Molecular Mechanisms of Metabolic Regulation Used by G Protein-Coupled Receptors

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 6300

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics; Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
2. Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA
3. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology; Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Interests: diabetes; obesity; metabolism; glucose metabolism; insulin; feeding; G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR); metabolic disease; signaling; cyclic AMP (cAMP); calcium; central nervous system (CNS); intestine; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1); glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS); enteroendocrine cell (EEC); inducible knockout

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics; Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Interests: G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR); cyclic AMP (cAMP); gut peptide; diabetes; obesity; metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue on the molecular mechanisms of metabolic regulation used by G protein-coupled receptors. Metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are global health challenges. The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven transmembrane-domain proteins that regulate metabolism within many tissues in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, adipose tissue, and pancreatic islets. GPCRs transduce physiological cues, including those from hormones, neurotransmitters, ions, metabolites, peptides, fatty acids, odorants, and photons, into cellular signaling cascades. Though GPCRs are emerging therapeutic targets for diabetes and obesity drug development, we do not yet fully understand their molecular regulation of signaling activities and physiological functions. This Special Issue of Biomolecules aims to gather a collection of original research articles and reviews pertaining to the most recent advances in our understanding of G protein-coupled receptors’ regulation of metabolism. The topics of successful submissions may include in vitro and/or in vivo investigations of the endocrine mechanisms behind metabolic regulation and pathophysiology.

We welcome both original research articles and reviews. Their research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The actions of GPCRs in metabolic organs (e.g., the central nervous system, gut, liver, fat, islets);
  • GPCR signaling;
  • GPCR-derived chemical probes for metabolic regulation;
  • The pathophysiology of GPCRs in metabolic regulation;
  • GPCR-based drug development for diabetes and obesity;
  • The metabolic function of GPCR ligands;
  • Receptor genetic variants associated with metabolic diseases;
  • GPCR studies using knockout or other transgenic approaches;
  • The interplay between intestinal GPCRs and the gut microbiome;
  • GPCRs’ structure and function;
  • GPCR chemical probe development using HTS or medicinal chemistry approaches.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hongxia Ren
Dr. Jason M. Conley
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • metabolism
  • GPCR
  • signaling

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1395 KiB  
Article
The Flavonoids and Monoterpenes from Citrus unshiu Peel Contained in Ninjinyoeito Synergistically Activate Orexin 1 Receptor: A Possible Mechanism of the Orexigenic Effects of Ninjinyoeito
by Kaori Ohshima, Kanako Miyano, Miki Nonaka, Sayaka Aiso, Mao Fukuda, Saho Furuya, Hideaki Fujii and Yasuhito Uezono
Biomolecules 2025, 15(4), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040533 - 5 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Cancer cachexia, often observed in patients with advanced-stage cancer, is characterized by the loss of body weight and appetite. The Japanese herbal medicine Ninjinyoeito (NYT), which is composed of 12 crude herbal components, has been used as a therapeutic in Japan to improve [...] Read more.
Cancer cachexia, often observed in patients with advanced-stage cancer, is characterized by the loss of body weight and appetite. The Japanese herbal medicine Ninjinyoeito (NYT), which is composed of 12 crude herbal components, has been used as a therapeutic in Japan to improve anorexia and fatigue, which are commonly observed in cancer patients with cachexia. We have previously reported that Citrus unshiu peel (CUP) contained in NYT can enhance food intake by activating the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R). Using the CellKey™ system, which offers detection of OXR activity in intracellular impedance changes, NYT and CUP were found to activate OX1R, which in turn was inhibited by SB-674042, a selective OX1R antagonist. Among the flavonoids contained in CUP, nobiletin and hesperidin, but not naringin, activated OX1R. Furthermore, some monoterpenes contained in CUP, including limonene and linalool, but not terpineol, activated OX1R. In addition, nobiletin and limonene synergistically activated OX1R when added simultaneously. However, neither NYT nor CUP induced OX2R activity. The results collectively suggested that the CUP contained in NYT activates OX1R, but not OX2R, and that flavonoids and monoterpenes in CUP can synergistically activate OX1R. These findings could provide evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of NYT in cancer patients with cachexia. Full article
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20 pages, 2371 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Production and Functional Characterization of Recombinant Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (rec-eCG) in CHO-DG44 Cells
by Munkhzaya Byambaragchaa, Sei Hyen Park, Myung-Hum Park, Myung-Hwa Kang and Kwan-Sik Min
Biomolecules 2025, 15(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15020289 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) hormone, comprising highly glycosylated α- and β-subunits, elicits responses similar to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in non-equid species. This study aimed to establish a mass production of recombinant eCG (rec-eCG) using CHO DG44 cells. Single-chain rec-eCG [...] Read more.
Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) hormone, comprising highly glycosylated α- and β-subunits, elicits responses similar to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in non-equid species. This study aimed to establish a mass production of recombinant eCG (rec-eCG) using CHO DG44 cells. Single-chain rec-eCG β/α was expressed in CHO DG44 cells. FSH- and LH-like activities were evaluated in CHO-K1 and HEK 293 cells expressing the equine LH/CG receptor (eLH/CGR), rat LH/CGR (rLH/CGR), and rFSHR. pERK1/2 activation and β-arrestin 2 recruitment were assessed in PathHunter CHO-K1 cells. The expression from one, among nine isolates, peaked at 364–470 IU/mL on days 9 and 11. The molecular weight of rec-eCG β/α ranged from 40 to 47 kDa, with two distinct bands. PNGase F treatment reduced the molecular weight by 8–10 kDa, indicating N-glycosylation. Rec-eCG β/α demonstrated dose-responsive cAMP activity in cells expressing eLH/CGR, with enhanced potency in rLH/CGR and rFSHR. Phospho-ERK1/2 activation peaked at 5 min before declining rapidly. β-arrestin 2 recruitment was receptor-mediated in cells expressing hFSHR and hLH/CGR. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying eCG’s FSH- and LH-like activities. Stable CHO DG44 cells can produce large quantities of rec-eCG. eCG activates pERK1/2 signaling via the PKA/cAMP pathway and facilitates β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Full article
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21 pages, 3504 KiB  
Article
G Protein-Coupled Receptor 17 Inhibits Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Secretion via a Gi/o-Dependent Mechanism in Enteroendocrine Cells
by Jason M. Conley, Alexander Jochim, Carmella Evans-Molina, Val J. Watts and Hongxia Ren
Biomolecules 2025, 15(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15010009 - 25 Dec 2024
Viewed by 4816
Abstract
Gut peptides, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), regulate metabolic homeostasis and have emerged as the basis for multiple state-of-the-art diabetes and obesity therapies. We previously showed that G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) is expressed in intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and modulates nutrient-induced GLP-1 secretion. [...] Read more.
Gut peptides, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), regulate metabolic homeostasis and have emerged as the basis for multiple state-of-the-art diabetes and obesity therapies. We previously showed that G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) is expressed in intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and modulates nutrient-induced GLP-1 secretion. However, the GPR17-mediated molecular signaling pathways in EECs have yet to be fully deciphered. Here, we expressed the human GPR17 long isoform (hGPR17L) in GLUTag cells, a murine EEC line, and we used the GPR17 synthetic agonist MDL29,951 together with pharmacological probes and genetic approaches to quantitatively assess the contribution of GPR17 signaling to GLP-1 secretion. Constitutive hGPR17L activity inhibited GLP-1 secretion, and MDL29,951 treatment further inhibited this secretion, which was attenuated by treatment with the GPR17 antagonist HAMI3379. MDL29,951 promoted both Gi/o and Gq protein coupling to mediate cyclic AMP (cAMP) and calcium signaling. hGPR17L regulation of GLP-1 secretion appeared to be Gq-independent and dependent upon Gi/o signaling, but was not correlated with MDL29,951-induced whole-cell cAMP signaling. Our studies revealed key signaling mechanisms underlying the role of GPR17 in regulating GLP-1 secretion and suggest future opportunities for pharmacologically targeting GPR17 with inverse agonists to maximize GLP-1 secretion. Full article
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