Ecosystem
Beta Site
Session III
Molecular tools and biosensors directed at AGPCR signaling and function
The NTF Release Sensor Approach for Drug Discovery for Human Adhesion GPCRs
Stephanie Häfner
Abstract
"G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are common drug targets, yet no approved drugs exist for the Adhesion G Protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs or ADGRs). This gap is due to their unique autoproteolytic cleavage in the GAIN domain, creating a heterodimer of an N-terminal fragment (NTF) and a C-terminal fragment (CTF), posing challenges for traditional drug discovery.
To address this, we developed the NTF release sensor (NRS), a genetically encoded reporter that facilitates visualization and quantification of aGPCR NTF-CTF separation events both in vitro and in vivo. The NRS fuses the extracellular region of any given aGPCR with a cleavage module from a Notch receptor. Upon NTF dissociation, an intracellular transcription factor (reporter module) is released, generating a specific, measurable biochemical signal.
The NRS system has recently been validated in vivo by targeting the latrophilin-type aGPCR Cirl/ADGRL in Drosophila, revealing NTF release and receptor dissociation within the developing nervous system. It was then adapted for the human aGPCRs CD97/ADGRE5 and Latrophilin/ADGRL3 and tested in HEK293T cells using a luciferase assay to detect NTF release events.
After validating the functionality of the NRS and demonstrating its utility for monitoring aGPCR dissociation across different species, we plan to adapt this technology for high-throughput screening of pharmacological compound libraries to identify potential therapeutic substances for aGPCRs. By leveraging self-cleavage and NTF release, the NRS technology offers a novel approach distinct from conventional GPCR drug discovery methods. This tailored system aims to expedite the identification of drugs targeting the unique aGPCR receptor family and customize the method for disease-relevant human aGPCRs."
Authors & Affiliations
"Dahse, Anne-Kristin; Annadurai, Prabakaran; Demirbaş, Berkay; Kemkemer, Marguerite; Langenhan, Tobias; Scholz, Nicole
Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Divison of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany"
About Stephanie Häfner
"I am a trained chemist with extensive biochemical experience. After earning my Master of Science in Chemistry, I pursued my PhD in Dr. Michael Schaefer’s group at Leipzig University, Germany, focusing on drug screening and utilizing electrophysiological and imaging techniques to study TRP ion channels.
Immediately following my PhD, I joined Dr. Guillaume Sandoz's group in 2019 as a postdoctoral research scientist at Université Côte d‘Azur, France. There, I investigated Two-Pore-Potassium channels using electrophysiology, molecular and chemical biology techniques, and fluorescence imaging.
In 2021, I joined Dr. Tobias Langenhan's group, where I currently manage a project to establish a drug screening assay for Adhesion GPCRs using a specialized sensor system and mentor PhD students."
Stephanie Häfner on the web
bioSens-All: A Multiparametric BRET-Based Platform for Comprehensive Profiling of adhesion GPCR Signaling and Pharmacology-Enabling Drug Discovery
Laurent Sabbagh
Abstract
"The 3rd generation bioSens-All platform combines BRET-based biosensors that are highly adaptable to the needs of discovery projects for small molecules, peptides, and antibodies. The platform has been successfully used internally to identify biased small molecule negative allosteric modulators for protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). The platform revealed different mechanisms-of-action of our lead compound when benchmarked against other antagonists of PAR2. In addition, the platform was used to develop assays for high-throughput screening for challenging adhesion GPCRs. These examples will demonstrate how the bioSens-All platform was used to advance projects from discovery to preclinical candidate nomination and to provide the tools to advance adhesion GPCR biology."
Authors & Affiliations
"Ana Lilia Moreno Salinas (2), Arturo Mancini (1), Raida Jallouli (2), Richard Leduc (2)
(1)Domain Therapeutics North America Inc, Montréal, Québec, Canada
(2) Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada"
About Laurent Sabbagh
"Laurent holds a Ph.D. in immunology from McGill University. Following his doctoral degree Dr. Sabbagh undertook post-doctoral fellowships at the Ontario Cancer Institute and the University of Toronto before being recruited by University of Montreal as an assistant professor working on the role of TNF receptors in immunological memory, inflammation and hematological malignancies. In the fall of 2013, Dr. Sabbagh was recruited by Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) where he worked on biomarker discovery for inflammatory bowel disease and small molecules drug discovery for polycystic kidney disease. Subsequently, Dr. Sabbagh led research projects aimed on drug discovery of small molecules for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancer at Paraza Pharma Inc. in Montreal. Laurent is currently leading DTNA discovery group working on GPCRs in immuno-oncology to discover new molecules and antibodies."
Laurent Sabbagh on the web
Characterizing hADGRE5/CD97 Activation and Signaling: A Mechanical Stimulation BRET-Based Approach (MS-BRET)
Ana Lilia Moreno Salinas
Abstract
Only available for AGPCR 24 Attendees
Authors & Affiliations
"Arturo Mancini (2), Samya Aouad (2,3), Herthana Kandasamy (2), Sandra Morrissette (2), Arhamatoulaye Maiga (4), Michel Bouvier (4), Richard Leduc (1), Laurent Sabbagh (2)
1. Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
2. Domain Therapeutics North America Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3. Université Claude Bernard - Lyon, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lyon, France
4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada "
About Ana Lilia Moreno Salinas
"I am currently part of a dynamic research team dedicated to advancing the understanding of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), with a particular focus on the adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) family. My expertise lies in exploring the biological properties and signaling pathways activated by aGPCRs, investigating their roles in both normal physiological and pathological conditions. Our research aims to leverage this knowledge to identify novel pharmacological targets and contribute to the development of innovative treatments for a range of diseases, including psychiatric disorders and cancer."