Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5/GPR49 activates G12/13-Rho GTPase pathway

Mol Cells. 2013 Sep;36(3):267-72. doi: 10.1007/s10059-013-0173-z. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

Abstract

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5/GPR49) is highly expressed in adult stem cells of various tissues, such as intestine, hair follicles, and stomach. LGR5 is also overexpressed in some colon and ovarian tumors. Recent reports show that R-spondin (RSPO) family ligands bind to and activate LGR5, enhancing canonical Wnt signaling via the interaction with LRP5/6 and Frizzled. The identity of heterotrimeric G-proteins coupled to LGR5, however, remains unclear. Here, we show that Rho GTPase is a downstream target of LGR5. Overexpression of LGR5 induced SRF-RE luciferase activity, a reporter of Rho signaling. RSPOs, ligands for LGR4, LGR5, and LGR6, however, did not induce SRF-RE reporter activity in the presence of LGR5. Consistently, LGR5-induced activity of the SRF-RE reporter was inhibited by Rho inhibitor C3 transferase and RhoA N19 mutant, and knockdown of Gα12/13 genes blocked the reporter activity induced by LGR5. In addition, focal adhesion kinase, NF-κB and c-fos, targets of Rho GTPase, were shown to be regulated by LGR5. Here, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that LGR5 is coupled to the Rho pathway through G12/13 signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Line
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Thrombospondins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • LGR4 protein, human
  • LGR5 protein, human
  • LGR6 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • RSPO1 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Thrombospondins
  • RHOA protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein