On the selectivity of the Gαq inhibitor UBO-QIC: A comparison with the Gαi inhibitor pertussis toxin

Gαq inhibitor UBO-QIC (FR900359) is becoming an important pharmacological tool, but its selectivity against other G proteins and their subunits, especially βγ, has not been well characterized. We examined UBO-QIC’s effect on diverse signaling pathways mediated via various G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G protein subunits by comparison with known Gαi inhibitor pertussis toxin. As expected, UBO-QIC inhibited Gαq signaling in all assay systems examined. However, other non-Gαq-events, e.g. Gβγ-mediated intracellular calcium release and inositol phosphate production, following activation of Gi-coupled A1 adenosine and M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, were also blocked by low concentrations of UBO-QIC, indicating that its effect is not limited to Gαq. Thus, UBO-QIC also inhibits Gβγ-mediated signaling similarly to pertussis toxin, although UBO-QIC does not affect Gαi-mediated inhibition or Gαs-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. However, the blockade by UBO-QIC of GPCR signaling, such as carbachol- or adenosine-mediated calcium or inositol phosphate increases, does not always indicate inhibition of Gαq-mediated events, as the βγ subunits released from Gi proteins following the activation of Gi-coupled receptors, e.g. M2 and A1Rs, may produce similar signaling events. Furthermore, UBO-QIC completely inhibited Akt signaling, but only partially blocked ERK1/2 activity stimulated by the Gq-coupled P2Y1R. Thus, we have revealed new aspects of the pharmacological interactions of UBO-QIC.

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