Project description:The human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (hTAAR1, hTA1) is a key regulator of monoaminergic neurotransmission and the actions of psychostimulants. Despite preclinical research demonstrating its tractability as a drug target, its molecular mechanisms of activation remain unclear. Moreover, poorly understood pharmacological differences between rodent and human TA1 complicate the translation of findings from preclinical disease models into novel pharmacotherapies. To elucidate hTA1's mechanisms on the molecular scale and investigate the underpinnings of its divergent pharmacology from rodent orthologs, we herein report the structure of the human TA1 receptor in complex with a Gαs heterotrimer. Our structure reveals shared structural elements with other TAARs, as well as with its closest monoaminergic orthologue, the serotonin receptor 5-HT4R. We further find that a single mutation dramatically shifts the selectivity of hTA1 towards that of its rodent orthologues, and report on the effects of substituting residues to those found in serotonin and dopamine receptors. Strikingly, we also discover that the atypical antipsychotic medication and pan-monoaminergic antagonist asenapine potently and efficaciously activates hTA1. Together our studies provide detailed insight into hTA1 structure and function, contrast its molecular pharmacology with that of related receptors, and uncover off-target activities of monoaminergic drugs at hTA1.
Project description:The human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (hTAAR1, hTA1) is a key regulator of monoaminergic neurotransmission and the actions of psychostimulants. Despite preclinical research demonstrating its tractability as a drug target, its molecular mechanisms of activation remain unclear. Moreover, poorly understood pharmacological differences between rodent and human TA1 complicate the translation of findings from preclinical disease models into novel pharmacotherapies. To elucidate hTA1's mechanisms on the molecular scale and investigate the underpinnings of its divergent pharmacology from rodent orthologs, we herein report the structure of the human TA1 receptor in complex with a Gαs heterotrimer. Our structure reveals shared structural elements with other TAARs, as well as with its closest monoaminergic ortholog, the serotonin receptor 5-HT4R. We further find that a single mutation dramatically shifts the selectivity of hTA1 towards that of its rodent orthologs, and report on the effects of substituting residues to those found in serotonin and dopamine receptors. Strikingly, we also discover that the atypical antipsychotic medication and pan-monoaminergic antagonist asenapine potently and efficaciously activates hTA1. Together our studies provide detailed insight into hTA1 structure and function, contrast its molecular pharmacology with that of related receptors, and uncover off-target activities of monoaminergic drugs at hTA1.
Project description:In addition to the canonical olfactory receptors, TAARs were currently suggested to be a second class of chemosensory receptors in the olfactory epithelium of vertebrates. In contrast to several deorphanized murine TAARs, agonists for the intact human TAAR genes 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9 that are potentially expressed in the human olfactory epithelium have not been determined so far. Moreover, the physiological relevance of TAARs still remains elusive. We present the first successful functional expression of a human TAAR and agonists of human TAAR5. We performed a ligand screening using recombinantly expressed human TAAR5 in HANA3A cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. In order to measure receptor activity, we used a cAMP-dependent reporter gene assay and two-electrode voltage clamp technique. As a result, human TAAR5 can be activated in a concentration-dependent manner by trimethylamine and with less efficacy by dimethylethylamine. It could neither be activated by any other of the tested single amines with a related chemical structure (42 in total), nor by any of the tested odorant mixtures. The hypothesis that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) within the reading frame of an olfactory receptor gene can cause a specific anosmia, formed the basis for clarifying the question, if anosmia for trimethylamine is caused by a SNP in a TAAR coding sequence. All functional human TAAR gene reading frames of subjects with specific anosmia for trimethylamine were amplified and products analyzed regarding SNP distribution. We demonstrated that the observed specific anosmia for trimethylamine is not correlated with a SNP in the coding sequence of one of the putatively functional human TAAR genes.
Project description:Methamphetamine (MA) and neurotransmitter precursors and metabolites such as tyramine, octopamine, and β-phenethylamine stimulate the G protein-coupled trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). TAAR1 has been implicated in human conditions including obesity, schizophrenia, depression, fibromyalgia, migraine, and addiction. Additionally TAAR1 is expressed on lymphocytes and astrocytes involved in inflammation and response to infection. In brain, TAAR1 stimulation reduces synaptic dopamine availability and alters glutamatergic function. TAAR1 is also expressed at low levels in heart, and may regulate cardiovascular tone. Taar1 knockout mice orally self-administer more MA than wild type and are insensitive to its aversive effects. DBA/2J (D2) mice express a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Taar1 that does not respond to MA, and D2 mice are predisposed to high MA intake, compared to C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Here we demonstrate that endogenous agonists stimulate the recombinant B6 mouse TAAR1, but do not activate the D2 mouse receptor. Progeny of the B6XD2 (BxD) family of recombinant inbred (RI) strains have been used to characterize the genetic etiology of diseases, but contrary to expectations, BXDs derived 30-40 years ago express only the functional B6 Taar1 allele whereas some more recently derived BXD RI strains express the D2 allele. Data indicate that the D2 mutation arose subsequent to derivation of the original RIs. Finally, we demonstrate that SNPs in human TAAR1 alter its function, resulting in expressed, but functional, sub-functional and non-functional receptors. Our findings are important for identifying a predisposition to human diseases, as well as for developing personalized treatment options.
Project description:Here we report the study of two bioengineered variants of human trace amine-associated receptor 5 (hTAAR5) that were expressed in stable tetracycline-inducible HEK293S cell lines. A systematic detergent screen showed that fos-choline-14 was the optimal detergent to solubilize and subsequently purify the receptors. Milligram quantities of both hTAAR5 variants were purified to near homogeneity using immunoaffinity chromatography followed by gel filtration. Circular dichroism showed that the purified receptors had helical secondary structures, indicating that they were properly folded. The purified receptors are not only suitable for functional analyses, but also for subsequent crystallization trials. To our knowledge, this is the first mammalian TAAR that has been heterologously expressed and purified. Our study will likely stimulate in the development of therapeutic drug targets for TAAR-associated diseases, as well as fabrication of TAAR-based sensing devices.
Project description:BackgroundNarcolepsy, a disorder of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, a loss of muscle tone triggered by emotional stimulation. Current narcolepsy pharmacotherapeutics include controlled substances with abuse potential or drugs with undesirable side effects. As partial agonists at trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) promote wakefulness in mice and rats, we evaluated whether TAAR1 agonism had beneficial effects in two mouse models of narcolepsy.MethodsIn the first experiment, male homozygous B6-Taar1tm1(NLSLacZ)Blt (Taar1 knockout) and wild-type mice were surgically implanted to record electroencephalogram, electromyogram, locomotor activity, and body temperature, and the efficacy of the TAAR1 agonist, RO5256390, on sleep/wake and physiological parameters was determined. In the second experiment, the effects of the TAAR1 full agonist RO5256390 and partial agonist RO5263397 on sleep/wake, locomotor activity, body temperature, and cataplexy were assessed in two mouse narcolepsy models.ResultsRO5256390 profoundly reduced rapid eye movement sleep in wild-type mice; these effects were eliminated in Taar1 knockout mice. The TAAR1 partial agonist RO5263397 also promoted wakefulness and suppressed nonrapid eye movement sleep. Both compounds reduced body temperature in the two narcolepsy models at the highest doses tested. Both TAAR1 compounds also mitigated cataplexy, the pathognomonic symptom of this disorder, in the narcolepsy models. The therapeutic benefit was mediated through a reduction in number of cataplexy episodes and time spent in cataplexy.ConclusionsThese results suggest TAAR1 agonism as a new therapeutic pathway for treatment of this orphan disease. The common underlying mechanism may be the suppression of rapid eye movement sleep.
Project description:ObjectiveApplication of 3-iodothyronamine (3-T1AM) results in decreased body temperature and body weight in rodents. The trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) 1, a family A G protein-coupled receptor, is a target of 3-T1AM. However, 3-T1AM effects still persist in mTaar1 knockout mice, which suggest so far unknown further receptor targets that are of physiological relevance. TAAR5 is a highly conserved TAAR subtype among mammals and we here tested TAAR5 as a potential 3-T1AM target. First, we investigated mouse Taar5 (mTaar5) expression in several brain regions of the mouse in comparison to mTaar1. Secondly, to unravel the full spectrum of signaling capacities, we examined the distinct Gs-, Gi/o-, G12/13-, Gq/11- and MAP kinase-mediated signaling pathways of mouse and human TAAR5 under ligand-independent conditions and after application of 3-T1AM. We found overlapping localization of mTaar1 and mTaar5 in the amygdala and ventromedial hypothalamus of the mouse brain. Second, the murine and human TAAR5 (hTAAR5) display significant basal activity in the Gq/11 pathway but show differences in the basal activity in Gs and MAP kinase signaling. In contrast to mTaar5, 3-T1AM application at hTAAR5 resulted in significant reduction in basal IP3 formation and MAP kinase signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that the human TAAR5 is a target for 3-T1AM, exhibiting inhibitory effects on IP3 formation and MAP kinase signaling pathways, but does not mediate Gs signaling effects as observed for TAAR1. This study also indicates differences between TAAR5 orthologs with respect to their signaling profile. In consequence, 3-T1AM-mediated effects may differ between rodents and humans.
Project description:Trace amines (TAs) in the mammalian brain have been investigated for four decades. Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) were discovered during the search for receptors activated by TAs. TAARs are considered a second class of vertebrate olfactory receptors and successfully proliferated in conjunction with adaptation to living on the ground to detect carnivore odors. Thus, therian mammals have a high number of TAAR genes due to rapid species-specific gene duplications. In primate lineages, however, their genomes have significantly smaller numbers of TAAR genes than do other mammals. To elucidate the evolutionary force driving these patterns, exhaustive data mining of TAAR genes was performed for 13 primate genomes (covering all four infraorders) and two nonprimate euarchontan genomes. This study identified a large number of pseudogenes in many of these primate genomes and thus investigated the pseudogenization event process for the TAAR repertoires. The degeneration of TAARs is likely associated with arboreal inhabitants reducing their exposure to carnivores, and this was accelerated by the change in the nose shape of haplorhines after their divergence from strepsirrhines. Arboreal life may have decreased the reliance on the chemosensing of predators, suggestive of leading to the depauperation of TAAR subfamilies. The evolutionary deterioration of TAARs in primates has been reestablished in recently derived primates due to high selection pressure and probably functional diversity.
Project description:BackgroundFew treatment options for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) exist and more are critically needed. Here, we assessed whether trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), a modulator of brain monoamine systems, is involved in the behavioral and reinforcement-related effects of ethanol and whether it could potentially serve as a therapeutic target.MethodsWild-type (WT) and TAAR1 knockout (KO) mice (75% C57J/BL6 and 25% 129S1/Sv background) were compared in tests of ethanol consumption (two-bottle choice [TBC]), motor impairment (loss of righting reflex, [LORR], locomotor activity) and ethanol clearance (blood ethanol level [BEL]).ResultsAs compared with WT mice, KO mice displayed (1) significantly greater preference for and consumption of ethanol in a TBC paradigm (3%-11% vol/vol escalating over 10 weeks), with no significant difference observed in TBC with sucrose (1%-3%); (2) significantly greater sedative-like effects of acute ethanol (2.0 or 2.5 g/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) manifested as LORR observed at a lower dose and for longer time, with similar BELs and rates of ethanol clearance; and (3) lower cumulative locomotor activity over 60 minutes in response to an acute ethanol challenge (1.0-2.5 g/kg, i.p.).ConclusionsThe present findings are the first to implicate TAAR1 in the behavioral and reinforcement-related effects of ethanol and raise the question of whether specific drugs that target TAAR1 could potentially reduce alcohol consumption in humans with AUDs.
Project description:Human plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, transfer cholesterol from plasma to liver cells via the LDL receptor (LDLr). Here, we report the structures of LDL and its complex with the LDL receptor extracellular domain (LDL.LDLr) at extracellular pH determined by cryoEM. Difference imaging between LDL.LDLr and LDL localizes the site of LDLr bound to its ligand. The structural features revealed from the cryoEM map lead to a juxtaposed stacking model of cholesteryl esters (CEs). High density in the outer shell identifies protein-rich regions that can be accounted for by a single apolipoprotein (apo B-100, 500 kDa) leading to a model for the distribution of its alpha-helix and beta-sheet rich domains across the surface. The structural relationship between the apo B-100 and CEs appears to dictate the structural stability and function of normal LDL.