A Setmelanotide-like Effect at MC4R Is Achieved by MC4R Dimer Separation
Nanina Reininghaus,
Sarah Paisdzior,
Friederike Höpfner,
Sabine Jyrch,
Cigdem Cetindag,
Patrick Scheerer,
Peter Kühnen,
Heike Biebermann
Affiliations
Nanina Reininghaus
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Sarah Paisdzior
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Friederike Höpfner
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Sabine Jyrch
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Cigdem Cetindag
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Patrick Scheerer
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Group Protein X-ray Crystallography and Signal Transduction, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Peter Kühnen
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Heike Biebermann
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is part of the leptin-melanocortin pathway and plays an essential role in mediating energy homeostasis. Mutations in the MC4R are the most frequent monogenic cause for obesity. Due to increasing numbers of people with excess body weight, the MC4R has become a target of interest in the search of treatment options. We have previously reported that the MC4R forms homodimers, affecting receptor Gs signaling properties. Recent studies introducing setmelanotide, a novel synthetic MC4R agonist, suggest a predominant role of the Gq/11 pathway regarding weight regulation. In this study, we analyzed effects of inhibiting homodimerization on Gq/11 signaling using previously reported MC4R/CB1R chimeras. NanoBRETTM studies to determine protein–protein interaction were conducted, confirming decreased homodimerization capacities of chimeric receptors in HEK293 cells. Gq/11 signaling of chimeric receptors was analyzed using luciferase-based reporter gene (NFAT) assays. Results demonstrate an improvement of alpha-MSH-induced NFAT signaling of chimeras, reaching the level of setmelanotide signaling at wild-type MC4R (MC4R-WT). In summary, our study shows that inhibiting homodimerization has a setmelanotide-like effect on Gq/11 signaling, with chimeric receptors presenting increased potency compared to MC4R-WT. These findings indicate the potential of inhibiting MC4R homodimerization as a therapeutic target to treat obesity.
