A Tethered Agonist within the Ectodomain Activates the Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptors GPR126 and GPR133

Ines Liebscher, Julia Schön, Sarah C. Petersen, Liane Fischer, Nina Auerbach, Lilian Marie Demberg, Amit Mogha, Maxi Cöster, Kay Uwe Simon, Sven Rothemund, Kelly R. Monk, Torsten Schöneberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

202 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) comprise the second largest yet least studied class of the GPCR superfamily. aGPCRs are involved inmany developmental processes and immune and synaptic functions, but the mode of their signal transduction is unclear. Here, we show that a short peptide sequence (termed the Stachel sequence) within the ectodomain of two aGPCRs (GPR126 and GPR133) functions as a tethered agonist. Upon structural changes within the receptor ectodomain, this intramolecular agonist is exposed to the seven-transmembrane helix domain, which triggers G protein activation. Our studies show high specificity of a given Stachel sequence for its receptor. Finally, the function of Gpr126 is abrogated in zebrafish with a mutated Stachel sequence, and signaling is restored in hypomorphic gpr126 zebrafish mutants upon exogenous Stachel peptide application. These findings illuminate a mode of aGPCR activation and may prompt the development of specific ligands for this currently untargeted GPCR family.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2018-2026
Number of pages9
JournalCell Reports
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 24 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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