Impairment of GABAB receptor dimer by endogenous 14-3-3ζ in chronic pain conditions

EMBO J. 2012 Aug 1;31(15):3239-51. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.161. Epub 2012 Jun 12.

Abstract

In the central nervous system, the inhibitory GABAB receptor is the archetype of heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, the regulation of GABAB dimerization, and more generally of GPCR oligomerization, remains largely unknown. We propose a novel mechanism for inhibition of GPCR activity through de-dimerization in pathological conditions. We show here that 14-3-3ζ, a GABAB1-binding protein, dissociates the GABAB heterodimer, resulting in the impairment of GABAB signalling in spinal neurons. In the dorsal spinal cord of neuropathic rats, 14-3-3ζ is overexpressed and weakens GABAB inhibition. Using anti-14-3-3ζ siRNA or competing peptides disrupts 14-3-3ζ/GABAB1 interaction and restores functional GABAB heterodimers in the dorsal horn. Importantly, both strategies greatly enhance the anti-nociceptive effect of intrathecal Baclofen in neuropathic rats. Taken together, our data provide the first example of endogenous regulation of a GPCR oligomeric state and demonstrate its functional impact on the pathophysiological process of neuropathic pain sensitization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / chemistry
  • 14-3-3 Proteins / genetics
  • 14-3-3 Proteins / metabolism
  • 14-3-3 Proteins / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chronic Pain / genetics
  • Chronic Pain / metabolism
  • Chronic Pain / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Neuralgia / genetics
  • Neuralgia / metabolism
  • Neuralgia / pathology
  • Posterior Horn Cells / drug effects
  • Posterior Horn Cells / metabolism
  • Posterior Horn Cells / pathology
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / drug effects
  • Protein Multimerization / drug effects
  • Protein Multimerization / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Transgenic
  • Receptors, GABA-B / chemistry
  • Receptors, GABA-B / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism*

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, GABA-B