Trace amines are neurotransmitters whose role in regulating invertebrate physiology has been appreciated for many decades. Recent studies indicate that trace amines may also play a role in mammalian physiology by binding to a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are found throughout the central nervous system. A major obstacle impeding the careful pharmacological characterization of trace amine associated receptors (TAARs) is their extremely poor membrane expression in model cell systems, and a molecular basis for this phenomenon has not been determined. In the present study, we show that the addition of an asparagine-linked glycosylation site to the N terminus of the human trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is sufficient to enable its plasma membrane expression, and thus its pharmacological characterization with a novel cAMP EPAC (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) protein based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) biosensor. We applied this novel cAMP BRET biosensor to evaluate the activity of putative TAAR1 ligands. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of the membrane-expressed human TAAR1 pharmacology. Our strategy to express TAARs and to identify their ligands using a cAMP BRET assay could provide a foundation for characterizing the functional role of trace amines in vivo and suggests a strategy to apply to groups of poorly expressing GPCRs that have remained difficult to investigate in model systems.

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Herein we present the outcome of a high throughput screening (HTS) campaign-based strategy for the rapid identification and optimization of selective and general chemotypes for both kappa (κ) opioid receptor (KOR) activation and inhibition. In this program, we have developed potent antagonists (IC50 < 120 nM) or agonists of high binding affinity (Ki < 3 nM). In contrast to many important KOR ligands, the compounds presented here are highly modular, readily synthesized and, in most cases, achiral. The four new chemotypes hold promise for further development into chemical tools for studying the KOR or as potential therapeutic lead candidates.

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Background: Expression of the G protein-coupled receptor LGR5 demarcates adult tissue stem cells in the intestine, stomach, hair follicle, and mammary epithelium. Results:LGR5 is rapidly and constitutively internalized to the trans-Golgi network at steady state. Conclusion: Internalization occurs through a potential phosphorylation domain within the C-terminal tail. Significance: An understanding of LGR5 trafficking dynamics is expected to clarify its role in signaling and stem cell biology.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large family of proteins that transduce extracellular signals to the interior of cells. Signalling through these receptors rapidly desensitized primarily as the consequence of receptor phosphorylation, but receptor sequestration and downregulation can also contribute to this process. Two families of serine/threonine kinases, second messenger dependent protein kinases and receptor-specific G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), phosphorylate GPCRs and thereby contribute to receptor desensitization. Receptor-specific phosphorylation of GPCRs promotes the binding of cytosolic proteins referred to as arrestins, which function to further uncouple GPCRs from their heterotrimeric G-proteins. To date, the GRK protein family consists of six members, which can be further classified into subgroups according to sequence homology and functional similarities. The arrestin protein family also comprises six members, which are subgrouped on the basis of sequence homology and tissue distribution. While the molecular mechanisms contributing to GPCR desensitization are fairly well characterized, little is known about the mechanism(s) by which GPCR responsiveness is reestablished, other than that receptor sequestration (internalization) might be involved. The goal of the present review is to overview current understanding of the regulation of GPCR responsiveness. In particular, we will review new evidence suggesting a pleiotropic role for GRKs and arrestins in the regulation of GPCR responsiveness. GRK-mediated phosphorylation and arrestin binding are not only involved in the functional uncoupling of GPCRs but they are also intimately involved in promoting GPCR sequestration and as such likely play an important role in mediating the subsequent resensitization of GPCRs.

The neurotensin 1 receptor (NTR1) is an important therapeutic target for a range of disease states including addiction. A high throughput screening campaign, followed by medicinal chemistry optimization, led to the discovery of a non-peptidic β-arrestin biased agonist for NTR1. The lead compound, 2-cyclopropyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)- piperazin-1-yl)quinazoline, 32 (ML314), exhibits full agonist behavior against NTR1 (EC50 = 2.0 μM) in the primary assay and selectivity against NTR2. The effect of 32 is blocked by the NTR1 antagonist SR142948A in a dose dependent manner. Unlike peptide based NTR1 agonists, compound 32 has no significant response in a Ca2+ mobilization assay and is thus a biased agonist that activates the β-arrestin pathway rather than the traditional Gq coupled pathway. This bias has distinct biochemical and functional consequences that may lead to physiological advantages. Compound 32 displays good brain penetration in rodents, and studies examining its in vivo properties are underway.

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