Directed molecular evolution of DREADDs: a generic approach to creating next-generation RASSLs.

Shuyun Dong, Sarah C Rogan, Bryan L Roth

Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Nature protocols 2010 Mar

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G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their downstream signaling cascades contribute to most physiological processes and a variety of human diseases. Isolating the effects of GPCR activation in an in vivo experimental setting is challenging as exogenous ligands have off-target effects and endogenous ligands constantly modulate the activity of native receptors. Highly specific designer drug-designer receptor complexes are a valuable tool for elucidating the effects of activating particular receptors and signaling pathways within selected cell types in vivo. In this study, we describe a generic protocol for the directed molecular evolution of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). First, the yeast system is validated with the template receptor. Second, a mutant library is generated by error-prone PCR. Third, the library is screened by drug-dependent yeast growth assays. Mutants exhibiting the desired properties are selected for further rounds of mutagenesis or for characterization in mammalian systems. In total, these steps should take 6-8 weeks of experimentation and should result in the evolution of a receptor to be activated by the chosen ligand. This protocol should help improve the experimental targeting of select cell populations.

Citation

Shuyun Dong, Sarah C Rogan, Bryan L Roth. Directed molecular evolution of DREADDs: a generic approach to creating next-generation RASSLs. Nature protocols. 2010 Mar;5(3):561-73