Projects per year
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are considered to function primarily at the plasma membrane, where they interact with extracellular ligands and couple to G proteins that transmit intracellular signals. Consequently, therapeutic drugs are designed to target GPCRs at the plasma membrane. Activated GPCRs undergo clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Whether GPCRs in endosomes control pathophysiological processes in vivo and are therapeutic targets remains uncertain. We investigated the contribution of endosomal signaling of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) to pain transmission. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) stimulated CLR endocytosis and activated protein kinase C (PKC) in the cytosol and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) in the cytosol and nucleus. Inhibitors of clathrin and dynamin prevented CLR endocytosis and activation of cytosolic PKC and nuclear ERK, which derive from endosomal CLR. A cholestanol-conjugated antagonist, CGRP8–37, accumulated in CLR-containing endosomes and selectively inhibited CLR signaling in endosomes. CGRP caused sustained excitation of neurons in slices of rat spinal cord. Inhibitors of dynamin, ERK, and PKC suppressed persistent neuronal excitation. CGRP8–37–cholestanol, but not unconjugated CGRP8–37, prevented sustained neuronal excitation. When injected intrathecally to mice, CGRP8–37–cholestanol inhibited nociceptive responses to intraplantar injection of capsaicin, formalin, or complete Freund’s adjuvant more effectively than unconjugated CGRP8–37. Our results show that CLR signals from endosomes to control pain transmission and identify CLR in endosomes as a therapeutic target for pain. Thus, GPCRs function not only at the plasma membrane but also in endosomes to control complex processes in vivo. Endosomal GPCRs are a drug target that deserve further attention.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 12309-12314 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 46 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Nov 2017 |
Keywords
- Endocytosis
- G protein-coupled receptors
- Neuropeptides
- Nociception
- Pain
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ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
Davis, T., Boyd, B., Bunnett, N., Porter, C., Caruso, F., Kent, S., Thordarson, P., Kearnes, M., Gooding, J., Kavallaris, M., Thurecht, K., Whittaker, A. K., Parton, R., Corrie, S. R., Johnston, A., McGhee, J., Greguric, I. D., Stevens, M. M., Lewis, J. S., Lee, D. S., Alexander, C., Dawson, K., Hawker, C., Haddleton, D., Thierry, B., Prestidge, C. A., Meyer, A., Jones-Jayasinghe, N., Voelcker, N., Nann, T. & McLean, K.
Australian Research Council (ARC), Monash University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Queensland , University of South Australia, Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution, University of Wisconsin Madison, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of California System, University College Dublin, Imperial College London, University of Warwick, SungKyunKwan University, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) , University of Nottingham
30/06/14 → 29/06/21
Project: Research
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Mechanisms of protease-driven visceral pain
Graham, B., Brierley, S., Poole, D. & Bunnett, N.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/13 → 31/12/15
Project: Research
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Bile Acid and Neurosteroid Signaling to the Nervous System
Bunnett, N., McIntyre, P. & Poole, D.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/12 → 31/12/14
Project: Research