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G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface receptors that detect a wide range of extracellular messengers and convey this information to the inside of cells. Extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and ovarian cancer gene receptor 1 (OGR1) are two GPCRs that sense extracellular Ca(2+) and H(+), respectively. These two ions are key components of the interstitial fluid, and their concentrations change in an activity-dependent manner. Importantly, the interstitial fluid forms part of the microenvironment that influences cell function in health and disease; however, the exact mechanisms through which changes in the microenvironment influence cell function remain largely unknown. We show that CaSR and OGR1 reciprocally inhibit signaling through each other in central neurons, and that this is lost in their transformed counterparts. Furthermore, strong intracellular acidification impairs CaSR function, but potentiates OGR1 function. Thus, CaSR and OGR1 activities can be regulated in a seesaw manner, whereby conditions promoting signaling through one receptor simultaneously inhibit signaling through the other receptor, potentiating the difference in their relative signaling activity. Our results provide insight into how small but consistent changes in the ionic microenvironment of cells can significantly alter the balance between two signaling pathways, which may contribute to disease progression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.1506085112

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

25/08/2015

Volume

112

Pages

10738 - 10743

Keywords

CaSR, OGR1, extracellular acidosis, microenvironment, pH sensing, Animals, Calcium, Cerebellar Cortex, Extracellular Fluid, Hydrogen, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Neurons, RNA Interference, RNA, Small Interfering, Receptors, Calcium-Sensing, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Receptors, Purinergic P2, Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1