Altered phosphorylation and desensitization patterns of a human beta 2-adrenergic receptor lacking the palmitoylated Cys341.

Exposure of beta 2-adrenergic receptors to agonists causes a rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase, associated with an increased phosphorylation of the receptor. Agonist-promoted phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) by protein kinase A and the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) is believed to promote a functional uncoupling of the receptor from the guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein Gs. More recently, palmitoylation of Cys341 of the receptor has also been proposed to play an important role in the coupling of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor to Gs. Here we report that substitution of the palmitoylated cysteine by a glycine (Gly341 beta 2 AR) using site directed mutagenesis leads to a receptor being highly phosphorylated and largely uncoupled from Gs. In Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CHW), stably transfected with the human receptor cDNAs, the basal phosphorylation level of Gly341 beta 2AR was found to be approximately 4 times that of the wild type receptor. This elevated phosphorylation level was accompanied by a depressed ability of the receptor to stimulate the adenylyl cyclase and to form a guanyl nucleotide-sensitive high affinity state for agonists. Moreover, exposure of this unpalmitoylated receptor to an agonist did not promote any further phosphorylation or uncoupling. A modest desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase response was observed but resulted from the agonist-induced sequestration of the unpalmitoylated receptor and could be blocked by concanavalin A. This contrasts with the agonist-promoted phosphorylation and uncoupling of the wild type receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Desensitization of the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor. Involvement of the cyclic AMP-dependent but not a receptor-specific protein kinase.

Human SK-N-MC neurotumor cells express beta 1- but not beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Following exposure of the cells to isoproterenol, there was no reduction in the maximum response of adenylyl cyclase to the agonist but a 3-fold shift to less sensitivity in the concentration response. This desensitization was very rapid and dose dependent; half-maximal effects occurred at 10 nM isoproterenol. A similar shift was observed when membranes from control cells were incubated with ATP and the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). No shift, however, was observed in intact cells exposed to either dibutyryl cyclic AMP or dopamine, which stimulates adenylyl cyclase in these cells through D1 dopamine receptors. To pursue the role of protein kinases in the desensitization process, cells were made permeable, loaded with a PKA inhibitor or with heparin, an inhibitor of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK), and exposed to isoproterenol. The PKA inhibitor but not heparin blocked the agonist-mediated desensitization. In contrast, desensitized human tumor cells (HeLa and A431), which express beta 2-adrenergic receptors, exhibited both a shift in concentration response and a reduction in maximum response; the former was blocked by the PKA inhibitor and the latter by heparin. Our results indicated that whereas both human beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors are susceptible to PKA, only the beta 2 receptors are susceptible to beta ARK. These differences in desensitization may be due to differences in receptor structure as the human beta 1 receptor has fewer potential phosphorylation sites for beta ARK in the carboxyl terminus than the human beta 2 receptor.     

Functional receptor coupling to Gi is a mechanism of agonist-promoted desensitization of the beta2-adrenergic receptor

The beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) couples to Gs activating adenylyl cyclase (AC) and increasing cAMP. Such signaling undergoes desensitization with continued agonist exposure. Beta2AR also couple to Gi after receptor phosphorylation by the cAMP dependent protein kinase A, but the efficiency of such coupling is not known. Given the PKA dependence of beta2AR-Gi coupling, we explored whether this may be a mechanism of agonist-promoted desensitization. HEK293 cells were transfected to express beta2AR or beta2AR and Gialpha2, and then treated with vehicle or the agonist isoproterenol to evoke agonist-promoted beta2AR desensitization. Membrane AC activities showed that Gialpha2 overexpression decreased basal levels, but the fold-stimulation of the AC over basal by agonist was not altered. However, with treatment of the cells with isoproterenol prior to membrane preparation, a marked decrease in agonist-stimulated AC was observed with the cells overexpressing Gialpha2. In the absence of such overexpression, beta2AR desensitization was 23+/-7%, while with 5-fold Gialpha2 overexpression desensitization was 58+/-5% (p<0.01, n=4). The effect of Gi on desensitization was receptor-specific, in that forskolin responses were not altered by G(i)alpha2 overexpression. Thus, acquired beta2AR coupling to Gi is an important mechanism of agonist-promoted desensitization, and pathologic conditions that increase Gi levels contribute to beta2AR dysfunction.     

Multiple pathways of rapid beta 2-adrenergic receptor desensitization. Delineation with specific inhibitors

Exposure of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta ARs) to agonists causes rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase response. Three main mechanisms have been implicated in this process: phosphorylation of the receptors by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), phosphorylation by the specific agonist-dependent beta AR kinase, and sequestration of the receptors away from the cell surface. By applying inhibitors of these processes to digitonin-permeabilized A431 cells we investigated their contributions to beta AR desensitization. Each process could be selectively inhibited: PKA-dependent phosphorylation by an inhibitor peptide (amino acids 1-24 of the heat-stable inhibitor of PKA (PKI], beta AR kinase-dependent phosphorylation by heparin, and sequestration by concanavalin A. In permeabilized cells, heparin plus PKI completely blocked agonist-induced phosphorylation of the beta ARs. Desensitization was assessed by quantitating the signal transduction efficacy of the system. At high agonist concentrations (approximately 1 microM) up to 70% desensitization occurred. Complete blockade of this desensitization required the concurrent inhibition of all three pathways. When individual pathways were blocked it could be demonstrated that either the PKA or beta AR kinase mechanisms alone resulted in 40-50% desensitization whereas sequestration alone caused 20-30% desensitization. At low agonist concentrations (approximately 10 nM), the PKA pathway was selectively activated. These data indicate that while desensitization mediated via the three different mechanisms can occur independently, the quantitative contributions are not additive. Such findings suggest distinct but overlapping physiological roles for each mechanism in controlling receptor function.     

Role of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase site serine cluster in beta2-adrenergic receptor internalization, desensitization, and beta-arrestin translocation

There is considerable evidence for the role of carboxyl-terminal serines 355, 356, and 364 in G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-mediated phosphorylation and desensitization of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)ARs). In this study we used receptors in which these serines were changed to alanines (SA3) or to aspartic acids (SD3) to determine the role of these sites in beta-arrestin-dependent beta(2)AR internalization and desensitization. Coupling efficiencies for epinephrine activation of adenylyl cyclase were similar in wild-type and mutant receptors, demonstrating that the SD3 mutant did not drive constitutive GRK desensitization. Treatment of wild-type and mutant receptors with 0.3 nm isoproterenol for 5 min induced approximately 2-fold increases in the EC(50) for agonist activation of adenylyl cyclase, consistent with protein kinase A (PKA) site-mediated desensitization. When exposed to 1 mum isoproterenol to trigger GRK site-mediated desensitization, only wild-type receptors showed significant further desensitization. Using a phospho site-specific antibody, we determined that there is no requirement for these GRK sites in PKA-mediated phosphorylation at high agonist concentration. The rates of agonist-induced internalization of the SD3 and SA3 mutants were 44 and 13%, respectively, relative to that of wild-type receptors, but the SD3 mutant recruited enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-beta-arrestin 2 to the plasma membrane, whereas the SA3 mutant did not. EGFP-beta-Arrestin2 overexpression triggered a significant increase in the extent of SD3 mutant desensitization but had no effect on the desensitization of wild-type receptors or the SA3 mutant. Expression of a phosphorylation-independent beta-arrestin 1 mutant (R169E) significantly rescued the internalization defect of the SA3 mutant but inhibited the phosphorylation of serines 355 and 356 in wild-type receptors. Our data demonstrate that (i) the lack of GRK sites does not impair PKA site phosphorylation, (ii) the SD3 mutation inhibits GRK-mediated desensitization although it supports some agonist-induced beta-arrestin binding and receptor internalization, and (iii) serines 355, 356, and 364 play a pivotal role in the GRK-mediated desensitization, beta-arrestin binding, and internalization of beta(2)ARs.     

Sites in the third intracellular loop of the alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor confer short term agonist-promoted desensitization. Evidence for a receptor kinase-mediated mechanism.

To investigate the mechanisms of agonist-promoted desensitization of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2AR), the human alpha 2AAR and a mutated form of the receptor were expressed in CHW cells. After cells were exposed to epinephrine for 30 min, the ability of the wild type alpha 2AAR to mediate inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was depressed by approximately 78%. To assess the role of receptor phosphorylation during desensitization, cells were incubated with 32Pi, exposed to agonist, and alpha 2AAR purified by immunoprecipitation with a fusion protein antibody. Agonist-promoted desensitization was found to be accompanied by phosphorylation of the alpha 2AAR in vivo. The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) is known to phosphorylate purified alpha 2AAR in vitro. We found that heparin, a beta ARK inhibitor, ablated short term agonist-induced desensitization of alpha 2AAR, while such desensitization was unaffected by inhibition of protein kinase A. To further assess the role of beta ARK, we constructed a mutated alpha 2AAR which has a portion of the third intracellular loop containing 9 serines and threonines (potential phosphorylation sites) deleted. This mutated alpha 2AAR failed to undergo short term agonist-induced desensitization. Agonist promoted in vivo phosphorylation of this mutated receptor was reduced by 90%, consistent with the notion that receptor phosphorylation at sites in the third intracellular loop plays a critical role in alpha 2AAR desensitization. After 24 h of agonist exposure, an even more profound desensitization of alpha 2AAR occurred, which was not accompanied by a decrease in receptor expression. Rather, long term agonist-induced desensitization was found to be due in part to a decrease in the amount of cellular Gi, which was not dependent on receptor third loop phosphorylation sites.     

Two distinct pathways for cAMP-mediated down-regulation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Phosphorylation of the receptor and regulation of its mRNA level

We have studied cyclic AMP-mediated regulation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR). The effects of cAMP were assessed in Chinese hamster fibroblast (CHW) cells expressing either the wild type human beta 2AR receptor (CH-beta 2) or mutated forms of the receptor lacking the consensus sequences for phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Treatment of the CH-beta 2 cells with the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) induces a time-dependent "down-regulation" of the number of beta 2AR. This down-regulation of the receptors is accompanied by a decline in the steady state level of beta 2AR mRNA. Moreover, the treatment with Bt2cAMP induces an increase in the phosphorylation level of the membrane-associated beta 2AR. Both the reduction in beta 2AR mRNA and the enhanced phosphorylation of the receptor are rapid and precede the loss of receptor. The down-regulation of beta 2AR induced by Bt2cAMP is concentration-dependent and mimicked by the other biologically active cyclic nucleotide analogue, 8-Br-cAMP, by forskolin, and by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine. In the CHW cell lines expressing receptors lacking the putative protein kinase A phosphorylation sites, the Bt2cAMP-induced phosphorylation of beta 2AR is completely abolished. In these cells the down-regulation of beta 2AR receptor number produced by cAMP is significantly slowed, whereas the reduction in beta 2AR mRNA level is equivalent to that observed in CH-beta 2 cells. These data indicate that there are at least two pathways by which cAMP may decrease the number of beta 2ARs in cells: one involves phosphorylation of the receptor by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the other leads to a reduction in steady state beta 2AR mRNA levels.     

The carboxyl terminus of the hamster beta-adrenergic receptor expressed in mouse L cells is not required for receptor sequestration

The structural basis for agonist-mediated sequestration and desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) was examined by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of the hamster beta AR gene and expression of the mutant genes in mouse L cells. Treatment of these cells with the agonist isoproterenol corresponded to a desensitization of beta AR activity. A mutant receptor that bound agonist but did not couple to adenylate cyclase showed a dramatically reduced sequestration response to agonist stimulation. In contrast, beta AR mutants in which the C-terminus was truncated and/or in which two regions that have been proposed as phosphorylation substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase were removed showed normal sequestration responses. These results demonstrate that agonist-mediated sequestration of the beta AR can occur in the absence of the C-terminus of the protein and reveal a strong correlation between effective coupling to Gs and sequestration.     

Phosphorylation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor in plasma membranes by intrinsic GRK5

Characterization of the GRKs participating in the phosphorylation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) have in part been limited by the lack of a simple cell-free assay with membrane-bound beta2AR and GRKs. We describe here a cell-free assay for GRK phosphorylation of the beta2AR in a postnuclear 600g fraction and washed membranes by intrinsic GRK activity using the GRK phosphosite-specific antibody that recognizes pS(355,356). Treatment of these cell-free preparations with 1.0 microM isoproterenol (ISO) caused a rapid maximal 10-15-fold increase in GRK site phosphorylation of the beta2AR (t1/2 = 1 min) with an EC50 for ISO stimulation of approximately 80 nM. Extensively washed plasma membrane fractions retained the 10-15-fold ISO stimulation of GRK site phosphorylation and GRK5 levels while being depleted of GRK2 and GRK6. Stimulation of GRK site phosphorylation by a range of partial agonists correlated well with their intrinsic efficacy for stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. GRK phosphorylation of the beta2AR in the washed membrane fraction caused minimal desensitization of ISO stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. Association of GRK5 with the beta2AR in intact cells was demonstrated by a high level of basal BRET2 using beta2AR-Rluc and GRK5-GFP2 that was not diminished by agonist stimulation. BRET2 between the beta2AR-Rluc and GFP2-betaarrestin 2 was increased by agonist, whereas BRET2 between the beta2AR and GRK2-GFP2 was not significant. On the basis of the level of GRK5-mediated phosphorylation we observe in isolated membrane fractions and co-localization of the beta2AR and GRK5, we conclude that GRK5 plays a distinctive role in the phosphorylation of the beta2AR.     

Stable association of G proteins with beta 2AR is independent of the state of receptor activation.

beta 2-Adrenergic receptors expressed in Sf9 cells activate endogenous Gs and adenylyl cyclase [Mouillac B., Caron M., Bonin H., Dennis M. and Bouvier M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 21733-21737]. However, high affinity agonist binding is not detectable under these conditions suggesting an improper stoichiometry between the receptor and the G protein and possibly the effector molecule as well. In this study we demonstrate that when beta 2-adrenergic receptors were co-expressed with various mammalian G protein subunits in Sf9 cells using recombinant baculoviruses signalling properties found in native receptor systems were reconstituted. For example, when beta 2AR was co-expressed with the Gs alpha subunit, maximal receptor-mediated adenylyl cyclase stimulation was greatly enhanced (60 +/- 9.0 versus 150 +/- 52 pmol cAMP/min/mg protein) and high affinity, GppNHp-sensitive, agonist binding was detected. When G beta gamma subunits were co-expressed with Gs alpha and the beta 2AR, receptor-stimulated GTPase activity was also demonstrated, in contrast to when the receptor was expressed alone, and this activity was higher than when beta 2AR was co-expressed with Gs alpha alone. Other properties of the receptor, including receptor desensitization and response to inverse agonists were unaltered. Using antisera against an epitope-tagged beta 2AR, both Gs alpha and beta gamma subunits could be co-immunoprecipitated with the beta 2AR under conditions where subunit dissociation would be expected given current models of G protein function. A desensitization-defective beta 2AR (S261, 262, 345, 346A) and a mutant which is constitutively desensitized (C341G) could also co-immunoprecipitate G protein subunits. These results will be discussed in terms of a revised view of G protein-mediated signalling which may help address issues of specificity in receptor/G protein coupling.     

Desensitization of the isolated beta 2-adrenergic receptor by beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and protein kinase C occurs via distinct molecular mechanisms.

Exposure of beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2ARs) to agonists causes a rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase response. Phosphorylation of the beta 2AR by several distinct kinases plays an important role in this desensitization phenomenon. In this study, we have utilized purified hamster lung beta 2AR and stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (Gs), reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles, to investigate the molecular properties of this desensitization response. Purified hamster beta 2AR was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), or beta AR kinase (beta ARK), and receptor function was determined by measuring the beta 2AR-agonist-promoted Gs-associated GTPase activity. At physiological concentrations of Mg2+ (less than 1 mM), receptor phosphorylation inhibited coupling to Gs by 60% (PKA), 40% (PKC), and 30% (beta ARK). The desensitizing effect of phosphorylation was, however, greatly diminished when assays were performed at concentrations of Mg2+ sufficient to promote receptor-independent activation of Gs (greater than 5 mM). Addition of retinal arrestin, the light transduction component involved in the attenuation of rhodopsin function, did not enhance the uncoupling effect of beta ARK phosphorylation of beta 2AR when assayed in the presence of 0.3 mM free Mg2+. At concentrations of Mg2+ ranging between 0.5 and 5.0 mM, however, significant potentiation of beta ARK-mediated desensitization was observed upon arrestin addition. At a free Mg2+ concentration of 5 mM, arrestin did not potentiate the inhibition of receptor function observed on PKA or PKC phosphorylation. These results suggest that distinct pathways of desensitization exist for the receptor phosphorylated either by PKA or PKC or alternatively by beta ARK.     

Somatostatin induces translocation of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and desensitizes somatostatin receptors in S49 lymphoma cells

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase is a cytosolic enzyme that specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR). Beta AR kinase appears to be translocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane when kin- S49 lymphoma cells are incubated with either beta-adrenergic agonists or prostaglandin E1, both of which act through receptors which stimulate adenylate cyclase. We report here that brief (approximately 20 min) exposure of wild type S49 lymphoma cells to somatostatin (which inhibits adenylate cyclase) promotes the translocation of beta AR kinase to an extent comparable to that observed in the presence of the beta agonist isoproterenol or prostaglandin E1. Beta AR kinase activity can be measured using either beta AR or rhodopsin, the retinal receptor for light, as a substrate. The translocation process triggered by somatostatin is rapid, reversible, and is associated with somatostatin receptor desensitization. The latter is apparent as an attenuation of the inhibition by somatostatin of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes of S49 cells preincubated in the presence of the peptide. These results strongly suggest that beta AR kinase is able to phosphorylate and desensitize both stimulatory and inhibitory adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors, thus emerging as a general kinase that regulates the function of different receptors in an agonist-specific fashion.     

Regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity by beta-adrenergic agonists in a desensitization-resistant mutant cell line.

Mutant clones resistant to ACTH-induced desensitization of adenylyl cyclase (Y1DR) were previously isolated from the Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cell line. In this study, both parental Y1 cells (Y1DS) and a Y1DR mutant were transfected with a gene encoding the mouse beta 2-adrenergic receptor, and transfectants isolated from both Y1DS and Y1DR cells were shown to express beta 2-adrenergic receptors. These transfectants responded to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol with increases in adenylyl cyclase activity and steroidogenesis and changes in cell shape. The transfectants were analyzed to determine whether the Y1DR mutation was specific for ACTH-induced desensitization of adenylyl cyclase or also affected desensitization of adenylyl cyclase via the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Treatment of intact Y1DS transfectants with isoproterenol caused a rapid desensitization of the adenylyl cyclase system to further stimulation by the beta-adrenergic agonist. Treatment of intact cells with isoproterenol did not affect ACTH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, indicating that desensitization was agonist specific or homologous. Y1DR transfectants were resistant to the desensitizing effects of isoproterenol in intact cells as well as in cell homogenates. These results indicate that the mutation in Y1DR transfectants affects a component that is common to the pathways of isoproterenol-induced desensitization and ACTH-induced desensitization of adenylyl cyclase. As determined using the hydrophilic beta-receptor antagonist CGP-12177, isoproterenol caused a rapid sequestration of cell surface receptors in both Y1DS and Y1DR transfectants. From these results we infer that the DR phenotype does not arise from mutations affecting receptor sequestration and that receptor number does not limit the response to isoproterenol in these transfectants.     

A primate-dominant third glycosylation site of the beta2-adrenergic receptor routes receptors to degradation during agonist regulation

beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)AR) of all species are N-linked glycosylated at amino terminus residues approximately 6 and approximately 15. However, the human beta(2)AR has a potential third N-glycosylation site at ECL2 residue 187. To determine whether this residue is glycosylated and to ascertain function, all possible single/multiple Asn --> Gln mutations were made in the human beta(2) AR at positions 6, 15, and 187 and were expressed in Chinese hamster fibroblast cells. Substitution of Asn-187 alone or with Asn-6 or Asn-15 decreased the apparent molecular mass of the receptor on SDS-PAGE in a manner consistent with Asn-187 glycosylation. All receptors bound the agonist isoproterenol and functionally coupled to adenylyl cyclase. However, receptors without 187 glycosylation failed to display long term agonist-promoted down-regulation. In contrast, loss of Asn-6/Asn-15 glycosylation did not alter down-regulation. Cell surface distribution and agonist-promoted internalization of receptors and recruitment of beta-arrestin 2 were unaffected by the loss of 187 glycosylation. Furthermore, acutely internalized wild-type and Gln-187 receptors were both localized by confocal microscopy to early endosomes. During prolonged agonist exposure, wild-type beta(2)AR co-localized with lysosomes, consistent with trafficking to a degradation compartment. However, Gln-187 beta(2)AR failed to co-localize with lysosomes despite agonist treatments up to 18 h. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this third glycosylation site is found in humans and other higher order primates but not in lower order primates such as the monkey. Nor is this third site found in rodents, which are frequently utilized as animal models. These data thus reveal a previously unrecognized beta(2)AR regulatory motif that appeared late in primate evolution and serves to direct internalized receptors to lysosomal degradation during long term agonist exposure.     

Agonist-modulated palmitoylation of beta 2-adrenergic receptor in Sf9 cells.

The palmitoylation of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR) was studied in recombinant baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. At 48 h post-infection, a high level expression of an epitope-tagged beta 2-AR (10-25 pmol/mg protein) was detected by [125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]CYP) binding assays. The identity of the receptor was confirmed both by photoaffinity labeling and immunoblotting. The fusion receptor displayed typical beta 2-AR pharmacological properties and conferred a beta-adrenergic sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity to the Sf9 cells. Moreover, exposure of the Sf9 cells to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol induced a rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. Purification of the epitope-tagged beta 2-AR by immunoprecipitation as well as by alprenolol-Sepharose affinity chromatography revealed that the receptor is covalently modified with palmitic acid in the insect cells as is observed in mammalian cells. In addition, short-term incubation of the cells with isoproterenol led to a specific increase in the incorporation of [3H]palmitate in the receptor, consistent with a rapid agonist-modulated turnover of the beta 2-AR-attached palmitic acid. These results suggest that agonist-mediated regulation of beta 2-AR post-translational palmitoylation could represent an other regulatory process for G protein-coupled receptors.     

The beta3-adrenergic receptor activates mitogen-activated protein kinase in adipocytes through a Gi-dependent mechanism

Promiscuous coupling between G protein-coupled receptors and multiple species of heterotrimeric G proteins provides a potential mechanism for expanding the diversity of G protein-coupled receptor signaling. We have examined the mechanism and functional consequences of dual Gs/Gi protein coupling of the beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3AR) in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. The beta3AR selective agonist disodium (R, R)-5-[2[[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-amino]propyl]-1, 3-benzodioxole-2,2-dicarboxylate (CL316,243) stimulated a dose-dependent increase in cAMP production in adipocyte plasma membrane preparations, and pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin resulted in a further 2-fold increase in cAMP production by CL316,243. CL316,243 (5 microM) stimulated the incorporation of 8-azido-[32P]GTP into Galphas (1.57 +/- 0.12; n = 3) and Galphai (1. 68 +/- 0.13; n = 4) in adipocyte plasma membranes, directly demonstrating that beta3AR stimulation results in Gi-GTP exchange. The beta3AR-stimulated increase in 8-azido-[32P]GTP labeling of Galphai was equivalent to that obtained with the A1-adenosine receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (1.56 +/- 0.07; n = 4), whereas inclusion of unlabeled GTP (100 microM) eliminated all binding. Stimulation of the beta3AR in 3T3-F442A adipocytes led to a 2-3-fold activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, as measured by extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) eliminated MAP kinase activation by beta3AR, demonstrating that this response required receptor coupling to Gi. Expression of the human beta3AR in HEK-293 cells reconstituted the PTX-sensitive stimulation of MAP kinase, demonstrating that this phenomenon is not exclusive to adipocytes or to the rodent beta3AR. ERK1/2 activation by the beta3AR was insensitive to the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor H-89 but was abolished by genistein and AG1478. These data indicate that constitutive beta3AR coupling to Gi proteins serves both to restrain Gs-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase and to initiate additional signal transduction pathways, including the ERK1/2 MAP kinase cascade.     

Protein kinase A and G protein-coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation mediates beta-1 adrenergic receptor endocytosis through different pathways

Agonist-induced phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta ARs) by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) results in their desensitization followed by internalization. Whether protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of beta ARs, particularly the beta 1AR subtype, can also trigger internalization is currently not known. To test this, we cloned the mouse wild type beta 1AR (WT beta 1AR) and created 3 mutants lacking, respectively: the putative PKA phosphorylation sites (PKA-beta 1AR), the putative GRK phosphorylation sites (GRK-beta 1AR), and both sets of phosphorylation sites (PKA-/GRK-beta 1AR). Following agonist stimulation, both PKA-beta 1AR and GRK-beta 1AR mutants showed comparable increases in phosphorylation and desensitization. Saturating concentrations of agonist induced only 50% internalization of either mutant compared with wild type, suggesting that both PKA and GRK phosphorylation of the receptor contributed to receptor sequestration in an additive manner. Moreover, in contrast to the WT beta 1AR and PKA-beta 1AR, sequestration of the GRK-beta 1AR and PKA-/GRK-beta 1AR was independent of beta-arrestin recruitment. Importantly, clathrin inhibitors abolished agonist-dependent internalization for both the WT beta 1AR and PKA-beta 1AR, whereas caveolae inhibitors prevented internalization only of the GRK-beta 1AR mutant. Taken together, these data demonstrate that: 1) PKA-mediated phosphorylation can trigger agonist-induced internalization of the beta 1AR and 2) the pathway selected for beta 1AR internalization is primarily determined by the kinase that phosphorylates the receptor, i.e. PKA-mediated phosphorylation directs internalization via a caveolae pathway, whereas GRK-mediated phosphorylation directs it through clathrin-coated pits.     

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 regulates beta 1-adrenergic receptor association with PSD-95.

We previously reported that the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (beta(1)AR) associates with PSD-95 through a PDZ domain-mediated interaction, by which PSD-95 modulates beta(1)AR function and facilitates the physical association of beta(1)AR with other synaptic proteins such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Here we demonstrate that beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 is regulated by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5). When beta(1)AR and PSD-95 were coexpressed with either GRK2 or GRK5 in COS-7 cells, GRK5 alone dramatically decreased the association of beta(1)AR with PSD-95, although GRK2 and GRK5 both could be co-immunoprecipitated with beta(1)AR and both could enhance receptor phosphorylation in vivo. Increasing expression of GRK5 in the cells led to further decreased beta(1)AR association with PSD-95. Stimulation with the beta(1)AR agonist isoproterenol further decreased PSD-95 binding to beta(1)AR. In addition, GRK5 protein kinase activity was required for this regulatory effect since a kinase-inactive GRK5 mutant had no effect on PSD-95 binding to beta(1)AR. Moreover, the regulatory effect of GRK5 on beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 was observed only when GRK5 was expressed together with the receptor, but not when GRK5 was coexpressed with PSD-95. Thus, we propose that GRK5 regulates beta(1)AR association with PSD-95 through phosphorylation of beta(1)AR. Regulation of protein association through receptor phosphorylation may be a general mechanism used by G protein-coupled receptors that associate via PDZ domain-mediated protein/protein interactions.     

Substitution of an extracellular cysteine in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor enhances agonist-promoted phosphorylation and receptor desensitization

We constructed and expressed in a permanent cell line a beta 2-adrenergic receptor with a valine substitution for cysteine 184 of the second putative extracellular loop. The mutant receptor was partially uncoupled from adenylyl cyclase with impaired ability to form the high affinity agonist-receptor-G protein complex, yet displayed more rapid and extensive agonist-induced desensitization. The enhanced desensitization was accompanied by increased agonist promoted, but not cAMP promoted, receptor phosphorylation in intact cells. Thus, not only is impaired desensitization associated with decreased phosphorylation, as we have shown with several mutant beta 2-adrenergic receptors recently, but enhanced desensitization is accompanied by increased agonist promoted receptor phosphorylation. In the case of this cysteine mutant, this may be due to the greater accessibility of the uncoupled receptor for phosphorylation by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.