Characterization of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A receptor activation using a phospho-extracellular-signal regulated kinase 2 sensor

Anal Biochem. 2009 Oct 1;393(1):95-104. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.06.018. Epub 2009 Jun 17.

Abstract

The activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can result in the stimulation of numerous signaling networks that extend beyond canonical secondary messenger-dependent pathways. It is well-established that many of these diverse networks converge on the MAPK pathway, resulting in the activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK). Since the link between GPCRs and ERK can be modulated via both G-protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms, measurement of ERK phosphorylation may serve as an ideal surrogate for GPCR activation. We have combined BacMam-mediated gene delivery of the GFP-ERK2 with a time-resolved Foerster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) immunoassay for the measurement of intracellular phospho-ERK2 levels. Together these technologies enable a flexible platform for measuring GPCR and MAPK activation in the cell line of interest. This technology has been applied to the measurement of activation of the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor expressed in CHO-K1 cells. In addition to demonstrating the flexibility of this assay platform, we provide the first reported profile for 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated ERK activation using a panel of known Parkinson's disease drugs. Our results demonstrate the value of using ERK activation as a downstream sensor for GPCR function, providing an attractive complement to upstream endpoints such as ligand occupancy and binding of GTPgammaS.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / analysis*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / genetics
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phosphoproteins
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1