Biology subjects

Daly, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Daly, C..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Plasma membrane rather than endosomal Gq signaling drives transcriptional activity by the viral chemokine receptor US28 in glioblastoma

US28 is a human cytomegalovirus-encoded chemokine receptor homologue that has high agonist-independent activity, internalizes constitutively, and plays an oncomodulatory role in glioblastoma. As G protein signaling was originally believed to strictly occur at the plasma membrane, it has been assumed that US28s constitutive Gq/11 signaling is mediated by a minor population at the plasma membrane. However, accumulating evidence shows that some GPCRs activate G proteins from intracellular organelles, such as endosomes. Importantly, endosomal rather than plasma membrane G protein signaling has been associated with transcriptional activity. Here, we demonstrate that the endosomal US28 population robustly activates Gq/11, and thus, provides the major contribution of Gq/11 signaling. Surprisingly, US28 signaling at the plasma membrane rather than from endosomes primarily drives upregulation of gene expression involved in cell proliferation and inflammatory responses that are associated with glioblastoma and cancer. Our findings highlight the crucial role of receptor signaling location in cellular responses.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identification of a novel GREMLIN1 uptake pathway in epithelial cells that requires BMP binding

Gremlin1 is a member of a cysteine-knot containing family of secreted antagonists of bone morphogenetic protein signaling. GREM1 binding to BMP targets prevents their engagement with cognate BMP receptors, attenuating BMP-dependent gene expression. Some evidence suggests that GREM1 can directly bind to receptor tyrosine kinases on the plasma membrane, further complicating our understanding of GREM1 biology. To attempt to clarify the modalities of GREM1 signaling, we show that GREM1 protein is produced and secreted by intestinal fibroblasts and endocytosed by neighbouring epithelial cells. GREM1 uptake is a slow process and occurs by both clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Cell membrane heparin sulfate proteoglycans are required for GREM1 binding and uptake, and once internalised, GREM1 appears to localise to the early endosomes. Addition of BMP2 enhanced GREM1 uptake into cells. Remarkably, generation of a BMP-resistant GREM1 mutant abolished GREM1 uptake both in the presence and absence of BMP2. These data suggest that GREM1 binding and uptake into cells requires BMP binding, a process that may contribute to the antagonism of BMP signaling by GREM1. SummaryIn this article, we demonstrate differential GREM1 mRNA versus protein expression in mouse intestine. We also identify a novel GREM1 endocytosis pathway whereby mammalian cells take up GREM1 protein in what appears to be a BMP-dependent mechanism.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Multiomics-based assessment of 2D and 3D human iPSC-cardiomyocyte models of insulin resistance demonstrate metabolic and contractile dysfunction that recapitulates diabetic cardiomyopathy.

In type II diabetes (T2DM), the heart is exposed to hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, and hyperinsulinaemia, leading to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, culminating in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM). Human-centric models of DbCM are needed to provide mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets in a translationally relevant setting. We hypothesised that culturing human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in an "insulin resistance" (IR) media, and assessing this using a systems biology approach, would offer a comprehensive evaluation of dysregulated pathways, establishing their suitability as a model of DbCM. Culturing hiPSC-CMs in 2D or 3D as engineered heart tissue (EHT) in IR media induced insulin resistance and activated numerous pathways implicated in DbCM, including metabolic remodelling, mitochondrial dysfunction, extracellular matrix remodelling, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Pathways involved in fatty acid oxidation were upregulated, while those involved in glucose metabolism were downregulated, which was validated using radioisotope flux measurements. Adaptation to hypoxia, a key component of post-ischaemic remodelling, was blunted in the 2D IR hiPSC-CMs. Combining proteomic and transcriptomic analyses in the IR 3D EHT revealed significant enrichment of DbCM pathways, with subnetworks enriched for several metabolic and diabetes-related pathways. Additionally, IR 3D EHT displayed impaired relaxation, mimicking the diastolic dysfunction observed in T2DM patients. In conclusion, culturing hiPSC-CM in 2D or 3D in an IR media activates multiple mechanisms implicated in the development of DbCM, with IR 3D EHT also recapitulating the diastolic dysfunction present in patients with T2DM.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Structure of the human Duffy antigen receptor

The Duffy antigen receptor, also known as FY glycoprotein or CD234, is a seven transmembrane protein expressed primarily at the surface of red blood cells, which displays promiscuous binding to multiple chemokines. Not only does it serve as the basis of the Duffy blood group system but it also acts as the primary attachment site for malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax on erythrocytes and as one of the nucleating receptors for the pore forming toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus. Despite a predicted 7TM architecture and efficient binding to a spectrum of chemokines, it fails to exhibit canonical second messenger response such as calcium release, likely due to a lack of G protein coupling. Unlike prototypical GPCRs and {beta}-arrestin-biased atypical chemokine receptors, the Duffy antigen receptor also appears to lack {beta}-arrestin binding, making it an enigmatic 7TM chemokine receptor. In order to decipher the molecular mechanism of this intriguing functional divergence exhibited by the Duffy antigen receptor, we have determined its cryo-EM structure in complex with a C-C type chemokine, CCL7. The structure reveals a relatively superficial binding mode of CCL7, with the N-terminus of the receptor serving as the key interaction interface, and a partially formed orthosteric binding pocket lacking the second site for chemokine recognition compared to prototypical chemokine receptors. The structural framework allows us to employ HDX-MS approach to uncover ligand-induced structural changes in the receptor and draw important insights into the promiscuous nature of chemokine binding. Interestingly, we also observe a dramatic shortening of TM5 and 6 on the intracellular side, compared to prototypical GPCRs, which precludes the coupling of canonical signal-transducers namely G proteins, GRKs and {beta}-arrestins, as demonstrated through extensive cellular assays. Taken together, our study uncovers a previously unknown structural mechanism that imparts unique functional divergence on the 7TM fold encoded in the Duffy antigen receptor while maintaining its scavenging function and should facilitate the designing of novel therapeutics targeting this receptor.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2023

β-arrestin-dependent and -independent endosomal G protein activation by the vasopressin type 2 receptor

The vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) is an essential GPCR in renal regulation of water homeostasis. Upon stimulation, the V2R activates Gs and Gq/11, which is followed by robust recruitment of {beta}-arrestins and receptor internalization into endosomes. Unlike canonical GPCR signaling, the {beta}-arrestin association with the V2R does not terminate Gs activation, and thus, Gs-mediated signaling is sustained while the receptor is internalized. Here, we demonstrate that this V2R ability to co-interact with G protein/{beta}-arrestin and promote endosomal G protein signaling is not restricted to Gs, but also involves Gq/11. Furthermore, our data implies that {beta}-arrestins potentiate Gs/Gq/11 activation at endosomes rather than terminating their signaling. Surprisingly, we found that the V2R internalizes and promote endosomal G protein activation independent of {beta}-arrestins to a minor degree. These new observations challenge the current model of endosomal GPCR signaling and suggest that this event can occur in both {beta}-arrestin-dependent and -independent manners. IMPACT STATEMENTThe vasopressin type 2 receptor promotes dual Gs and Gq/11 signaling at early endosomes in {beta}-arrestin-dependent and -independent manners.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Endosomal Chemokine Receptor Signalosomes Regulate Central Mechanisms Underlying Cell Migration

Chemokine receptors are GPCRs that regulate chemotactic migration of a wide variety of cells including immune and cancer cells. Most chemokine receptors contain features associated with the ability to stimulate G protein signaling during {beta}-arrestin-mediated receptor internalization into endosomes. As endosomal signaling of certain non-GPCR receptors plays a major role in cell migration, we chose to investigate the potential role of endosomal chemokine receptor signaling on mechanisms governing this function. Applying a combination of pharmacological and cell biological approaches, we demonstrate that the model chemokine receptor CCR7 recruits G protein and {beta}-arrestin simultaneously upon chemokine stimulation, which enables internalized receptors to activate G protein from endosomes. Furthermore, spatiotemporal-resolved APEX2 proteome profiling shows that endosomal CCR7 uniquely enriches specific Rho GTPase regulators as compared to plasma membrane CCR7, which is directly associated with enhanced activity of the Rho GTPase Rac1 and chemotaxis of immune T cells. As Rac1 drives the formation of membrane protrusions during chemotaxis, our findings suggest an important integrated function of endosomal chemokine receptor signaling in cell migration.

cell biology↗