Difference between revisions of "Part:BBa K5267001"

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Mammalian MT1 melatonin receptor, Gi-coupled GPCR.

The mammalian MT1 melatonin receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). MT1 plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles by responding to melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland.

MT1 has a seven-transmembrane domain structure characteristic of GPCRs. Structural studies of MT1 reveal unique features, such as a "lid-like" structure in the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) that influences ligand binding and selectivity.

Upon melatonin-mediated activation of the melatonin receptor MT1, several pathways, such as the cAMP-PKA pathways and Ca2+ signaling pathways, are activated, thereby influencing gene expression related to cellular processes such as metabolism, growth, and apoptosis.

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Sequence and Features

Profile

Name: MTNR1a
Base Pairs: 1050bp
Origin: Homo sapiens
Properties: A GPCR that responds to melatonin
Short description: MTNR1a
Full description: The part encodes a 7-transmembrane melatonin receptor MTNR1a, which responses to melatonin.

Usage and Biology

This part encodes MT1, one of the two high-affinity forms of the melatonin receptor, and is the core component of cell-based screening platform for melatonin receptor agonist. The MT1 receptor is a G-protein coupled, 7-transmembrane receptor, a rhodopsin-like class A receptor responsible for melatonin's effects on mammalian circadian rhythm and reproductive alterations influenced by day length. The receptor is an integral membrane protein that is readily detectable and localized to two specific regions of the brain: the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is involved in circadian rhythm regulation, and the hypophysial pars tuberalis, which may be responsible for the reproductive effects of melatonin.[1]

Introducing this part into mammalian cells enables the cells to express MT1, allowing them to sense the stimulation of melatonin or activation of melatonin receptor by drugs.

In the human body, melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a widespread neurohormone with roles in circadian rhythm regulation, antioxidative protection, and several other functions. It binds to the ligand-binding pocket of the melatonin receptor with high affinity.[2] The figure from Okamoto, H. H (2024) shows the overall structure of MT1 in both its activated and inactivated forms, and the position of the ligand-binding pocket of MT1, where melatonin binds to activate downstream gene pathways.[2]

In our project, this part, together with downstream synthetic reporter system such as P_5xCRE>IgK->Nluc->bGH_polyA(BBa_K5267041),P_7xNFAT->IgK->Nluc->bGH_polyA (BBa_K5267044), enables mammalian cells to respond to drugs that can activate the melatonin receptor. The part lays the foundational basis for a cell-based screening platform and subsequent experiments for screening melatonin receptor agonists.

Figure 1. Overall structures of MT1 (A) Inactive state [PDB ID: 6ME2]. (B) Top view (left) and side view (right) of MT1 in an inactive state [PDB ID: 6ME2]. (C) Overall TM6 movement during receptor activation of MT1 (inactive state: [PDB ID: 6ME2] and active state: [PDB ID: 7DB6]). (D) Ligand binding site of crystal structures of MT1 (left top: [PDB ID: 6ME2], left bottom: [PDB ID: 6ME3], right top: [PDB ID: 6ME4], right bottom: [PDB ID: 6ME5]). (E) active state [PDB ID: 7DB6]. (F) Ligand binding site of cryo‐EM structures of MT1 (left: [PDB ID: 7DB6], middle: [PDB ID: 7VGY], right: [PDB ID: 7VGZ]).[2]

[2]

Figure 2 (A) Overview of structural changes during activation of MT1 (inactive state: [PDB ID: 6ME2], active state: [PDB ID: 7DB6]). (B) Conformational changes from the ligand binding site to the PIF motif. (C) Conformational changes from the Na+ binding site to the DRY (NRY in MTRs) motif.[2]

To construct a MTNR1a-expressing plasmid, the MTNR1a part is cloned downstream of the CMV promoter and upstream of the bGH polyA sequence within the framework of the Sleeping Beauty transposable element. After transfection into HEK293 cells, the PCMV->MTNR1a->bGH polyA construct can integrate stably into the genome of HEK293 cells

Functional Validation

According to previous studies, upon melatonin-mediated activation of the melatonin receptor MT1, several pathways, such as cAMP-PKA pathways and Ca2+ signaling pathways are activated.

Based on the mechanism, we therefore utilized two distinct methodologies to validate the activation of Melatonin receptor, specifically focusing on the downstream signaling transduction of cAMP-PKA pathway and the Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Characterization strategy 1

In order to validate the basic part MTNR1a, which can express MTNR1a receptor in mammalian cell chassis, we first focus on The cAMP-PKA pathway.

The cAMP-PKA pathway is activated when melatonin binds to the MT1. This binding activates the associated G proteins, which in turn stimulate adenylate cyclase to convert ATP into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The increase in cAMP levels activates protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates various target proteins, leading to a cascade of downstream effects. For instance, PKA can modulate the activity of transcription factors such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), thereby influencing gene expression related to cellular processes such as metabolism, growth, and apoptosis. To assess the activation of cAMP-PKA pathway, synthetic CRE promoter P4xCRE -> P _ min -> lgK -> Nluc -> bGH polyA (Composite part: BBa_K5267040) was used. CREB activation can therefore activate the NanoLuc expression in BBa_K5267040 with CREB binding to 4xCRE promoter.

For such matter, part expressing MTNR1A (Basic part: BBa_K5267047) and the synthetic CRE promoter were co-transfected into HEK293 cells, and the melatonin was added post-transfection. 48 hours post-transfection, the NanoLuc activity was assessed to characterize the activation of the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Result

The experimental results are as follows:

Figure 3 The HEK293 stable cell line co-transfected by pNC099（ carrying PCRE4->IgK->Nluc->bGH_polyA in the frame of Sleeping Beauty transposable element.）and pNC099（carrying PCMV->MTNR1a->bGH_polyA in the frame of Sleeping Beauty transposable element）, or pNC099 and pcDNA3.1(+). at the transfection ratio of 50ng : 100ng, stimulated by 1nM melatonin, and NanoLuc expression is assessed 48 hours post transfection. )

Upon activation of melatonin receptors (MTs) by melatonin, the activity of NanoLuc was significantly elevated compared to the control group without melatonin stimulation. This result demonstrates that the part is capable of sensing melatonin stimulation and subsequently activating CRE-promoter-initiated transcription as expected.

Characterization strategy 2

We have also validated the part by detecting the change of Ca²⁺ concentration, for it has also been reported that the Ca²⁺ is up-regulated after the activation of MT1.

For such matter, we used GCaMP (Composite part: BBa_K3755041), an ultra-sensitive protein-based sensor that allows visualization of Ca2+ dynamics within living cells[4]. Thapsigargin was used as a positive control to stimulate the cells, as it is known to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to an up-regulation of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm [3]

Result 2

The results are as follows:

Figure 4 Real-time Ca²⁺ fluorescence intensity of different groups of cell after the stimulation of melatonin or thapsigargin.
The yellow group represents the cell only transfected by plasmid carrying P_CMV->GCaMP ( BBa_K3755007 ) and stimulated by 100 μM Melatonin, as the blank control.
The blue group represents the cell co-transfected by plasmid carrying P_CMV->GCaMP ( BBa_K3755007 ) and plasmid carrying P_CMV->MTNR1a, and stimulated by Melatonin, as the experimental group.
The red group represents the cell only transfected by plasmid carrying P_CMV->GCaMP ( BBa_K3755007 ) and stimulated by thapsigargin, as the positive control.

TThe results showed that the addition of both melatonin and thapsigargin induced a significant increase in the Ca²⁺ fluorescent signal. This demonstrates that our construct is capable of activating the Ca²⁺ signaling pathway upon melatonin stimulation as expected.

These findings indicate that the construct functions effectively in the mammalian cell chassis, and its activation by either thapsigargin or melatonin successfully leads to the activation of melatonin receptor-related pathways as anticipated.

References

[1] N. database, "Gene [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004 – [cited 2024 Sep 01]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/," 2004.

[2] H. H. Okamoto, E. Cecon, O. Nureki, S. Rivara, and R. Jockers, “Melatonin receptor structure and signaling,” Journal of Pineal Research, vol. 76, no. 3, 2024.

[3] A. Abdullahi, M. Stanojcic, A. Parousis, D. Patsouris, and M. G. Jeschke, “Modeling Acute ER Stress in Vivo and in Vitro,” Shock, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 506–513, Apr. 2017, doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000000759.