The D1-class receptors (D1R, D5R) each possess distinct signaling characteristics; however, pharmacological selectivity between them remains elusive. The third intracellular loops (IL3) of D1R and D5R harbour divergent residues that may contribute to their individual signalling phenotypes. Here we probe the function of central region of IL3 of D1R and D5R using deletion mutagenesis. Radioligand binding and whole cell cAMP assays suggest that the N-terminal and C-terminal moieties of the central IL3 oppositely contribute to the constitutive and agonist-dependant activity of D1-Class receptors. Whereas the N-terminal deletions ablated constitutive activity and decreased DA-induced activation, C-terminal deletions induced robust increases. These data, interpreted in concert with structural predictions generated from homology modeling implicate the central IL3 as playing an important role in the activation and subtype-specific characteristics of the D1-class receptors. This study may serve as a basis for the development of novel drugs targeting the central IL3 region.

CAPA-related peptides belong to a family of neuropeptides localized to the central nervous system that can function in diverse roles in the regulation of water and salt homeostasis in insects. These peptides are known to stimulate fluid secretion by Malpighian tubules (MTs) in Dipteran species, thus serving a diuretic function. In contrast, this thesis demonstrates that members of this family of peptides in Rhodnius prolixus serve an anti-diuretic role and have multiple tissue targets, whereby they oppose the activity of diuretic hormones such as serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine hydrochloride; 5-HT). I have identified two genes each encoding three peptides in R. prolixus, suggesting this insect is capable of producing a greater number of CAPA-peptides compared to other insects that contain only a single CAPA gene. Interestingly, while the second peptide encoded in each R. prolixus gene (RhoprCAPA-α2/-β2) inhibits the stimulatory effects of serotonin on tissues such as the anterior midgut and Malpighian tubules, it appears the other CAPA-related and pyrokinin-related peptides do not play a major role in inhibiting the effects of serotonin on these tissues. More specifically, serotonin-stimulated fluid secretion by MTs and fluid absorption by the anterior midgut are reduced by the anti-diuretic peptide, RhoprCAPA-α2. In addition, I have also identified a G protein-coupled receptor which likely mediates the anti-diuretic effect associated with RhoprCAPA-α2 and have functionally characterized this receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Spatial transcript expression analysis in fifth-instars reveals a wide distribution of the receptor in tissues associated with the rapid post-gorging diuresis. Thus, my findings suggest that numerous tissues are regulated by the CAPA peptides in R. prolixus. Gene structure and phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that this receptor is the orthologue of the D. melanogaster capa receptor (CG14575) with homologs in other insects. Taken together, my thesis demonstrates that the RhoprCAPA peptides play an integral role in the coordination and maintenance of anti-diuresis in R. prolixus. This mechanism is necessary following the rapid diuresis associated with blood-feeding by this medically-important insect.

CAPA-related peptides belong to a family of neuropeptides localized to the central nervous system that can function in diverse roles in the regulation of water and salt homeostasis in insects. These peptides are known to stimulate fluid secretion by Malpighian tubules (MTs) in Dipteran species, thus serving a diuretic function. In contrast, this thesis demonstrates that members of this family of peptides in Rhodnius prolixus serve an anti-diuretic role and have multiple tissue targets, whereby they oppose the activity of diuretic hormones such as serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine hydrochloride; 5-HT). I have identified two genes each encoding three peptides in R. prolixus, suggesting this insect is capable of producing a greater number of CAPA-peptides compared to other insects that contain only a single CAPA gene. Interestingly, while the second peptide encoded in each R. prolixus gene (RhoprCAPA-α2/-β2) inhibits the stimulatory effects of serotonin on tissues such as the anterior midgut and Malpighian tubules, it appears the other CAPA-related and pyrokinin-related peptides do not play a major role in inhibiting the effects of serotonin on these tissues. More specifically, serotonin-stimulated fluid secretion by MTs and fluid absorption by the anterior midgut are reduced by the anti-diuretic peptide, RhoprCAPA-α2. In addition, I have also identified a G protein-coupled receptor which likely mediates the anti-diuretic effect associated with RhoprCAPA-α2 and have functionally characterized this receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Spatial transcript expression analysis in fifth-instars reveals a wide distribution of the receptor in tissues associated with the rapid post-gorging diuresis. Thus, my findings suggest that numerous tissues are regulated by the CAPA peptides in R. prolixus. Gene structure and phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that this receptor is the orthologue of the D. melanogaster capa receptor (CG14575) with homologs in other insects. Taken together, my thesis demonstrates that the RhoprCAPA peptides play an integral role in the coordination and maintenance of anti-diuresis in R. prolixus. This mechanism is necessary following the rapid diuresis associated with blood-feeding by this medically-important insect.

The D1-class receptors (D1R, D5R) each possess distinct signaling characteristics; however, pharmacological selectivity between them remains elusive. The third intracellular loops (IL3) of D1R and D5R harbour divergent residues that may contribute to their individual signalling phenotypes. Here we probe the function of central region of IL3 of D1R and D5R using deletion mutagenesis. Radioligand binding and whole cell cAMP assays suggest that the N-terminal and C-terminal moieties of the central IL3 oppositely contribute to the constitutive and agonist-dependant activity of D1-Class receptors. Whereas the N-terminal deletions ablated constitutive activity and decreased DA-induced activation, C-terminal deletions induced robust increases. These data, interpreted in concert with structural predictions generated from homology modeling implicate the central IL3 as playing an important role in the activation and subtype-specific characteristics of the D1-class receptors. This study may serve as a basis for the development of novel drugs targeting the central IL3 region.

UDP-sugars were identified as extracellular signaling molecules, assigning a new function to these compounds in addition to their well-defined role in intracellular substrate metabolism and storage. Previously regarded as an orphan receptor, the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) P2Y14 (GPR105) was found to bind extracellular UDP and UDP-sugars. Little is known about the physiological functions of this GPCR. To study its physiological role a gene-deficient (KO) mouse strain expressing the bacterial LacZ reporter gene was used to monitor the physiological expression pattern of P2Y14. P2Y14 is mainly expressed in pancreas and salivary glands and in subpopulations of smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal tract, bronchioles, blood vessels and uterus. Among other phenotypical differences KO mice showed a significantly impaired glucose tolerance following oral and intraperitoneal glucose application. An unchanged insulin tolerance points towards an altered pancreatic islet function. Transcriptome analysis of pancreatic islets showed that P2Y14 deficiency significantly changed expression of components involved in insulin secretion. Insulin secretion tests revealed a reduced insulin release from P2Y14-deficient islets highlighting P2Y14 as a previously unappreciated modulator of proper insulin secretion.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24525号 / 医博第4967号 / 新制||医||1065(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 渡邊 直樹, 教授 中川 一路, 教授 秋山 芳展 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a key role in a broad range of biological processes by binding to a wide variety of signaling molecules, which have resulted in 34% of all FDA-approved drugs which target GPCRs. The human genome encodes for approximately 800 GPCR members of which about 140 non-olfactory receptors remain orphans with an unknown function and endogenous ligand. Despite prolonged efforts to deorphanize the unresolved receptors, they remain orphans until this day. By studying scientific publications, this thesis has clarified the challenges with the deorphanization of GPCRs to explain why there are still so many orphan GPCRs when they have confirmed involvement in so many human disorders.

Specifically addressing cell surface molecules on cancer cells facilitates targeted cancer therapies that offer the potential to selectively destroy malignant cells, while sparing healthy tissue. Thus, undesired side-effects in tumor patients are highly reduced. Peptide-binding receptors are frequently overexpressed on cancer cells and therefore promising targets for selective tumor therapy. In this review, peptide-binding receptors for anti-cancer drug delivery are summarized with a focus on peptide ligands as delivery agents. In the first part, some of the most studied peptide-binding receptors are presented, and the ghrelin receptor and the Y1 receptor are introduced as more recent targets for cancer therapy. Furthermore, nonpeptidic small molecules for receptor targeting on cancer cells are outlined. In the second part, peptide conjugates for the delivery of therapeutic cargos in cancer therapy are described. The essential properties of receptor-targeting peptides are specified, and recent developments in the fields of classical peptide-drug conjugates with toxic agents, radiolabeled peptides for radionuclide therapy, and boronated peptides for boron neutron capture therapy are presented.

付記する学位プログラム名: 充実した健康長寿社会を築く総合医療開発リーダー育成プログラム / 京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第23789号 / 医博第4835号 / 新制||医||1057(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 渡邊 直樹, 教授 松田 道行, 教授 寺田 智祐 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in United States. Using 2D-HPLE, a novel separation technology, G-protein coupled receptor-associated sorting protein 1(GASP-1) was identified in sera of patients with early stage cancer, while it could not be detected in sera from healthy individuals. This was the first indication that GASP-1 was positively correlated with breast cancer. However, the function of GASP-1 in breast cancer was unknown. In this study, I verified the 2D-HPLE results by quantifying the expression level of GASP-1 in sera and tissue specimens of cancer patients using specific antibodies against GASP-1. A GASP-1 specific ELISA was developed and used to quantify GASP-1 levels in cancer patient sera. Immunohistochemistry was performed to verify and localize GASP-1 expression in tumor. I also characterized the tumorigenic potential of GASP-1 andidentified the signaling pathways mediated by GASP-1 in breast cancer cells in vitro.GASP-1 expression levelsin MDA-MB-231 cells were modified by transfecting cells with anti-GASP-1 shRNA and over-expression plasmids. Stable cell lines were prepared and their tumorigenic potential was evaluated using cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation assays. These cells were analyzed for markers used to identify epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) using RT-PCR and western blot. They were also analyzed for NFkappaB activity, src phosphorylation, and GPR30 expression. The results showed that GASP-1 was over-expressed in sera and tissue specimens of breast cancer patients and other cancer types including brain, lung, liver and pancreatic cancer and that it correlated with early stage disease. GASP-1 positively regulated migration, and is required for cell proliferation and colony formation. GASP-1 is also necessary for the expression of EMT marker slug, increases NFkappaB activity and GPR30 expression level, while decreases the inhibitory phospho-src Tyr 530. I conclude that GASP-1 is a nearly marker for multiple cancer types. GASP-1 promotes tumorigenesis in breast cancer, possibly through multiple cancer related signaling pathways. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of breast cancer tumorigenesis and identify new biomarkers that can be used for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. / Biology