# pH regulation of cell surface receptors

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $406,775

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Coincident signals are an essential feature of cellular communication. By detecting simultaneous inputs,
cells can filter signal from noise in complex chemical environments to mount proper responses. In many
biological and pathological contexts, coincident pH signals regulate the activity of individual proteins and
signaling networks. Examples include acidotic signals in maturing endosomes, inflammatory zones,
synapses, and tumor microenvironments. Our long-term objective is to understand how these coincident
pH signals regulate biology through different classes of cell surface receptors.
 We have developed a comprehensive and ambitious research program for studying proton-gated
(H+-gated) coincidence detection by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest and most
therapeutically targeted class of transmembrane receptors in humans. More than 800 GPCRs detect a
rich diversity of inputs, including H+. Although a few pH-sensing GPCRs are activated by protons alone,
we have shown that H+-gated coincidence detection is a far more common feature of GPCR regulation.
In this mode of proton sensing, GPCR agonism and/or inhibition is concurrently modulated by pH.
Our efforts to illuminate this context-dependent mechanism for controlling GPCR activity have led us to
establish a new frontier in cell signaling biology that is likely relevant to all receptor classes.
 The broad objective of our proposed research program is to pursue an in-depth understanding of
H+-gated signaling and pharmacology for a wide variety of GPCRs. By creating innovative wet-lab and
computational technologies, developing cutting-edge cell models, and building large libraries of GPCRs
in cell-based assay systems, our lab can extensively study the effects of pH on GPCR signaling. As such,
we can profile ambitious numbers of GPCRs and ligands as a function of pH using our yeast based
DCyFIR platform and human cell models. Our proposed program of research comprises three project
areas that synergistically utilize these unique capabilities: H+-gated GPCR coincidence detection of
metabolites and drugs, pH regulation of secreted peptide and protein sensing by GPCRs, and pH-
intelligent nanobody research tools and therapeutic leads for GPCRs.
 Over the next five years, our goal is to illuminate the mechanisms by which H+-gated coincidence
detection regulates the selectivity of endogenous and artificial agonists, inhibitors, modulators, approved
drugs, and conformationally-selective nanobody probes for a sizeable fraction of the human GPCRome.
We anticipate these efforts will enable us to both design and repurpose an array of therapeutic leads,
exploratory probes, and pharmacological tools for selectively targeting, controlling, and studying GPCR
signaling mechanisms at discrete physiologic pH values. As such, we anticipate our ambitious research
program will establish a new paradigm for GPCR biology and pharmacology in acidotic scenarios.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10329156
- **Project number:** 2R35GM119518-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Isom
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $406,775
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10329156

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10329156, pH regulation of cell surface receptors (2R35GM119518-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10329156. Licensed CC0.

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