Reconstitution of R-spondin:LGR4:ZNRF3 adult stem cell growth factor signaling complexes with recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli

Biochemistry. 2013 Oct 15;52(41):7295-304. doi: 10.1021/bi401090h. Epub 2013 Oct 3.

Abstract

R-Spondins are secreted glycoproteins (RSPO1-RSPO4) that have proliferative effects on adult stem cells by potentiating Wnt signaling. RSPO actions are mediated by the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing seven-transmembrane receptors LGR4-LGR6 and the transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases ZNRF3 and RNF43. Here, we present a methodology for the bacterial expression and purification of the signaling competent, cysteine-rich Fu1-Fu2 domains of the four human RSPOs, a fragment of the human LGR4 extracellular domain (ECD) containing LRR1-14, and the human ZNRF3 ECD. In a cell-based signaling assay, the nonglycosylated RSPOs enhanced low-dose Wnt3a signaling with potencies comparable to those of mammalian cell-produced RSPOs and RSPO2 and -3 were more potent than RSPO1 and -4. LGR4 LRR1-14 and ZNRF3 ECD inhibited RSPO2-enhanced Wnt3a signaling. The RSPOs bound LGR4 LRR1-14 with nanomolar affinities that decreased in the following order in a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay: RSPO4 > RSPO2 > RSPO3 > RSPO1. RSPO-receptor interactions were further characterized with a native gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay, which corroborated the RSPO-LGR4 TR-FRET results and indicated that RSPOs weakly bound ZNRF3 with affinities that decreased in the following order: RSPO2 > RSPO3 > RSPO1. RSPO4:ZNRF3 complexes were not detected. Lastly, ternary RSPO:LGR4:ZNRF3 complexes were detected for RSPO2 and -3. Our results indicate that RSPO and LGR4 N-glycans are dispensable for function, demonstrate RSPO-mediated ternary complex formation, and suggest that the stronger signaling potencies of RSPO2 and -3 result from their strong binding of both receptors. Our unique protein production methodology may provide a cost-effective source of recombinant RSPOs for regenerative medicine applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Gene Expression*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Wnt3 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LGR4 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Wnt3 Protein
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • ZNRF3 protein, human