Abstract.
The interface between receptors and G proteins can be considered as a drug target. Various classes of low molecular weight inhibitors have been identified that block the ability of receptors to interact with G proteins (e.g. peptides, suramin analogues and amphiphilic cations). Here we have tested if there are compounds that differentially affect the interaction of one receptor with two different (related) G protein α-subunits. Fusion proteins comprising the human A1-adenosine receptor and Gαi-1 (A1/Gαi-1) or Gαo (A1/Gαo) were expressed in HEK293 cells. Suramin analogues were screened for their ability to differentially affect high affinity binding of the agonist (-)N 6-3-[125I](iodo-4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl) adenosine (IHPIA).
One compound [NF326 = 8,8'-(carbonylbis-(imino-3,1-phenylenecarbonylimino))bis-(1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, disodium salt)] was identified that inhibited high affinity agonist binding to the fusion protein A1/Gαi-1 but modestly enhanced binding of IHPIA to A1/Gαo. This action was specific because NF326 did not affect antagonist binding to either fusion protein. In addition, it was unrelated to a difference in affinity of the receptor for the G protein fusion moiety because the stability of ternary complexes formed by IHPIA + A1/Gαi-1 and IHPIA + A1/Gαo is comparable and because lowering the affinity of the receptor for the G protein (by introducing point mutations at cys351 of Gαi-1) enhanced the uncoupling effect of NF326. Finally, NF326 did not discriminate between a fusion protein comprising the α2A-adrenoceptor and Gαi-1 (α2A/Gαi-1) or Gαo-1 (α2A/Gαo-1); binding of the agonist [3H]UK14304 (bromoxidine) to both fusion proteins was inhibited over a comparable concentration range while binding of the antagonist [3H]yohimbine was unaffected.
These observations are consistent with the interpretation that the contact sites that are formed between individual receptors and G proteins differ. These differences suffice to allow for selective disruption by G protein inhibitors of different classes. Using NF326 we show that the bulk of the A1-adenosine receptors in human cerebrocortical membranes interacts with Gαo rather than Gαi.
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Kudlacek, O., Waldhoer, M., Kassack, M.U. et al. Biased inhibition by a suramin analogue of A1-adenosine receptor/G protein coupling in fused receptor/G protein tandems: the A1-adenosine receptor is predominantly coupled to Goα in human brain. Naunyn-Schmied Arch Pharmacol 365, 8–16 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-001-0493-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-001-0493-y