G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis generates spatiotemporal bias in β-arrestin signaling

The stabilization of different active conformations of G protein-coupled receptors is thought to underlie the varying efficacies of biased and balanced agonists. Here, profiling the activation of signal transducers by angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) agonists revealed that the extent and kinetics of β-arrestin binding exhibited substantial ligand-dependent differences, which were lost when receptor internalization was inhibited. When AT1R endocytosis was prevented, even weak partial agonists of the β-arrestin pathway acted as full or near-full agonists, suggesting that receptor conformation did not exclusively determine β-arrestin recruitment. The ligand-dependent variance in β-arrestin translocation was much larger at endosomes than at the plasma membrane, showing that ligand efficacy in the β-arrestin pathway was spatiotemporally determined. Experimental investigations and mathematical modeling demonstrated how multiple factors concurrently shaped the effects of agonists on endosomal receptor-β-arrestin binding and thus determined the extent of functional selectivity. Ligand dissociation rate and G protein activity had particularly strong, internalization-dependent effects on the receptor-β-arrestin interaction. We also showed that endocytosis regulated the agonist efficacies of two other receptors with sustained β-arrestin binding: the V2 vasopressin receptor and a mutant β2-adrenergic receptor. In the absence of endocytosis, the agonist-dependent variance in β-arrestin2 binding was markedly diminished. Our results suggest that endocytosis determines the spatiotemporal bias in GPCR signaling and can aid in the development of more efficacious, functionally selective compounds.

Gene-by-gene screen of the unknown proteins encoded on Plasmodium falciparum chromosome 3

Taxon-specific proteins are key determinants defining the biology of all organisms and represent prime drug targets in pathogens. However, lacking comparability with proteins in other lineages makes them particularly difficult to study. In malaria parasites, this is exacerbated by technical limitations. Here, we analyzed the cellular location, essentiality, function, and, in selected cases, interactome of all unknown non-secretory proteins encoded on an entire P. falciparum chromosome. The nucleus was the most common localization, indicating that it is a hotspot of parasite-specific biology. More in-depth functional studies with four proteins revealed essential roles in DNA replication and mitosis. The mitosis proteins defined a possible orphan complex and a highly diverged complex needed for spindle-kinetochore connection. Structure-function comparisons indicated that the taxon-specific proteins evolved by different mechanisms. This work demonstrates the feasibility of gene-by-gene screens to elucidate the biology of malaria parasites and reveal critical parasite-specific processes of interest as drug targets.

Membrane phosphoinositides regulate GPCR-β-arrestin complex assembly and dynamics

Binding of arrestin to phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is crucial for modulating signaling. Once internalized, some GPCRs remain complexed with β-arrestins, while others interact only transiently; this difference affects GPCR signaling and recycling. Cell-based and in vitro biophysical assays reveal the role of membrane phosphoinositides (PIPs) in β-arrestin recruitment and GPCR-β-arrestin complex dynamics. We find that GPCRs broadly stratify into two groups, one that requires PIP binding for β-arrestin recruitment and one that does not. Plasma membrane PIPs potentiate an active conformation of β-arrestin and stabilize GPCR-β-arrestin complexes by promoting a fully engaged state of the complex. As allosteric modulators of GPCR-β-arrestin complex dynamics, membrane PIPs allow for additional conformational diversity beyond that imposed by GPCR phosphorylation alone. For GPCRs that require membrane PIP binding for β-arrestin recruitment, this provides a mechanism for β-arrestin release upon translocation of the GPCR to endosomes, allowing for its rapid recycling.

β-arrestin-dependent PI(4,5)P2 synthesis boosts GPCR endocytosis

β-arrestins regulate many cellular functions including intracellular signaling and desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Previous studies show that β-arrestin signaling and receptor endocytosis are modulated by the plasma membrane phosphoinositide lipid phosphatidylinositol-(4, 5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). We found that β-arrestin also helped promote synthesis of PI(4,5)P2 and up-regulated GPCR endocytosis. We studied these questions with the Gq-coupled protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), which activates phospholipase C, desensitizes quickly, and undergoes extensive endocytosis. Phosphoinositides were monitored and controlled in live cells using lipid-specific fluorescent probes and genetic tools. Applying PAR2 agonist initiated depletion of PI(4,5)P2, which then recovered during rapid receptor desensitization, giving way to endocytosis. This endocytosis could be reduced by various manipulations that depleted phosphoinositides again right after phosphoinositide recovery: PI(4)P, a precusor of PI(4,5)P2, could be depleted at either the Golgi or the plasma membrane (PM) using a recruitable lipid 4-phosphatase enzyme and PI(4,5)P2 could be depleted at the PM using a recruitable 5-phosphatase. Endocytosis required the phosphoinositides. Knock-down of β-arrestin revealed that endogenous β-arrestin normally doubles the rate of PIP5-kinase (PIP5K) after PAR2 desensitization, boosting PI(4,5)P2-dependent formation of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) at the PM. Desensitized PAR2 receptors were swiftly immobilized when they encountered CCPs, showing a dwell time of ∼90 s, 100 times longer than for unactivated receptors. PAR2/β-arrestin complexes eventually accumulated around the edges or across the surface of CCPs promoting transient binding of PIP5K-Iγ. Taken together, β-arrestins can coordinate potentiation of PIP5K activity at CCPs to induce local PI(4,5)P2 generation that promotes recruitment of PI(4,5)P2-dependent endocytic machinery.

A general method for quantifying ligand binding to unmodified receptors using Gaussia luciferase

Reliable measurement of ligand binding to cell surface receptors is of outstanding biological and pharmacological importance. Resonance energy transfer-based assays are powerful approaches to achieve this goal, but the currently available methods are hindered by the necessity of receptor tagging, which can potentially alter ligand binding properties. Therefore, we developed a tag-free system to measure ligand‒receptor interactions in live cells using the Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) as a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer donor. GLuc is as small as the commonly applied Nanoluciferase but has enhanced brightness, and its proper substrate is the frequently used coelenterazine. In our assay, bystander bioluminescence resonance energy transfer is detected between a GLuc-based extracellular surface biosensor and fluorescent ligands bound to their unmodified receptors. The broad spectrum of applications includes equilibrium and kinetic ligand binding measurements for both labeled and competitive unlabeled ligands, and the assay can be utilized for different classes of plasma membrane receptors. Furthermore, the assay is suitable for high-throughput screening, as evidenced by the identification of novel α1 adrenergic receptor ligands. Our data demonstrate that GLuc-based biosensors provide a simple, sensitive, and cost-efficient platform for drug characterization and development.

TAT-RasGAP317-326 kills cells by targeting inner-leaflet-enriched phospholipids

TAT-RasGAP_317-326 is a cell-penetrating peptide-based construct with anticancer and antimicrobial activities. This peptide kills a subset of cancer cells in a manner that does not involve known programmed cell death pathways. Here we have elucidated the mode of action allowing TAT-RasGAP_317-326 to kill cells. This peptide binds and disrupts artificial membranes containing lipids typically enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, such as phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and phosphatidylserine (PS). Decreasing the amounts of PIP₂ in cells renders them more resistant to TAT-RasGAP_317-326, while reducing the ability of cells to repair their plasma membrane makes them more sensitive to the peptide. The W317A TAT-RasGAP_317-326 point mutant, known to have impaired killing activities, has reduced abilities to bind and permeabilize PIP₂- and PS-containing membranes and to translocate through biomembranes, presumably because of a higher propensity to adopt an α-helical state. This work shows that TAT-RasGAP_317-326 kills cells via a form of necrosis that relies on the physical disruption of the plasma membrane once the peptide targets specific phospholipids found on the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane.

ORP3 phosphorylation regulates phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and Ca2+ dynamics at plasma membrane-ER contact sites

Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP)-related proteins (ORPs) mediate non-vesicular lipid transfer between intracellular membranes. Phosphoinositide (PI) gradients play important roles in the ability of OSBP and some ORPs to transfer cholesterol and phosphatidylserine between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and other organelle membranes. Here, we show that plasma membrane (PM) association of ORP3 (also known as OSBPL3), a poorly characterized ORP family member, is triggered by protein kinase C (PKC) activation, especially when combined with Ca²⁺ increases, and is determined by both PI(4,5)P ₂ and PI4P After activation, ORP3 efficiently extracts PI4P and to a lesser extent phosphatidic acid from the PM, and slightly increases PM cholesterol levels. Full activation of ORP3 resulted in decreased PM PI4P levels and inhibited Ca²⁺ entry via the store-operated Ca²⁺ entry pathway. The C-terminal region of ORP3 that follows the strictly defined lipid transfer domain was found to be critical for the proper localization and function of the protein.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate is a major source of GPCR-stimulated phosphoinositide production

Phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes hydrolyze the plasma membrane (PM) lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P₂) to generate the second messengers inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) and diacylglycerol (DAG) in response to receptor activation in almost all mammalian cells. We previously found that stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in cardiac cells leads to the PLC-dependent hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) at the Golgi, a process required for the activation of nuclear protein kinase D (PKD) during cardiac hypertrophy. We hypothesized that GPCR-stimulated PLC activation leading to direct PI4P hydrolysis may be a general mechanism for DAG production. We measured GPCR activation-dependent changes in PM and Golgi PI4P pools in various cells using GFP-based detection of PI4P. Stimulation with various agonists caused a time-dependent reduction in PI4P-associated, but not PI4,5P₂-associated, fluorescence at the Golgi and PM. Targeted depletion of PI4,5P₂ from the PM before GPCR stimulation had no effect on the depletion of PM or Golgi PI4P, total inositol phosphate (IP) production, or PKD activation. In contrast, acute depletion of PI4P specifically at the PM completely blocked the GPCR-dependent production of IPs and activation of PKD but did not change the abundance of PI4,5P₂ Acute depletion of Golgi PI4P had no effect on these processes. These data suggest that most of the PM PI4,5P₂ pool is not involved in GPCR-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and that PI4P at the PM is responsible for the bulk of receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and DAG production.

Novel mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptors functions: AT1 angiotensin receptor acts as a signaling hub and focal point of receptor cross-talk

AT₁ angiotensin receptor (AT₁R), a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is the main receptor, which mediates the effects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). AT₁R plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and salt-water homeostasis, and in the development of pathological conditions, such as hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular remodeling, renal fibrosis, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Stimulation of AT₁R leads to pleiotropic signal transduction pathways generating arrays of complex cellular responses. Growing amount of evidence shows that AT₁R is a versatile GPCR, which has multiple unique faces with distinct conformations and signaling properties providing new opportunities for functionally selective pharmacological targeting of the receptor. Biased ligands of AT₁R have been developed to selectively activate the β-arrestin pathway, which may have therapeutic benefits compared to the conventional angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. In this review, we provide a summary about the most recent findings and novel aspects of the AT₁R function, signaling, regulation, dimerization or oligomerization and its cross-talk with other receptors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, adrenergic receptors and CB₁ cannabinoid receptor. Better understanding of the mechanisms and structural aspects of AT₁R activation and cross-talk can lead to the development of novel type of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases.

Heterologous phosphorylation-induced formation of a stability lock permits regulation of inactive receptors by β-arrestins

β-Arrestins are key regulators and signal transducers of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The interaction between receptors and β-arrestins is generally believed to require both receptor activity and phosphorylation by GPCR kinases. In this study, we investigated whether β-arrestins are able to bind second messenger kinase-phosphorylated, but inactive receptors as well. Because heterologous phosphorylation is a common phenomenon among GPCRs, this mode of β-arrestin activation may represent a novel mechanism of signal transduction and receptor cross-talk. Here we demonstrate that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol myristate acetate, G_q/11-coupled GPCR, or epidermal growth factor receptor stimulation promotes β-arrestin2 recruitment to unliganded AT₁ angiotensin receptor (AT₁R). We found that this interaction depends on the stability lock, a structure responsible for the sustained binding between GPCRs and β-arrestins, formed by phosphorylated serine-threonine clusters in the receptor's C terminus and two conserved phosphate-binding lysines in the β-arrestin2 N-domain. Using improved FlAsH-based serine-threonine clusters β-arrestin2 conformational biosensors, we also show that the stability lock not only stabilizes the receptor-β-arrestin interaction, but also governs the structural rearrangements within β-arrestins. Furthermore, we found that β-arrestin2 binds to PKC-phosphorylated AT₁R in a distinct active conformation, which triggers MAPK recruitment and receptor internalization. Our results provide new insights into the activation of β-arrestins and reveal their novel role in receptor cross-talk.

Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and 4,5-bisphosphate determine the distribution and function of K-Ras4B but not H-Ras proteins

Plasma membrane (PM) localization of Ras proteins is crucial for transmitting signals upon mitogen stimulation. Post-translational lipid modification of Ras proteins plays an important role in their recruitment to the PM. Electrostatic interactions between negatively charged PM phospholipids and basic amino acids found in K-Ras4B (K-Ras) but not in H-Ras are important for permanent K-Ras localization to the PM. Here, we investigated how acute depletion of negatively charged PM polyphosphoinositides (PPIns) from the PM alters the intracellular distribution and activity of K- and H-Ras proteins. PPIns depletion from the PM was achieved either by agonist-induced activation of phospholipase C β or with a rapamycin-inducible system in which various phosphatidylinositol phosphatases were recruited to the PM. Redistribution of the two Ras proteins was monitored with confocal microscopy or with a recently developed bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based approach involving fusion of the Ras C-terminal targeting sequences or the entire Ras proteins to Venus fluorescent protein. We found that PM PPIns depletion caused rapid translocation of K-Ras but not H-Ras from the PM to the Golgi. PM depletion of either phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) or PtdIns(4,5)P₂ but not PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ was sufficient to evoke K-Ras translocation. This effect was diminished by deltarasin, an inhibitor of the Ras-phosphodiesterase interaction, or by simultaneous depletion of the Golgi PtdIns4P. The PPIns depletion decreased incorporation of [³H]leucine in K-Ras-expressing cells, suggesting that Golgi-localized K-Ras is not as signaling-competent as its PM-bound form. We conclude that PPIns in the PM are important regulators of K-Ras-mediated signals.