The stem cell-expressed receptor Lgr5 possesses canonical and functionally active molecular determinants critical to β-arrestin-2 recruitment

Functional and Biological Characterization of the LGR5Δ5 Splice Variant in HEK293T Cells

The regulator of the canonical Wnt pathway, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), is expressed in the stem cell compartment of several tissues and overexpressed in different human carcinomas. The isoform of the stem cell marker LGR5, named LGR5Δ5 and first described by our group, is associated with prognosis and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS). In a proof-of-principle analysis, the function of LGR5Δ5 was investigated in HEK293T cells, a model cell line of the Wnt pathway, compared to full-length LGR5 (FL) expression. The CRISPR/CAS knockout of LGR5 and LGR4 (thereby avoiding the side effects of LGR4) resulted in a loss of Wnt activity that cannot be restored by LGR5Δ5 but by LGR5FL rescue. The ability to migrate was not affected by LGR5Δ5, but was reduced by LGR5FL overexpression. The CRISPR/CAS of LGR4 and 5 induced radiosensitization, which was enhanced by the overexpression of LGR5FL or LGR5Δ5. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a significant increase in the ligand R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) level by LGR5Δ5. Furthermore, LGR5Δ5 appears to be involved in the regulation of genes related to the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix stiffness, and angiogenesis, while LGR5FL is associated with the regulation of collagens and histone proteins.

GPCR kinase knockout cells reveal the impact of individual GRKs on arrestin binding and GPCR regulation

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activate G proteins and undergo a complex regulation by interaction with GPCR kinases (GRKs) and the formation of receptor-arrestin complexes. However, the impact of individual GRKs on arrestin binding is not clear. We report the creation of eleven combinatorial HEK293 knockout cell clones lacking GRK2/3/5/6, including single, double, triple and the quadruple GRK knockout. Analysis of β-arrestin1/2 interactions for twelve GPCRs in our GRK knockout cells enables the differentiation of two main receptor subsets: GRK2/3-regulated and GRK2/3/5/6-regulated receptors. Furthermore, we identify GPCRs that interact with β-arrestins via the overexpression of specific GRKs even in the absence of agonists. Finally, using GRK knockout cells, PKC inhibitors and β-arrestin mutants, we present evidence for differential receptor-β-arrestin1/2 complex configurations mediated by selective engagement of kinases. We anticipate our GRK knockout platform to facilitate the elucidation of previously unappreciated details of GRK-specific GPCR regulation and β-arrestin complex formation.

Activation of the Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR27 by Surrogate Ligands Promotes β-Arrestin 2 Recruitment

G protein-coupled receptors are the most important drug targets for human diseases. An important number of them remain devoid of confirmed ligands. GPR27 is one of these orphan receptors, characterized by a high level of conservation among vertebrates and a predominant expression in the central nervous system. In addition, it has recently been linked to insulin secretion. However, the absence of endogenous or surrogate ligands for GPR27 complicates the examination of its biologic function. Our aim was to validate GPR27 signaling pathways, and therefore we sought to screen a diversity-oriented synthesis library to identify GPR27-specific surrogate agonists. To select an optimal screening assay, we investigated GPR27 ligand-independent activity. Both in G protein-mediated pathways and in β-arrestin 2 recruitment, no ligand-independent activity could be measured. However, we observed a recruitment of β-arrestin 2 to a GPR27V2 chimera in the presence of membrane-anchored G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2. Therefore, we optimized a firefly luciferase complementation assay to screen against this chimeric receptor. We identified two compounds [N-[4-(anilinocarbonyl)phenyl]-2,4-dichlorobenzamide (ChemBridge, San Diego, CA; ID5128535) and 2,4-dichloro-N-{4-[(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl}benzamide (ChemBridge ID5217941)] sharing a N-phenyl-2,4-dichlorobenzamide scaffold, which were selective for GPR27 over its closely related family members GPR85 and GPR173. The specificity of the activity was confirmed with a NanoLuc Binary Technology β-arrestin 2 assay, imaging of green fluorescent protein-tagged β-arrestin 2, and PathHunter β-arrestin 2 assay. Interestingly, no G protein activation was detected upon activation of GPR27 by these compounds. Our study provides the first selective surrogate agonists for the orphan GPR27.

Inhibiting clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor-5 diminishes cell fitness

The leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor-5 (LGR5) is expressed in adult tissue stem cells of many epithelia, and its overexpression is negatively correlated with cancer prognosis. LGR5 potentiates WNT/β-catenin signaling through its unique constitutive internalization property that clears negative regulators of the WNT-receptor complex from the membrane. However, both the mechanism and physiological relevance of LGR5 internalization are unclear. Therefore, a natural product library was screened to discover LGR5 internalization inhibitors and gain mechanistic insight into LGR5 internalization. The plant lignan justicidin B blocked the constitutive internalization of LGR5. Justicidin B is structurally similar to more potent vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase inhibitors, which all inhibited LGR5 internalization by blocking clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We then tested the physiological relevance of LGR5 internalization blockade in vivo A LGR5-rainbow (LBOW) mouse line was engineered to express three different LGR5 isoforms along with unique fluorescent protein lineage reporters in the same mouse. In this manner, the effects of each isoform on cell fate can be simultaneously assessed through simple fluorescent imaging for each lineage reporter. LBOW mice express three different forms of LGR5, a wild-type form that constitutively internalizes and two mutant forms whose internalization properties have been compromised by genetic perturbations within the carboxyl-terminal tail. LBOW was activated in the intestinal epithelium, and a year-long lineage-tracing course revealed that genetic blockade of LGR5 internalization diminished cell fitness. Together these data provide proof-of-concept genetic evidence that blocking the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of LGR5 could be used to pharmacologically control cell behavior.

Chapter One - Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination of G Protein-Coupled Receptors

The seven-transmembrane containing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of cell-surface receptors. Transmembrane signaling by GPCRs is fundamental to many aspects of physiology including vision, olfaction, cardiovascular, and reproductive functions as well as pain, behavior and psychomotor responses. The duration and magnitude of signal transduction is tightly controlled by a series of coordinated trafficking events that regulate the cell-surface expression of GPCRs at the plasma membrane. Moreover, the intracellular trafficking profiles of GPCRs can correlate with the signaling efficacy and efficiency triggered by the extracellular stimuli that activate GPCRs. Of the various molecular mechanisms that impart selectivity, sensitivity and strength of transmembrane signaling, ubiquitination of the receptor protein plays an important role because it defines both trafficking and signaling properties of the activated GPCR. Ubiquitination of proteins was originally discovered in the context of lysosome-independent degradation of cytosolic proteins by the 26S proteasome; however a large body of work suggests that ubiquitination also orchestrates the downregulation of membrane proteins in the lysosomes. In the case of GPCRs, such ubiquitin-mediated lysosomal degradation engenders long-term desensitization of transmembrane signaling. To date about 40 GPCRs are known to be ubiquitinated. For many GPCRs, ubiquitination plays a major role in postendocytic trafficking and sorting to the lysosomes. This chapter will focus on the patterns and functional roles of GPCR ubiquitination, and will describe various molecular mechanisms involved in GPCR ubiquitination.

A rapid and affordable screening platform for membrane protein trafficking

BACKGROUND

Membrane proteins regulate a diversity of physiological processes and are the most successful class of targets in drug discovery. However, the number of targets adequately explored in chemical space and the limited resources available for screening are significant problems shared by drug-discovery centers and small laboratories. Therefore, a low-cost and universally applicable screen for membrane protein trafficking was developed.

RESULTS

This high-throughput screen (HTS), termed IRFAP-HTS, utilizes the recently described MarsCy1-fluorogen activating protein and the near-infrared and membrane impermeant fluorogen SCi1. The cell surface expression of MarsCy1 epitope-tagged receptors can be visualized by simple addition of SCi1. User-friendly, rapid, and quantitative detection occurs on a standard infrared western-blotting scanner. The reliability and robustness of IRFAP-HTS was validated by confirming human vasopressin-2 receptor and dopamine receptor-2 trafficking in response to agonist or antagonist. The IRFAP-HTS screen was deployed against the leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor-5 (Lgr5). Lgr5 is expressed in stem cells, modulates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, and is therefore a promising drug target. However, small molecule modulators have yet to be reported. The constitutive internalization of Lgr5 appears to be one primary mode through which its function is regulated. Therefore, IRFAP-HTS was utilized to screen 11,258 FDA-approved and drug-like small molecules for those that antagonize Lgr5 internalization. Glucocorticoids were found to potently increase Lgr5 expression at the plasma membrane.

CONCLUSION

The IRFAP-HTS platform provides a versatile solution for screening more targets with fewer resources. Using only a standard western-blotting scanner, we were able to screen 5,000 compounds per hour in a robust and quantitative assay. Multi-purposing standardly available laboratory equipment eliminates the need for idiosyncratic and more expensive high-content imaging systems. The modular and user-friendly IRFAP-HTS is a significant departure from current screening platforms. Small laboratories will have unprecedented access to a robust and reliable screening platform and will no longer be limited by the esoteric nature of assay development, data acquisition, and post-screening analysis. The discovery of glucocorticoids as modulators for Lgr5 trafficking confirms that IRFAP-HTS can accelerate drug-discovery and drug-repurposing for even the most obscure targets.

Keeping Wnt signalosome in check by vesicular traffic

Wg/Wnts are paracrine and autocrine ligands that activate distinct signaling pathways while being internalized through surface receptors. Converging and contrasting views are shaping our understanding of whether, where, and how endocytosis may modulate Wnt signaling. We gather considerable amount of evidences to elaborate the point that signal-receiving cells utilize distinct, flexible, and sophisticated vesicular trafficking mechanisms to keep Wnt signaling activity in check. Same molecules in a highly context-dependent fashion serve as regulatory hub for various signaling purposes: amplification, maintenance, inhibition, and termination. Updates are provided for the regulatory mechanisms related to the three critical cell surface complexes, Wnt-Fzd-LRP6, Dkk1-Kremen-LRP6, and R-spondin-LGR5-RNF43, which potently influence Wnt signaling. We pay particular attentions to how cells achieve sustained and delicate control of Wnt signaling strength by employing comprehensive aspects of vesicular trafficking.

Lgr4 and Lgr5 drive the formation of long actin-rich cytoneme-like membrane protrusions

Embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis require precise information exchange between cells and their microenvironment to coordinate cell behavior. A specialized class of ultra-long actin-rich filopodia, termed cytonemes, provides one mechanism for this spatiotemporal regulation of extracellular cues. We provide here a mechanism whereby the stem-cell marker Lgr5, and its family member Lgr4, promote the formation of cytonemes. Lgr4- and Lgr5-induced cytonemes exceed lengths of 80 µm, are generated through stabilization of nascent filopodia from an underlying lamellipodial-like network and functionally provide a pipeline for the transit of signaling effectors. As proof-of-principle, we demonstrate that Lgr5-induced cytonemes act as conduits for cell signaling by demonstrating that the actin motor and filopodial cargo carrier protein myosin X (Myo10) and the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling effector β-arrestin-2 (Arrb2) transit into cytonemes. This work delineates a biological function for Lgr4 and Lgr5 and provides the rationale to fully investigate Lgr4 and Lgr5 function and cytonemes in mammalian stem cell and cancer stem cell behavior.

Targeted inactivation of the rickets receptor in muscle compromises Drosophila viability

Bursicon is a hormone that modulates wing expansion, cuticle hardening and melanization in Drosophila melanogaster. Bursicon activity is mediated through its cognate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), rickets. We have developed a membrane-tethered bursicon construct that enables spatial modulation of rickets-mediated physiology in transgenic flies. Ubiquitous expression of tethered bursicon throughout development results in arrest at the pupal stage. The few organisms that eclose fail to undergo wing expansion. These phenotypes suggest that expression of tethered bursicon inhibits rickets-mediated function. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show in vitro that sustained stimulation of rickets by tethered bursicon leads to receptor desensitization. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression of the tethered bursicon inhibitor unraveled a critical role for rickets in a subset of adult muscles. Taken together, our findings highlight the utility of membrane-tethered inhibitors as important genetic/pharmacological tools to dissect the tissue-specific roles of GPCRs in vivo.