, and characterized the mutant receptors in transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. We zoomed in on important regions by focused exchange and deletion mutagenesis followed by alanine scanning. Mutations in the CCR specifically decreased the potencies of LH and hCG, because the potency of the low molecular weight agonist Org 41841 was unaffected. Using this unbiased approach, we identified Asp(330) and Tyr(331) as key amino acids in LH/hCG mediated signaling.

Identification of a luteinizing hormone-selective determinant in the exodomain of a follicle-stimulating hormone receptor

Mammalian glycoprotein hormone receptors (GpHRs) display a stringent selectivity for their cognate hormones. In contrast, the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor of the African catfish (cfFSHR) is promiscuously activated by catfish luteinizing hormone (cfLH). Glycoprotein hormones bind to the concave site of the cusp-shaped N-terminal GpHR exodomain, which is formed by 9-10 parallel beta-strands. Hence, hormone selectivity of each GpHR for its cognate ligand is defined by amino acid sequence divergence in these beta-strands between different GpHRs. To identify the molecular determinants that allow promiscuous activation of the cfFSHR by cfLH, beta-strands were systematically exchanged between the cfFSHR and the human FSHR. Both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutational approaches revealed that beta-strand 2 of the cfFSHR contains determinants that contribute to the receptor's responsiveness to cfLH.

Defining the LGR8 Residues Involved in Binding Insulin-Like Peptide 3

The peptide hormone insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is essential for testicular descent and has been implicated in the control of adult fertility in both sexes. The human INSL3 receptor leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 8 (LGR8) binds INSL3 and relaxin with high affinity, whereas the relaxin receptor LGR7 only binds relaxin. LGR7 and LGR8 bind their ligands within the 10 leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) that comprise the majority of their ectodomains. To define the primary INSL3 binding site in LGR8, its LRRs were first modeled on the crystal structure of the Nogo receptor (NgR) and the most likely binding surface identified. Multiple sequence alignment of this surface revealed the presence of seven of the nine residues implicated in relaxin binding to LGR7. Replacement of these residues with alanine caused reduced [125I]INSL3 binding, and a specific peptide/receptor interaction point was revealed using competition binding assays with mutant INSL3 peptides. This point was used to crudely dock the solution structure of INSL3 onto the LRR model of LGR8, allowing the prediction of the INSL3 Trp-B27 binding site. This prediction was then validated using mutant INSL3 peptide competition binding assays on LGR8 mutants. Our results indicated that LGR8 Asp-227 was crucial for binding INSL3 Arg-B16, whereas LGR8 Phe-131 and Gln-133 were involved in INSL3 Trp-B27 binding. From these two defined interactions, we predicted the complete INSL3/LGR8 primary binding site, including interactions between INSL3 His-B12 and LGR8 Trp-177, INSL3 Val-B19 and LGR8 Ile-179, and INSL3 Arg-B20 with LGR8 Asp-181 and Glu-229.

Trans-activation, cis-activation and signal selection of gonadotropin receptors

It has been thought that when a hormone binds to a receptor, the liganded receptor activates itself and generates hormone signals, such as the cAMP signal and the inositol phosphate signal (cis-activation). We describe that a liganded LH receptor or FSH receptor molecule is capable of intermolecularly activating nonliganded receptors (trans-activation). Particularly, intriguing is the possibility that a pair of compound heterozygous mutants, one defective in binding and the other defective in signaling, may cooperate and rescue signaling. Furthermore, trans-activation of the binding deficient receptors examined in our studies generates either the cAMP signal or the IP signal, but not both. Trans-activation and selective signal generation have broad implications on signal generation mechanisms, and suggest new therapeutic approaches.

Ligand-selective determinants in gonadotropin receptors

In mammals, the interactions between gonadotropins and their cognate receptors are highly specific; unintended cross-reactivity under normal physiological conditions has not been observed. This paper summarizes the comparative structure-function studies that aim at elucidating the molecular basis of the ligand selectivity.

Identification of follicle-stimulating hormone-selective beta-strands in the N-terminal hormone-binding exodomain of human gonadotropin receptors

Glycoprotein hormone receptors contain large N-terminal extracellular domains (ECDs) that distinguish these receptors from most other G protein-coupled receptors. Each glycoprotein hormone receptor ECD consists of a curved leucine-rich repeat domain flanked by N- and C-terminal cysteine-rich regions. Selectivity of the different glycoprotein hormone receptors for their cognate hormones is exclusively determined by their ECDs and, in particular, their leucine-rich repeat domain. To identify human (h)FSH-selective determinants we used a gain-of-function mutagenesis strategy in which beta-strands of the hLH receptor (hLH-R) were substituted with their hFSH receptor (hFSH-R) counterparts. Introduction of hFSH-R beta-strand 1 into hLH-R conferred responsiveness to hFSH, whereas hLH-R mutants harboring one of the other hFSH-R beta-strands displayed none or very limited sensitivity to hFSH. However, combined substitution of hFSH-R beta-strand 1 and some of the other hFSH-R beta-strands further increased the sensitivity of the mutant hLH-R to hFSH. The apparent contribution of multiple hFSH-R beta-strands in providing a selective hormone binding interface corresponds well with their position in relation to hFSH as recently determined in the crystal structure of hFSH in complex with part of the hFSH-R ECD.

Fish FSH receptors bind LH: how to make the human FSH receptor to be more fishy?

In mammals, the interactions between glycoprotein hormones and their cognate receptors are highly specific; unintended cross-reactivity under normal physiological conditions has not been observed. The interactions between fish gonadotropins and their receptors, on the other hand, appeared to be less discriminatory. For example, the catfish follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor was highly responsive to both catfish luteinizing hormone (LH) and catfish FSH. Similarly, the FSH receptor of coho salmon bound both salmon FSH and LH. In contrast, LH receptors of both species were found to be rather specific for their cognate LH. This paper intends to summarize the current situation with special emphasis to our comparative structure-function studies that aim at elucidating the molecular basis of ligand selectivity (in mammals) and ligand promiscuity (in fish).

The alpha-factor mating pheromone of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a model for studying the interaction of peptide hormones and G protein-coupled receptors

Mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is initiated by the secretion of diffusible peptide pheromones that are recognized by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). This review summarizes the use of the alpha-factor (WHWLQLKPGQPMY)--GPCR (Ste2p) interaction as a paradigm to understand the recognition between medium-sized peptide hormones and their cognate receptors. Studies over the past 15 years have indicated that the alpha-factor is bent around the center of the pheromone and that residues near the amine terminus play a central role in triggering signal transduction. The bend in the center appears not to be rigid and this flexibility is likely necessary for conformational changes that occur as the receptor switches from the inactive to active state. The results of synthetic, biological, biochemical, molecular biological, and biophysical analyses have led to a preliminary model for the structure of the peptide bound to its receptor. Antagonists for Ste2p have changes near the N-terminus of alpha-factor, and mutated forms of Ste2p were discovered that appear to favor binding of these antagonists relative to agonists. Many features of this yeast recognition system are relevant to and have counterparts in mammalian cells.

Trans-activation of mutant follicle-stimulating hormone receptors selectively generates only one of two hormone signals

Previously, we reported that a liganded LH receptor (LHR) is capable of activating itself (cis-activation) and other nonliganded LHRs to induce cAMP (trans-activation). Trans-activation of the LHR raises two crucial questions. Is trans-activation unique to LHR or common to other G protein-coupled receptors? Does trans-activation stimulate phospholipase Cbeta as it does adenylyl cyclase? To address these questions, two types of novel FSH receptors (FSHRs) were constructed, one defective in hormone binding and the other defective in signal generation. The FSHR, a G protein-coupled receptor, comprises two major domains, the N-terminal extracellular exodomain that binds the hormone and the membrane-associated endodomain that generates the hormone signals. For signal defective receptors, the exodomain was attached to glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (ExoGPI) or the transmembrane domain of CD8 immune receptor (ExoCD). ExoGPI and ExoCD can trans-activate another nonliganded FSH. Surprisingly, the trans-activation generates a signal to activate either adenylyl cyclase or phospholipase Cbeta, but not both. These results indicate that trans-activation in these mutant receptors is selective and limited in signal generation, thus providing new approaches to investigating the generation of different hormone signals and a novel means to selectively generate a particular hormone signal. Our data also suggest that the FSHR's exodomain could not trans-activate LHR.

Orientation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) subunits complexed with the FSH receptor. Beta subunit toward the N terminus of exodomain and alpha subunit to exoloop 3

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) comprises an alpha subunit and a beta subunit, whereas the FSH receptor consists of two halves with distinct functions: the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and C-terminal membrane-associated endodomain. FSH initially binds to exodomain, and the resulting FSH/exodomain complex modulates the endodomain and generates signal. However, it has been difficult to determine which subunit of FSH contacts the exodomain or endodomain and in what orientation FSH interacts with them. To address these crucial issues, the receptor was Ala-scanned and the hormone subunits were probed with photoaffinity labeling with receptor peptides corresponding to the N-terminal region of the exodomain and exoloop 3 of the endodomain. Our results show that both regions of the receptors are important for hormone binding and signal generation. In addition, the FSH beta subunit is specifically labeled with the N-terminal peptide, whereas the alpha subunit is labeled with the exoloop 3 peptide. These contrasting results show that the FSH beta subunit is close to the N-terminal region and that the alpha subunit is projected toward exoloop 3 in the endodomain. The results raise the fundamental question whether the alpha subunit, common among the glycoprotein hormones, plays a major role in generating the hormone signal common to all glycoprotein hormones.

Opposite contribution of two ligand-selective determinants in the N-terminal hormone-binding exodomain of human gonadotropin receptors

The nine leucine-rich repeat-containing exodomains of the human FSH receptor (hFSH-R) and the human LH/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (hLH-R) harbor molecular determinants that allow the mutually exclusive binding of human FSH (hFSH) and human LH (hLH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) when these hormones are present in physiological concentrations. Previously, we have shown that the beta-strands of hLH-R leucine-rich repeats 3 and 6 can confer full hCG/hLH responsiveness and binding when simultaneously introduced into a hFSH-R background without affecting the receptor's responsiveness to hFSH. In the present study, we have determined the nature of contribution of each of these two beta-strands in conferring hCG/hLH responsiveness to this mutant hFSH-R. Human LH-R beta-strand 3 appeared to function as a positive hCG/hLH determinant by increasing the hCG/hLH responsiveness of the hFSH-R. In contrast, mutagenesis of hFSH-R beta-strand 6, rather than the introduction of its corresponding hLH-R beta-strand, appeared to allow the interaction of hCG/hLH with the hFSH-R. Hence, hFSH-R beta-strand 6 functions as a negative determinant and, as such, restrains binding of hCG/hLH to the hFSH-R. Detailed mutagenic analysis revealed that the ability of the hFSH-R to interact with hCG/hLH depends primarily on the identity of two amino acids (Asn104, a positive LH-R determinant, and Lys179 a negative FSH-R determinant) that are situated on the C-terminal ends of beta-strands 3 and 6, respectively.

Structural analysis of yoked chorionic gonadotropin-luteinizing hormone receptor ectodomain complexes by circular dichroic spectroscopy

Binding of the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, chorionic gonadotropin (CG), occurs to the heptahelical LH receptor N-terminal ectodomain (ECD), a large portion of which has been modeled as a leucine-rich repeat protein. In this study, we expressed and purified three single chain N-CG-ECD-C complexes, one comprising the full-length ECD, 1-341 (encoded by exons 1-10 and a portion of 11), and two C-terminal ECD deletion fragments, 1-294 (encoded by exons 1-10) and 1-180 (encoded by exons 1-7). The fusion proteins, including yoked CG (N-beta-alpha-C), were characterized by Western blot analysis and circular dichroism (CD). Analysis of the CD spectra obtained on the CG-ECD fusion proteins, and of the difference spectrum of each after subtracting the CG contribution, yielded secondary structures consistent with a repeating beta-strand/alpha-helix fold as predicted in the homology model. A marked decrease in helicity was observed when the C-terminal 47 amino acid residues were removed from the ECD. Removal of an additional 114 residues, i.e. the region encoded by exons 8-10, results in the loss of fewer helical residues. These results suggest that the hinge region of the ECD, predicted to contain only limited secondary structure, interacts with and stabilizes the ligand-occupied N-terminal portion. Furthermore, the results support a repeating fold, consistent with the proposed model for the LHR ECD.

Ligand selectivity of gonadotropin receptors. Role of the beta-strands of extracellular leucine-rich repeats 3 and 6 of the human luteinizing hormone receptor

The difference in hormone selectivity between the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (hFSH-R) and human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (hLH-R) is determined by their approximately 350 amino acid-long N-terminal receptor exodomains that allow the mutually exclusive binding of human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) and human luteinizing hormone (hLH) when these hormones are present in physiological concentrations. The exodomains of each of these receptors consist of a nine-leucine-rich repeat-containing subdomain (LRR subdomain) flanked by N- and C-terminal cysteine-rich subdomains. Chimeric receptors, in which the structural subdomains of the hFSH-R exodomain were substituted with those of the hLH-R, showed a similar high responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and hLH as long as they harbored the LRR subdomain of the hLH-R. In addition, these chimeric receptors showed no responsiveness to hFSH. The LRR subdomains of the gonadotropin receptor exodomains are predicted to adopt a horseshoe-like conformation, of which the hormone-binding concave surface is composed of nine parallel beta-strands. Receptors in which individual beta-strands of the hFSH-R were replaced with the corresponding hLH-R sequences revealed that hCG and hLH selectivity is predominantly determined by hLH-R beta-strands 3 and 6. A mutant receptor in which the hFSH-R beta-strands 3 and 6 were substituted simultaneously with their hLH-R counterparts displayed a responsiveness to hCG and hLH similar to that of the wild type hLH-R. Responsiveness to hFSH was not affected by most beta-strand substitutions, suggesting the involvement of multiple low-impact determinants for this hormone.

Point mutations in follitropin receptor result in ER retention

Accumulating evidence suggests that the human follitropin receptor is unusually sensitive to mutation. Previous results (Mol. Cell. Endo. 166 (2000) 101) determined that scanning mutations in a.a. 12-14 and 22-30 neither bound follitropin nor were present on the cell surface, suggesting that these regions are involved in either hormone binding or trafficking. To distinguish between these hypotheses, single alanine substitutions in a.a. 12-14 and 22-30 were generated, all of which appeared to bind 125I-follitropin with an affinity constant similar to wild type (wt) follitropin receptor. However, the level of receptor on the cell surface varied widely, in some cases 100-fold lower than wt. Expression on the cell surface corresponded to expression of the mature 80 kD follitropin receptor. An accumulation of the ER-resident 62 kD band of follitropin receptor was observed in mutants that had low surface expression of receptor, suggesting that misfolded protein was trapped in the ER by a quality control mechanism.

Specificity of cognate ligand-receptor interactions: fusion proteins of human chorionic gonadotropin and the heptahelical receptors for human luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone

The family of glycoprotein hormones and their homologous heptahelical receptors represent an excellent system for comparative structure-function studies. We have engineered single chain molecules of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) fused to its cognate receptor, LH receptor (LHR), and to the noncognate receptors, TSH receptor (TSHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR; N-beta-alpha-receptor-C), to create the yoked (Y) complexes YCG/LHR, YCG/TSHR, and YCG/FSHR. The expression and bioactivity of these fusion proteins were examined in transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. Western blot analysis and antibody binding assays demonstrated that each of the proteins was expressed. In the case of YCG/LHR, minimal binding of exogenous hormone was observed due to the continued occupation of receptor by the fused ligand. The presence of hCG in the YCG/TSHR and YCG/FSHR, however, did not prevent binding of exogenous cognate ligand, presumably due to the lower affinity of hCG. The basal cAMP levels in cells expressing the YCG/LHR complex was approximately 20-fold higher than that in cells expressing LHR. Increases in basal cAMP production were also observed with YCG/TSHR and YCG/FSHR, e.g. 13- and 4-fold increases, respectively. Whereas the affinity and specificity of hCG for LHR are extraordinarily high, the hormone is capable of binding to and activating both TSHR and FSHR under these conditions that mimic high ligand concentrations. These findings were confirmed by adding high concentrations of hCG to cells expressing TSHR and FSHR. Although the functional interaction of hCG and TSHR has been recognized in gestational hyperthyroidism, there are no reports linking hCG to FSHR activation. This study, however, suggests that such a functional interaction is capable of occurring under conditions of high circulating levels of hCG, e.g. the first trimester of pregnancy and in patients with hCG-secreting tumors.

Yoked complexes of human choriogonadotropin and the lutropin receptor: evidence that monomeric individual subunits are inactive

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) contains an alpha-subunit, common to other members of the glycoprotein hormone family, and a unique beta-subunit that determines hormone specificity. It is generally thought that heterodimer formation is obligatory for full hormonal activity, although other studies have indicated that individual subunits and homodimeric hCGbeta were capable of low affinity binding to the LH receptor (LHR) and subsequent activation. Previously, we constructed two yoked hormone (hCG)-LHR complexes, where the two hormone subunits and the heptahelical receptor were engineered to form single polypeptide chains, i.e. N-beta-alpha-LHR-C and N-alpha-beta-LHR-C. Expression of both complexes led to constitutive stimulation of cAMP production. In the present study, we investigated whether the human alpha-subunit and hCGbeta can act as functional agonists when covalently attached to or coexpressed with the LH receptor. Our initial results showed that hCGbeta, but not alpha, was able to activate LHR with an increase in intracellular cAMP in human embryonic kidney 293 cells but not in Chinese hamster ovary or COS-7 cells. Further examination of this apparent cell-specific agonist activity of hCGbeta revealed that low levels of endogenous alpha-subunit were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, thus enabling sufficient amounts of active heterodimer to form with the transfected hCGbeta to activate LHR. The studies in Chinese hamster ovary and COS-7 cells clearly demonstrate that, even under experimental conditions where hormone-receptor interactions are maximized, individual subunits of hCG can not act as functional agonists, at least in their monomeric form.

Use of defined-function mutants to access receptor-receptor interactions

This article describes a novel method to access functional interactions of two defective mutant receptors. As a model, luteinizing hormone receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor, was used by coexpressing two different mutants, one defective in hormone binding and the other defective in signal generation. When these two mutants were coexpressed in a cell, the cell responded to the hormone and induced the hormone action, indicating the interaction of the two receptors and rescue of the activity. The luteinizing hormone receptor consists of a 350-amino-acid extracellular N-terminal domain (exodomain), followed by seven transmembrane domains and connecting loops (endodomain). Hormone binds to the exodomain, whereas hormone signals are generated in the endodomain. Here, we show that binding of hormone to one receptor can activate adenylyl cyclase through its transmembrane bundle, intramolecular activation (cis-activation), as well as intermolecular activation (trans-activation) through the transmembrane bundle of an adjacent receptor, without forming a stable receptor dimer. Our observations provide new insights into the mechanism of receptor activation mechanisms, and have implications for the treatment of inherited disorders of glycoprotein hormone receptors.

Cis- and trans-activation of hormone receptors: the LH receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) accommodate a wide spectrum of activators from ions to glycoprotein hormones. The mechanism of activation for this large and clinically important family of receptors is poorly understood. Although initially thought to function as monomers, there is a growing body of evidence that GPCR dimers form, and in some cases that these dimers are essential for signal transduction. Here we describe a novel mechanism of intermolecular GPCR activation, which we refer to as trans-activation, in the LH receptor, a GPCR that does not form stable dimers. The LH receptor consists of a 350-amino acid amino-terminal domain, which is responsible for high-affinity binding to human CG, followed by seven-transmembrane domains and connecting loops. This seven-transmembrane domain bundle transmits the signal from the extracellular amino terminus to intracellular G proteins and adenylyl cyclase. Here, we show that binding of hormone to one receptor can activate adenylyl cyclase through its transmembrane bundle, intramolecular activation (cis-activation), as well as trans-activation through the transmembrane bundle of an adjacent receptor, without forming a stable receptor dimer. Coexpression of a mutant receptor defective in hormone binding and another mutant defective in signal generation rescues hormone-activated cAMP production. Our observations provide new insights into the mechanism of receptor activation mechanisms and have implications for the treatment of inherited disorders of glycoprotein hormone receptors.

Bacterial expression of a natively folded extracellular domain fusion protein of the hFSH receptor in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli

We have expressed the extracellular domain of the hFSH receptor as a fusion protein with thioredoxin in the cytoplasm of an Escherichia coli strain that contains mutations in both the thioredoxin reductase and the glutathione reductase genes. The chimeric protein isolated following induction of expression was purified in a soluble form and binds hFSH with an affinity approximating that of native receptor. This truncated form of the receptor displays the same specificity as intact receptor and does not bind hCG. The protein is expressed at levels that exceed 5 mg/L in the bacterial cytoplasm. Expression of the properly folded extracellular domain of the hFSH receptor in the cytoplasm of E. coli allows the facile and economical purification of large quantities of material. This will facilitate the determination of the structure of the hormone-binding domain of this glycoprotein receptor as well as the production of epitope-specific antibodies.

Two defective heterozygous luteinizing hormone receptors can rescue hormone action

Luteinizing hormone receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor and consists of two halves: the N-terminal extracellular half (exodomain) and C-terminal membrane-associated half (endodomain). Hormone binds to the exodomain, and the resulting hormone-exodomain complex modulates the endodomain to generate signals. There are mutations that impair either hormone binding or signal generation. We report that the coexpression of a binding defective mutant and a signal-defective mutant rescues signal generation to produce cAMP. This rescue requires both types of mutant receptors and is dependent on the human chorionic gonadotropin dose, the surface concentration of mutant receptors, and the amino acid position of mutations. Furthermore, random collisions among mutant receptors are not involved in the rescue. Our observations provide new insights into the mechanisms of the functional and structural relationship of the exo- and endodomain, signal transduction, and receptor genetics, in particular for defective heterozygotes.

The lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor, a 2002 perspective

Reproduction cannot take place without the proper functioning of the lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR). When the LHR does not work properly, ovulation does not occur in females and Leydig cells do not develop normally in the male. Also, because the LHR is essential for sustaining the elevated levels of progesterone needed to maintain pregnancy during the first trimester, disruptions in the functions of the LHR during pregnancy have catastrophic consequences. As such, a full understanding of the biology of the LHR is essential to the survival of our species. In this review we summarize our current knowledge of the structure, functions, and regulation of this important receptor.

High-level expression of a functional single-chain human chorionic gonadotropin-luteinizing hormone receptor ectodomain complex in insect cells

Reproductive capacity in primates is dependent on the high-affinity binding of the glycoprotein hormones LH and human (h)CG to the large ectodomain (ECD) of their common receptor (LHR). Our understanding of the precise molecular determinants of hormone binding is limited, because there are no structural data for any of the glycoprotein hormone receptors. Overexpression of the ECD of the receptor has been attempted in various expression systems. Prokaryotic expression does not yield properly folded ECD. Eukaryotic expression, on the other hand, results in mostly heterogeneous, intracellularly trapped protein, but the secreted ECD is completely folded. Accordingly, we have tethered the single-chain hormone, yoked hCG, to the N terminus of LHR-ECD (yoked hormone-extracellular domain). Yoked hCG is secreted at high levels; binds LHR with high affinity; and, when tethered to the N terminus of full-length LHR, it binds and constitutively activates the receptor. Using recombinant baculovirus, yoked hormone-extracellular domain is secreted from insect cells at levels greater than 1 microg/ml, nearly 20-fold higher than that previously reported in eukaryotic expression systems. The protein was purified and binds exogenous (125)I-hCG with high affinity but, significantly, only after protease treatment to remove the tethered hormone. Thus, the fusion protein seems to form a functional hormone-receptor complex that is expressed at levels sufficient for its biophysical characterization.

The role of the hinge region of the luteinizing hormone receptor in hormone interaction and signal generation

Luteinizing hormone receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor, consists of two halves, the N-terminal extracellular hormone binding domain (exodomain) and the C-terminal membrane-associated, signal-generating domain (endodomain). The exodomain has seven to nine Leu-rich repeats, which are generally thought to form a 1/3 donut-like structure and interact with human choriogonadotropin (hCG). The resulting hCG-exodomain complex adjusts the structure and its association with the endodomain, which results in signal generation in the endodomain. It is unclear whether the rigid 1/3 donut structure could provide the agility and versatility of this dynamic action. In addition, there is no clue as to where the endodomain contact point (the signal modulator) in the exodomain is. To address these issues, the exodomain was examined by Ala scan and multiple substitutions, while receptor peptides were used for photoaffinity labeling and affinity cross-linking. Our results show that the C-flanking sequence (hinge region), Thr(250)-Gln(268), of the Leu-rich repeats (LRRs) specifically interacts with hCG, preferentially hCGalpha. This interaction is inhibited by exoloop 2 of the endodomain but not by exoloops 1 and 3, suggesting an intimate relationship between Thr(250)-Gln(268), exoloop 2, and hCG. Taken together, our observations in this article suggest a new paradigm that the LRRs contact the front of hCG, while both flanking regions of the LRRs interact with the sides of hCG. This would trap hCG in the 1/3 donut structure of the LRRs and enhance the binding affinity. In addition, mutations of conserved Ser(255) in the sequence can constitutively activate the receptor. This provides a clue for the signal modulator in the exodomain. In contrast, a phenyl or phenolic group is necessary at conserved Tyr(253) for targeting the receptor to the surface.

Hormone interactions to Leu-rich repeats in the gonadotropin receptors. II. Analysis of Leu-rich repeat 4 of human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor

The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) consists of an approximately 350-amino acid-long N-terminal extracellular exodomain and a membrane-associated endodomain of similar size. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binds to the exodomain, and then hCG/exodomain complex is thought to make a secondary contact with the endodomain and generate hormone signals. The sequence alignment of the exodomain shows imperfectly matching eight to nine Leu-rich repeats (LRRs). In the preceding article (Song, Y., Ji, I., Beauchamp, J., Isaacs, N., and Ji, T. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 3426-3435), we have shown that LRR2 and LRR4 are crucial for hormone binding. In this work, we have examined the residues of LRR4, in particular Leu(103) and Ile(105) in the putative beta strand. Our data show that Leu(103) and Ile(105) are involved in the specific, hydrophobic interaction of the LRR4 loop, likely to form the hydrophobic core. This loop is crucial for the structural integrity of all of the LRRs. In contrast, the downstream sequence consisting of Asn(107), Thr(108), Gly(109), and Ile(110) of LRR4 is crucial for cAMP induction but not for hormone binding, folding, and surface expression. This implicates, for the first time, its involvement in the interaction with the endodomain and signal generation. The evidence for the interaction is presented in the following article.

Hormone interactions to Leu-rich repeats in the gonadotropin receptors. I. Analysis of Leu-rich repeats of human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor

The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) have an approximately 350-amino acid-long, N-terminal extracellular exodomain. This exodomain binds hormone with high affinity and specificity and contains eight to nine putative Leu-rich repeat (LRR) sequences. LRRs are known to assume the horseshoe structure in ribonuclease inhibitors, and the inner lining of the horseshoe consists of the beta-stranded Leu/Ile-X-Leu/Ile motif. In the case of ribonuclease inhibitors, these beta strands interact with ribonuclease. However, it is unclear whether the putative LRRs of LHR and FSHR play any role in the structure and function. In this work, the beta-stranded Leu/Ile residues in all LRRs of the human LHR and FSHR were Ala-scanned and characterized. In addition, the 23 residues around LRR2 of LHR were Ala-scanned. The results show that beta-stranded Leu and Ile residues in all LRRs are important but not equally. These Leu/Ile-X-Leu/Ile motifs appear to form the hydrophobic core of the LRR loop, crucial for the LRR structure. Interestingly, the hot spots are primarily in the upstream and downstream LRRs of the LHR exodomain, whereas important LRRs spread throughout the FSHR exodomain. This may explain the distinct hormone specificity despite the structural similarity of the two receptors.

Human follicle stimulating hormone receptor trafficking and hormone binding sites in the amino terminus

Previous studies of the rat follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (rFSHR) demonstrated that the amino terminus is important in FSH binding and signal transduction. To define the structure-function correlates of this region, we prepared deletion and alanine scanning mutants of amino acids (a.a.) 9-30 in human FSHR (hFSHR). The deletion mutants DeltaS9-S18, DeltaK19-N30 and DeltaS9-N30 failed to bind 125I-hFSH. Alanine substitution in the mutants 2HHRI(5)/2AAAA(5), 7HCSNR(11)/7ACAAA(11), 16QES(18)/16AAA(18) and 19KVT(21)/19AAA(21) increased the affinity of hFSHR for hFSH with equilibrium dissociation constants two to fivefold lower than wild type (wt) values. Signal transduction in 2HHRI(5)/2AAAA(5) and 19KVT(21)/19AAA(21) was similar to wt values, whereas 7HCSNR(11)/7ACAAA(11) and 16QES(18)/16AAA(18) showed a twofold lower accumulation of cAMP in response to hFSH than wt. These results indicate that these regions play a role in hormone binding and signal transduction. In contrast, cells infected with mutants 12VFL(14)/12AAA(14), 22EIPS(25)/22AAPA(25) and 26DLPRN(30)/26AAPAA(30) were incapable of binding 125I-hFSH even when solubilized with nonionic detergent. Flow cytometry indicated that hFSHR in 12VFL(14)/12AAA(14), 22EIPS(25)/22AAPA(25) and 26DLPRN(30)/26AAPAA(30) was not present on the cell surface although the protein was expressed at high levels as determined by Western blotting. These results suggest that a discontinuous epitope in the N-terminus, likely stabilized by disulfide bonds and outside of the leucine-rich repeat domains, constitutes a hormone binding site, membrane localization signal or both.

Deletion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor residues encoded by exon one decreases FSH binding and signaling in the rat

The rat FSH receptor (rFSHR) shares considerable homology with the rat LH receptor (rLHR), yet binds human FSH (hFSH) with high fidelity, suggesting that the binding determinant encoded by the rFSHR gene shares no homology with the analogous rLHR primary sequence, thereby affording specificity of ligand binding. Two such regions of primary sequence have been previously identified and studied by peptide challenge tests and immunoneutralization studies. We therefore implemented site-directed mutagenesis to delete the regions S9-N30 and D300-F315 of the mature rFSHR sequence. The mutant receptor (DeltarFSHR) cDNAs were expressed in insect cells. The large deletion DeltarFSHRS9-N30 and a smaller deletion, DeltarFSHRS9-S18, did not bind (125)I-hFSH. However, DeltarFSHRK19-R29 and DeltarFSHRD300-F315 bound (125)I-hFSH with an affinity indistinguishable from wild-type rFSHR. The deletion mutants DeltarFSHR S9-N30 or DeltarFSHRS9-S18 were not detectable on the cell surface by flow cytometry unless cells were sheared. Although (125)I-hFSH binding to DeltarFSHRK19-R29 was normal, this form of the receptor was defective for signal transduction whereas DeltarFSHRD300-F315 was not. Furthermore, neither region seems to be a specificity determinant, since their removal did not result in high-affinity binding of hCG to DeltarFSHR.

Identification of ionizable amino acid residues on the extracellular domain of the lutropin receptor involved in ligand binding

The LH receptor (LHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor characterized by a relatively large N-terminal extracellular domain responsible for high affinity ligand binding. Based on a model proposed for a major portion of the extracellular domain that contains a number of leucine-rich repeats, nine ionizable amino acid residues (Glu57, Glu80, Lys158, Glu181, Lys183, Glu184, Glu188, Lys190, and Asp206) were selected for charge reversal mutagenesis based on their locations in the proposed model and their potential to serve as ligand contact sites. Mutant LHR complementary DNAs were transiently transfected into COS-7 cells, and the expressed receptors were characterized by Western blot analysis, competitive ligand (hCG) binding, and ligand-mediated cAMP production. The most interesting mutants were K158E, K183E, E184K, and D206K, which were present on the plasma membrane fraction, as judged by Western blots, but were incapable of binding hCG and, of course, were deficient in hCG-mediated cAMP production. Other replacements at these positions, K158R,Q,G; K183R,Q,G; E184N; and D206E,Q, led to cell surface binding and signaling. The mutants E57K, E189K, and K190E behaved similarly to wild-type LHR; E80K was trapped intracellularly, but bound ligand in solubilized cells; and E181K was not expressed or was rapidly degraded. These results, based on 18 point mutants of LHR, indicate that Lys158, Lys183, Glu184, and Asp206 are involved, either directly or indirectly, in gonadotropin binding and support the general nature of the proposed model.

The amino-terminal region of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor contacts both subunits of human choriogonadotropin. II. Photoaffinity labeling

The luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor, a seven-transmembrane receptor, is composed of two equal halves, the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and the C-terminal membrane-associated endodomain. Unlike most seven-transmembrane receptors, the exodomain alone is responsible for high affinity hormone binding, whereas signal is generated in the endodomain. These physical separations of hormone-binding and receptor activation sites are attributed to unique mechanisms for hormone binding and receptor activation of this receptor and its subfamily members. However, the precise hormone contact sites in the exodomain are unclear. In the preceding article (Hong, S., Phang, T., Ji, I., and Ji, T. H. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 13835-13840), a region immediately downstream of the N terminus of the exodomain was shown to be crucial for hormone binding. To test if the region interacts with the hormone, human choriogonadotropin (hCG) was photoaffinity-labeled with a peptide mimic corresponding to Gly18-Tyr36 of the receptor. This peptide mimic specifically photoaffinity-labeled both the alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG. Interestingly, hCGalpha was preferentially labeled. On the other hand, denatured hCG was not labeled, and a mutant analog of the peptide failed to label hCG. Furthermore, the affinity labeling was UV-dependent and saturable, indicating the specificity of the photoaffinity labeling. Our results indicate that the region of the exodomain interacts with hCG and that the contact points are near both subunits of hCG. Particularly, the alternate residues (Leu20, Cys22, and Gly24) are crucial for hCG binding. In addition, the results underscore the fact that there is a crucial hormone contact site outside of the popularly believed primary hormone-binding site that is composed of Leu-rich repeats and is located in the middle of the exodomain. Our observations are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanism through which the initial high affinity hormone binding leads to receptor activation in the endodomain.