CGRP, adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin 2 display endogenous GPCR agonist bias in primary human cardiovascular cells

Commun Biol. 2021 Jun 23;4(1):776. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02293-w.

Abstract

Agonist bias occurs when different ligands produce distinct signalling outputs when acting at the same receptor. However, its physiological relevance is not always clear. Using primary human cells and gene editing techniques, we demonstrate endogenous agonist bias with physiological consequences for the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CLR. By switching the receptor-activity modifying protein (RAMP) associated with CLR we can "re-route" the physiological pathways activated by endogenous agonists calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (AM) and adrenomedullin 2 (AM2). AM2 promotes calcium-mediated nitric oxide signalling whereas CGRP and AM show pro-proliferative effects in cardiovascular cells, thus providing a rationale for the expression of the three peptides. CLR-based agonist bias occurs naturally in human cells and has a fundamental purpose for its existence. We anticipate this will be a starting point for more studies into RAMP function in native environments and their importance in endogenous GPCR signalling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenomedullin / physiology*
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / physiology*
  • Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Peptide Hormones / physiology*
  • Receptors, Adrenomedullin / agonists
  • Receptors, Adrenomedullin / analysis
  • Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / physiology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists*

Substances

  • ADM2 protein, human
  • Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein
  • Peptide Hormones
  • Receptors, Adrenomedullin
  • Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Adrenomedullin
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide