Quantitative analysis of formyl peptide receptor coupling to g(i)alpha(1), g(i)alpha(2), and g(i)alpha(3).
The human formyl peptide receptor (FPR) is a prototypical G(i) protein-coupled receptor, but little is known about quantitative aspects of FPR-G(i) protein coupling. To address this issue, we fused the FPR to G(i)alpha(1), G(i)alpha(2), and G(i)alpha(3) and expressed the fusion proteins in Sf9 insect cells. Fusion of a receptor to Galpha ensures a defined 1:1 stoichiometry of the signaling partners. By analyzing high affinity agonist binding, the kinetics of agonist- and inverse agonist-regulated guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) binding and GTP hydrolysis and photolabeling of Galpha, we demonstrate highly efficient coupling of the FPR to fused G(i)alpha(1), G(i)alpha(2), and G(i)alpha(3) without cross-talk of the receptor to insect cell G proteins. The FPR displayed high constitutive activity when coupled to all three G(i)alpha isoforms. The K(d) values of high affinity agonist binding were approximately 100-fold lower than the EC(50) (concentration that gives half-maximal stimulation) values of agonist for GTPase activation. Based on the B(max) values of agonist saturation binding and ligand-regulated GTPgammaS binding, it was previously proposed that the FPR activates G proteins catalytically, i.e. one FPR activates several G(i) proteins. Analysis of agonist saturation binding, ligand-regulated GTPgammaS saturation binding and quantitative immunoblotting with membranes expressing FPR-G(i)alpha fusion proteins and nonfused FPR now reveals that FPR agonist binding greatly underestimates the actual FPR expression level. Our data show the following: (i) the FPR couples to G(i)alpha(1), G(i)alpha(2), and G(i)alpha(3) with similar efficiency; (ii) the FPR can exist in a state of low agonist affinity that couples efficiently to G proteins; and (iii) in contrast to the previously held view, the FPR appears to activate G(i) proteins linearly and not catalytically.
Wenzel-Seifert
K
K
Higuchi Biosciences Center, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2505, USA. kwenzel@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
Arthur
J M
JM
Liu
H Y
HY
Seifert
R
R
D000818:Animals; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000378:metabolism*; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018411:Spodoptera
D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go