Functional reconstitution of the human chemokine receptor CXCR4 with G(i)/G (o)-proteins in Sf9 insect cells.
The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) binds to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 that couples to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins of the G(i)/G(o)-family. CXCR4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, human immunodeficiency virus infection and various tumors, fetal development as well as endothelial progenitor and T-cell recruitment. To this end, most CXCR4 studies have focused on the cellular level. The aim of this study was to establish a reconstitution system for the human CXCR4 that allows for the analysis of receptor/G-protein coupling at the membrane level. We wished to study specifically constitutive CXCR4 activity and the G-protein-specificity of CXCR4. We co-expressed N- and C-terminally epitope-tagged human CXCR4 with various G(i)/G(o)-proteins and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-proteins in Sf9 insect cells. Expression of CXCR4, G-proteins, and RGS-proteins was verified by immunoblotting. CXCR4 coupled more effectively to Galpha(i1) and Galpha(i2) than to Galpha(i3) and Galpha(o) and insect cell G-proteins as assessed by SDF-1alpha-stimulated high-affinity steady-state GTP hydrolysis. The RGS-proteins RGS4 and GAIP enhanced SDF-1alpha-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. SDF-1alpha stimulated [(35)S]guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTPgammaS) binding to Galpha(i2). RGS4 did not enhance GTPgammaS binding. Na(+) salts of halides did not reduce basal GTPase activity. The bicyclam, 1-[[1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradec-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]methyl]-1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane (AMD3100), acted as CXCR4 antagonist but was devoid of inverse agonistic activity. Halides reduced the maximum SDF-1alpha-stimulated GTP hydrolysis in the order of efficacy I(-) > Br(-) > Cl(-). In addition, salts reduced the potency of SDF-1alpha at activating GTP hydrolysis. From our data, we conclude the following: (1) Sf9 cells are a suitable system for expression of functionally intact human CXCR4; (2) Human CXCR4 couples effectively to Galpha(i1) and Galpha(i2); (3) There is no evidence for constitutive activity of CXCR4; (4) RGS-proteins enhance agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis, showing that GTP hydrolysis becomes rate-limiting in the presence of SDF-1alpha; (5) By analogy to previous observations made for the beta(2)-adrenoceptor coupled to G(s), the inhibitory effects of halides on agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis may be due to increased GDP-affinity of G(i)-proteins, reducing the efficacy of CXCR4 at stimulating nucleotide exchange.
Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Patrick
P
Kleemann
Dan
D
Papa
Sandy
S
Vigil-Cruz
Roland
R
Seifert
D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007313:Insecta / Q000378:metabolism; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go