Investigation of Receptor Heteromers Using NanoBRET Ligand Binding

Receptor heteromerization is the formation of a complex involving at least two different receptors with pharmacology that is distinct from that exhibited by its constituent receptor units. Detection of these complexes and monitoring their pharmacology is crucial for understanding how receptors funct...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elizabeth K. M. Johnstone, Heng B. See, Rekhati S. Abhayawardana, Angela Song, K. Johan Rosengren, Stephen J. Hill, Kevin D. G. Pfleger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/3/1082
Description
Summary:Receptor heteromerization is the formation of a complex involving at least two different receptors with pharmacology that is distinct from that exhibited by its constituent receptor units. Detection of these complexes and monitoring their pharmacology is crucial for understanding how receptors function. The Receptor-Heteromer Investigation Technology (Receptor-HIT) utilizes ligand-dependent modulation of interactions between receptors and specific biomolecules for the detection and profiling of heteromer complexes. Previously, the interacting biomolecules used in Receptor-HIT assays have been intracellular proteins, however in this study we have for the first time used bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) with fluorescently-labeled ligands to investigate heteromerization of receptors on the cell surface. Using the Receptor-HIT ligand binding assay with NanoBRET, we have successfully investigated heteromers between the angiotensin II type 1 (AT<sub>1</sub>) receptor and the β<sub>2</sub> adrenergic receptor (AT<sub>1</sub>-β<sub>2</sub>AR heteromer), as well as between the AT<sub>1</sub> and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT<sub>1</sub>-AT<sub>2</sub> heteromer).
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067