Constitutive formation of an RXFP1-signalosome: a novel paradigm in GPCR function and regulation

The classical second messenger cAMP is important in diverse physiological processes, where its spatial and temporal compartmentalization allows precise control over multiple cellular events. Within this context, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) govern specialized pools of cAMP, which are functionally specific for the unique cellular effects attributed to a particular system. The relaxin receptor, RXFP1, is a GPCR that exerts pleiotropic physiological effects including a potent anti-fibrotic response, increased cancer metastases, and has efficacy as a vasodilator in heart failure. On a cellular level, relaxin stimulation of RXFP1 results in the activation of multiple G-protein pathways affecting cAMP accumulation. Specificity and diversity in the cAMP signal generated by RXFP1 is controlled by differential G-protein coupling dependent upon the background of cellular expression, and cAMP compartmentalization. Further complexity in cAMP signalling results from the constitutive assembly of an RXFP1-signalosome, which specifically responds to low concentrations of relaxin, and activates a distinct cAMP pathway. The RXFP1-signalosome is a higher-order protein complex that facilitates receptor sensitivity to attomolar concentration of peptide, exhibits constitutive activity and dual coupling to G-proteins and β-arrestins and reveals a concentration-biased agonism mediated by relaxin. The specific and directed formation of GPCR-centered signalosomes allows an even greater spatial and temporal control of cAMP, thus rationalizing the considerable physiological scope of this ubiquitous second messenger.