@article{NeuschaeferRubeHermosillaKunaetal.2005, author = {Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Hermosilla, Ricardo and Kuna, Manuela and Pathe-Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Andrea and Schulein, R. and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {A Ser/Thr cluster within the C-terminal domain of the rat prostaglandin receptor EP3 alpha is essential for agonist-induced phosphorylation, desensitization and internalization}, issn = {0007-1188}, year = {2005}, abstract = {1 Two isoforms of the rat prostaglandin E-2 receptor, rEP3 alpha-R and rEP3 beta-R, differ only in their C- terminal domain. To analyze the function of the rEP3-R C-terminal domain in agonist induced desensitization, a cluster of Ser/Thr residues in the C-terminal domain of the rEP3 alpha-R was mutated to Ala and both isoforms and the receptor mutant (rEP3 alpha-ST341-349A-R) were stably expressed in HEK293 cells. 2 All rEP3-R receptors showed a similar ligand- binding profile. They were functionally coupled to Gi and reduced forskolin-induced cAMP-formation. 3 Repeated exposure of cells expressing the rEP3 alpha-R isoform to PGE(2) reduced the agonist induced inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP-formation by 50\% and led to internalization of the receptor to intracellular endocytotic vesicles. By contrast, Gi- response as well as plasma membrane localization of the rEP3 beta-R and the rEP3 alpha-ST341-349A-R were not affected by prior agonist-stimulation. 4 Agonist-stimulation of HEK293-rEP3 alpha-R cells induced a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of the receptor most likely by G protein-coupled receptor kinases and not by protein kinase A or protein kinase C. By contrast, upon agonist-stimulation the rEP3 beta-R was not phosphorylated and the rEP3 alpha-ST341-349A-R was phosphorylated only weakly. 5 These results led to the hypothesis that agonist-induced desensitization of the rEP3 alpha-R isoform is mediated most likely by a GRK-dependent phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues 341 - 349. Phosphorylation then initiates uncoupling of the receptor from Gi protein and receptor internalization}, language = {en} } @article{NeuschaeferRubeHermosillaKunaetal.2004, author = {Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Hermosilla, Ricardo and Kuna, Manuela and Pathe-Neuschaefer-Rube, Andrea and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Agonist-induced desensitization of rat prostaglandin EP3 receptor isoforms}, issn = {0028-1298}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{NeuschaeferRubeOppermannMoelleretal.1999, author = {Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Oppermann, Martin and M{\"o}ller, Ulrike and B{\"o}er, Ulrike and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Agonist-induced phosphorylation by G protein-coupled receptor kinases of the EP4 receptor carboxyl-terminal domain in an EP3/EP4 prostaglandin E(2) receptor hybrid}, issn = {1521-0111}, year = {1999}, abstract = {Prostaglandin E(2) receptors (EP-Rs) belong to the family of heterotrimeric G protein-coupled ectoreceptors with seven transmembrane domains. They can be subdivided into four subtypes according to their ligand-binding and G protein-coupling specificity: EP1 couple to G(q), EP2 and EP4 to G(s), and EP3 to G(i). The EP4-R, in contrast to the EP3beta-R, shows rapid agonist-induced desensitization. The agonist-induced desensitization depends on the presence of the EP4-R carboxyl-terminal domain, which also confers desensitization in a G(i)-coupled rEP3hEP4 carboxyl-terminal domain receptor hybrid (rEP3hEP4-Ct-R). To elucidate the possible mechanism of this desensitization, in vivo phosphorylation stimulated by activators of second messenger kinases, by prostaglandin E(2), or by the EP3-R agonist M\&B28767 was investigated in COS-7 cells expressing FLAG-epitope-tagged rat EP3beta-R (rEP3beta-R), hEP4-R, or rEP3hEP4- Ct-R. Stimulation of protein kinase C with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate led to a slight phosphorylation of the FLAG- rEP3beta-R but to a strong phosphorylation of the FLAG-hEP4-R and the FLAG-rEP3hEP4-Ct-R, which was suppressed by the protein kinase A and protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine. Prostaglandin E(2) stimulated phosphorylation of the FLAG- hEP4-R in its carboxyl-terminal receptor domain. The EP3-R agonist M\&B28767 induced a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of the FLAG-rEP3hEP4-Ct-R but not of the FLAG-rEP3beta-R. Agonist-induced phosphorylation of the FLAG- hEP4-R and the FLAG-rEP3hEP4-Ct-R were not inhibited by staurosporine, which implies a role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) in agonist-induced receptor phosphorylation. Overexpression of GRKs in FLAG-rEP3hEP4-Ct-R- expressing COS-7 cells augmented the M\&B28767-induced receptor phosphorylation and receptor sequestration. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal hEP4-R domain possibly by GRKs but not by second messenger kinases may be involved in rapid agonist-induced desensitization of the hEP4-R and the rEP3hEP4-Ct-R.}, language = {en} } @article{GiebingToelleJuergensenetal.2005, author = {Giebing, G{\"u}nter and T{\"o}lle, Markus and J{\"u}rgensen, Jana and Eichhorst, Jenny and Furkert, Jens and Beyermann, Michael and Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Rosenthal, Walter and Zidek, Walter and van der Giet, Markus and Oksche, Alexander}, title = {Arrestin-independent internalization and recycling of the urotensin receptor contribute to long-lasting urotensin II - Mediated vasoconstriction}, issn = {0009-7330}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Urotensin II (UII), which acts on the G protein-coupled urotensin ( UT) receptor, elicits long-lasting vasoconstriction. The role of UT receptor internalization and intracellular trafficking in vasoconstriction has yet not been analyzed. Therefore, UII-mediated contractile responses of aortic ring preparations in wire myography and rat UT (rUT) receptor internalization and intracellular trafficking in binding and imaging analyses were compared. UII elicited a concentration-dependent vasoconstriction of rat aorta (-log EC50, mol/L:9.0 +/- 0.1). A second application of UII after 30 minutes elicited a reduced contraction (36 +/- 4\% of the initial response), but when applied after 60 minutes elicited a full contraction. In internalization experiments with radioactive labeled VII (I-125-UII), approximate to 70\% of rUT receptors expressed on the cell surface of human embryonic kidney 293 cells were sequestered within 30 minutes (half life [t(h)]: 5.6 +/- 0.2 minutes), but recycled quantitatively within 60 minutes (t(h) 31.9 +/- 2.6 minutes). UII- bound rUT receptors were sorted to early and recycling endosomes, as evidenced by colocalization of rUT receptors with the early endosomal antigen and the transferrin receptor. Real-time imaging with a newly developed fluorescent UII (Cy3- UII) revealed that rUT receptors recruited arrestin3 green fluorescent protein to the plasma membrane. Arrestin3 was not required for the endocytosis of the rUT receptor, however, as internalization of Cy3-UII was not altered in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking endogenous arrestin2/arrestin3 expression. The data demonstrate that the rUT receptor internalizes arrestin independently and recycles quantitatively. The continuous externalization of rUT receptors provides the basis for repetitive and lasting UII-mediated vasoconstriction}, language = {en} } @article{PatheNeuschaeferRubeNeuschaeferRubePueschel2021, author = {Pathe-Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Andrea and Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Cell-based reporter release assay to determine the activity of calcium-dependent neurotoxins and neuroactive pharmaceuticals}, series = {Toxins / Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)}, volume = {13}, journal = {Toxins / Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-6651}, doi = {10.3390/toxins13040247}, pages = {13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The suitability of a newly developed cell-based functional assay was tested for the detection of the activity of a range of neurotoxins and neuroactive pharmaceuticals which act by stimulation or inhibition of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release. In this functional assay, a reporter enzyme is released concomitantly with the neurotransmitter from neurosecretory vesicles. The current study showed that the release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma-based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells) can be stimulated by a carbachol-mediated activation of the Gq-coupled muscarinic-acetylcholine receptor and by the Ca2+-channel forming spider toxin α-latrotoxin. Carbachol-stimulated luciferase release was completely inhibited by the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine and α-latrotoxin-mediated release by the Ca2+-chelator EGTA, demonstrating the specificity of luciferase-release stimulation. SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells express mainly L- and N-type and to a lesser extent T-type VGCC on the mRNA and protein level. In accordance with the expression profile a depolarization-stimulated luciferase release by a high K+-buffer was effectively and dose-dependently inhibited by L-type VGCC inhibitors and to a lesser extent by N-type and T-type inhibitors. P/Q- and R-type inhibitors did not affect the K+-stimulated luciferase release. In summary, the newly established cell-based assay may represent a versatile tool to analyze the biological efficiency of a range of neurotoxins and neuroactive pharmaceuticals which mediate their activity by the modulation of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.}, language = {en} } @article{PatheNeuschaeferRubeNeuschaeferRubeHaasetal.2018, author = {Pathe-Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Andrea and Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Haas, Gerald and Langoth-Fehringer, Nina and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Cell-Based Reporter Release Assay to Determine the Potency of Proteolytic Bacterial Neurotoxins}, series = {Toxins}, volume = {10}, journal = {Toxins}, number = {9}, publisher = {Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-6651}, doi = {10.3390/toxins10090360}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Despite the implementation of cell-based replacement methods, the mouse lethality assay is still frequently used to determine the activity of botulinum toxin (BoNT) for medical use. One explanation is that due to the use of neoepitope-specific antibodies to detect the cleaved BoNT substrate, the currently devised assays can detect only one specific serotype of the toxin. Recently, we developed a cell-based functional assay, in which BoNT activity is determined by inhibiting the release of a reporter enzyme that is liberated concomitantly with the neurotransmitter from neurosecretory vesicles. In theory, this assay should be suitable to detect the activity of any BoNT serotype. Consistent with this assumption, the current study shows that the stimulus-dependent release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma-based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells) was inhibited by BoNT-A and-C. Furthermore, this was also inhibited by BoNT-B and tetanus toxin to a lesser extent and at higher concentrations. In order to provide support for the suitability of this technique in practical applications, a dose-response curve obtained with a pharmaceutical preparation of BoNT-A closely mirrored the activity determined in the mouse lethality assay. In summary, the newly established cell-based assay may represent a versatile and specific alternative to the mouse lethality assay and other currently established cell-based assays.}, language = {en} } @article{NeuschaeferRubePatheNeuschaeferRubePueschel2022, author = {Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Pathe-Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Andrea and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Discrimination of the activity of low-affinity wild-type and high-affinity mutant recombinant BoNT/B by a SIMA cell-based reporter release assay}, series = {Toxins}, volume = {14}, journal = {Toxins}, edition = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2072-6651}, doi = {10.3390/toxins14010065}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is used for the treatment of a number of ailments. The activity of the toxin that is isolated from bacterial cultures is frequently tested in the mouse lethality assay. Apart from the ethical concerns inherent to this assay, species-specific differences in the affinity for different BoNT serotypes give rise to activity results that differ from the activity in humans. Thus, BoNT/B is more active in mice than in humans. The current study shows that the stimulus-dependent release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma-based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-Gluc) was inhibited by clostridial and recombinant BoNT/A to the same extent, whereas both clostridial and recombinant BoNT/B inhibited the release to a lesser extent and only at much higher concentrations, reflecting the low activity of BoNT/B in humans. By contrast, the genetically modified BoNT/B-MY, which has increased affinity for human synaptotagmin, and the BoNT/B protein receptor inhibited luciferase release effectively and with an EC50 comparable to recombinant BoNT/A. This was due to an enhanced uptake into the reporter cells of BoNT/B-MY in comparison to the recombinant wild-type toxin. Thus, the SIMA-hPOMC1-26-Gluc cell assay is a versatile tool to determine the activity of different BoNT serotypes providing human-relevant dose-response data.}, language = {en} } @article{SchraplauScheweNeuschaeferRubeetal.2015, author = {Schraplau, Anne and Schewe, Bettina and Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Ringel, Sebastian and Neuber, Corinna and Kleuser, Burkhard and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Enhanced thyroid hormone breakdown in hepatocytes by mutual induction of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) and arylhydrocarbon receptor by benzo[a]pyrene and phenobarbital}, series = {Toxicology}, volume = {328}, journal = {Toxicology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Clare}, issn = {0300-483X}, doi = {10.1016/j.tox.2014.12.004}, pages = {21 -- 28}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Xenobiotics may interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid endocrine axis by inducing enzymes that inactivate thyroid hormones and thereby reduce the metabolic rate. This induction results from an activation of xeno-sensing nuclear receptors. The current study shows that benzo[a]pyrene, a frequent contaminant of processed food and activator of the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activated the promoter and induced the transcription of the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) in rat hepatocytes. Likewise, phenobarbital induced the AhR transcription. This mutual induction of the nuclear receptors enhanced the phenobarbital-dependent induction of the prototypic CAR target gene Cyp2b1 as well as the AhR-dependent induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. In both cases, the induction by the combination of both xenobiotics was more than the sum of the induction by either substance alone. By inducing the AhR, phenobarbital enhanced the benzo[a]pyrene-dependent reduction of thyroid hormone half-life and the benzo[a]pyrene-dependent increase in the rate of thyroid hormone glucuronide formation in hepatocyte cultures. CAR ligands might thus augment the endocrine disrupting potential of AhR activators by an induction of the AhR. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{PatheNeuschaeferRubeNeuschaeferRubePueschel2004, author = {Pathe-Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Andrea and Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {G protein coupling control by the ERC-motif in the proximal part of the second intracellular loop and the C- terminal domain of the human prostaglandin F-2A receptor (FP receptor)}, issn = {0028-1298}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{NeuschaeferRubeEngemaierKochetal.2003, author = {Neusch{\"a}fer-Rube, Frank and Engemaier, Eva and Koch, Sina and B{\"o}er, Ulrike and P{\"u}schel, Gerhard Paul}, title = {Identification by site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids contributing to ligand-binding specificity or signal transduction properties of the human FP prostanoid receptor}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Prostanoid receptors belong to the class of heptahelical plasma membrane receptors. For the five prostanoids, eight receptor subtypes have been identified. They display an overall sequence similarity of roughly 30\%. Based on sequence comparison, single amino acids in different subtypes of different species have previously been identified by site-directed mutagenesis or in hybrid receptors that appear to be essential for ligand binding or G-protein coupling. Based on this information, a series of mutants of the human FP receptor was generated and characterized in ligand- binding and second-messenger-formation studies. It was found that mutation of His-81 to Ala in transmembrane domain 2 and of Arg-291 to Leu in transmembrane domain 7, which are putative interaction partners for the prostanoid's carboxyl group, abolished ligand binding. Mutants in which Ser-263 in transmembrane domain 6 or Asp-300 in transmembrane domain 7 had been replaced by Ala or Gln, respectively, no longer discriminated between prostaglandins PGF(2alpha) and PGD(2). Thus distortion of the topology of transmembrane domains 6 and 7 appears to interfere with the cyclopentane ring selectivity of the receptor. PGF(2alpha)-induced inositol formation was strongly reduced in the mutant Asp-300Gln, inferring a role for this residue in agonist-induced G-protein activation.}, language = {en} }