RACK1 Regulates the Cell Surface Expression of the G Protein-Coupled Receptor for Thromboxane A2

We used the yeast two-hybrid system to screen for proteins that interact with the C-terminus of the β isoform of the thromboxane A₂ receptor (TPβ). This screen identified receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) as a new TPβ-interacting protein. Here, we show that RACK1 directly binds to the C-terminus and the first intracellular loop of TPβ. The TPβ–RACK1 association was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation studies in HEK293 cells and was not modulated by stimulation of the receptor. We observed that cell surface expression of TPβ was increased when RACK1 was overexpressed, while it was inhibited when endogenous RACK1 expression was knocked down by small interfering RNA. Confocal microscopy confirmed the impaired cell surface expression of TPβ and suggested that the receptors remained predominantly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in RACK1-depleted cells. Confocal microscopy also revealed that a transient TPβ–RACK1 association takes place in the ER. The effect of RACK1 on receptor trafficking to the cell surface appears to be selective to some G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) because inhibition of RACK1 expression also affected cell surface targeting of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor and CXCR4 but not of β₂-adrenergic and prostanoid DP receptors. Our data demonstrate for the first time a direct interaction between RACK1 and a GPCR and identify a novel role for RACK1 in the regulation of the transport of a membrane receptor from the ER to the cell surface.     

Role of the Rab11-associated intracellular pool of receptors formed by constitutive endocytosis of the beta isoform of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TP beta)

Intracellular trafficking pathways of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), following their agonist-induced endocytosis and their consequences on receptor function, are the subject of intense research efforts. However, less is known regarding their constitutive endocytosis. We previously demonstrated that the beta isoform of the thromboxane A(2) receptor (TPbeta) undergoes constitutive and agonist-induced endocytosis. Constitutive endocytosis of GPCRs can lead to the formation of an intracellular pool of receptors from which they can recycle back to the cell surface. In the present report, we show with the help of two TPbeta mutants (TPbeta-Y339A and TPbeta-I343A) specifically deficient in constitutive endocytosis that this intracellular pool of receptors serves to maintain agonist sensitivity over prolonged receptor stimulation in HEK293 cells. Second messenger generation by the TPbeta-Y339A and TPbeta-I343A mutants was drastically reduced compared to the wild-type receptor as suggested by dose-response and time-course experiments of inositol phosphates production following agonist treatment, despite normal coupling between the receptors and the Galpha(q) protein. Moreover, second messenger production after receptor activation was dramatically reduced when cells were pretreated with monensin, a recycling inhibitor. Receptor cell surface expression and endocytosis experiments further revealed that the small GTPase Rab11 protein is a determinant factor in controlling TPbeta recycling back to the cell surface. Co-localization experiments performed by immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that both constitutive and agonist-triggered endocytosis resulted in targeting of TPbeta to the Rab11-positive recycling endosome. Thus, we provide evidence that constitutive endocytosis of TPbeta forms a pool of receptors in the perinuclear recycling endosome from which they recycle to the cell surface, a process involved in preserving receptor sensitivity to agonist stimulation.     

Peroxiredoxin-4 interacts with and regulates the thromboxane A(2) receptor

We identified peroxiredoxin-4 (Prx-4) as a protein interacting with the beta isoform of the thromboxane A(2) receptor (TPbeta) by yeast two-hybrid analysis. Prx-4 co-immunoprecipitated constitutively with TPbeta in HEK293 cells. The second and third intracellular loops as well as the C-terminus of TPbeta interacted directly with Prx-4. Co-expression of Prx-4 caused a 60% decrease in cell surface expression of TPbeta. Prx-4 and TPbeta predominantly co-localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Co-expression of Prx-4 in cells treated with H(2)O(2) targeted TPbeta for degradation. We show for the first time an interaction between a receptor involved in oxidative stress and Prx-4, an anti-oxidative enzyme.     

D1 and D2 dopamine receptor expression is regulated by direct interaction with the chaperone protein calnexin

As for all proteins, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo synthesis and maturation within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The mechanisms involved in the biogenesis and trafficking of GPCRs from the ER to the cell surface are poorly understood, but they may involve interactions with other proteins. We have now identified the ER chaperone protein calnexin as an interacting protein for both D(1) and D(2) dopamine receptors. These protein-protein interactions were confirmed using Western blot analysis and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. To determine the influence of calnexin on receptor expression, we conducted assays in HEK293T cells using a variety of calnexin-modifying conditions. Inhibition of glycosylation either through receptor mutations or treatments with glycosylation inhibitors partially blocks the interactions with calnexin with a resulting decrease in cell surface receptor expression. Confocal fluorescence microscopy reveals the accumulation of D(1)-green fluorescent protein and D(2)-yellow fluorescent protein receptors within internal stores following treatment with calnexin inhibitors. Overexpression of calnexin also results in a marked decrease in both D(1) and D(2) receptor expression. This is likely because of an increase in ER retention because confocal microscopy revealed intracellular clustering of dopamine receptors that were co-localized with an ER marker protein. Additionally, we show that calnexin interacts with the receptors via two distinct mechanisms, glycan-dependent and glycan-independent, which may underlie the multiple effects (ER retention and surface trafficking) of calnexin on receptor expression. Our data suggest that optimal receptor-calnexin interactions critically regulate D(1) and D(2) receptor trafficking and expression at the cell surface, a mechanism likely to be of importance for many GPCRs.     

Interaction of gamma-COP with a transport motif in the D1 receptor C-terminus

Truncations at the carboxyl termini of G protein-coupled receptors result in defective receptor biogenesis and comprise a number of inherited disorders. In order to evaluate the structural role of the C-terminus in G protein-coupled receptor biogenesis, we generated a series of deletion and substitution mutations in the dopamine D1 receptor and visualized receptor subcellular localization by fusion to a green fluorescent protein. Alanine substitutions of several hydrophobic residues within the proximal C-terminus resulted in receptor transport arrest in the ER. Agonist binding and coupling to adenylyl cyclase was also abolished. In contrast, substitutions conserving C-terminal hydrophobicity produced normal cell surface receptor expression, binding, and stimulatory function. A mechanism for the role of the C-terminus in D1 receptor transport was investigated by searching for candidate protein interactions. The D1 receptor was found to co-precipitate and associate in vitro directly with the gamma-subunit of the COPI coatomer complex. In vitro pull-down assays confirmed that only the D1 C-terminus is required for COPI association, and that identical mutations causing disruption of receptor transport to the cell surface also disrupted binding to COPI. Furthermore, conservative mutations in the D1 C-terminus restored COPI association just as they restored cell surface transport. These results suggest that association between the coatomer complex and hydrophobic residues within the proximal C-terminus of the D1 receptor may serve an important role in receptor transport.     

Receptor for activated C kinase (RACK) and protein kinase C (PKC) in egg activation

In somatic cells, translocation of PKCs is facilitated by receptor for activated C kinase (RACK); however its involvement in egg activation is still elusive. We have followed the translocation pattern of conventional and novel PKCs (cPKCs and nPKCs, respectively) upon egg activation. Confocal microscopy indicated the expression and localization of RACK1, a specific receptor protein for cPKCs. Activation of MII eggs, led to translocation to the egg cortex of PKCα, βII and δ and the co-translocation of RACK1, with both PKCα and PKCβII. The association of PKC and actin, both known to be involved in cortical granules exocytosis (CGE) with RACK1, was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. Egg activation resulted in an increased RACK1 level along with a decreased level of PKCβII. Based on these results, we suggest that upon egg activation, RACK1 shuttles activated cPKCs to the egg cortex, thus facilitating CGE.     

The intracellular trafficking of the G protein-coupled receptor TPbeta depends on a direct interaction with Rab11

Intracellular trafficking pathways of cell surface receptors following their internalization are the subject of intense research efforts. However, the mechanisms by which they recycle back to the cell surface are still poorly defined. We have recently demonstrated that the small Rab11 GTPase protein is a determinant factor in controlling the recycling to the cell surface of the beta-isoform of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TPbeta) following its internalization. Here, we demonstrate with co-immunoprecipitation studies in HEK293 cells that there is a Rab11-TPbeta association occurring in the absence of agonist, which is not modulated by stimulation of TPbeta. We show with purified TPbeta intracellular domains fused to GST and HIS-Rab11 proteins that Rab11 interacts directly with the first intracellular loop and the C-tail of TPbeta. Amino acids 335-344 of the TPbeta C-tail were determined to be essential for the interaction of Rab11 with this receptor domain. This identified sequence appears to be important in directing the intracellular trafficking of the receptor from the Rab5-positive intracellular compartment to the perinuclear recycling endosome. Interestingly, our data indicate that TPbeta interacts with the GDP-bound form, and not the GTP-bound form, of Rab11 which is necessary for recycling of the receptor back to the cell surface. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a direct interaction between Rab11 and a transmembrane receptor.     

Integrin beta and receptor for activated protein kinase C are involved in the cell entry of Bombyx mori cypovirus

Receptor-mediated endocytosis using a β1 integrin-dependent internalization was considered as the primary mechanism for the initiation of mammalian reovirus infection. Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is a member of Reoviridae family which mainly infects the midgut epithelium of silkworm; the cell entry of BmCPV is poorly explored. In this study, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), virus overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA), and BmCPV-protein interaction on the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane (BmCPV-PI-PVDF) methods were employed to screen the interacting proteins of BmCPV, and several proteins including integrin beta and receptor for activated protein kinase C (RACK1) were identified as the candidate interacting proteins for establishing the infection of BmCPV. The infectivity of BmCPV was investigated in vivo and in vitro by RNA interference (RNAi) and antibody blocking methods, and the results showed that the infectivity of BmCPV was significantly reduced by either small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of integrin beta and RACK1 or antibody blocking of integrin beta and RACK1. The expression level of integrin beta or RACK1 is not the highest in the silkworm midgut which is a principal target tissue of BmCPV, suggesting that the molecules other than integrin beta or RACK1 might play a key role in determining the tissue tropism of BmCPV infection. The establishment of BmCPV infection depends on other factors, and these factors interacted with integrin beta and RACK1 to form receptor complex for the cell entry of BmCPV.

     

Galphaq-coupled receptor internalization specifically induced by Galphaq signaling. Regulation by EBP50

In the present report, we investigated the effect of ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) expression on the agonist-induced internalization of the thromboxane A(2) beta receptor (TPbeta receptor). Interestingly, we found that EBP50 almost completely blocked TPbeta receptor internalization, which could not be reversed by overexpression of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases and arrestins. Because we recently demonstrated that EBP50 can bind to and inhibit Galpha(q), we next studied whether Galpha(q) signaling could induce TPbeta receptor internalization, addressing the long standing question about the relationship between GPCR signaling and their internalization. Expression of a constitutively active Galpha(q) mutant (Galpha(q)-R183C) resulted in a robust internalization of the TPbeta receptor, which was unaffected by expression of dominant negative mutants of arrestin-2 and -3, but inhibited by expression of EBP50 or dynamin-K44A, a dominant negative mutant of dynamin. Phospholipase Cbeta and protein kinase C did not appear to significantly contribute to internalization of the TPbeta receptor, suggesting that Galpha(q) induces receptor internalization through a phospholipase Cbeta- and protein kinase C-independent pathway. Surprisingly, there appears to be specificity in Galpha protein-mediated GPCR internalization. Galpha(q)-R183C also induced the internalization of CXCR4 (Galpha(q)-coupled), whereas it failed to do so for the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (Galpha(s)-coupled). Moreover, Galpha(s)-R201C, a constitutively active form of Galpha(s), had no effect on internalization of the TPbeta, CXCR4, and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors. Thus, we showed that Galpha protein signaling can lead to internalization of GPCRs, with specificity in both the Galpha proteins and GPCRs that are involved. Furthermore, a new function has been described for EBP50 in its capacity to inhibit receptor endocytosis.     

Distinct pathways for the trafficking of angiotensin II and adrenergic receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface: Rab1-independent transport of a G protein-coupled receptor

The molecular mechanism underlying the transport of G protein-coupled receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cell surface is poorly understood. This issue was addressed by determining the role of Rab1, a Ras-related small GTPase that coordinates vesicular protein transport in the early secretory pathway, in the subcellular distribution and function of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT1R), beta2-adrenergic receptor (AR), and alpha2B-AR in HEK293T cells. Inhibition of endogenous Rab1 function by transient expression of dominant-negative Rab1 mutants or Rab1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) induced a marked perinuclear accumulation and a significant reduction in cell-surface expression of AT1R and beta2-AR. The accumulated receptors were colocalized with calregulin (an ER marker) and GM130 (a Golgi marker), consistent with Rab1 function in regulating protein transport from the ER to the Golgi. In contrast, dominant-negative Rab1 mutants and siRNA had no effect on the subcellular distribution of alpha2B-AR. Similarly, expression of dominant-negative Rab1 mutants and siRNA depletion of Rab1 significantly attenuated AT1R-mediated inositol phosphate accumulation and ERK1/2 activation and beta2-AR-mediated ERK1/2 activation, but not alpha2B-AR-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. These data indicate that Rab1 GTPase selectively regulates intracellular trafficking and signaling of G protein-coupled receptors and suggest a novel, as yet undefined pathway for movement of G protein-coupled receptors from the ER to the cell surface.     

Maximizing production of estrogen receptor beta with the baculovirus expression system

Steroid hormone/nuclear receptor expression in cultured insect cell lines is routinely driven by a baculovirus vector. An advantage of the baculovirus production of these receptors is that large amounts of functional receptors are obtained for subsequent in vitro studies. Most laboratories produce nuclear receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf)9 cells. However, no one has determined whether this cell line is optimal for the production of any nuclear receptor. We compared the time course and level of estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) production from a baculovirus in two S. frugiperda cell lines, IPLB-SF21AE (Sf21) and Sf9, and two Trichloplusia ni cell lines, Tn368 and BTI-TN5b1-4 (High Five). Cells were harvested at various times (0.5-5 days) after infection. ER beta expression and activity was determined by specific [3H]estradiol (E2) binding, Western blot analysis, and estrogen response element (ERE) binding in vitro. The highest functional, bioactive ER beta expression both at the earliest time after infection and in the amount of ER beta produced/cell was with the Sf21 cell line. Baculovirus expressed ER beta-bound EREs with high affinity in a DNA sequence-dependent manner. We conclude that Sf21 cells are the best-suited cells for ER beta production.     

Role of the differentially spliced carboxyl terminus in thromboxane A2 receptor trafficking: identification of a distinct motif for tonic internalization

The thromboxane A(2) receptor (TP) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed as two alternatively spliced isoforms, alpha (343 residues) and beta (407 residues) that share the first 328 residues. We have previously shown that TPbeta, but not TPalpha, undergoes agonist-induced internalization in a dynamin-, GRK-, and arrestin-dependent manner. In the present report, we demonstrate that TPbeta, but not TPalpha, also undergoes tonic internalization. Tonic internalization of TPbeta was temperature- and dynamin-dependent and was inhibited by sucrose and NH(4)Cl treatment but unaffected by wild-type or dominant-negative GRKs or arrestins. Truncation and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that a YX(3)phi motif (where X is any residue and phi is a bulky hydrophobic residue) found in the proximal portion of the carboxyl-terminal tail of TPbeta was critical for tonic internalization but had no role in agonist-induced internalization. Interestingly, introduction of either a YX(2)phi or YX(3)phi motif in the carboxyl-terminal tail of TPalpha induced tonic internalization of this receptor. Additional analysis revealed that tonically internalized TPbeta undergoes recycling back to the cell surface suggesting that tonic internalization may play a role in maintaining an intracellular pool of TPbeta. Our data demonstrate the presence of distinct signals for tonic and agonist-induced internalization of TPbeta and represent the first report of a YX(3)phi motif involved in tonic internalization of a cell surface receptor.     

RACK1 regulates integrin-mediated adhesion,protrusion, and chemotactic cell migration via its Src-binding site

Mammalian cDNA expression cloning was used to identify novel regulators of integrin-mediated cell-substratum adhesions. Using a focal adhesion morphology screen, we identified a cDNA with homology to a receptor for activated protein kinase C (RACK1) that induced a loss of central focal adhesions and stress fibers in CHO-K1 cells. The identified cDNA was a C-terminal truncated form of RACK1 that had one of the putative protein kinase C binding sites but lacked the region proposed to bind the beta integrin cytoplasmic domain and the tyrosine kinase Src. To investigate the role of RACK1 during cell spreading and migration, we tagged RACK1, a C-terminal truncated RACK1 and a point mutant that does not bind Src (RACK Y246F) with green fluorescent protein and expressed them in CHO-K1 cells. We found that RACK1 regulates the organization of focal adhesions and that it localizes to a subset of nascent focal complexes in areas of protrusion that contain paxillin but not vinculin. We also found that RACK1 regulates cell protrusion and chemotactic migration through its Src binding site. Together, these findings suggest that RACK1 regulates adhesion, protrusion, and chemotactic migration through its interaction with Src.     

RACK1, an insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor-interacting protein, modulates IGF-I-dependent integrin signaling and promotes cell spreading and contact with extracellular matrix

The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR) is known to regulate a variety of cellular processes including cell proliferation, cell survival, cell differentiation, and cell transformation. IRS-1 and Shc, substrates of the IGF-IR, are known to mediate IGF-IR signaling pathways such as those of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which are believed to play important roles in some of the IGF-IR-dependent biological functions. We used the cytoplasmic domain of IGF-IR in a yeast two-hybrid interaction trap to identify IGF-IR-interacting molecules that may potentially mediate IGF-IR-regulated functions. We identified RACK1, a WD repeat family member and a Gbeta homologue, and demonstrated that RACK1 interacts with the IGF-IR but not with the closely related insulin receptor (IR). In several types of mammalian cells, RACK1 interacted with IGF-IR, protein kinase C, and beta1 integrin in response to IGF-I and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation. Whereas most of RACK1 resides in the cytoskeletal compartment of the cytoplasm, transformation of fibroblasts and epithelial cells by v-Src, oncogenic IR or oncogenic IGF-IR, but not by Ros or Ras, resulted in a significantly increased association of RACK1 with the membrane. We examined the role of RACK1 in IGF-IR-mediated functions by stably overexpressing RACK1 in NIH 3T3 cells that expressed an elevated level of IGF-IR. RACK1 overexpression resulted in reduced IGF-I-induced cell growth in both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent conditions. Overexpression of RACK1 also led to enhanced cell spreading, increased stress fibers, and increased focal adhesions, which were accompanied by increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. While IGF-I-induced activation of IRS-1, Shc, PI3K, and MAPK pathways was unaffected, IGF-I-inducible beta1 integrin-associated kinase activity and association of Crk with p130(CAS) were significantly inhibited by RACK1 overexpression. In RACK1-overexpressing cells, delayed cell cycle progression in G(1) or G(1)/S was correlated with retinoblastoma protein hypophophorylation, increased levels of p21(Cip1/WAF1) and p27(Kip1), and reduced IGF-I-inducible Cdk2 activity. Reduction of RACK1 protein expression by antisense oligonucleotides prevented cell spreading and suppressed IGF-I-dependent monolayer growth. Our data suggest that RACK1 is a novel IGF-IR signaling molecule that functions as a positive mediator of cell spreading and contact with extracellular matrix, possibly through a novel IGF-IR signaling pathway involving integrin and focal adhesion signaling molecules.     

RACK1 is an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor-interacting protein that can regulate IGF-1-mediated Akt activation and protection from cell death

The insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), activated by their ligands, control metabolism, cell survival, and proliferation. Although the signaling pathways activated by these receptors are well characterized, regulation of their activity is poorly understood. To identify regulatory proteins we undertook a two-hybrid screen using the IGF-1R beta-chain as bait. This screen identified Receptor for Activated C Kinases (RACK1) as an IGF-1R-interacting protein. RACK1 also interacted with the IGF-1R in fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells and with endogenous insulin receptor in COS cells. Interaction with the IGF-1R did not require tyrosine kinase activity or receptor autophosphorylation but did require serine 1248 in the C terminus. Overexpression of RACK1 in either R+ fibroblasts or MCF-7 cells inhibited IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of Akt, whereas it enhanced phosphorylation of Erks and Jnks. Src, the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and SHP-2 were all associated with RACK1 in these cells. Interestingly, the proliferation of MCF-7 cells was enhanced by overexpression of RACK1, whereas IGF-1-mediated protection from etoposide killing was greatly reduced. Altogether the data indicate that RACK1 is an IGF-1R-interacting protein that can modulate receptor signaling and suggest that RACK1 has a particular role in regulating Akt activation and cell survival.     

Role of the Sec61 translocon in EGF receptor trafficking to the nucleus and gene expression

The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent trafficking of the intact EGF receptor to the nucleus and its requirement for growth factor induction of cyclin D and other genes has been reported. Unresolved is the mechanism by which this or other transmembrane proteins are excised from a lipid bilayer before nuclear translocalization. We report that, after the addition of EGF, the cell surface EGF receptor is trafficked to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where it associates with Sec61beta, a component of the Sec61 translocon, and is retrotranslocated from the ER to the cytoplasm. Abrogation of Sec61beta expression prevents EGF-dependent localization of EGF receptors to the nucleus and expression of cyclin D. This indicates that EGF receptors are trafficked from the ER to the nucleus by a novel pathway that involves the Sec61 translocon.     

RACK1 associates with muscarinic receptors and regulates M(2) receptor trafficking

Receptor internalization from the cell surface occurs through several mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms, such as clathrin coated pits, are well understood. The M(2) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor undergoes internalization via a poorly-defined clathrin-independent mechanism. We used isotope coded affinity tagging and mass spectrometry to identify the scaffolding protein, receptor for activated C kinase (RACK1) as a protein enriched in M(2)-immunoprecipitates from M(2)-expressing cells over those of non-M(2) expressing cells. Treatment of cells with the agonist carbachol disrupted the interaction of RACK1 with M(2). We further found that RACK1 overexpression inhibits the internalization and subsequent down regulation of the M(2) receptor in a receptor subtype-specific manner. Decreased RACK1 expression increases the rate of agonist internalization of the M(2) receptor, but decreases the extent of subsequent down-regulation. These results suggest that RACK1 may both interfere with agonist-induced sequestration and be required for subsequent targeting of internalized M(2) receptors to the degradative pathway.     

CLIC4 interacts with histamine H3 receptor and enhances the receptor cell surface expression

Histamine H3 receptor (H3R), one of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), has been known to regulate neurotransmitter release negatively in central and peripheral nervous systems. Recently, a variety of intracellular proteins have been identified to interact with carboxy (C)-termini of GPCRs, and control their intracellular trafficking and signal transduction efficiencies. Screening for such proteins that interact with the C-terminus of H3R resulted in identification of one of the chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) proteins, CLIC4. The association of CLIC4 with H3R was confirmed in in vitro pull-down assays, coimmunoprecipitation from rat brain lysate, and immunofluorescence microscopy of rat cerebellar neurons. The data from flowcytometric analysis, radioligand receptor binding assay, and cell-based ELISA indicated that CLIC4 enhanced cell surface expression of wild-type H3R, but not a mutant form of the receptor that failed to interact with CLIC4. These results indicate that, by binding to the C-terminus of H3R, CLIC4 plays a critical role in regulation of the receptor cell surface expression.