Probing the Conformational Dynamics of the Bioactive Peptide TLQP-21 in Solution: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Peptide/Receptor Co-evolution Explains the Lipolytic Function of the Neuropeptide TLQP-21

Structural and functional diversity of peptides and GPCR result from long evolutionary processes. Even small changes in sequence can alter receptor activation, affecting therapeutic efficacy. We conducted a structure-function relationship study on the neuropeptide TLQP-21, a promising target for obesity, and its complement 3a receptor (C3aR1). After having characterized the TLQP-21/C3aR1 lipolytic mechanism, a homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulation identified the TLQP-21 binding motif and C3aR1 binding site for the human (h) and mouse (m) molecules. mTLQP-21 showed enhanced binding affinity and potency for hC3aR1 compared with hTLQP-21. Consistently, mTLQP-21, but not hTLQP-21, potentiates lipolysis in human adipocytes. These findings led us to uncover five mutations in the C3aR1 binding pocket of the rodent Murinae subfamily that are causal for enhanced calculated affinity and measured potency of TLQP-21. Identifying functionally relevant peptide/receptor co-evolution mechanisms can facilitate the development of innovative pharmacotherapies for obesity and other diseases implicating GPCRs.

The human VGF-derived bioactive peptide TLQP-21 binds heat shock 71 kDa protein 8 (HSPA8)on the surface of SH-SY5Y cells

VGF (non-acronymic)is a secreted chromogranin/secretogranin that gives rise to a number of bioactive peptides by a complex proteolysis mechanism. VGF-derived peptides exert an extensive array of biological effects in energy metabolism, mood regulation, pain, gastric secretion function, reproduction and, perhaps, cancer. It is therefore surprising that very little is known about receptors and binding partners of VGF-derived peptides and their downstream molecular mechanisms of action. Here, using affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry-based protein identification, we have identified the heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein A8 (HSPA8)as a binding partner of human TLQP-21 on the surface of human neuroblastomaSH-SY5Y cells. Binding of TLQP-21 to membrane associated HSPA8 in live SH-SY5Y cells was further supported by cross-linking to live cells. Interaction between HSPA8 and TLQP-21 was confirmed in vitro by label-free Dynamic Mass Redistribution (DMR) studies. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies show that TLQP-21 can be docked into the HSPA8 peptide binding pocket. Identification of HSPA8 as a cell surface binding partner of TLQP-21 opens new avenues to explore the molecular mechanisms of its physiological actions, and of pharmacological modulation thereof.

Pharmacological and Biochemical Characterization of TLQP-21 Activation of a Binding Site on CHO Cells

VGF is a propeptide of 617 amino acids expressed throughout the central and the peripheral nervous system. VGF and peptides derived from its processing have been found in dense core vesicles and are released from neuronal and neuroendocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway. Among VGF-derived neuropeptides, TLQP-21 (VGF^556-576) has raised a huge interest and is one of most studied. TLQP-21 is a multifunctional neuropeptide involved in the control of several physiological functions, potentially including energy homeostasis, pain modulation, stress responsiveness and reproduction. Although little information is available about its receptor and the intracellular mechanisms mediating its biological effects, recent reports suggest that TLQP-21 may bind to the complement receptors C3aR1 and/or gC1qR. The first aim of this study was to ascertain the existence and nature of TLQP-21 binding sites in CHO cells. Secondly, we endeavored to characterize the ligand binding to these sites by using a small panel of VGF-derived peptides. And finally, we investigated the influence of TLQP-21 on selected intracellular signaling pathways. We report that CHO cells express a single class of saturable and specific binding sites for TLQP-21 with an affinity and capacity of K_d = 0.55 ± 0.05 × 10^-9 M and B_{max =} 81.7 ± 3.9 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Among the many bioactive products derived from the C-terminal region of VGF that we tested, TLQP-21 was the most potent in stimulating intracellular calcium mobilization in CHO cells; this effect is primarily due to its C-terminal fragment (HFHH-10). TLQP-21 induced rapid and transient dephosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ1 and phospholipase A2. Generation of IP₃ and diacylglycerol was crucial for TLQP-21 bioactivity. In conclusion, our results suggest that the receptor stimulated by TLQP-21 belongs to the family of the G_q-coupled receptors, and its activation first increases membrane-lipid derived second messengers which thereby induce the mobilization of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum followed by a slower store-operated Ca²⁺ entry from outside the cell.