Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate multiple cellular functions and represent important drug targets. More than 20 years ago, it was noted that GPCR activation (agonist binding) and signaling (G protein activation) are dependent on the membrane potential (V<sub>M</sub>). While i...

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Main Authors: Andreas Rinne, Moritz Bünemann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/12/1652
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author Andreas Rinne
Moritz Bünemann
author_facet Andreas Rinne
Moritz Bünemann
author_sort Andreas Rinne
collection DOAJ
description G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate multiple cellular functions and represent important drug targets. More than 20 years ago, it was noted that GPCR activation (agonist binding) and signaling (G protein activation) are dependent on the membrane potential (V<sub>M</sub>). While it is now proven that many GPCRs display an intrinsic voltage dependence, the molecular mechanisms of how GPCRs sense depolarization of the plasma membrane are less well defined. This review summarizes the current knowledge of voltage-dependent signaling in GPCRs. We describe how voltage dependence was discovered in muscarinic receptors, present an overview of GPCRs that are regulated by voltage, and show how biophysical properties of GPCRs led to the discovery of voltage-sensing mechanisms in those receptors. Furthermore, we summarize physiological functions that have been shown to be regulated by voltage-dependent GPCR signaling of endogenous receptors in excitable tissues, such as the nervous system or the heart. Finally, we discuss challenges that remain in analyzing voltage-dependent signaling of GPCRs in vivo and present an outlook on experimental applications of the interesting concept of GPCR signaling.
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spelling doaj-art-0877877af0574b2382e8a720cc32c3f72024-12-27T14:14:04ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2024-12-011412165210.3390/biom14121652Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRsAndreas Rinne0Moritz Bünemann1Department of Biophysics and Cellular Biotechnology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaInstitute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Biochemical Pharmaceutical Center (BPC) Marburg, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, GermanyG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate multiple cellular functions and represent important drug targets. More than 20 years ago, it was noted that GPCR activation (agonist binding) and signaling (G protein activation) are dependent on the membrane potential (V<sub>M</sub>). While it is now proven that many GPCRs display an intrinsic voltage dependence, the molecular mechanisms of how GPCRs sense depolarization of the plasma membrane are less well defined. This review summarizes the current knowledge of voltage-dependent signaling in GPCRs. We describe how voltage dependence was discovered in muscarinic receptors, present an overview of GPCRs that are regulated by voltage, and show how biophysical properties of GPCRs led to the discovery of voltage-sensing mechanisms in those receptors. Furthermore, we summarize physiological functions that have been shown to be regulated by voltage-dependent GPCR signaling of endogenous receptors in excitable tissues, such as the nervous system or the heart. Finally, we discuss challenges that remain in analyzing voltage-dependent signaling of GPCRs in vivo and present an outlook on experimental applications of the interesting concept of GPCR signaling.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/12/1652GPCRmembrane potentialreceptor signalingvoltage sensor
spellingShingle Andreas Rinne
Moritz Bünemann
Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
Biomolecules
GPCR
membrane potential
receptor signaling
voltage sensor
title Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
title_full Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
title_fullStr Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
title_full_unstemmed Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
title_short Charge Movements and Conformational Changes: Biophysical Properties and Physiology of Voltage-Dependent GPCRs
title_sort charge movements and conformational changes biophysical properties and physiology of voltage dependent gpcrs
topic GPCR
membrane potential
receptor signaling
voltage sensor
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/12/1652
work_keys_str_mv AT andreasrinne chargemovementsandconformationalchangesbiophysicalpropertiesandphysiologyofvoltagedependentgpcrs
AT moritzbunemann chargemovementsandconformationalchangesbiophysicalpropertiesandphysiologyofvoltagedependentgpcrs