Monomeric Rhodopsin Is Sufficient for Normal Rhodopsin Kinase (GRK1) Phosphorylation and Arrestin-1 Binding

Arrestins function as adapter proteins that mediate G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR) desensitization, internalization, and additional rounds of signaling. Here we have compared binding of the GPCR rhodopsin to 403 mutants of arrestin-1 covering its complete sequence. This comprehensive and unbiased mutagenesis approach provides a functional dimension to the crystal structures of inactive, preactivated p44 and phosphopeptide-bound arrestins and will guide our understanding of arrestin-GPCR complexes. The presented functional map quantitatively connects critical interactions in the polar core and along the C tail of arrestin. A series of amino acids (Phe375, Phe377, Phe380, and Arg382) anchor the C tail in a position that blocks binding of the receptor. Interaction of phosphates in the rhodopsin C terminus with Arg29 controls a C-tail exchange mechanism in which the C tail of arrestin is released and exposes several charged amino acids (Lys14, Lys15, Arg18, Lys20, Lys110, and Lys300) for binding of the phosphorylated receptor C terminus. In addition to this arrestin phosphosensor, our data reveal several patches of amino acids in the finger (Gln69 and Asp73-Met75) and the lariat loops (L249-S252 and Y254) that can act as direct binding interfaces. A stretch of amino acids at the edge of the C domain (Trp194-Ser199, Gly337-Gly340, Thr343, and Thr345) could act as membrane anchor, binding interface for a second rhodopsin, or rearrange closer to the central loops upon complex formation. We discuss these interfaces in the context of experimentally guided docking between the crystal structures of arrestin and light-activated rhodopsin.visual system | scanning mutagenesis | membrane receptor | cell signaling | protein engineering T he human genome encodes more than 800 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which mediate signaling between cells and provide an important link to our environment as the principal receptors for taste, smell, and vision. The visual system with its photoreceptor rhodopsin is an excellent system to understand GPCR signaling, as detailed information exists on the structures and dynamic interactions of the protein constituents (1). G protein-mediated signaling by light-activated rhodopsin is terminated by a process that begins with the phosphorylation of rhodopsin's C terminus by the rhodopsin kinase GRK1. The phosphorylated, light-activated rhodopsin binds then to arrestin-1, which stops signaling by occluding the G protein-binding site. Further cloning efforts yielded two ubiquitously expressed nonvisual arrestins (arrestin-2 and arrestin-3 or β-arrestin-1 and β-arrestin-2) and the cone-specific arrestin-4. It seems clear today that most GPCRs share a common mechanism of signal termination involving receptor phosphorylation and the binding of arrestins. Arrestin-bound receptors may be internalized and degraded, internalized and recycled, and/or initiate G proteinindependent signaling (2).In recent years there has been tremendous progress in the structure determination of active GPCR states includ...

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 51%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional map of arrestin-1 at single amino acid resolution

Ostermaier

Peterhans

Jaussi

et al. 2014

“…However, it has been reported that arrestin-1 saturates rhodopsin at a 1:1 molar ratio (39) and binds the P-Rh* monomer in nanodiscs with physiological affinity and stoichiometry (40,41), supporting a one-to-one binding model. In contrast, two recent studies showed that the apparent binding stoichiometry depends on the percentage of active receptors in native disk membranes, and that arrestin-1 binding at high levels of activated rhodopsin is bestdescribed by a combination of 1:1 and 1:2 interactions (42, 43).…”

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confidence: 99%

Conformation of receptor-bound visual arrestin

Kim

Vishnivetskiy²,

Eps

et al. 2012

Self Cite

107

174

Arrestin-1 (visual arrestin) binds to light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin (P-Rh*) to terminate G-protein signaling. To map conformational changes upon binding to the receptor, pairs of spin labels were introduced in arrestin-1 and double electron-electron resonance was used to monitor interspin distance changes upon P-Rh* binding. The results indicate that the relative position of the N and C domains remains largely unchanged, contrary to expectations of a "clam-shell" model. A loop implicated in P-Rh* binding that connects β-strands V and VI (the "finger loop," residues 67-79) moves toward the expected location of P-Rh* in the complex, but does not assume a fully extended conformation. A striking and unexpected movement of a loop containing residue 139 away from the adjacent finger loop is observed, which appears to facilitate P-Rh* binding. This change is accompanied by smaller movements of distal loops containing residues 157 and 344 at the tips of the N and C domains, which correspond to "plastic" regions of arrestin-1 that have distinct conformations in monomers of the crystal tetramer. Remarkably, the loops containing residues 139, 157, and 344 appear to have high flexibility in both free arrestin-1 and the P-Rh*complex.A rrestin was first discovered in the visual system as a protein that blocks ("arrests") the signaling of the prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin (Rh) via specific binding to the phosphorylated activated form P-Rh* (1). Mammals express four arrestin subtypes: Arrestin-1 and -4 are specific for the visual system, whereas arrestin-2 and -3 are ubiquitous (2). [We use systematic names of arrestins: arrestin-1 (historic names S-antigen, 48-kDa protein, or visual or rod arrestin), arrestin-2 (β-arrestin or β-arrestin1), arrestin-3 (β-arrestin2 or hTHY-ARRX), and arrestin-4 (cone or X-arrestin).] The discovery of nonvisual arrestins (3) showed that phosphorylation followed by arrestin binding is a common mechanism of GPCR regulation. Crystal structures of all four arrestin subtypes in their basal state revealed similar topology: two cup-like domains linked by an interdomain hinge ( Fig. 1) (4-7). Arrestin-1 was proposed to undergo a conformational rearrangement during the P-Rh* interaction that results in the release of the C-terminal sequence (C tail) (8, 9) but does not involve major secondary structure changes (8, 10). Recent site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) studies identified specific parts of arrestin-1 engaged by different functional forms of rhodopsin and provided direct evidence of binding-induced conformational changes (11,12). A conformational change in the so-called finger loop (Fig. 1) implicated in P-Rh* recognition was also observed using NMR and fluorescence quenching (13,14). Arrestin-1 shows a remarkable selectivity for P-Rh*. Observed binding to inactive phosphorylated (P-Rh) or active unphosphorylated rhodopsin (Rh*) is usually less than 10% of the binding to P-Rh*, whereas its binding to inactive unphosphorylated rhodopsin (Rh) is barely detectable ...

“…About a decade ago, evidence began to emerge that rhodopsin may exist as a dimer, based on atomic force microscopy and cross-linking experiments performed on rod outersegment (ROS) disk membranes (7-9). However, this concept remains highly controversial because of the lack of in vivo evidence and also is puzzling because, unlike many GPCRs, monomeric rhodopsin is fully functional with respect to coupling to G protein (2, 4-6, 10) and to interactions with rhodopsin kinase and arrestin (11,12). In vivo evidence, albeit of paramount importance, is also challenging, because rhodopsin always exists as a single isoform in rod photoreceptors, thus making homomeric, higher-order complexes difficult to distinguish from monomers.…”

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confidence: 99%

Dimerization of visual pigments in vivo

Zhang

Cao

Kumar

et al. 2016

It is a deeply engrained notion that the visual pigment rhodopsin signals light as a monomer, even though many G protein-coupled receptors are now known to exist and function as dimers. Nonetheless, recent studies (albeit all in vitro) have suggested that rhodopsin and its chromophore-free apoprotein, R-opsin, may indeed exist as a homodimer in rod disk membranes. Given the overwhelmingly strong historical context, the crucial remaining question, therefore, is whether pigment dimerization truly exists naturally and what function this dimerization may serve. We addressed this question in vivo with a unique mouse line (S-opsin + Lrat −/− ) expressing, transgenically, short-wavelength-sensitive cone opsin (S-opsin) in rods and also lacking chromophore to exploit the fact that cone opsins, but not R-opsin, require chromophore for proper folding and trafficking to the photoreceptor's outer segment. In R-opsin's absence, S-opsin in these transgenic rods without chromophore was mislocalized; in R-opsin's presence, however, S-opsin trafficked normally to the rod outer segment and produced functional S-pigment upon subsequent chromophore restoration. Introducing a competing R-opsin transmembrane helix H1 or helix H8 peptide, but not helix H4 or helix H5 peptide, into these transgenic rods caused mislocalization of R-opsin and S-opsin to the perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum. Importantly, a similar peptidecompetition effect was observed even in WT rods. Our work provides convincing evidence for visual pigment dimerization in vivo under physiological conditions and for its role in pigment maturation and targeting. Our work raises new questions regarding a potential mechanistic role of dimerization in rhodopsin signaling.rhodopsin | cone opsin | dimerization | protein trafficking R hodopsin and cone pigments mediate scotopic and photopic vision, respectively. They consist of opsin, the apo-protein, and 11-cis-retinal, a vitamin A-based chromophore. Light absorption by 11-cis-retinal triggers a conformational change in opsin, which in turn initiates a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway to lead to vision. Indeed, rhodopsin signaling is a prominent prototypical GPCR pathway from which a huge quantity of mechanistic details about such signaling in general has emerged. All along, it is a dogma that rhodopsin exists and functions as a monomer (1-6). About a decade ago, evidence began to emerge that rhodopsin may exist as a dimer, based on atomic force microscopy and cross-linking experiments performed on rod outersegment (ROS) disk membranes (7-9). However, this concept remains highly controversial because of the lack of in vivo evidence and also is puzzling because, unlike many GPCRs, monomeric rhodopsin is fully functional with respect to coupling to G protein (2, 4-6, 10) and to interactions with rhodopsin kinase and arrestin (11,12). In vivo evidence, albeit of paramount importance, is also challenging, because rhodopsin always exists as a single isoform in rod photoreceptors, thus making homomeric, higher-or...