An Affinity-Based Probe for the Human Adenosine A2A Receptor

J Med Chem. 2018 Sep 13;61(17):7892-7901. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00860. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Abstract

Using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), functional proteins can be interrogated in their native environment. Despite their pharmaceutical relevance, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been difficult to address through ABPP. In the current study, we took the prototypical human adenosine A2A receptor (hA2AR) as the starting point for the construction of a chemical toolbox allowing two-step affinity-based labeling of GPCRs. First, we equipped an irreversibly binding hA2AR ligand with a terminal alkyne to serve as probe. We showed that our probe irreversibly and concentration-dependently labeled purified hA2AR. Click-ligation with a sulfonated cyanine-3 fluorophore allowed us to visualize the receptor on SDS-PAGE. We further demonstrated that labeling of the purified hA2AR by our probe could be inhibited by selective antagonists. Lastly, we showed successful labeling of the receptor in cell membranes overexpressing hA2AR, making our probe a promising affinity-based tool compound that sets the stage for the further development of probes for GPCRs.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / chemistry
  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Probes / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / chemistry
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / genetics
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*

Substances

  • ADORA2A protein, human
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Probes
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Adenosine