Biased Signaling is Structurally Encoded As An Autoproteolysis Event in
Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptor Latrophilin-3/ADGRL3
Abstract
Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) possess a unique topology
including the presence of a GPCR proteolysis site (GPS) which upon
autoproteolysis generates two functionally distinct fragments that
remain non-covalently associated at the plasma membrane. A proposed
activation mechanism for aGPCRs involves the release of a tethered
agonist which depends on cleavage at the GPS. However, this hypothesis
has been challenged by the observation that non-cleavable aGPCRs exhibit
constitutive activity, thus making the function of GPS cleavage widely
enigmatic. In this study, we sought to elucidate the function of
GPS-mediated cleavage through the study of G protein coupling with
Latrophilin-3/ADGRL3, a prototypical aGPCR involved in synapse formation
and function. Using BRET-based G protein biosensors, we reveal that an
autoproteolysis-deficient mutant of ADGRL3 retains constitutive
activity. Surprisingly, we uncover that cleavage deficiency leads to a
signaling bias directed at potentiating the activity of select G
proteins such as Gi2 and G12/13. These
data unveil the underpinnings of biased signaling for aGPCRs defined by
GPS autoproteolysis.