The activation mechanism of the classical transient receptor potential channels TRPC4 and -5 via the G q/11 protein-phospholipase C (PLC) signaling pathway has remained elusive so far. In contrast to all other TRPC channels, the PLC product diacylglycerol (DAG) is not sufficient for channel activation, whereas TRPC4/5 channel activity is potentiated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) depletion. As a characteristic structural feature, TRPC4/5 channels contain a C-terminal PDZ-binding motif allowing for binding of the scaffolding proteins Na+ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) 1 and 2. PKC inhibition or the exchange of threonine for alanine in the C-terminal PDZ-binding motif conferred DAG sensitivity to the channel. Altogether, we present a DAG-mediated activation mechanism for TRPC4/5 channels tightly regulated by NHERF1/2 interaction. PIP 2 depletion evokes a C-terminal conformational change of TRPC5 proteins leading to dynamic dissociation of NHERF1/2 from the C terminus of TRPC5 as a prerequisite for DAG sensitivity. We show that NHERF proteins are direct regulators of ion channel activity and that DAG sensitivity is a distinctive hallmark of TRPC channels.and -5 channels are members of the classical transient receptor potential cation (TRPC) family of nonselective, calcium permeable receptor-operated cation channels. They are widely expressed in many tissues, including brain, kidney, and the vascular system. High expression levels are found in the central nervous system where TRPC4 and -5 are involved in amygdala function and fear-related behavior (1, 2), seizure, and excitotoxicity (3). Furthermore, TRPC5 channels are implicated in neuronal depolarization and bursting during epiletiform seizures (4) and regulate hippocampal neurite length and growth cone morphology (5). In the kidney, TRPC5 channels are proposed to be protective against renal failure (6). TRPC channels are usually activated by G q/11 proteincoupled receptors via phospholipase C (PLC) activation resulting in cleavage of phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) into the second messengers inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) and diacylglycerol (DAG). DAG is known to activate TRPC2, -3, -6, and -7 (7-9) channels, whereas TRPC4 and -5 are supposed to be insensitive to the PLC product DAG (8) and are even inhibited by DAG or its membrane-permeable analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) (10). DAG-mediated TRPC5 channel inhibition was shown to be PKC dependent (10). Furthermore, TRPC4 and -5 channels can be activated by depleting PIP 2 (11, 12), contrary to TRPC6 and -7 channels, which are inhibited by PIP 2 depletion (13). However, there are first hints to show that endogenously expressed TRPC5 channels might be DAG sensitive (14) but mechanistic insight is lacking so far.A noteworthy structural difference between TRPC4 and -5 and the established DAG-sensitive TRPC3, -6, and -7 channels is the PDZbinding motif VTTLR in the C termini of TRPC4 and -5 channels (15-17) as a structural basis of the interaction with Na + /H + e...

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are versatile cellular sensors for chemical stimuli, but also serve as mechanosensors involved in various (patho)physiological settings like vascular regulation, cardiac hypertrophy and preeclampsia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying mechanically induced GPCR activation have remained elusive. Here we show that mechanosensitive histamine H1 receptors (H1Rs) are endothelial sensors of fluid shear stress and contribute to flow-induced vasodilation. At the molecular level, we observe that H1Rs undergo stimulus-specific patterns of conformational changes suggesting that mechanical forces and agonists induce distinct active receptor conformations. GPCRs lacking C-terminal helix 8 (H8) are not mechanosensitive, and transfer of H8 to non-responsive GPCRs confers, while removal of H8 precludes, mechanosensitivity. Moreover, disrupting H8 structural integrity by amino acid exchanges impairs mechanosensitivity. Altogether, H8 is the essential structural motif endowing GPCRs with mechanosensitivity. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for a better understanding of the roles of mechanosensitive GPCRs in (patho)physiology.

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Analysis of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, in particular of the second messenger cAMP that is tightly controlled by Gs- and Gi/o-proteins, is a central issue in biomedical research. The classical biochemical method to monitor increases in intracellular cAMP concentrations consists of a radioactive multicellular assay, which is well established, highly sensitive, and reproducible, but precludes continuous spatial and temporal assessment of cAMP levels in single living cells. For this purpose, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Epac cAMP sensors are well suitable. So far, the latter sensors have been employed to monitor Gs-induced cAMP increases and it has remained elusive whether Epac sensors can reliably detect decreased intracellular cAMP levels as well. In this study, we systematically optimize experimental strategies employing FRET-based cAMP sensors to monitor Gi/o-mediated cAMP reductions. FRET experiments with adrenergic α2A or μ opioid receptors and a set of different Epac sensors allowed for time-resolved, valid, and reliable detection of cAMP level decreases upon Gi/o-coupled receptor activation in single living cells, and this effect can be reversed by selective receptor antagonists. Moreover, pre-treatment with forskolin or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) to artificially increase basal cAMP levels was not required to monitor Gi/o-coupled receptor activation. Thus, using FRET-based cAMP sensors is of major advantage when compared to classical biochemical and multi-cellular assays.