Investigating Gαs Pepducin’s Effect on β2AR Signaling for CHF Pharmacology

Authors

Nida Bajwa, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Nathan Hopfinger, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Charles Scott, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-2019

Academic Year

2018-2019

Comments

Poster attached as supplemental file below.

Abstract

Introduction: Congestive heart failure affects nearly six million Americans and significantly impairs their quality of life. New and better interventions are needed to improve HF patients’ survival and outcomes. Pharmacologics that bias β2AR signaling towards arrestin, which promotes cardiomyocyte survival and contractility, may offer advantages over traditional β-blockers.

Objective: It has been demonstrated that peptides mimicking the C-terminus of the Gα_s subunit block downstream signaling of GPCRs. The study’s objective is to determine if a pepducin derived from the C-terminus of the Gα_s subunit of the β2AR could block G_s signaling but maintain arrestin-recruitment, thereby producing a cardioprotective phenotype.

Methods: We used inverse PCR and bacterial transformation to design the peptide. We transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with the pepducin and used FACS and Glosensor assays to measure the concentration of cAMP in various cells.

Results: Results showed no inhibition of G_s signaling. Therefore, arrestin-recruitment was not tested.

Discussion: Previous researchers have demonstrated the results we failed to show, therefore we have reason to believe the peptide failed to inhibit G_s signaling because it is too small or too unstable. We are abandoning this line of research and will be continuing to approach the project’s objective from new angles.

Recommended Citation

Bajwa, Nida; Hopfinger, Nathan; and Scott, Charles, "Investigating Gαs pepducin’s effect on β2AR signaling for CHF pharmacology" (2019). SKMC JeffMD Scholarly Inquiry, Phase 1, Project 1.

Language

English