SNAP-Tagged Nanobodies Enable Reversible Optical Control of a G Protein-Coupled Receptor via a Remotely Tethered Photoswitchable Ligand

ACS Chem Biol. 2018 Sep 21;13(9):2682-2688. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00628. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the transduction of extracellular signals into complex intracellular responses. Despite their ubiquitous roles in physiological processes and as drug targets for a wide range of disorders, the precise mechanisms of GPCR function at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels remain partially understood. To dissect the function of individual receptor subtypes with high spatiotemporal precision, various optogenetic and photopharmacological approaches have been reported that use the power of light for receptor activation and deactivation. Here, we introduce a novel and, to date, most remote way of applying photoswitchable orthogonally remotely tethered ligands by using a SNAP-tag fused nanobody. Our nanobody-photoswitch conjugates can be used to target a green fluorescent protein-fused metabotropic glutamate receptor by either gene-free application of purified complexes or coexpression of genetically encoded nanobodies to yield robust, reversible control of agonist binding and subsequent downstream activation. By harboring and combining the selectivity and flexibility of both nanobodies and self-labeling proteins (or suicide enzymes), we set the stage for targeting endogenous receptors in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Single-Domain Antibodies / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Single-Domain Antibodies
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 2
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins