High-throughput confocal microscopy for beta-arrestin-green fluorescent protein translocation G protein-coupled receptor assays using the Evotec Opera

Methods Enzymol. 2006:414:99-120. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(06)14007-0.

Abstract

Ligand-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to regulate a myriad of homeostatic functions. Inappropriate signaling is associated with several pathophysiological states. GPCRs belong to a approximately 800 member superfamily of seven transmembrane-spanning receptor proteins that respond to a diversity of ligands. As such, they present themselves as potential points of therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, orphan GPCRs, which are GPCRs without a known cognate ligand, offer new opportunities as drug development targets. This chapter describes a systems-based biological approach, one that combines in silico bioinformatics, genomics, high-throughput screening, and high-content cell-based confocal microscopy strategies to (1) identify a relevant subset of protein family targets, (2) within the therapeutic area of energy metabolism/obesity, (3) and to identify small molecule leads as tractable combinatorial and medicinal chemistry starting points. Our choice of screening platform was the Transfluor beta-arrestin-green fluorescent protein translocation assay in which full-length human orphan GPCRs were stably expressed in a U-2 OS cell background. These cells lend themselves to high-speed confocal imaging techniques using the Evotec Technologies Opera automated microscope system. The basic assay system can be implemented in any laboratory using a fluorescent probe, a stably expressed GPCR of interest, automation-assisted plate and liquid-handling techniques, an optimized image analysis algorithm, and a high-speed confocal microscope with sophisticated data analysis tools.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Arrestins / chemistry*
  • Automation
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Protein Transport
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry*
  • Software
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • Arrestins
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins