Frizzleds: new members of the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors

Front Biosci. 2004 May 1:9:1048-58. doi: 10.2741/1308.

Abstract

The superfamily of membrane receptors that signal via heterotrimeric G-proteins includes more than 1500 members, classified into five basic groups, representing about 5-10% of the human genome. These G-protein-coupled receptors operate through a comparatively smaller group of heterotrimeric G-protein family of approximately 20 members, each displaying an alpha subunit that binds and hydrolyzes GTP in combination with the beta-/gamma-subunit complex that is largely non-dissociable in vivo. Frizzleds represent the cell membrane receptors for a family of secreted glycoprotein ligands termed "Wnts" that play essential roles in development, including cell fate, adhesion, polarity, migration, and proliferation. Based upon a compelling set of experimental observations about the structure and downstream signaling of Wnt-Frizzled signaling, one can only conclude that Frizzleds are true members of the GPCR family and require heterotrimeric G-proteins to propagate signals from the Wnts to well-known effectors, including beta-catenin stabilization, mobilization of intracellular Ca2+, and activation of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. Careful study of primary structure of Frizzleds reveal heptihelical, 7-transmembrane segments, characteristic of GPCRs. Chimeric forms of Frizzleds, making use of the cytoplasmic domains of Frizzleds, substituted into the exofacial and transmembrane segments of the prototypic GPCR beta2-adrenergic receptor are functional and display the well-known GTP-shift in receptor affinity. Suppression of specific G-protein subunits suppress the ability of chimeric as well as authentic Frizzled-1 and Frizzled-2 to signal to their canonical pathways upon activation. The involvement of beta-arrestin, an important regulator of GPCR signaling, in Frizzled signaling is, therefore, not unexpected. Recognition of the GPCR character of Frizzled enables a more broad understanding of these receptors and of their mechanisms of downstream signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / classification
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / classification
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology*
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins*

Substances

  • FZD1 protein, human
  • FZD2 protein, human
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins