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Eric R Prossnitz

Publications and source records attributed to Eric R Prossnitz.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

N-formyl peptide receptors internalize but do not recycle in the absence of arrestins.

Arrestins mediate phosphorylation-dependent desensitization, internalization, and initiation of signaling cascades for the majority of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Many GPCRs undergo agonist-mediated internalization through arrestin-dependent mechanisms, wherein arrestin serves as an adapter between the receptor and endocytic proteins. To understand the role of arrestins in N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) trafficking, we stably expressed the FPR in a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (MEF) that lacked endogenous arrestin 2 and arrestin 3 (arrestin-deficient). We compared FPR internalization and recycling kinetics in these cells to congenic wild type MEF cell lines. Internalization of the FPR was not altered in the absence of arrestins. Since the FPR remains associated with arrestins following internalization, we investigated whether the rate of FPR recycling was altered in arrestin-deficient cells. While the FPR was able to recycle in the wild type cells, receptor recycling was largely absent in the arrestin double knockout cells. Reconstitution of the arrestin-deficient line with either arrestin 2 or arrestin 3 restored receptor recycling. Confocal fluorescence microscopy studies demonstrated that in arrestin-deficient cells the FPR may become trapped in the perinuclear recycling compartment. These observations indicate that, although the FPR can internalize in the absence of arrestins, recycling of internalized receptors to the cell surface is prevented. Our results suggest a novel role for arrestins in the post-endocytic trafficking of GPCRs.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Alpha4beta1 integrin affinity changes govern cell adhesion.

Integrin alpha4beta1 is a receptor for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and fibronectin. It is important in lymphopoiesis, inflammatory recruitment of leukocytes, and other situations that require cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium. The avidity of the cells expressing alpha4beta1 integrin can be rapidly changed by chemokines and chemoattractants. Different mechanisms, including changes in the number of interacting molecules due to the alteration of the receptor topology or changes in the affinity of the individual bonds, have been proposed to explain the nature of these fast changes in avidity. Recently, we described a fluorescent LDV-containing small molecule, which we used to monitor the affinity changes on live cells in real time (Chigaev, A., Blenc, A. M., Braaten, J. V., Kumaraswamy, N., Kepley, C. L., Andrews, R. P., Oliver, J. M., Edwards, B. S., Prossnitz, E. R., Larson, R. S. et al. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 48670-48678). Here we show that the affinity of the small molecule probe as well as the native ligand vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 varies in parallel when the integrin is modulated with divalent cations and that the affinity modulation leads to the changes in cell avidity. Using formyl peptide receptor-transfected U937 cells, we further show that the time course of avidity changes in response to the receptor activation coincides with the time course of the affinity changes. Taken together, these data are consistent with the idea that affinity regulation is a major factor that governs the avidity of cell adhesion mediated by the alpha4 integrin.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Functional capabilities of an N-formyl peptide receptor-G(alpha)(i)(2) fusion protein: assemblies with G proteins and arrestins.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) must constantly compete for interactions with G proteins, kinases, and arrestins. To evaluate the interactions of these proteins with GPCRs in greater detail, we generated a fusion protein between the N-formyl peptide receptor and the G(alpha)(i2) protein. The functional capabilities of this chimeric protein were determined both in vivo, in stably transfected U937 cells, and in vitro, using a novel reconstitution system of solubilized components. The chimeric protein exhibited a cellular ligand binding affinity indistinguishable from that of the wild-type receptor and existed as a complex, when solubilized, containing betagamma subunits, as demonstrated by sucrose density sedimentation. The chimeric protein mobilized intracellular calcium and desensitized normally in response to agonist. Furthermore, the chimeric receptor was internalized and recycled at rates similar to those of the wild-type FPR. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that internalized chimeric receptors, as identified with fluorescent ligand, colocalized with arrestin, as well as G protein, unlike wild-type receptors. Soluble reconstitution experiments demonstrated that the chimeric receptor, even in the phosphorylated state, existed as a high ligand affinity G protein complex, in the absence of exogenous G protein. This interaction was only partially prevented through the addition of arrestins. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the GTP-bound state of the G protein alpha subunit displays no detectable affinity for the receptor. Together, these results indicate that complex interactions exist between GPCRs, in their unphosphorylated and phosphorylated states, G proteins, and arrestins, which result in the highly regulated control of GPCR function.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Regulation of N-formyl peptide-mediated degranulation by receptor phosphorylation.

One of the major functions of the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) is to mediate leukocyte degranulation. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of the FPR is required for receptor internalization and desensitization. Although arrestins mediate phosphorylation-dependent desensitization, internalization, and initiation of novel signaling cascades for a number of G protein-coupled receptors, their roles in FPR regulation and signaling remain unclear. CXCR1-mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells is promoted by arrestin binding. To determine whether receptor phosphorylation or arrestin binding is required to promote FPR-mediated degranulation, we used RBL-2H3 cells stably transfected with either the wild-type FPR or a mutant form, DeltaST, which is incapable of undergoing ligand-stimulated phosphorylation. We observed that stimulation of wild-type FPR resulted in very low levels of degranulation compared with that mediated by cross-linking of the Fc(epsilon)RI receptor. Stimulation of the DeltaST mutant, however, resulted in levels of degranulation comparable to those of the Fc(epsilon)RI receptor, demonstrating that neither receptor phosphorylation nor arrestin binding was necessary to initiate FPR-mediated degranulation. Degranulation initiated by the DeltaST mutant was proportional to the level of active cell surface receptor, suggesting that either receptor internalization or desensitization may be responsible for terminating degranulation of the wild-type FPR. To distinguish between these possibilities, we used a partially phosphorylation-deficient mutant of the FPR that can undergo internalization, but not desensitization. Degranulation by this mutant FPR was indistinguishable from that of the DeltaST mutant, indicating that FPR phosphorylation or binding of arrestin but not internalization terminates the degranulation response.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2002

N-formyl peptide receptor phosphorylation domains differentially regulate arrestin and agonist affinity.

Arrestins regulate the signaling and endocytosis of many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). It has been suggested that the functions of arrestins are dependent upon both the number and pattern of phosphorylation sites present in an activated GPCR. However, little is currently known about the relationships between the sites of receptor phosphorylation, the resulting affinities of arrestin binding, and the ensuing mechanisms of receptor regulation for any given GPCR. To investigate these interactions, we used an active truncated mutant of arrestin (amino acids 1-382) and phosphorylation-deficient mutants of the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR). In contrast to results with wild type arrestins, the truncated arrestin-2 protein bound to the unphosphorylated wild type FPR, although with lower affinity and a low affinity for the agonist as revealed by competition studies with heterotrimeric G proteins. Using FPR mutants, we further demonstrated that the phosphorylation status of serines and threonines between residues 328-332 is a key determinant that regulates the affinity of the FPR for arrestins. Furthermore, we found that the phosphorylation status of serine and threonine residues between amino acids 334 and 339 regulates the affinity of the receptor for agonist when arrestin is bound. These results suggest that the agonist affinity state of the receptor is principally regulated by phosphorylation at specific sites and is not simply a consequence of arrestin binding as has previously been proposed. Furthermore, this is the first demonstration that agonist affinity of a GPCR and the affinity of arrestin binding to the phosphorylated receptor are regulated by distinct receptor phosphodomains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Arrestin variants display differential binding characteristics for the phosphorylated N-formyl peptide receptor carboxyl terminus.

The phosphorylation-dependent binding of arrestins to cytoplasmic domains of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is thought to be a crucial step in receptor desensitization. In some GPCR systems, arrestins have also been demonstrated to be involved in receptor internalization, resensitization, and the activation of signaling cascades. The objective of the current study was to examine binding interactions of members of the arrestin family with the formyl peptide receptor (FPR), a member of the GPCR family of receptors. Peptides representing the unphosphorylated and phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of the FPR were synthesized and bound to polystyrene beads via a biotin/streptavidin interaction. Using fluorescein-conjugated arrestins, binding interactions between arrestins and the bead-bound FPR carboxyl terminus were analyzed by flow cytometry. Arrestin-2 and arrestin-3 bound to the FPR carboxyl-terminal peptide in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, with K(d) values in the micromolar range. Binding of visual arrestin, which binds rhodopsin with high selectivity, was not observed. Arrestin-2-(1--382) and arrestin-3-(1--393), truncated mutant forms of arrestin that display phosphorylation-independent binding to intact receptors, were also observed to bind the bead-bound FPR terminus in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, but with much greater affinity than the full-length arrestins, yielding K(d) values in the 5--50 nm range. Two additional arrestin mutants, which are full-length but display phosphorylation-independent binding to intact GPCRs, were evaluated for their binding affinity to the FPR carboxyl terminus. Whereas the single point mutant, arrestin-2 R169E, displayed an affinity similar to that of the full-length arrestins, the triple point mutant, arrestin-2 I386A/V387A/F388A, displayed an affinity more similar to that of the truncated forms of arrestin. The results suggest that the carboxyl terminus of arrestin is a critical determinant in regulating the binding affinity of arrestin for the phosphorylated domains of GPCRs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Dexras1/AGS-1 inhibits signal transduction from the Gi-coupled formyl peptide receptor to Erk-1/2 MAP kinases.

Dexras1 is a novel GTP-binding protein (G protein) that was recently discovered on the basis of rapid mRNA up-regulation by glucocorticoids in murine AtT-20 corticotroph cells and in several primary tissues. The human homologue of Dexras1, termed activator of G protein signaling-1 (AGS-1), has been reported to stimulate signaling by G(i) heterotrimeric G proteins independently of receptor activation. The effects of Dexras1/AGS-1 on receptor-initiated signaling by G(i) have not been examined. Here we report that Dexras1 inhibits ligand-dependent signaling by the G(i)-coupled N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR). Dexras1 and FPR were transiently co-expressed in both COS-7 and HEK-293 cells. Activation of FPR by ligand (N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (f-MLF)) caused phosphorylation of endogenous Erk-1/2 that was reduced by co-expression of Dexras1. Direct effects of Dexras1 on the activity of co-expressed, epitope-tagged Erk-2 (hemagglutinin (HA)-Erk-2) were measured by immune complex in vitro kinase assay. Expression of Dexras1 alone resulted in a 1.9- to 4.9-fold increase in HA-Erk-2 activity; expression of the unliganded FPR alone resulted in a 6.2- to 8.1-fold increase in HA-Erk-2 activity. Stimulation of FPR by f-MLF produced a further 8- to 10-fold increase in HA-Erk-2 activity over the basal (non-ligand-stimulated) state, and this ligand-dependent activity was attenuated at the time points of maximal activity by co-expression of Dexras1 (reduced 31 +/- 6.8% in COS-7 at 10 min and 86 +/- 9.2% in HEK-293 at 5 min, p < 0.01 for each). Expression of Dexras1 did not influence protein expression of FPR or Erk, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of Dexras1 reflect a functional alteration in the signaling cascade from FPR to Erk. Expression of Dexras1 had no effect on expression of G(i)alpha species, but significantly impaired pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of membrane-associated G(i)alpha. Expression of Dexras1 also significantly decreased in vitro binding of GTPgammaS in f-MLF-stimulated membranes of cells co-transfected with FPR. These data suggest that Dexras1 inhibits signal transduction from FPR to Erk-1/2 through an effect that is very proximal to receptor-G(i) coupling. While Dexras1 weakly activates Erk in the resting state, more potent effects are evident in the modulation of ligand-stimulated receptor signal transduction, where Dexras1 functions as an inhibitor rather than activator of the Erk mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Flow cytometric analysis of ligand-receptor interactions and molecular assemblies.

Flow cytometers make homogeneous real-time measurements of ligand-receptor interactions and, simultaneously, the physiological responses of cells. Their multiparameter capabilities are also useful in resolving multicomponent assemblies or in developing multiplexed assays. Recent advances suggest that these approaches can be extended in several important ways. Sample delivery in the millisecond time domain is applicable to the analysis of complex binding kinetics and reaction mechanisms. The homogeneous discrimination of free components and particle-based assemblies can be extended into the micromolar concentration range. Measurements can be made of molecular assemblies among proteins, DNA, RNA, lipids, and carbohydrates on beads. The topography and assembly of components within cells can be evaluated with resonance energy transfer. Temperature dependence can be evaluated with Peltier temperature control. Many assembly endpoints can be assessed through new tools for high-throughput flow cytometry using plate-based assay formats and small volume samples.

Animals↗