Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
09:37
A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
Functional expression of the human ACTH receptor gene
A Penhoat1, D Naville, H El Mourabit
1INSERM-INRA U 418, IFR 62 and Université Claude-Bernard Lyon I, H pital Debrousse, France.
Endocrine Research
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Researchers successfully expressed the human ACTH receptor (hMC2R) in M3 melanoma cells, enabling studies on familial glucocorticoid deficiency syndrome (FGD). This breakthrough facilitates research into ACTH receptor function and related genetic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), is crucial for adrenal cortex function.
- Expressing functional human MC2R (hMC2R) in non-adrenal cells has been a significant challenge in research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable cell model for expressing functional hMC2R.
- To investigate the ACTH receptor's behavior in a heterologous system.
- To provide a platform for studying familial glucocorticoid deficiency syndrome (FGD) mutations.
Main Methods:
- Transient and stable expression of hMC2R in M3 melanoma cells.
- Assessment of ACTH binding affinity.
- Measurement of adenylate cyclase coupling activity.
Main Results:
- Successful transient and stable expression of hMC2R was achieved in M3 melanoma cells.
- The expressed hMC2R demonstrated ACTH binding affinity and adenylate cyclase coupling comparable to native adrenal cells.
- This system allowed for the testing of hMC2R mutants associated with FGD.
Conclusions:
- M3 melanoma cells provide a suitable and effective model for expressing functional hMC2R.
- This expression system overcomes previous limitations and enables the study of hMC2R in a heterologous context.
- The developed model is valuable for understanding the molecular basis of FGD and potentially screening for therapeutic interventions.
More Related Videos
14:02Optimizing the Genetic Incorporation of Chemical Probes into GPCRs for Photo-crosslinking Mapping and Bioorthogonal Chemistry in Live Mammalian Cells
Published on: April 9, 2018
12:09Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
Published on: February 28, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:31Internal Receptors
Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and therefore cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind to internal, or intracellular, receptors that reside within the cell. Many mammalian steroid hormones use this mechanism of cell signaling, as does nitric oxide (NO) gas.
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
02:04Co-activators and Co-repressors
Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
01:30General Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...