1. Deconvolution of WNT-induced Frizzled conformational dynamics with fluorescent biosensors.
- Author
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Schihada, Hannes, Kowalski-Jahn, Maria, Turku, Ainoleena, and Schulte, Gunnar
- Subjects
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BIOSENSORS , *G protein coupled receptors - Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptors Frizzled 1-10 (FZD 1-10) act as molecular checkpoints mediating intracellular signaling induced by 19 mammalian, secreted Wingless/Int-1 lipoglycoproteins (WNTs). Despite the vital roles of these signaling components in health and disease, our knowledge about WNT/FZD selectivity, and the mechanisms of receptor activation and intracellular signal propagation by individual ligand/receptor pairs is limited due to the current lack of suitable biophysical techniques. Here, we developed fluorescence-based biosensors that detect WNT-induced FZD conformational changes in living cells in order to assess WNT action via FZDs at the most proximal level, i.e. the receptor conformation. By testing a panel of recombinant ligands on conformational biosensors representing all four homology clusters of FZDs, we discover yet unappreciated selectivities of WNTs to their receptors and, surprisingly, identify distinct ligand-induced receptor conformations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FZDs can undergo conformational changes upon WNT binding without being dependent on the WNT co-receptors LRP5/6. This sensor toolbox provides an advanced platform for a thorough investigation of the 190 possible WNT/FZD pairings and for future screening campaigns targeting synthetic FZD ligands. Furthermore, our findings shed new light on the complexity of the WNT/FZD signaling system and have substantial implications for our understanding of fundamental biological processes including embryonal development and tumorigenesis. Image 1 • Development and validation of conformational class F GPCR biosensors. • FZD-cpGFP sensors uncover WNT-induced conformational dynamics. • Investigation of WNT/FZD selectivity. • FZD-cpGFP sensors can serve as new tools to characterize FZD-targeting compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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