• BMB Reports
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.324-329
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• 2014

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins regulate certain G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signaling pathways. The GABAB receptor ($GABA_BR$) is a GPCR that plays a role in the stress response. Previous studies indicate that acute immobilization stress (AIS) decreases RGS4 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hypothalamus (HY) and suggest the possibility of a signal complex composed of RGS4 and $GABA_BR$. Therefore, in the present study, we tested whether RGS4 associates with $GABA_BR$ in these brain regions. We found the co-localization of RGS4 and $GABA_BR$ subtypes in the PFC and HY using double immunohistochemistry and confirmed a direct association between $GABA_{B2}R$ and RGS4 proteins using co-immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, we found that AIS decreased the amount of RGS4 bound to $GABA_{B2}R$ and the number of double-positive cells. These results indicate that $GABA_BR$ forms a signal complex with RGS4 and suggests that RGS4 is a regulator of $GABA_BR$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.427-448
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• 2019

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.413-420
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• 2015

Dexmedetomidine is a sedative and analgesic agent that exerts its effects by selectively agonizing ${\alpha}2$ adrenoceptor. Histamine is a pathophysiological amine that activates G protein-coupled receptors, to induce $Ca^{2+}$ release and subsequent mediate or progress inflammation. Dexmedetomidine has been reported to exert inhibitory effect on inflammation both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, it is unclear that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. This study was carried out to assess how dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes encoding interleukin (IL)-6 and -8. To elucidate the regulatory role of dexmedetomidine on histamine signaling, HeLa cells and human salivary gland cells which are endogenously expressed histamine 1 receptor were used. Dexmedetomidine itself did not trigger $Ca^{2+}$ peak or increase in the presence or absence of external $Ca^{2+}$. When cells were stimulated with histamine after pretreatment with various concentrations of dexmedetomidine, we observed inhibited histamine-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ signal in both cell types. Histamine stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression not IL-8 mRNA within 2 hrs, however this effect was attenuated by dexmedetomidine. Collectively, these findings suggest that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and IL-6 expression and will be useful for understanding the antagonistic properties of dexmedetomidine on histamine-induced signaling beyond its sedative effect.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.187-193
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• 2015

Deleterious effects of high dose radiation exposure with high-dose-rate are unarguable, but they are still controversial in low-dose-rate. The regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) is a negative regulator of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. In addition, it is reported that irradiation stress led to GPCR-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-k) signaling. The RGS mRNA expression profiles by whole body radiation with low-dose-rate has not yet been explored. In the present study, we, therefore, examined which RGS was modulated by the whole body radiation with low-dose-rate ($3.49mGy{\cdot}h^{-1}$). Among 16 RGS expression tested, RGS6, RGS13 and RGS16 mRNA were down-regulated by low-dose-rate irradiation. This is the first report that whole body radiation with low-dose-rate can modulate the different RGS expression levels. These results are expected to reveal the potential target and/or the biomarker proteins associated with male testis toxicity induced by low-dose-rate irradiation, which might contribute to understanding the mechanism beyond the testis toxicity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.152-158
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• 2010

Melanin concentrating hormone is a neuropeptide highly expressed in the brain that regulates several physiological functions mediated by receptors in the G-protein coupled receptor family, especially plays an important role in the complex regulation of energy balance and body weight mediated by the melanin concentrating hormone receptor subtype 1 (MCH1). Compelling pharmacological evidence implicating MCH1 signaling in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure has generated a great deal of interest by pharmaceutical companies as MCH1 antagonists may have potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Although fluorescence-based calcium mobilization assay platform has been one of the most widely accepted tools for receptor research and drug discovery, fluorescence interference and shallow assay window limit their application in high throughput screening and have led to a growing interest in alternative, luminescence-based technologies. Herein, a luminescence-based functional assay system for the MCH1 receptor was developed and validated with the mitochondrial targeted aequorin. Aequorin based functional assay system for MCH1 presented excellent Z' factor (0.8983) and high signal-to-noise ratio (141.9). The nonpeptide MCH1 receptor antagonist, SNAP 7941 and GSK 803430, exhibited $IC_{50}$ values of 0.62 ${\pm}$ 0.11 and 12.29 ${\pm}$ 2.31 nM with excellent correlation coefficient. These results suggest that the aequorin based assay system for MCH1 is a strong alternative to the traditional GPCR related tools such as radioligand binding experiments and fluorescence functional determinations for the compound screening and receptor research.

• 한국정보컨버전스학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정보컨버전스학회 2008년도 International conference on information convergence
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• pp.39-42
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• 2008

G protein-coupled receptor(GPCR) family is a cell membrane protein, and plays an important role in a signaling mechanism which transmits external signals through cell membranes into cells. Now, it is estimated that there may be about 800-1000 GPCRs in a human genome. But, GPCRs each are known to have various complex control mechanisms and very unique signaling mechanisms. GPCRs are involved in maintaining homeostasis of various human systems including an endocrine system or a neural system and thus, disorders in activity control of GPCRs are thought to be the major source of cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders, degenerative disorders, carcinogenesis and the like. As more than 60% of currently marketed therapeutic agents target GPCRs, the GPCR field has been actively explored in the pharmaceutical industry. Structural features, and class and subfamily of GPCRs are well known by function, and accordingly, the most fundamental work in studies identifying the previous GPCRs is to classify the GPCRs with given protein sequences. Studies for classifying previously identified GPCRs more easily with mathematical models have been mainly going on. Considering that secondary sequences of proteins, namely, secondary binding structures of amino acids constituting proteins are closely related to functions, the present paper does not place the focus on primary sequences of proteins as previously practiced, but instead, proposes a method to transform primary sequences into secondary structures and compare the secondary structures, and then detect an unknown GPCR assumed to have a same function in databases of previously identified GPCRs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.357-366
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• 2019

$G{\alpha}_q$-coupled receptor stimulation was implied in the activation process of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)1/4 and TRPC1/5 heterotetrameric channels. The inactivation occurs due to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate ($PI(4,5)P_2$) depletion. When $PI(4,5)P_2$ depletion was induced by muscarinic stimulation or inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (Inp54p), however, the inactivation by muscarinic stimulation was greater compared to that by Inp54p. The aim of this study was to investigate the complete inactivation mechanism of the heteromeric channels upon $G{\alpha}_q$-phospholipase $C{\beta}$ ($G{\alpha}_q-PLC{\beta}$) activation. We evaluated the activity of heteromeric channels with electrophysiological recording in HEK293 cells expressing TRPC channels. TRPC1/4 and TRPC1/5 heteromers undergo further inhibition in $PLC{\beta}$ activation and calcium/protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. Nevertheless, the key factors differ. For TRPC1/4, the inactivation process was facilitated by $Ca^{2+}$ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and for TRPC1/5, activation of PKC was concerned mostly. We conclude that the subsequent increase in cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ due to $Ca^{2+}$ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and activation of PKC resulted in a second phase of channel inhibition following $PI(4,5)P_2$ depletion.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권6호통권86호
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• pp.783-790
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• 2007

G protein-coupled receptor, (GPCR)는 세포외부의 신호를 인식 시 G 단백질을 활성화시켜 신호를 전달하며 kinase에 의한 인산화를 통하여 지속적인 신호전달을 억제한다. 외부 신호물질이 없는 조건에서도 활성을 나타내는 항활성 돌연변이종(CAM)은 GPCR의 신호전달 이상에 기인한 질병 치료나 활성화 구조변화의 좋은 연구대상이다. 희미한 빛을 인식하는 시각수용체인 로돕신의 CAM으로는 salt bridge에 직접적인 영향을 미치는 돌연변이인 G90D, El13Q, 그리고 K296E와, 직접적인 영향이 없는 돌연변이인 E134q와 M25Y등 두 가지 계통의 종류가 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 각각의 돌연변이가 복합된 mutant를 구성하여 agonist와 inverse agonist에 대한친화도와 로돕신 kinase에 대한 활성을 조사하여 각 종에서의 구조변화의 차이를 분석하였다. 로돕신 mutant의constitutive activity는 all-trans-retinal에 대한 친화도에 비례하며 11-cis-retinal에 대한 친화도와는 역상관 관계를 보여준다. 같은 계통에 속하는 돌연변이가 합쳐진 복합 mutant는 단일 mutant에 비하여 미약한 정도의 로돕신 kinase 항활성화 증가를 보여주나, 다른 계통에 속하는 두 가지 돌연변이가 합쳐진 mutant는 항활성화가 크게 증가되었음을 보여주었다. 이 결과는 다른 계통에 속하는 mutant에서는 상이한 구조변화가 일어나며 로돕신이완전한 활성화에 이르기 위해서는 최소한 두 가지 종류의 돌연변이에 의하여 생기는 구조변화들이 함께 일어나야함을 의 미 한다. G protein 활성화와 유사한 항활성화 분석 결과는 rhodopsin kinase가 인식하는 로돕신의 활성화상태 구조가 G protein이 인식하는 구조와 유사함을 의미한다. 특히 가장 강한 활성을 나타내는 El13Q/E134Q/M257Y는 활성화상태 GPCR 단백질의 결정 시도에 이용 될 수 있을 것이다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

The Hippo signaling pathway plays an essential role in adult-tissue homeostasis and organ-size control. In Drosophila and vertebrates, it consists of a highly conserved kinase cascade, which involves MST and Lats that negatively regulate the activity of the downstream transcription coactivators, YAP and TAZ. By interacting with TEADs and other transcription factors, they mediate both proliferative and antiapoptotic gene expression and thus regulate tissue repair and regeneration. Dysregulation or mutation of the Hippo pathway is linked to tumorigenesis and cancer development. Recent studies have uncovered multiple upstream inputs, including cell density, mechanical stress, G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, and nutrients, that modulate Hippo pathway activity. This review focuses on the role of the Hippo pathway as effector of these biophysical cues and its potential implications in tissue homeostasis and cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.196-201
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• 2014

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by the vascular remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles, including formation of plexiform and concentric lesions comprised of proliferative vascular cells. Clinically, PAH leads to increased pulmonary arterial pressure and subsequent right ventricular failure. Existing therapies have improved the outcome but mortality still remains exceedingly high. There is emerging evidence that the seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor APJ and its cognate endogenous ligand apelin are important in the maintenance of pulmonary vascular homeostasis through the targeting of critical mediators, such as Kr$\ddot{u}$ppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and microRNAs (miRNAs). Disruption of this pathway plays a major part in the pathogenesis of PAH. Given its role in the maintenance of pulmonary vascular homeostasis, the apelin-APJ pathway is a potential target for PAH therapy. This review highlights the current state in the understanding of the apelin-APJ axis related to PAH and discusses the therapeutic potential of this signaling pathway as a novel paradigm of PAH therapy.