Stephen J Hill
@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Molecular Pharmacology, School of Life Sciences
University of Nottingham
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Molecular Pharmacology
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Sean A. Cullum, Simon Platt, Natasha Dale, Oliver C. Isaac, Edward S. Wragg, Mark Soave, Dmitry B. Veprintsev, Jeanette Woolard, Laura E. Kilpatrick, and Stephen J. Hill
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThe concept of agonist-independent signalling that can be attenuated by inverse agonists is a fundamental element of the cubic ternary complex model of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation. This model shows how a GPCR can exist in two conformational states in the absence of ligands; an inactive R state and an active R* state that differ in their affinities for agonists, inverse agonists, and G-protein alpha subunits. The proportion of R* receptors that exist in the absence of agonists determines the level of constitutive receptor activity. In this study we demonstrate that mechanical stimulation can induce β2-adrenoceptor agonist-independent Gs-mediated cAMP signalling that is sensitive to inhibition by inverse agonists such as ICI-118551 and propranolol. The size of the mechano-sensitive response is dependent on the cell surface receptor expression level in HEK293G cells, is still observed in a ligand-binding deficient D113A mutant β2-adrenoceptor and can be attenuated by site-directed mutagenesis of the extracellular N-glycosylation sites on the N-terminus and second extracellular loop of the β2-adrenoceptor. Similar mechano-sensitive agonist-independent responses are observed in HEK293G cells overexpressing the A2A-adenosine receptor. These data provide new insights into how agonist-independent constitutive receptor activity can be enhanced by mechanical stimulation and regulated by inverse agonists.
Carl W. White, Simon Platt, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Natasha Dale, Rekhati S. Abhayawardana, Sebastian Dekkers, Nicholas D. Kindon, Barrie Kellam, Michael J. Stocks, Kevin D. G. Pfleger,et al.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
CXCL17 is a chemokine principally expressed by mucosal tissues, where it facilitates chemotaxis of monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages and has antimicrobial properties. CXCL17 is also implicated in the pathology of inflammatory disorders and progression of several cancers, and its expression is increased during viral infections of the lung. However, the exact role of CXCL17 in health and disease requires further investigation, and there is a need for confirmed molecular targets mediating CXCL17 functional responses. Using a range of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)–based assays, here we demonstrated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4-mediated signaling and ligand binding. Moreover, CXCL17 interacted with neuropillin-1, a VEGFR2 coreceptor. In addition, we found that CXCL17 only inhibited CXCR4 ligand binding in intact cells and demonstrated that this effect was mimicked by known glycosaminoglycan binders, surfen and protamine sulfate. Disruption of putative GAG binding domains in CXCL17 prevented CXCR4 binding. This indicated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4 by a mechanism of action that potentially required the presence of a glycosaminoglycan-containing accessory protein. Together, our results revealed that CXCL17 is an endogenous inhibitor of CXCR4 and represents the next step in our understanding of the function of CXCL17 and regulation of CXCR4 signaling.
Sebastian Dekkers, Dehan Comez, Noemi Karsai, Marta Arimont-Segura, Meritxell Canals, Birgit Caspar, Chris de Graaf, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Rob Leurs, Barrie Kellam,et al.
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Patrizia Pannucci, Marieke Van Daele, Samantha L. Cooper, Edward S. Wragg, Julie March, Marleen Groenen, Stephen J. Hill, and Jeanette Woolard
Elsevier BV
Charles S. Lay, Albert Isidro-Llobet, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Peter D. Craggs, and Stephen J. Hill
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractAssociation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-23 receptor with several auto-inflammatory diseases, led to the heterodimeric receptor and its cytokine-ligand IL-23, becoming important drug targets. Successful antibody-based therapies directed against the cytokine have been licenced and a class of small peptide antagonists of the receptor have entered clinical trials. These peptide antagonists may offer therapeutic advantages over existing anti-IL-23 therapies, but little is known about their molecular pharmacology. In this study, we use a fluorescent version of IL-23 to characterise antagonists of the full-length receptor expressed by living cells using a NanoBRET competition assay. We then develop a cyclic peptide fluorescent probe, specific to the IL23p19:IL23R interface and use this molecule to characterise further receptor antagonists. Finally, we use the assays to study the immunocompromising C115Y IL23R mutation, demonstrating that the mechanism of action is a disruption of the binding epitope for IL23p19.
Marieke Van Daele, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Jeanette Woolard, and Stephen J. Hill
Elsevier BV
Lydia Ogrodzinski, Simon Platt, Joelle Goulding, Cameron Alexander, Tracy D. Farr, Jeanette Woolard, Stephen J. Hill, and Laura E. Kilpatrick
Elsevier BV
Charles S. Lay, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Peter D. Craggs, and Stephen J. Hill
Wiley
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and its receptor are important drug targets for the treatment of auto-inflammatory diseases. IL-23 binds to a receptor complex composed of two single transmembrane spanning proteins IL23R and IL12Rβ1. In this study we aimed to gain further understanding of how ligand binding induces signalling of IL-23 receptor complexes using the proximity-based techniques of NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT) and Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET).
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
To monitor the formation of IL-23 receptor complexes, we developed a split luciferase (NanoBiT) assay whereby heteromerization of receptor subunits can be measured through luminescence. The affinity of NanoBiT complemented complexes for IL-23 was measured using NanoBRET and cytokine-induced signal transduction was measured using a phospho-STAT3 AlphaLISA assay.
KEY RESULTS
NanoBiT measurements demonstrated that IL-23 receptor complexes formed to an equal degree in the presence and absence of ligand. NanoBRET measurements confirmed that these complexes bound IL-23 with a picomolar binding affinity. Measurement of STAT3 phosphorylation demonstrated that pre-formed IL-23 receptor complexes induced signalling following ligand binding. It was also demonstrated that synthetic ligand-independent signalling could be induced by high affinity (HiBit) but not low affinity (SmBit) NanoBiT crosslinking of the receptor N-terminal domains.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
These results indicate that receptor complexes form prior to ligand binding and are not sufficient to induce signalling alone. Our findings indicate that IL-23 induces a conformational change in heteromeric receptor complexes, to enable signal transduction. These observations have direct implications for drug discovery efforts to target the IL-23 receptor.
Jak Grimes, Zsombor Koszegi, Yann Lanoiselée, Tamara Miljus, Shannon L. O’Brien, Tomasz M. Stepniewski, Brian Medel-Lacruz, Mithu Baidya, Maria Makarova, Ravi Mistry,et al.
Elsevier BV
Sean A. Cullum, Dmitry B. Veprintsev, and Stephen J. Hill
Wiley
BACKGROUND
Standard pharmacological analysis of agonist activity utilises measurements of receptor-mediated responses at a set time-point, or at the peak response level, to characterise ligands by calculation of empirical parameters such as potency (EC50 ) and efficacy (Emax ). However, the occurrence of non-equilibrium conditions and the differential effects of regulatory mechanisms on transient signals may dramatically impact the properties of the response being measured. Here we have analysed the initial kinetic phases of cAMP responses to β2 -adrenoceptor (β2 AR) agonists in HEK293 cells expressing the endogenous β2 AR at extremely low levels.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
The kinetics of β2 AR agonist-stimulated cAMP responses were monitored in real-time, in the presence and absence of antagonists, in HEK293 cells expressing the cAMP GloSensorTM biosensor. EC50 and Emax values were determined at the peak of the agonist GloSensorTM response and compared to kinetic parameters L50 and IRmax values derived from initial response rates.
KEY RESULTS
The partial agonists salbutamol and salmeterol displayed reduced relative IRmax values (with respect to isoprenaline) when compared with their Emax values. Preincubation of β2 AR antagonists with distinct receptor dissociation rates had profound effects on the isoprenaline-stimulated Emax parameters. Except for the fast dissociating bisoprolol, application of antagonists produced a large reduction in the isoprenaline peak response due to a state of hemi-equilibrium in this low receptor reserve system. This effect was exacerbated when IRmax parameters were measured. Furthermore, bisoprolol produced a large reduction in isoprenaline IRmax consistent with its short residence time.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Kinetic analysis of real-time signalling data can improve our understanding of the impact of agonist-antagonist interactions at receptors expressed at low endogenous levels in different tissues. It provides valuable insights into the hemi-equilibria that can occur in low receptor reserve systems with agonist-antagonist interactions, due to incomplete dissociation of antagonist whilst the peak agonist response is developing.
Sebastian Dekkers, Birgit Caspar, Joëlle Goulding, Nicholas D. Kindon, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Leigh A. Stoddart, Stephen J. Briddon, Barrie Kellam, Stephen J. Hill, and Michael J. Stocks
American Chemical Society (ACS)
The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, or CXCR4, is a chemokine receptor found to promote cancer progression and metastasis of various cancer cell types. To investigate the pharmacology of this receptor, and to further elucidate its role in cancer, novel chemical tools are a necessity. In the present study, using classic medicinal chemistry approaches, small-molecule-based fluorescent probes were designed and synthesized based on previously reported small-molecule antagonists. Here, we report the development of three distinct chemical classes of fluorescent probes that show specific binding to the CXCR4 receptor in a novel fluorescence-based NanoBRET binding assay (pKD ranging 6.6-7.1). Due to their retained affinity at CXCR4, we furthermore report their use in competition binding experiments and confocal microscopy to investigate the pharmacology and cellular distribution of this receptor.
Jelle van den Bor, Nick D. Bergkamp, Stephanie M. Anbuhl, Françoise Dekker, Dehan Comez, Claudia V. Perez Almeria, Reggie Bosma, Carl W. White, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Stephen J. Hill,et al.
Elsevier BV
Patrizia Pannucci, Sophie R. Jefferson, Jonathan Hampshire, Samantha L. Cooper, Stephen J. Hill, and Jeanette Woolard
MDPI AG
The clinical manifestations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly include dyspnoea and fatigue, and they primarily involve the lungs. However, extra-pulmonary organ dysfunctions, particularly affecting the cardiovascular system, have also been observed following COVID-19 infection. In this context, several cardiac complications have been reported, including hypertension, thromboembolism, arrythmia and heart failure, with myocardial injury and myocarditis being the most frequent. These secondary myocardial inflammatory responses appear to be associated with a poorer disease course and increased mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. In addition, numerous episodes of myocarditis have been reported as a complication of COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations, especially in young adult males. Changes in the cell surface expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and direct injury to cardiomyocytes resulting from exaggerated immune responses to COVID-19 are just some of the mechanisms that may explain the pathogenesis of COVID-19-induced myocarditis. Here, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection, with a particular focus on the involvement of ACE2 and Toll-like receptors (TLRs).
Stephen J. Hill and Laura E. Kilpatrick
Wiley
AbstractEquilibrium binding assays are one of the mainstays of current drug discovery efforts to evaluate the interaction of drugs with receptors in membranes and intact cells. However, in recent years, there has been increased focus on the kinetics of the drug–receptor interaction to gain insight into the lifetime of drug–receptor complexes and the rate of association of a ligand with its receptor. Furthermore, drugs that act on topically distinct sites (allosteric) from those occupied by the endogenous ligand (orthosteric site) can induce conformational changes in the orthosteric binding site leading to changes in the association and/or dissociation rate constants of orthosteric ligands. Conformational changes in the orthosteric ligand binding site can also be induced through interaction with neighbouring accessory proteins and receptor homodimerisation and heterodimerisation. In this review, we provide an overview of the use of fluorescent ligand technologies to interrogate ligand–receptor kinetics in living cells and the novel insights that they can provide into the conformational changes induced by drugs acting on a variety of cell surface receptors including G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and cytokine receptors.
Dehan Comez, Jacqueline Glenn, Stephanie M. Anbuhl, Raimond Heukers, Martine J. Smit, Stephen J. Hill, and Laura E. Kilpatrick
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionThe Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is a member of the Erb receptor tyrosine kinase family. It binds several ligands including EGF, betacellulin (BTC) and TGF-α, controls cellular proliferation and invasion and is overexpressed in various cancer types. Nanobodies (VHHs) are the antigen binding fragments of heavy chain only camelid antibodies. In this paper we used NanoBRET to compare the binding characteristics of fluorescent EGF or two distinct fluorescently labelled EGFR directed nanobodies (Q44c and Q86c) to full length EGFR.MethodsLiving HEK293T cells were stably transfected with N terminal NLuc tagged EGFR. NanoBRET saturation, displacement or kinetics experiments were then performed using fluorescently labelled EGF ligands (EGF-AF488 or EGF-AF647) or fluorescently labelled EGFR targeting nanobodies (Q44c-HL488 and Q86c-HL488).ResultsThese data revealed that the EGFR nanobody Q44c was able to inhibit EGF binding to full length EGFR, while Q86c was able to recognise agonist bound EGFR and act as a conformational sensor. The specific binding of fluorescent Q44c-HL488 and EGF-AF488 was inhibited by a range of EGFR ligands (EGF> BTC>TGF-α).DiscussionEGFR targeting nanobodies are powerful tools for studying the role of the EGFR in health and disease and allow real time quantification of ligand binding and distinct ligand induced conformational changes.
Peter Kolb, Terry Kenakin, Stephen P. H. Alexander, Marcel Bermudez, Laura M. Bohn, Christian S. Breinholt, Michel Bouvier, Stephen J. Hill, Evi Kostenis, Kirill A. Martemyanov,et al.
Wiley
GPCRs modulate a plethora of physiological processes and mediate the effects of one‐third of FDA‐approved drugs. Depending on which ligand activates a receptor, it can engage different intracellular transducers. This ‘biased signalling’ paradigm requires that we now characterize physiological signalling not just by receptors but by ligand–receptor pairs. Ligands eliciting biased signalling may constitute better drugs with higher efficacy and fewer adverse effects. However, ligand bias is very complex, making reproducibility and description challenging. Here, we provide guidelines and terminology for any scientists to design and report ligand bias experiments. The guidelines will aid consistency and clarity, as the basic receptor research and drug discovery communities continue to advance our understanding and exploitation of ligand bias. Scientific insight, biosensors, and analytical methods are still evolving and should benefit from and contribute to the implementation of the guidelines, together improving translation from in vitro to disease‐relevant in vivo models.
Zhi Yuan Kok, Leigh A. Stoddart, Sarah J. Mistry, Tamara A. M. Mocking, Henry F. Vischer, Rob Leurs, Stephen J. Hill, Shailesh N. Mistry, and Barrie Kellam
American Chemical Society (ACS)
The histamine H1 receptor (H1R) has recently been implicated in mediating cell proliferation and cancer progression; therefore, high-affinity H1R-selective fluorescent ligands are desirable tools for further investigation of this behavior in vitro and in vivo. We previously reported a H1R fluorescent ligand, bearing a peptide-linker, based on antagonist VUF13816 and sought to further explore structure–activity relationships (SARs) around the linker, orthostere, and fluorescent moieties. Here, we report a series of high-affinity H1R fluorescent ligands varying in peptide linker composition, orthosteric targeting moiety, and fluorophore. Incorporation of a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) 630/650-based fluorophore conferred high binding affinity to our H1R fluorescent ligands, remarkably overriding the linker SAR observed in corresponding unlabeled congeners. Compound 31a, both potent and subtype-selective, enabled H1R visualization using confocal microscopy at a concentration of 10 nM. Molecular docking of 31a with the human H1R predicts that the optimized peptide linker makes interactions with key residues in the receptor.
Edward S. Wragg, Patrizia Pannucci, Stephen J. Hill, Jeanette Woolard, and Samantha L. Cooper
Wiley
A2A and A2B adenosine receptors produce regionally selective regulation of vascular tone and elicit differing effects on mean arterial pressure (MAP), whilst inducing tachycardia. The tachycardia induced by the stimulation of A2A or A2B receptors has been suggested to be mediated by a reflex increase in sympathetic activity. Here, we have investigated the role of β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptors in mediating the different cardiovascular responses to selective A2A and A2B receptor stimulation. Hemodynamic variables were measured in conscious male Sprague‐Dawley rats (350–450 g) via pulsed Doppler flowmetry. The effect of intravenous infusion (3 min per dose) of the A2A‐selective agonist CGS 21680 (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 µg.kg−1.min−1) or the A2B‐selective agonist BAY 60–6583 (4.0, 13.3, 40.0 µg.kg−1.min−1) in the absence or following pre‐treatment with the non‐selective β‐antagonist propranolol (1.0 mg.kg−1), the selective β1‐antagonist CGP 20712A (200 µg.kg−1), or the selective β2‐antagonist ICI 118,551 (2.0 mg.kg−1) was investigated (maintenance doses also administered). CGP 20712A and propranolol significantly reduced the tachycardic response to CGS 21680, with no change in the effect on MAP. ICI 118,551 increased BAY 60–6583‐mediated renal and mesenteric flows, but did not affect the heart rate response. CGP 20712A attenuated the BAY 60–6583‐induced tachycardia. These data imply a direct stimulation of the sympathetic activity via cardiac β1‐adrenoceptors as a mechanism for the A2A‐ and A2B‐induced tachycardia. However, the regionally selective effects of A2B agonists on vascular conductance were independent of sympathetic activity and may be exploitable for the treatment of acute kidney injury and mesenteric ischemia.
Samantha L. Cooper, Edward S. Wragg, Patrizia Pannucci, Mark Soave, Stephen J. Hill, and Jeanette Woolard
Wiley
Adenosine is a local mediator that regulates changes in the cardiovascular system via activation of four G protein‐coupled receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, A3). Here, we have investigated the effect of A2A and A2B‐selective agonists on vasodilatation in three distinct vascular beds of the rat cardiovascular system. NanoBRET ligand binding studies were used to confirm receptor selectivity. The regional hemodynamic effects of adenosine A2A and A2B selective agonists were investigated in conscious rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (350–450 g) were chronically implanted with pulsed Doppler flow probes on the renal artery, mesenteric artery, and the descending abdominal aorta. Cardiovascular responses were measured following intravenous infusion (3 min for each dose) of the A2A‐selective agonist CGS 21680 (0.1, 0.3, 1 µg kg−1 min−1) or the A2B‐selective agonist BAY 60‐6583 (4,13.3, 40 µg kg−1 min−1) following predosing with the A2A‐selective antagonist SCH 58261 (0.1 or 1 mg kg−1 min−1), the A2B/A2A antagonist PSB 1115 (10 mg kg−1 min−1) or vehicle. The A2A‐selective agonist CGS 21680 produced a striking increase in heart rate (HR) and hindquarters vascular conductance (VC) that was accompanied by a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in conscious rats. In marked contrast, the A2B‐selective agonist BAY 60‐6583 significantly increased HR and VC in the renal and mesenteric vascular beds, but not in the hindquarters. Taken together, these data indicate that A2A and A2B receptors are regionally selective in their regulation of vascular tone. These results suggest that the development of A2B receptor agonists to induce vasodilatation in the kidney may provide a good therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute kidney injury.
Charles S. Lay, Angela Bridges, Joelle Goulding, Stephen J. Briddon, Zoja Soloviev, Peter D. Craggs, and Stephen J. Hill
Elsevier BV
Joanne C. Clark, Raluca A. I. Neagoe, Malou Zuidscherwoude, Deirdre M. Kavanagh, Alexandre Slater, Eleyna M. Martin, Mark Soave, David Stegner, Bernhard Nieswandt, Natalie S. Poulter,et al.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
AbstractCollagen has been proposed to bind to a unique epitope in dimeric glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and the number of GPVI dimers has been reported to increase upon platelet activation. However, in contrast, the crystal structure of GPVI in complex with collagen-related peptide (CRP) showed binding distinct from the site of dimerization. Further fibrinogen has been reported to bind to monomeric but not dimeric GPVI. In the present study, we have used the advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques of single-molecule microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), and mutagenesis studies in a transfected cell line model to show that GPVI is expressed as a mixture of monomers and dimers and that dimerization through the D2 domain is not critical for activation. As many of these techniques cannot be applied to platelets to resolve this issue, due to the high density of GPVI and its anucleate nature, we used Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to show that endogenous GPVI is at least partially expressed as a dimer on resting and activated platelet membranes. We propose that GPVI may be expressed as a monomer on the cell surface and it forms dimers in the membrane through diffusion, giving rise to a mixture of monomers and dimers. We speculate that the formation of dimers facilitates ligand binding through avidity.
Laura E. Kilpatrick and Stephen J. Hill
Portland Press Ltd.
It has become increasingly apparent that some G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are not homogeneously expressed within the plasma membrane but may instead be organised within distinct signalling microdomains. These microdomains localise GPCRs in close proximity with other membrane proteins and intracellular signalling partners and could have profound implications for the spatial and temporal control of downstream signalling. In order to probe the molecular mechanisms that govern GPCR pharmacology within these domains, fluorescence techniques with effective single receptor sensitivity are required. Of these, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a technique that meets this sensitivity threshold. This short review will provide an update of the recent uses of FCS based techniques in conjunction with GPCR subtype selective fluorescent ligands to characterise dynamic ligand–receptor interactions in whole cells and using purified GPCRs.
Samantha L. Cooper, Eleanor Boyle, Sophie R. Jefferson, Calum R. A. Heslop, Pirathini Mohan, Gearry G. J. Mohanraj, Hamza A. Sidow, Rory C. P. Tan, Stephen J. Hill, and Jeanette Woolard
MDPI AG
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients may present as asymptomatic or demonstrate mild to severe and life-threatening symptoms. Although COVID-19 has a respiratory focus, there are major cardiovascular complications (CVCs) associated with infection. The reported CVCs include myocarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolism and blood pressure abnormalities. These occur, in part, because of dysregulation of the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System (RAAS) and Kinin–Kallikrein System (KKS). A major route by which SARS-CoV-2 gains cellular entry is via the docking of the viral spike (S) protein to the membrane-bound angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The roles of ACE2 within the cardiovascular and immune systems are vital to ensure homeostasis. The key routes for the development of CVCs and the recently described long COVID have been hypothesised as the direct consequences of the viral S protein/ACE2 axis, downregulation of ACE2 and the resulting damage inflicted by the immune response. Here, we review the impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system, the mechanisms by which dysregulation of the RAAS and KKS can occur following virus infection and the future implications for pharmacological therapies.
Phuc N. H. Trinh, Daniel J. W. Chong, Katie Leach, Stephen J. Hill, Joel D. A. Tyndall, Lauren T. May, Andrea J. Vernall, and Karen J. Gregory
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Adenosine receptors are attractive therapeutic targets for multiple conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion injury and neuropathic pain. Adenosine receptor drug discovery efforts would be facilitated by the development of appropriate tools to assist in target validation and direct receptor visualization in different native environments. We report the development of the first bifunctional (chemoreactive and clickable) ligands for the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) and adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) based on an orthosteric antagonist xanthine-based scaffold and on an existing structure-activity relationship. Bifunctional ligands were functional antagonists with nanomolar affinity and irreversible binding at the A1R and A3R. In-depth pharmacological profiling of these bifunctional ligands showed moderate selectivity over A2A and A2B adenosine receptors. Once bound to the receptor, ligands were successfully "clicked" with a cyanine-5 fluorophore containing the complementary "click" partner, enabling receptor detection. These bifunctional ligands are expected to aid in the understanding of A1R and A3R localization and trafficking in native cells and living systems.
Chloe J. Peach, Laura E. Kilpatrick, Jeanette Woolard, and Stephen J. Hill
Wiley
VEGF‐A is a key mediator of angiogenesis, primarily signalling via VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Endothelial cells also express the co‐receptor neuropilin‐1 (NRP1) that potentiates VEGF‐A/VEGFR2 signalling. VEGFR2 and NRP1 had distinct real‐time ligand binding kinetics when monitored using BRET. We previously characterised fluorescent VEGF‐A isoforms tagged at a single site with tetramethylrhodamine (TMR). Here, we explored differences between VEGF‐A isoforms in living cells that co‐expressed both receptors.