Investigation of non-CB₁, non-CB₂ WIN55212-2-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptors in the brains of mammals, birds, and amphibians

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies have found non-CB₁ non-CB₂ G-protein-coupled receptors in rodents that are activated by the aminoalkylindole cannabinoid agonist WIN55212-2. This work obtained evidence for the presence or absence of similar receptors in the brains of other mammals, birds and amphibians.

Materials and methods: Antagonism of the stimulation of [³⁵S]GTPγS binding by WIN55212-2 and CP55940 was assessed in multiple CNS regions of rat and canine, and in whole brain membranes from shrew, pigeon, frog and newt. A bioinformatics approach searched for orthologs of GRP3, GPR6, and GPR12 (closely related to cannabinoid receptors) in the genomes of these or related species. Orthologs were examined for amino acid motifs known to impart functionality to receptors.

Results: In mammals and pigeon, but not amphibians, a significant fraction of the stimulation of [³⁵S]GTPγS binding by WIN55212-2 was not blocked by the CB₁ antagonist SR141716A. BLAST searches found that GPR3 was restricted to mammals. GPR12 orthologs existed in all species, and they shared identical amino acid motifs. GPR6 orthologs existed all species, but with significant departures in the identity of some critical amino acids in bird, more so in amphibian.

Conclusions: The portion of WIN55212-2-stimulated [³⁵S]GTPγS binding that was antagonized by SR141716A was consistent with stimulation via CB₁ receptors, indicating that antagonist-insensitive activity was via a different G-protein coupled receptor. Pharmacological evidence of this receptor was found in the brains of mammals and pigeon, but not frog or newt. Bioinfomatics results implicate GPR6 as a possible candidate for the additional WIN55212-2-sensitive receptor.

Keywords:

• Cannabinoid
• novel receptor
• GPR6
• Canis familiaris
• Cryptotis parva
• Columba livia
• Gallus gallus
• Xenopus laevis
• Xenopus tropicalis
• Taricha granulosa

Acknowledgements

Brains were generously provided by Dwight Deal (dog) or Dr. Richard St. Claire (pigeon) both of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Dr. John Woodward (frog) at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Emma Coddington of Oregon State University (newt), and Dr. Nissar Darmani (shrew) of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. SR141716A was donated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for these studies was provided by the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.