In vivo brain GPCR signaling elucidated by phosphoproteomics

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Jeffrey J Liu
  • Kirti Sharma
  • Luca Zangrandi
  • Chongguang Chen
  • Sean J Humphrey
  • Yi-Ting Chiu
  • Mariana Spetea
  • Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen
  • Christoph Schwarzer
  • Mann, Matthias

A systems view of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in its native environment is central to the development of GPCR therapeutics with fewer side effects. Using the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) as a model, we employed high-throughput phosphoproteomics to investigate signaling induced by structurally diverse agonists in five mouse brain regions. Quantification of 50,000 different phosphosites provided a systems view of KOR in vivo signaling, revealing novel mechanisms of drug action. Thus, we discovered enrichment of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway by U-50,488H, an agonist causing aversion, which is a typical KOR-mediated side effect. Consequently, mTOR inhibition during KOR activation abolished aversion while preserving beneficial antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects. Our results establish high-throughput phosphoproteomics as a general strategy to investigate GPCR in vivo signaling, enabling prediction and modulation of behavioral outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScience (New York, N.Y.)
Volume360
Issue number6395
Pages (from-to)1-11
ISSN0036-8075
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

ID: 198717121