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Published on: December 2, 2022
G protein-coupled receptor internalization assays in the high-content screening format
Dorothea Haasen1, Andreas Schnapp, Martin J Valler
1Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany.
Methods in Enzymology
|November 18, 2006
Summary
High-content screening (HCS) measures G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization using advanced imaging. This method aids in discovering drugs that target GPCRs, crucial for pharmaceutical development.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Developing selective compounds to modulate GPCR function is a major focus.
- High-content screening (HCS) integrates microscopy and image analysis for cellular studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the measurement of GPCR internalization using HCS.
- To present robust assay formats for studying GPCR-ligand interactions.
- To evaluate GPCR internalization assays as a drug discovery tool.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a high-throughput, confocal cellular imaging device for HCS.
- Measuring ligand-induced internalization of GPCRs.
- Employing GPCRs labeled with fluorophore-conjugated ligands or antibodies.
Main Results:
- Developed robust assay formats for GPCR internalization measurement.
- Demonstrated the utility of HCS for analyzing GPCR ligand activity.
- Internalization assays provide complementary pharmacological data.
Conclusions:
- GPCR internalization assays are valuable for medium/high-throughput screening.
- These assays facilitate the cellular activity determination of GPCR ligands.
- HCS offers a powerful approach for GPCR-focused drug discovery.
Related Concept Videos
G-protein Coupled Receptors
G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
G Protein-coupled Receptors
G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...

