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M G Caron

Publications and source records attributed to M G Caron.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Chimeric D2/D3 dopamine receptors efficiently inhibit adenylyl cyclase in HEK 293 cells.

Despite a high degree of sequence homology, the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors have substantially different second messenger coupling properties. We have used chimeric D2/D3 receptors to investigate the contribution of the intracellular loops to the signaling properties of these receptors. In HEK 293 cells, D2 receptors inhibit prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP levels by >90%, whereas D3 receptors inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation by only 20%. In chimeras that have the second or third intracellular loop, or both loops simultaneously, switched between the D2 and D3 receptors, the maximal inhibition of adenylyl cyclase is 60-90%. In addition, the potency of quinpirole to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity at some of the chimeras is altered compared with the wild-type receptors. It appears that the intracellular loops of the D3 receptor are capable of interacting with G proteins, as when these loops are expressed in the D2 receptor, the chimeras inhibit adenylyl cyclase similarly to the wild-type D2 receptor. Our data suggest that the overall conformation of the D3 receptor may be such that it interacts with G proteins only weakly, but when the intracellular loops are expressed in another context or the D3 receptor structure is altered by the introduction of D2 receptor sequence, this constraint may be lifted.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1996

G-protein-coupled receptor regulation: role of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases and arrestins.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large family of proteins that transduce extracellular signals to the interior of cells. Signalling through these receptors rapidly desensitized primarily as the consequence of receptor phosphorylation, but receptor sequestration and downregulation can also contribute to this process. Two families of serine/threonine kinases, second messenger dependent protein kinases and receptor-specific G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), phosphorylate GPCRs and thereby contribute to receptor desensitization. Receptor-specific phosphorylation of GPCRs promotes the binding of cytosolic proteins referred to as arrestins, which function to further uncouple GPCRs from their heterotrimeric G-proteins. To date, the GRK protein family consists of six members, which can be further classified into subgroups according to sequence homology and functional similarities. The arrestin protein family also comprises six members, which are subgrouped on the basis of sequence homology and tissue distribution. While the molecular mechanisms contributing to GPCR desensitization are fairly well characterized, little is known about the mechanism(s) by which GPCR responsiveness is reestablished, other than that receptor sequestration (internalization) might be involved. The goal of the present review is to overview current understanding of the regulation of GPCR responsiveness. In particular, we will review new evidence suggesting a pleiotropic role for GRKs and arrestins in the regulation of GPCR responsiveness. GRK-mediated phosphorylation and arrestin binding are not only involved in the functional uncoupling of GPCRs but they are also intimately involved in promoting GPCR sequestration and as such likely play an important role in mediating the subsequent resensitization of GPCRs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Catecholamine transporters and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine neurotoxicity: studies comparing the cloned human noradrenaline and human dopamine transporter.

The uptake and cytotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the toxic metabolite of the parkinsonism inducing agent 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), were studied in COS-7 cells transiently transfected with the cloned human noradrenaline and dopamine transporters and in permanently transfected SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells. MPP+ had a 10- to 20-fold lower K(m) value for the noradrenaline than for the dopamine transporter. In dopamine transporter expressing cells, the maximal transport rate (Vmax) of MPP+, dopamine and noradrenaline was the same, but in noradrenaline transporter expressing cells the Vmax of MPP+ and dopamine was only one-half of the Vmax of noradrenaline. The turnover numbers (Vmax of uptake/maximal binding sites of binding) were 5 times higher for the dopamine transporter (as measured with [3H]dopamine and [3H]-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane than for the noradrenaline transporter (as measured with [3H]noradrenaline and [3H]nisoxetine). In SK-N-MC cells with similar Vmax values for both catecholamines, noradrenaline transporter expressing cells were killed by lower concentrations of MPP+ in the medium than dopamine transporter expressing cells. Desipramine blocked the toxicity of MPP+ toward the noradrenaline transporter, but not the dopamine transporter expressing cells. We conclude that the toxic effect of MPTP at the striatal dopamine system in the MPTP primate model of Parkinson's disease is not correlated with the affinity profile of MPP+ for catecholamine transporters, but rather with the higher turnover number of MPP+ at the dopamine transporter. In contradistinction, the toxicity of MPTP at the noradrenaline neurons in the primate cerebral cortex (Pifl et al., 1991) may involve the higher affinity of MPP+ for the noradrenaline transporter.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed1996

Production of adrenergic receptors in yeast.

Using a recombinant yeast strain expressing human beta 2 adrenergic receptors under a galactose-inducible promoter, we established conditions for receptor production in 1-15 liter fermenter culture. Crucial factors contributing to consistent high-level expression included the use of selective glucose-free medium, the maintenance of the pH of the culture at 7.2-7.5 and the presence of an antagonist. The expression strategy and production conditions used with the beta 2 adrenergic receptor were then employed to express the human alpha 2-C2 adrenergic receptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Galactose-induced yeast cells displayed specific, high-affinity [3H]rauwolscine binding and contained a 50-kDa species recognized by an alpha 2-C2 receptor specific antiserum. In fermenter culture, up to 10(5) high-affinity [3H]rauwolscine binding sites per cell (corresponding to 30-60 pmol/mg of protein) were obtained. The high expression level combined with relative ease and low cost of scaling-up make yeast a promising alternative to mammalian cells for the production of adrenergic and other G-protein-coupled receptors for structural studies.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1995

The conserved seven-transmembrane sequence NP(X)2,3Y of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily regulates multiple properties of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

The beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) is a member of a large superfamily of seven transmembrane domain, G-protein-coupled receptors. Within the putative seventh transmembrane domain of the beta 2AR is a sequence of amino acids, NPLIY, which is conserved with minor variations in all members of the superfamily. Previously it was demonstrated that mutation of tyrosine residue 326 to an alanine abolished agonist promoted sequestration of this mutant without affecting its ability to maximally stimulate adenylyl cyclase in membranes [Barak, L.S., Tiberi, M., Freedman, N.J., Kwatra, M.M., Lefkowitz, R.J., & Caron M.J. (1994) J Biol. Chem. 269, 2790-2795]. In the present study we characterized the NPLIY amino acid sequence in an attempt to determine how it can affect the agonist-mediated sequestration of the beta 2AR and to test whether it is a functional motif. We find that point mutations of the most conserved amino acids, N, P, and Y, in this sequence affect several other receptor properties in addition to sequestration. Mutation of asparagine 322 to an alanine resulted in complete uncoupling of the receptor, loss of high-affinity agonist binding, and abolition of receptor sequestration, down-regulation, and phosphorylation. In contrast, a conservative mutation of this residue to an aspartic acid (as found in the thrombin receptor) resulted in an improvement of G-protein coupling without adversely affecting other receptor properties. Substitution of proline residue 323 with an alanine residue resulted in a receptor with mild deficits in sequestration and coupling, a reduced agonist-mediated phosphorylation, and no change in down-regulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Role of phosphorylation in agonist-promoted beta 2-adrenergic receptor sequestration. Rescue of a sequestration-defective mutant receptor by beta ARK1.

The beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) belongs to the large family of G protein-coupled receptors. Mutation of tyrosine residue 326 to an alanine resulted in a beta 2AR mutant (beta 2AR-Y326A) that was defective in its ability to sequester and was less well coupled to adenylyl cyclase than the wild-type beta 2AR. However, this mutant receptor not only desensitized in response to agonist stimulation but down-regulated normally. In an attempt to understand the basis for the properties of this mutant, we have examined the ability of this regulation-defective mutant to undergo agonist-mediated phosphorylation. When expressed in 293 cells, the maximal response for phosphorylation of the beta 2AR-Y326A mutant was impaired by 75%. Further characterization of this phosphorylation, using either forskolin stimulation or phosphorylation site-deficient beta 2AR-Y326A mutants, demonstrated that the beta 2AR-Y326A mutant can be phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) but does not serve as a substrate for the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (beta ARK1). However, overexpression of beta ARK1 led to the agonist-dependent phosphorylation of the beta 2AR-Y326A mutant and rescue of its sequestration. beta ARK1-mediated rescue of beta 2AR-Y326A sequestration could be prevented by mutating putative beta ARK phosphorylation sites, but not PKA phosphorylation sites. In addition, both sequestration and phosphorylation of the wild-type beta 2AR could be attenuated by overexpressing a dominant-negative mutant of beta ARK1 (C20 beta ARK1-K220M). These findings implicate a role for beta ARK1-mediated phosphorylation in facilitating wild-type beta 2AR sequestration.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Phosphorylation and desensitization of the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor. Involvement of G protein-coupled receptor kinases and cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Persistent stimulation of the beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1AR) engenders, within minutes, diminished responsiveness of the beta 1 AR/adenylyl cyclase signal transduction system. This desensitization remains incompletely defined mechanistically, however. We therefore tested the hypothesis that agonist-induced desensitization of the beta 1AR (like that of the related beta 2AR) involves phosphorylation of the receptor itself, by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK1) or other G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Both Chinese hamster fibroblast and 293 cells demonstrate receptor-specific desensitization of the beta 1 AR within 3-5 min. Both cell types also express beta ARK1 and the associated inhibitory proteins beta-arrestin-1 and beta-arrestin-2, as assessed by immunoblotting. Agonist-induced beta 1AR desensitization in 293 cells correlates with a 2 +/- 0.3-fold increase in phosphorylation of the beta 1AR, determined by immunoprecipitation of the beta 1AR from cells metabolically labeled with 32P(i). This agonist-induced beta 1AR phosphorylation derives approximately equally from PKA and GRK activity, as judged by intact cell studies with kinase inhibitors or dominant negative beta ARK1 (K220R) mutant overexpression. Desensitization, likewise, is reduced by only approximately 50% when PKA is inhibited in the intact cells. Overexpression of rhodopsin kinase, beta ARK1, beta ARK2, or GRK5 significantly increases agonist-induced beta 1AR phosphorylation and concomitantly decreases agonist-stimulated cellular cAMP production (p < 0.05). Furthermore, purified beta ARK1, beta ARK2, and GRK5 all demonstrate agonist-dependent phosphorylation of the beta 1AR. Consistent with a GRK mechanism, receptor-specific desensitization of the beta 1AR was enhanced by overexpression of beta-arrestin-1 and -2 in transfected 293 cells. We conclude that rapid agonist-induced desensitization of the beta 1AR involves phosphorylation of the receptor by both PKA and at least beta ARK1 in intact cells. Like the beta 2AR, the beta 1AR appears to bind either beta-arrestin-1 or beta-arrestin-2 and to react with rhodopsin kinase, beta ARK1, beta ARK2, and GRK5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Immunoaffinity purification of epitope-tagged human beta 2-adrenergic receptor to homogeneity.

To obtain large quantities of pure human beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR) needed for structural studies, an efficient method for beta 2-AR purification was developed using a recombinant receptor with an eight amino acid epitope at its C-terminus. This epitope is recognized by KT3-monoclonal antibody. The epitope tagged beta 2-AR was expressed in Sf9 cells with a specific activity of 5-20 pmol/mg of membrane protein. The epitope-tagged and wild-type receptors had identical ligand binding properties. The tagged receptor was solubilized using dodecyl-beta-maltoside with a quantitative yield. Solubilized epitope-tagged receptors were partially purified by KT3-mAb immunoaffinity in 60-70% yield. Further purification of the receptors on an alprenolol-affinity column resulted in a homogenous preparation with an overall yield of > 30%. The purified receptor was concentrated to > 1 mg/ml without loss of ligand binding activity.

Alprenolol↗
PubMed1995

The human D1A dopamine receptor gene promoter directs expression of a reporter gene to the central nervous system in transgenic mice.

Dopamine receptors are involved in many aspects of dopaminergic neurotransmission including regulation of motor control, cognition, affect and neuroendocrine function. The D1A receptor is the most widely distributed dopamine receptor in the brain and is expressed at high levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens, but is also found throughout cortical, limbic, hypothalamic and thalamic brain regions. We have cloned a 6.4 kb fragment 5' of the human D1A dopamine receptor gene and shown that this region activates transcription of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in a cell-specific manner. To study the expression of these sequences in vivo we analyzed the expression of the E. coli lac Z gene under the regulation of the 6.4 kb fragment in transgenic mice. Expression of the transgene was primarily detected in the brain, with only low levels detected in peripheral tissues. The 5' flanking sequences were able to direct the tissue-specific expression of lac Z in three different lines of transgenic mice, to a number of brain regions including the caudate-putamen, thalamus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus. Greatest expression of the lac Z gene was detected in areas of the thalamus and amygdaloid complex. In the striatum, beta-galactosidase activity was restricted to neurons within the matrix and was not detected within striosomes. Results of this study demonstrate that the 6.4 kb region upstream of the human D1A receptor gene is sufficient to confer tissue-specific expression in the CNS of transgenic mice. Furthermore, expression of the transgene to neurons within the matrix of the striatum, but not the striosomes suggests that expression of the D1A receptor may be regulated differently within these areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Binding, coupling, and mRNA subtype heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in cultured human RPE.

In retinal pigment epithelium, apically applied epinephrine changes the conductance of specific ions which subsequently affects the membrane voltage and stimulates transepithelial fluid transport. In this investigation, myo-[3H]inositol radiotracer studies, radioligand binding with [125I]HEAT, and ribonuclease protection assays were performed to examine the coupling of this receptor to phosphoinositide hydrolysis and the specific mRNA subtypes expressed in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. After labeling second to sixth passage cells with 3-muCi myo-[3H]inositol for 24 hr, epinephrine caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in [3H]inositol phosphate products (EC50 of 0.7 microM). This stimulation was antagonized by prazosin but not by propranolol. The effect of epinephrine was potentiated by the presence of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline (10 microM). Pertussis toxin (1 microgram per well) attenuated the stimulatory effect of epinephrine. In the radioligand binding assays, [125I]HEAT binding sites varied among different cell lines, with a range of 44 to 200 fmol (mg protein)-1. Using a ribonuclease protection assay, alpha 1D and alpha 1B, but not alpha 1C, adrenergic mRNA subtypes were detected in cultured human cells. Collectively, these results show that the catecholamines act on a potentially heterogeneous population of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors coupled to phospholipase C by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1994

A2a/D2 receptor interactions are not observed in COS-7 cells transiently transfected with dopamine D2 and adenosine A2a receptor cDNA.

The rat D2 receptor and the dog A2a receptor subcloned into the pXM vector were transiently transfected into COS-7 cells using the DEAE-dextran method. The transfected cells expressed approx. 200 fmol D2 receptors/mg protein and approx. 5 pmol/mg protein of the A2a receptor as judged by binding experiments with [3H]raclopride [or[3H]-N-propyl-apomorphine (NPA)] and [3H]-CGS 21680, respectively. The high affinity KD values were 0.43 and 19 nM for D2 and A2a receptors, respectively, in agreement with results obtained from other cells and tissues. The non-selective adenosine receptor agonist NECA stimulated cAMP accumulation both in non-transfected and transfected COS-7 cells with only a slight difference in potency, suggesting that most of the stimulation is due to activation of A2b receptors known to be present on virtually every cell. The two A2a selective agonists CGS 21680 and CV-1808 were essentially inactive in transfected COS-7 cells, but were very active in PC-12 cells known to possess functional A2a receptors. Dopamine did not decrease cAMP accumulation in the transfected COS-7 cells. CGS 21680 (30 nM) did not affect the binding characteristics of D2 receptors in the co-transfected COS-7 cells in contrast to the increased KH, KL and RH values found previously in rat striatal membranes after CGS 21680 treatment. The present findings indicate that transiently transfected A2a and D2 receptors in COS-7 cells have normal binding properties, but couple poorly to adenylyl cyclase, despite the presence of Gs protein and adenylyl cyclase in these cells. Our results also demonstrate that the previously reported interactions between A2a receptors and D2 receptors do not occur when only the receptor proteins are expressed in COS-7 cells, suggesting that the two receptor molecules do not interact directly to influence binding characteristics.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1994

High agonist-independent activity is a distinguishing feature of the dopamine D1B receptor subtype.

Dopamine D1A and D1B receptor subtypes belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Both receptors are coupled to the activation of adenylyl cyclase and exhibit distinct brain distribution. To identify functional differences, binding and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase were assessed in 293 cells expressing transiently either dopamine D1A or D1B receptors. Membranes expressing D1B receptors displayed higher affinities for agonists than those expressing D1A receptors, whereas antagonist affinities were lower at the D1B than at the D1A receptor. Basal activity of adenylyl cyclase in whole 293 cells expressing various levels of D1B receptors was significantly higher than the basal activity measured in cells expressing D1A receptors. Maximal activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting from stimulation of the D1B receptor was less than that obtained following agonist activation of the D1A receptor. In cells expressing D1B receptors, agonists displayed an increased potency for stimulating adenylyl cyclase in comparison with the potencies determined for the D1A receptor. On the other hand, certain antagonists displayed "negative efficacy" at both receptor subtypes but had a more profound inhibition on the agonist-independent signaling activity of the D1B receptor. The properties described here are reminiscent of those of constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors obtained by site-directed mutations. Thus, the D1B receptor may represent a naturally occurring receptor subtype with properties akin to those of constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors. The different anatomical distribution and biochemical properties of these D1 receptors strengthen the functional distinctions between the two subtypes and could account for the basis of heterogeneity within a given class of neurotransmitter or hormone receptors. In addition, if these properties are recapitulated in cells expressing the D1B receptors, they may underlie important role in the regulation of physiological effects by dopamine. Finally, these results raise the interesting possibility that psychotropic antagonist drugs used in the management of certain brain disorders may have their beneficial actions as negative efficacy compounds.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1994

Delineation of discrete domains for substrate, cocaine, and tricyclic antidepressant interactions using chimeric dopamine-norepinephrine transporters.

Neurotransmitter transporters determine the intensity and duration of signal transduction by controlling the rapid removal of transmitter molecules from the synaptic cleft. The importance of their function is further reflected by the medical and social implications of compounds that inhibit their activity such as the antidepressants and cocaine. Molecular characterization of these transporters has revealed that they are members of a large family of membrane proteins with 12 putative transmembrane domains. However, little information exists as to whether discrete domains of these proteins mediate the various defined functions of these transporters. In this study, we constructed a series of chimeras between two structurally related but pharmacologically distinct transporters, the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters. The properties of these chimeric transporters suggest that distinct regions of these molecules determine these individual functions. Regions from the amino-terminal through the first five transmembrane domains are likely to be involved in the uptake mechanisms and ionic dependence. Regions within transmembrane domains 6-8 determine tricyclic antidepressant binding and cocaine interactions, whereas the carboxyl-terminal region encompassing transmembrane domain 9 through the COOH-terminal tail appears to be responsible for the stereoselectivity and high affinity for substrates. The dissociation of the substrate uptake and cocaine binding properties of these transporters further raises the possibility that antagonists of cocaine action devoid of uptake blockade activity might be developed for the clinical management of cocaine addiction.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗