Signal bias at glucagon family receptors: rationale and downstream impacts

Abstract Receptors for the peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon (GCG) are important regulators of insulin secretion and energy metabolism. Recently described GLP-1 receptor agonists showing signal bias in favour of cyclic AMP over β-arrestin-2 recruitment have delivered promising results in preclinical studies. Here we first sought to establish the role of β-arrestins in the control of intracellular signalling and trafficking responses at the closely related GLP-1, GIP and GCG receptors, through studies performed in cells depleted of both β-arrestin isoforms. We also generated analogues of GLP-1, GCG and GIP which in some cases showed selective reduction in β-arrestin-2 recruitment versus cAMP signalling compared to the parent peptide. Despite reduced acute signalling potency and/or efficacy, some biased GLP-1 and GIP analogues increased maximal sustained insulin secretion from INS-1 832/3 clonal beta cells, although only at high agonist concentrations. Biased GCG analogues did not affect maximal insulin release, or glucose output in hepatocytes.