A single-format method to detect multiple G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, especially Gα(12/13) signaling, presently has limited throughput and sensitivity. Here we report a transforming growth factor-α (TGFα) shedding assay, in which GPCR activation is measured as ectodomain shedding of a membrane-bound proform of alkaline phosphatase-tagged TGFα (AP-TGFα) and its release into conditioned medium. AP-TGFα shedding response occurred almost exclusively downstream of Gα(12/13) and Gα(q) signaling. Relying on chimeric Gα proteins and promiscuous Gα(16) protein, which can couple with Gα(s)- and Gα(i)-coupled GPCRs and induce Gα(q) signaling, we used the TGFα shedding assay to detect 104 GPCRs among 116 human GPCRs. We identified three orphan GPCRs (P2Y10, A630033H20 and GPR174) as Gα(12/13)-coupled lysophosphatidylserine receptors. Thus, the TGFα shedding assay is useful for studies of poorly characterized Gα(12/13)-coupled GPCRs and is a versatile platform for detecting GPCR activation including searching for ligands of orphan GPCRs.

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A literature review indicated that idiopathic and inflammation-related PA dissection is extremely unusual. Since PA dissection is very rare, it is important to be aware of its features in order to make a correct diagnosis.

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The origin of antigenicity of pig islets is mainly N-linked sugars including sialic acid antigens, but not the alpha-Gal, and pig islets can be injured by both the classical and the alternative complement pathway in human serum.