A beta-adrenergic receptor kinase-like enzyme is involved in olfactory signal termination

We have previously shown that second-messenger-dependent kinases (cAMP-dependent kinase, protein kinase C) in the olfactory system are essential in terminating second-messenger signaling in response to odorants. We now document that subtype 2 of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) is also involved in this process. By using subtype-specific antibodies to beta ARK-1 and beta ARK-2, we show that beta ARK-2 is preferentially expressed in the olfactory epithelium in contrast to findings in most other tissues. Heparin, an inhibitor of beta ARK, as well as anti-beta ARK-2 antibodies, (i) completely prevents the rapid decline of second-messenger signals (desensitization) that follows odorant stimulation and (ii) strongly inhibits odorant-induced phosphorylation of olfactory ciliary proteins. In contrast, beta ARK-1 antibodies are without effect. Inhibitors of protein kinase A and protein kinase C also block odorant-induced desensitization and phosphorylation. These data suggest that a sequential interplay of second-messenger-dependent and receptor-specific kinases is functionally involved in olfactory desensitization.

Beta-adrenergic receptor kinase-2 and beta-arrestin-2 as mediators of odorant-induced desensitization

beta-Adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and beta-arrestin function in the homologous or agonist-activated desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors. The isoforms beta ARK-2 and beta-arrestin-2 are highly enriched in and localized to the dendritic knobs and cilia of the olfactory receptor neurons where the initial events of olfactory signal transduction occur. Odorants induce a rapid and transient elevation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), which activates a nonspecific cation channel and produces membrane depolarization. Preincubation of rat olfactory cilia with antibodies raised against beta ARK-2 and beta-arrestin-2 increased the odorant-induced elevation of cAMP and attenuated desensitization. These results suggest that beta ARK-2 and beta-arrestin-2 mediate agonist-dependent desensitization in olfaction.

Beta-adrenergic receptor sequestration. A potential mechanism of receptor resensitization

Continuous exposure of cells to hormonal agonists often causes a rapid waning of the stimulated response. This desensitization effect has been extensively studied in the beta-adrenergic receptor system, and attributed largely to the rapid phosphorylation of the receptor by two kinases. Over a similar time frame (seconds to minutes), agonists also trigger a selective loss in the capacity of receptors to bind hydrophilic but not hydrophobic ligands, a phenomenon termed sequestration. There is some evidence suggesting that sequestration represents the rapid internalization of receptors, but the functional significance of sequestration has remained unclear. Upon the removal of agonist, both desensitization and sequestration are readily reversed with similar kinetics (t1/2 approximately 3 min for both). To investigate the possibility that receptor sequestration is involved in this resensitization of the adenylyl cyclase response, we applied two distinct approaches to block receptor sequestration: by pretreating cells with sucrose and by creating a sequestration-defective beta 2-adrenergic receptor by site-specific mutagenesis. Both approaches effectively disabled receptor sequestration, with little effect on adenylyl cyclase stimulation or on desensitization. However, in both cases, no recovery from desensitization was apparent even 20 min after the removal of agonist. Similarly, pretreating cells with concanavalin A almost completely blocked receptor sequestration and resensitization but only partially inhibited other receptor functions. Our results therefore suggest that sequestration of beta 2-adrenergic receptors is a mechanism involved in reactivating and recycling desensitized receptors.

The G-protein-coupled receptor kinases beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 are widely distributed at synapses in rat brain

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) phosphorylates the agonist-occupied beta-adrenergic receptor to promote rapid receptor uncoupling from Gs, thereby attenuating adenylyl cyclase activity. Beta ARK-mediated receptor desensitization may reflect a general molecular mechanism operative on many G-protein-coupled receptor systems and, particularly, synaptic neurotransmitter receptors. Two distinct cDNAs encoding beta ARK isozymes were isolated from rat brain and sequenced. The regional and cellular distributions of these two gene products, termed beta ARK1 and beta ARK2, were determined in brain by in situ hybridization and by immunohistochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels. The beta ARK isozymes were found to be expressed primarily in neurons distributed throughout the CNS. Ultrastructurally, beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 immunoreactivities were present both in association with postsynaptic densities and, presynaptically, with axon terminals. The beta ARK isozymes have a regional and subcellular distribution consistent with a general role in the desensitization of synaptic receptors.

Isoprenylation in regulation of signal transduction by G-protein-coupled receptor kinases

Rhodopsin kinase and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) are related members of a serine/threonine kinase family that specifically initiate deactivation of G-protein-coupled receptors. After stimulus-mediated receptor activation, these cytoplasmic kinases translocate to the plasma membrane. Here we show that the molecular basis for this event involves a class of unsaturated lipids called isoprenoids. Covalent modification in vivo of rhodopsin kinase by a 15-C (farnesyl) isoprenoid enables the kinase to anchor to photon-activated rhodopsin. Mutations that alter or eliminate the isoprenoid, fully disable light-specific Rhodopsin kinase translocation. Other receptor kinases (such as beta ARK), which lack an intrinsic lipid, are activated on exposure to brain beta gamma subunits of the signal-transducing G proteins, the gamma subunit of which bears a 20-C (geranylgeranyl) isoprenoid. Using chimaeric beta ARKs that undergo isoprenylation in vitro, we demonstrate that membrane association and activation of these kinases can occur in the absence of beta gamma. These results indicate that rhodopsin kinase (by means of an integral isoprenoid) and beta ARK (through its association with beta gamma) both rely on the function of isoprenyl moieties for their translocation and activity, illustrating distinct, though related, modes of biological regulation of receptor function.

Beta-arrestin2, a novel member of the arrestin/beta-arrestin gene family

Homologous or agonist-specific desensitization of beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2AR) is mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) which specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the receptor. However, the capacity of beta ARK-phosphorylated beta 2AR to stimulate Gs in a reconstituted system is only minimally impaired. Recently, a protein termed beta-arrestin, was cloned from a bovine brain cDNA library and found to quench phosphorylated beta 2AR-coupling to Gs. Utilizing a low stringency hybridization technique to screen a rat brain cDNA library, we have now isolated cDNA clones representing two distinct beta-arrestin-like genes. One of the cDNAs is the rat homolog of bovine beta-arrestin (beta-arrestin1). In addition, we have isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel, beta-arrestin-related protein which we have termed beta-arrestin2. Overall, beta-arrestin2 exhibits 78% amino acid identity with beta-arrestin1. The primary structure of these proteins delineates a family of proteins that regulates receptor coupling to G proteins. The capacity of purified beta-arrestin1, beta-arrestin2, and arrestin to inhibit the coupling of phosphorylated receptors to their respective G proteins were assessed in a reconstituted beta 2AR-Gs system and in a reconstituted rhodopsin-GT system. beta-Arrestin2 was equipotent to beta-arrestin1 and specifically inhibited beta 2AR function. Conversely, arrestin inhibited rhodopsin coupling to GT, whereas beta-arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 were at least 20-fold less potent in this system. beta-Arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 are predominantly localized in neuronal tissues and in the spleen. However, low mRNA levels can be detected in most peripheral tissues. In the central nervous system, beta-arrestin2 appears to be even more abundant than beta-arrestin1. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue distribution of beta-arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 in rat brain shows extensive, but heterogenous, neuronal labeling of the two proteins. They are found in several neuronal pathways suggesting that they have relatively broad receptor specificity regulating many G protein-coupled receptors. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy shows that the beta-arrestins are appropriately situated at postsynaptic sites to act in concert with beta ARK to regulate G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors.

Overexpression of pp60c-src is associated with altered regulation of adenylyl cyclase

The ability of activators of the beta-adrenergic receptor to elevate intracellular cAMP levels in murine fibroblasts is enhanced upon overexpression of avian c-src [Bushman et al. (1990) Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 7462-7466]. To investigate the molecular basis for this effect, we prepared particulate fractions from control and pp60c-src overexpressing C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts and assessed the relative abilities of several activators of the beta-adrenergic receptor-Gs-adenylyl cyclase (AC) signal transduction pathway to stimulate the enzymatic response. Two- to three-fold increases in both the sensitivity and maximum responsiveness of AC to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol were consistently observed in fractions prepared from the c-src overexpressing cells. Interestingly, the AC response to two agents believed to act directly at the level of the G protein were either enhanced (NaF) or unaffected (GTP gamma S) by c-src overexpression. Finally, overexpression of c-src was associated with a reduced ability of both Mn2+ and forskolin to activate AC directly. These results suggest that overexpression of wild type c-src may affect two distinct steps in the regulation of AC exerting a positive effect at the level of Gs activation and a negative effect on AC itself. As no differences in the relative number or affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors, or in the level of AC, Gs alpha or G beta, were detected between control cells and those overexpressing c-src, we propose that pp60c-src overexpression results in a modification of one or more components in this signal transduction pathway.

Role of beta gamma subunits of G proteins in targeting the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase to membrane-bound receptors

The rate and extent of the agonist-dependent phosphorylation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors and rhodopsin by beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) are markedly enhanced on addition of G protein beta gamma subunits. With a model peptide substrate it was demonstrated that direct activation of the kinase could not account for this effect. G protein beta gamma subunits were shown to interact directly with the COOH-terminal region of beta ARK, and formation of this beta ARK-beta gamma complex resulted in receptor-facilitated membrane localization of the enzyme. The beta gamma subunits of transducin were less effective at both enhancing the rate of receptor phosphorylation and binding to the COOH-terminus of beta ARK, suggesting that the enzyme preferentially binds specific beta gamma complexes. The beta gamma-mediated membrane localization of beta ARK serves to intimately link receptor activation to beta ARK-mediated desensitization.

Pharmacological characteristics of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors: comparison of pharmacologically defined subtypes with subtypes identified by molecular cloning

On the basis of extensive radioligand data and more limited functional data, three pharmacological subtypes of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors have been identified. More recently, three human genes or cDNAs for alpha 2-adrenergic receptors have been identified by molecular cloning. The relationship, however, among the pharmacologically defined subtypes and those identified by molecular cloning has not been clear. In order to resolve this issue, we have compared the pharmacological characteristics of the receptors identified by molecular cloning and expressed in COS-7 cells with the characteristics of the pharmacologically defined receptors in their respective prototypic tissue or cell line. The affinities (Ki values) of 12 subtype-selective alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists were determined for the alpha 2 receptor in the six preparations, by radioligand binding. Correlation analyses of the pKi values indicate that the alpha 2A subtype, as defined in the HT29 cell line, the alpha 2B receptor of the neonatal rat lung, and the alpha 2C subtype, as defined in an oppossum kidney cell line, correspond to the cloned human alpha 2-C10, alpha 2-C2, and alpha 2-C4 receptor subtypes, respectively.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of G protein alpha subunits by pp60c-src

A number of lines of evidence suggest that cross-talk exists between the cellular signal transduction pathways involving tyrosine phosphorylation catalyzed by members of the pp60c-src kinase family and those mediated by guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins). In this study, we explore the possibility that direct interactions between pp60c-src and G proteins may occur with functional consequences. Preparations of pp60c-src isolated by immunoprecipitation phosphorylate on tyrosine residues the purified G-protein alpha subunits (G alpha) of several heterotrimeric G proteins. Phosphorylation is highly dependent on G-protein conformation, and G alpha(GDP) uncomplexed by beta gamma subunits appears to be the preferred substrate. In functional studies, phosphorylation of stimulatory G alpha (G alpha s) modestly increases the rate of binding of guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate to Gs as well as the receptor-stimulated steady-state rate of GTP hydrolysis by Gs. Heterotrimeric G proteins may represent a previously unappreciated class of potential substrates for pp60c-src.

Receptor-specific desensitization with purified proteins. Kinase dependence and receptor specificity of beta-arrestin and arrestin in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor and rhodopsin systems

Homologous desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors, as well as adaptation of rhodopsin, are thought to be triggered by specific phosphorylation of the receptor proteins. However, phosphorylation alone seems insufficient to inhibit receptor function, and it has been proposed that the inhibition is mediated, following receptor phosphorylation, by the additional proteins beta-arrestin in the case of beta-adrenergic receptors and arrestin in the case of rhodopsin. In order to test this hypothesis with isolated proteins, beta-arrestin and arrestin were produced by transient overexpression of their cDNAs in COS7 cells and purified to apparent homogeneity. Their functional effects were assessed in reconstituted receptor/G protein systems using either beta 2-adrenergic receptors with Gs or rhodopsin with Gt. Prior to the assays, beta 2-receptors and rhodopsin were phosphorylated by their specific kinases beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and rhodopsin kinase, respectively. beta-Arrestin was a potent inhibitor of the function of beta ARK-phosphorylated beta 2-receptors. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at a beta-arrestin:beta 2-receptor stoichiometry of about 1:1. More than 100-fold higher concentrations of arrestin were required to inhibit beta 2-receptor function. Conversely, arrestin caused half-maximal inhibition of the function of rhodopsin kinase-phosphorylated rhodopsin when present in concentrations about equal to those of rhodopsin, whereas beta-arrestin at 100-fold higher concentrations had little inhibitory effect. The potency of beta-arrestin in inhibiting beta 2-receptor function was increased over 10-fold following phosphorylation of the receptors by beta ARK, but was not affected by receptor phosphorylation using protein kinase A. This suggests that beta-arrestin plays a role in beta ARK-mediated homologous, but not in protein kinase A-mediated heterologous desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors. It is concluded that even though arrestin and beta-arrestin are similar proteins, they display marked specificity for their respective receptors and that phosphorylation of the receptors by the receptor-specific kinases serves to permit the inhibitory effects of the "arresting" proteins by allowing them to bind to the receptors and thereby inhibit their signaling properties. Furthermore, it is shown that this mechanism of receptor inhibition can be reproduced with isolated purified proteins.

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.

Discrete amino acid sequences of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor determine the selectivity of coupling to phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis

We have constructed a variety of chimeric beta 2/alpha 1 adrenergic receptors (AR) in which selected portions of the third intracellular loop of the alpha (1B)AR were substituted into the corresponding regions of the beta 2AR. The mutant receptors were both transiently and permanently expressed in COS-7 or L-cells, respectively, and tested for their ability to mediate epinephrine-induced activation of polyphosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and adenylylcyclase. We have determined that 27 amino acids of the alpha (1B)AR (residues 233-259) derived from the N-terminal portion of the third intracellular loop represent the structural determinant conferring to the beta 2AR the ability to activate PI hydrolysis. This finding suggests that in the alpha (1B)AR the N-terminal portion of the third intracellular loop plays a major role in determining the selectivity of receptor-G protein coupling. However, replacement of alpha 1B sequences in the third intracellular loop of the beta 2AR did not abolish the latter receptor's coupling to activation of adenylylcyclase, thus resulting in chimeric adrenergic receptors which activated both PI hydrolysis and adenylylcyclase. These results indicate that, even if the N-terminal portion of the third intracellular loop is a major determinant of the selectivity of receptor-G protein coupling, other structural domains of the receptors also modulate this property. The comparison of the amino acid sequences which determine the selectivity of G protein coupling in functionally similar receptors may help to elucidate the structural basis for activation of specific G protein-effector systems.

Isoprenylation of a protein kinase. Requirement of farnesylation/alpha-carboxyl methylation for full enzymatic activity of rhodopsin kinase

The primary structure of bovine rhodopsin kinase (RK), which phosphorylates light-activated rhodopsin (Rho*), terminates with the amino acid sequence Cys558-Val-Leu-Ser561, a motif that has been shown to direct the isoprenylation and alpha-carboxyl methylation of many proteins (e.g. p21Ha-ras). Transient expression of RK in COS-7 cells revealed the presence of two immunoreactive protein species. Consistent with RK being modified by isoprenylation, interconversion of these two species was dependent upon isoprenoid biosynthesis in the cells. Moreover, a serine substitution for Cys558 resulted in a single RK species whose migration on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels was identical to that of RK from cells treated with mevinolin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and, thus, of isoprenoid biosynthesis. This finding indicates that isoprenylation of RK requires Cys558. The electrophoretic mobility of isoprenylated RK synthesized in COS-7 cells was identical to that of RK from bovine rod outer segments, suggesting that RK is isoprenylated in vivo. RK was determined to be modified by a farnesyl moiety and alpha-carboxyl-methylated. A time course of Rho* phosphorylation revealed that non-processed RK is approximately 4-fold less active than wild-type RK. This is the first demonstration of isoprenylation/alpha-carboxyl methylation of a protein kinase, and suggests that these modifications markedly influence enzymatic activity in vivo.

Constitutive activation of the alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor by all amino acid substitutions at a single site. Evidence for a region which constrains receptor activation

Mutations in an intracellular region of the alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor constitutively activate the receptor, resulting in G protein coupling in the absence of agonist, as evidenced by elevated levels of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. Remarkably, all 19 possible amino acid substitutions at a single site in this region (alanine 293) confer constitutive activity. This set of mutated receptors exhibits a graded range of elevated biological activities, apparently representing a spectrum of receptor conformations which mimic the "active" state of the wild type receptor. In addition to their constitutive activities, these mutated receptors all demonstrate a higher affinity for agonists, another primary characteristic of the "active" conformation of G protein-coupled receptors. The fact that all possible mutations at this particular site result in increased activity suggests that this region may function to constrain the G protein coupling of the receptor, a constraint which is normally relieved by agonist occupancy.

From ligand binding to gene expression: new insights into the regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors

Transmembrane signaling systems relay information from the exterior to the interior of a cell, through a series of complex protein-protein interactions and second messenger cascades. One such system consists of the G-protein-coupled receptors, which interact with G proteins upon ligand binding, and in turn activate an effector molecule. The receptor is the first component in this signaling cascade and is subject to considerable regulation. Recent studies have shown that these regulatory events can occur at the levels of receptor protein modification and receptor gene expression. Interestingly, some of these processes appear to be mediated by the same second messenger systems that these receptors activate, which leads to various forms of positive and negative feedback regulation.

G-protein-coupled receptor genes as protooncogenes: constitutively activating mutation of the alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor enhances mitogenesis and tumorigenicity

The alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor (alpha 1B-ADR) is a member of the G-protein-coupled family of transmembrane receptors. When transfected into Rat-1 and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, this receptor induces focus formation in an agonist-dependent manner. Focus-derived, transformed fibroblasts exhibit high levels of functional alpha 1B-ADR expression, demonstrate a catecholamine-induced enhancement in the rate of cellular proliferation, and are tumorigenic when injected into nude mice. Induction of neoplastic transformation by the alpha 1B-ADR, therefore, identifies this normal cellular gene as a protooncogene. Mutational alteration of this receptor can lead to activation of this protooncogene, resulting in an enhanced ability of agonist to induce focus formation with a decreased latency and quantitative increase in transformed foci. In contrast to cells expressing the wild-type alpha 1B-ADR, focus formation in "oncomutant"-expressing cell lines appears constitutively activated with the generation of foci in unstimulated cells. Further, these cell lines exhibit near-maximal rates of proliferation even in the absence of catecholamine supplementation. They also demonstrate an enhanced ability for tumor generation in nude mice with a decreased period of latency compared with cells expressing the wild-type receptor. Thus, the alpha 1B-ADR gene can, when overexpressed and activated, function as an oncogene inducing neoplastic transformation. Mutational alteration of this receptor gene can result in the activation of this protooncogene, enhancing its oncogenic potential. These findings suggest that analogous spontaneously occurring mutations in this class of receptor proteins could play a key role in the induction or progression of neoplastic transformation and atherosclerosis.

The alpha 1C-adrenergic receptor: characterization of signal transduction pathways and mammalian tissue heterogeneity

We recently reported the cloning of a novel alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (AR), the alpha 1CAR. By transient and stable expression of the alpha 1CAR and the previously cloned alpha 1BAR in COS-7 and HeLa cells, respectively, we have now compared their ability to interact with major signal-transduction pathways (including polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, intracellular calcium, and cAMP metabolism), as well as their mammalian tissue localization. Both alpha 1C- and alpha 1BARs primarily couple to phospholipase C via a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein, leading to the release of calcium from intracellular stores. Even though alpha 1C- and alpha 1BARs activate polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis by similar biochemical mechanisms, the alpha 1CAR couples to phospholipase C more efficiently than does the alpha 1BAR; activation of the alpha 1CAR results in a 2-3-fold greater increase in inositol phosphates, compared with the alpha 1BAR. Both alpha 1AR subtypes can also increase intracellular cAMP, by a mechanism that does not involve direct activation of adenylyl cyclase. In agreement with ligand binding data, the agonist methoxamine and the antagonist WB4101 are 10-fold more potent in activating or inhibiting, respectively, the ability of the alpha 1CAR to stimulate phospholipase C, compared with the alpha 1BAR. In addition, methoxamine is almost a full agonist at the alpha 1CAR, whereas it can only weakly activate the alpha 1BAR. Tissue localization, using Northern blot analysis of total and poly(A)+-selected RNA from rabbit tissues, revealed striking mammalian species heterogeneity. As previously described, the alpha 1BAR is present in several rat tissues, including heart, liver, brain, kidney, lung, and spleen, whereas the alpha 1CAR is not present in any rat tissue studied. The alpha 1BAR is also present in rabbit aorta, heart, spleen, and kidney (and absent in rabbit liver), whereas the alpha 1CAR is present in rabbit liver. Our results indicate that the cloning and expression of different alpha 1AR subtypes represents a valuable tool to elucidate functional correlates of alpha 1AR heterogeneity.

Regulation of adrenergic receptor responsiveness through modulation of receptor gene expression

Multiple mechanisms contribute to the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors and their transmembrane signaling. Post-translational modifications of the receptors, such as phosphorylation, and changes in receptor gene expression can occur in either a strictly agonist-dependent fashion or through second messenger-mediated autoregulation. We have shown that modulation of receptor gene expression contributes to the responsiveness of adrenergic and related receptors. Recent evidence for post-transcriptional regulation, as well as the stimulation of transcription in an autoregulatory manner, indicates the unanticipated variety and complexity of mechanisms regulating adrenergic receptor responsiveness.

The receptor kinase family: primary structure of rhodopsin kinase reveals similarities to the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase

Light-dependent deactivation of rhodopsin as well as homologous desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors involves receptor phosphorylation that is mediated by the highly specific protein kinases rhodopsin kinase (RK) and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK), respectively. We report here the cloning of a complementary DNA for RK. The deduced amino acid sequence shows a high degree of homology to beta ARK. In a phylogenetic tree constructed by comparing the catalytic domains of several protein kinases, RK and beta ARK are located on a branch close to, but separate from the cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C subfamilies. From the common structural features we conclude that both RK and beta ARK are members of a newly delineated gene family of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor kinases that may function in diverse pathways to regulate the function of such receptors.

Cyclic phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of rhodopsin in retina by protein kinase FA (the activator of ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase)

The ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase activating factor (protein kinase FA) was identified to exist in bovine retina. Furthermore, rhodopsin, the visual light pigment associated with rod outer segments in retina, could be well phosphorylated by kinase FA to about 0.9 mol of phosphates per mol of protein. Moreover, more than 90% of the phosphates in [32P]-rhodopsin could be completely removed by ATP.Mg-dependent protein phosphatase and the rhodopsin phosphatase activity was strictly kinase FA-dependent. Taken together, the results provide initial evidence that a cyclic phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of rhodopsin can be controlled by the retina-associated protein kinase FA, representing an efficient cyclic cascade mechanism possibly involved in the rapid regulation of rhodopsin function in retina.

Cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2. A new member of the receptor kinase family

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic and related G protein-coupled receptors. Structural features of this enzyme have been elucidated recently by the isolation of a cDNA that encodes bovine beta ARK. Utilizing a catalytic domain fragment of the beta ARK cDNA to screen a bovine brain cDNA library we have isolated a clone encoding a beta ARK-related enzyme which we have termed beta ARK2. Overall, this enzyme has 85% amino acid identity with beta ARK, with the protein kinase catalytic domain having 95% identity. The ability of beta ARK2 to phosphorylate various substrates was studied after expression in COS 7 cells. Although beta ARK2 is essentially equiactive with beta ARK in phosphorylating an acid-rich synthetic model peptide it was only approximately 50% as active when the substrate was the agonist-occupied beta 2-adrenergic receptor and only approximately 20% as active toward light-bleached rhodopsin. As with beta ARK, phosphorylation of the receptor substrates by beta ARK2 was completely stimulus dependent. RNA blot analysis with selected bovine tissues reveals an mRNA of 8 kilobases with a distribution similar to that of beta ARK. More detailed RNA analysis using a ribonuclease protection assay in various rat tissues suggests that the beta ARK2 message is present at much lower levels (typically 10-20%) than the beta ARK message. In the rat the beta ARK2 mRNA is localized predominantly in neuronal tissues although low levels are also observed in various peripheral tissues. The beta ARK2 gene has been localized to a region of mouse chromosome 5 whereas the beta ARK gene is localized on mouse chromosome 19. These data suggest the existence of a "family" of receptor kinases which may serve broadly to regulate receptor function.

Comparative rates of desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

Three separate processes may contribute to rapid beta-adrenergic receptor desensitization: functional uncoupling from the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gs, mediated by phosphorylation of the receptors by two distinct kinases, the specific beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), as well as a spatial uncoupling via sequestration of the receptors away from the cell surface. To evaluate the relative importance and potential role of the various processes in different physiological situations, a kinetic analysis of these three mechanisms was performed in permeabilized A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells. To allow a separate analysis of each mechanism, inhibitors of the various desensitization mechanisms were used: heparin to inhibit beta ARK, the PKA inhibitor peptide PKI to inhibit PKA, and concanavalin A treatment to prevent sequestration. Isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation of beta 2 receptors in these cells by beta ARK occurred with a t1/2 of less than 20 sec, whereas phosphorylation by PKA had a t1/2 of about 2 min. Similarly, beta ARK-mediated desensitization of the receptors proceeded with a t1/2 of less than 15 sec, and PKA-mediated desensitization with a t1/2 of about 3.5 min. Maximal desensitization mediated by the two kinases corresponded to a reduction of the signal-transduction capacity of the receptor/adenylyl cyclase system by about 60% in the case of beta ARK and by about 40% in the case of PKA. Receptor sequestration was much slower (t1/2 of about 10 min) and involved no more than 30% of the cell surface receptors. It is concluded that beta ARK-mediated phosphorylation is the most rapid and quantitatively most important factor contributing to the rapid desensitization. This rapidity of the beta ARK-mediated mechanism makes it particularly well suited to regulate beta-adrenergic receptor function in rapidly changing environments such as the synaptic cleft.

Genomic organization of adrenergic and serotonin receptors in the mouse: linkage mapping of sequence-related genes provides a method for examining mammalian chromosome evolution

Five sequence-related genes encoding four adrenergic receptors and a serotonin receptor were localized to specific regions of four mouse chromosomes with respect to 11 other genetic markers. Linkage was established by the analysis of the haplotypes of 114 interspecific backcross mice. Adra2r (alpha 2-C10) and Adrb1r (beta 1) receptors mapped to the distal region of mouse chromosome 19. These genes were separated by 2.6 +/- 1.5 cM in a segment of mouse chromosome 19 that has a similar organization of these genes on the long arm of human chromosome 10. The Adra1r (alpha 1B), Adrb2r (beta 2), and Htra1 (5HT1A) genes mapped to proximal mouse chromosome 11, proximal mouse chromosome 18, and distal mouse chromosome 13, respectively. The organization of genes linked to these loci on regions of the three mouse chromosomes is consistent with the organization of homologous human genes on human chromosome 5. These findings further define the relationship of linkage groups conserved during the evolution of the mouse and human genomes. We have identified a region that may have been translocated during evolution and suggest that the human genomic organization of adrenergic receptors more closely resembles that of a putative primordial ancestor.

Role of acidic amino acids in peptide substrates of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and rhodopsin kinase

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta-ARK) phosphorylates G protein coupled receptors in an agonist-dependent manner. Since the exact sites of receptor phosphorylation by beta-ARK are poorly defined, the identification of substrate amino acids that are critical to phosphorylation by the kinase are also unknown. In this study, a peptide whose sequence is present in a portion of the third intracellular loop region of the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor is shown to serve as a substrate for beta-ARK. Removal of the negatively charged amino acids surrounding a cluster of serines in this alpha 2-peptide resulted in a complete loss of phosphorylation by the kinase. A family of peptides was synthesized to further study the role of acidic amino acids in peptide substrates of beta-ARK. By kinetic analyses of the phosphorylation reactions, beta-ARK exhibited a marked preference for negatively charged amino acids localized to the NH2-terminal side of a serine or threonine residue. While there were no significant differences between glutamic and aspartic acid residues, serine-containing peptides were 4-fold better substrates than threonine. Comparing a variety of kinases, only rhodopsin kinase and casein kinase II exhibited significant phosphorylation of the acidic peptides. Unlike beta-ARK, RK preferred acid residues localized to the carboxyl-terminal side of the serine. A feature common to beta-ARK and RK was a much greater Km for peptide substrates as compared to that for intact receptor substrates.

cDNA cloning and chromosomal localization of the human beta-adrenergic receptor kinase

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) mediates agonist-dependent phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic and related G protein-coupled receptors. A cDNA encoding bovine beta ARK has recently been isolated. In this work we have isolated a cDNA encoding human beta ARK from a retinal cDNA library. The cDNA encodes a protein of 689 amino acids with an overall 98.0% amino acid and 92.5% nucleotide identity with bovine beta ARK. Chromosomal location of the human beta ARK gene was determined by correlating the presence of the beta ARK locus with retention of a specific human chromosome in a rodent-human hybrid panel. This analysis revealed that the human beta ARK locus segregated with the long arm of chromosome 11, centromeric to 11q13.

A small region of the beta-adrenergic receptor is selectively involved in its rapid regulation

Plasma membrane receptors that couple to guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) undergo a variety of rapid (minutes) and longer term (hours) regulatory processes induced by ligands. For the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR), the rapid processes include functional desensitization, mediated by phosphorylation of the receptor by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, as well as a loss of hydrophilic ligand binding proposed to represent sequestration of receptors into a cellular compartment distinct from the plasma membrane. The slower processes include beta 2AR down-regulation (i.e., a decrease in the total cellular complement of receptors). It is not yet known whether beta 2AR phosphorylation and/or sequestration are prerequisites for down-regulation of the receptor. Like other G protein-coupled receptors, the beta 2AR molecule spans the plasma membrane seven times, and the cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domain has been proposed to contain molecular determinants for each of these regulatory processes. We replaced four serine and threonine residues located within a 10-amino acid segment of this domain of beta 2AR and thereby prevented agonist-promoted phosphorylation, sequestration, and rapid desensitization of the adenylyl cyclase response. In contrast, these mutations did not affect functional coupling to the stimulatory G protein Gs or long-term down-regulation. These findings thus define a small, hitherto unappreciated region of the receptor molecule that may selectively subserve its rapid regulation. In addition, with the demonstration that beta 2AR does not have to be phosphorylated or sequestered in order to enter the down-regulation pathway, the results suggest that the classical receptor endocytosis model may not be appropriate for beta 2AR regulation.

Molecular cloning and expression of the cDNA for the alpha 1A-adrenergic receptor. The gene for which is located on human chromosome 5

Pharmacological and molecular cloning studies have demonstrated heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. We have now cloned two alpha 1-adrenergic receptors from a rat cerebral cortex cDNA library, using the hamster alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence of clone RA42 encodes a protein of 560 amino acids whose putative topology is similar to that of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors. The primary structure though most closely resembles that of an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor, having approximately 73% amino acid identity in the putative transmembrane domains with the previously isolated hamster alpha 1B receptor. Analysis of the ligand binding properties of RA42 expressed in COS-7 cells with a variety of adrenergic ligands demonstrates a unique alpha 1-adrenergic receptor pharmacology. High affinity for the antagonist WB4101 and agonists phenylephrine and methoxamine suggests that cDNA RA42 encodes the alpha 1A receptor subtype. Northern blot analysis of various rat tissues also shows the distribution expected of the alpha 1A receptor subtype with abundant expression in vas deferens followed by hippocampus, cerebral cortex, aorta, brainstem, heart and spleen. The second alpha 1-adrenergic receptor cloned represents the rat homolog of the hamster alpha 1B subtype. Expression of mRNA for this receptor is strongly detected in liver followed by heart, cerebral cortex, brain stem, kidney, lung, and spleen. This study provides definitive evidence for the existence of three alpha 1-adrenergic receptor subtypes.

Functional interactions of recombinant alpha 2 adrenergic receptor subtypes and G proteins in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles

The functional interaction of the recombinant alpha 2 adrenergic receptor subtypes, alpha 2-C10 (the human platelet alpha 2 receptor, equivalent to the alpha 2 A subtype) and alpha 2-C4 (an alpha 2 receptor subtype cloned from a human kidney cDNA library), with G proteins was characterized in an in vitro reconstitution system. These receptor subtypes were overexpressed in COS-7 cells and were purified to a specific activity of 1.1-3.3 nmol/mg of protein. The G proteins consisted of Gs (adenylyl cyclase stimulatory) and members of the inhibitory family, including Gi1, Gi2, and Gi3, and G0. The cloned alpha subunits of these G proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and were purified to homogeneity. Prior to use, G holoproteins were prepared by mixing the alpha subunits with beta gamma subunits that had been purified from bovine brain. Following reconstitution into phospholipid vesicles, both alpha 2 receptor subtypes could couple to the inhibitory G proteins but not to Gs, as assessed by agonist stimulation of GTPase activity. The pharmacological specificity of this interaction was preserved with respect to the two receptor subtypes. Between the different inhibitory G proteins, the alpha 2-C10 adrenergic receptor subtype showed the following preference: Gi3 greater than Gi1 greater than or equal to Gi2 greater than G0. The stimulation of GTPase activity (turnover number) ranged from 6.4-fold (Gi3) to 1.5-fold (G0). The preference of G-protein interaction for the alpha 2-C4 receptor subtype was the same as that observed for the alpha 2-C10, but the extent of activation was slightly lower. The results show that in vitro each of the alpha 2 adrenergic receptor subtypes can activate multiple G proteins but that clear preferences exist with respect to the individual inhibitory G-protein subtypes. Additionally, it appears that alpha 2-C10 is coupled more efficiently to G-protein activation than is alpha 2-C4.

Coupling of a mutated form of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor to Gi and Gs. Requirement for multiple cytoplasmic domains in the coupling process

We constructed five genes encoding mutant human beta 2-adrenergic receptor sequence (beta 2AR) which contained 12-22 amino acid substitutions with corresponding sequence from the human alpha 2AAR in order to assess the receptor domains involved in Gs versus Gi recognition and coupling. Mutant beta 2AR with substitutions in the N (S1)- and C-terminal (S2) portions of the third intracellular loop, the proximal cytoplasmic tail (S3), and two combinations thereof (S2,3 and S1,2,3), were stably expressed in Chinese hamster fibrobasts (CHW-1102), as were the human beta 2AR and alpha 2AAR at comparable receptor levels. All mutant receptors with S2 substitutions (i.e. S2, S2,3, S1,2,3) were significantly (approximately 85%) uncoupled from Gs. Upon exposure to pertussis toxin, which uncouples receptors from Gi, S1,2,3 exhibited a 526 +/- 99% increase in agonist-stimulated adenylylcyclase activity compared with a 59 +/- 13% increase with the wild type receptor. This enhanced ability of S1,2,3 to interact with Gs following pertussis toxin treatment indicates that, in the absence of toxin exposure, substantial coupling occurs between the mutant receptor and Gi. Mutant beta 2AR bearing only one or two alpha 2AAR-substituted sequences showed no such enhancement. Forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities were increased by pertussis toxin treatment to similar degrees in all clones examined, indicating that the observed effects are confined to the receptor-mediated pathway. In the absence of GTP, competition binding experiments with S1,2,3, beta 2AR and alpha 2AAR revealed that approximately 40-50% of the receptors formed a high affinity binding state for agonist. Pertussis toxin treatment markedly reduced this to approximately 19% with S1,2,3, while having no effect on beta 2AR and completely eliminating high affinity agonist binding to alpha 2AAR. These results suggest that S1,2,3 interacts with Gi as well as Gs, and that receptor:G protein coupling requires the concerted participation of multiple cytoplasmic receptor domains.

Mutations of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor that impair coupling to Gs interfere with receptor down-regulation but not sequestration

The integrity of coupling of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) to its guanine nucleotide-binding protein, Gs, and phosphorylation events on the receptor molecule have been proposed to be important determinants in the processes of receptor sequestration and down-regulation. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, and the regions of the receptor molecule that specifically subserve sequestration and down-regulation have yet to be delineated. To address these questions, we stably transfected eight mutant beta 2AR genes into Chinese hamster fibroblasts and evaluated the coupling, sequestration, and down-regulation properties of the mutated receptors. These mutant receptors have been previously demonstrated either to exhibit abnormal coupling to Gs or to lack functionally important phosphorylation sites for either the cAMP-dependent protein kinase or the agonist-dependent beta-adrenergic receptor kinase. All eight mutants exhibited receptor sequestration equivalent in extent to that of the beta 2AR, regardless of their coupling or phosphorylation status. However, four mutants that exhibited various degrees of impairment in coupling to Gs showed blunted receptor down-regulation patterns. Simultaneous treatment with isoproterenol and dibutyryl-cAMP did not improve the abilities of the mutant receptors to undergo down-regulation. These findings demonstrate that a variety of mutant beta 2AR with impaired coupling to Gs are, nevertheless, able to be sequestered normally. In contrast, agonist-induced down-regulation appears to require coupling of the beta 2AR to Gs but is largely independent of the generation of cAMP. Our results also suggest that molecular determinants of the beta 2AR involved in receptor sequestration are distinct from those participating in the down-regulation process.

5-HT1A and histamine H1 receptors in HeLa cells stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and phosphate uptake via distinct G protein pools

Regulation of phosphate uptake was studied in a HeLa cell line after transfection with DNA encoding the human 5-HT1A receptor. In these cells, 5-HT stimulates sodium-dependent phosphate uptake via protein kinase C activation. Endogenous histamine H1 receptors (739 +/- 20 fmol/mg protein) were identified with [3H]pyrilamine. Histamine (i) stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis (EC50 = 8.6 +/- 4.1 microM), (ii) activated protein kinase C (2.4-fold increase in activity), and (iii) increased phosphate uptake (EC50 = 3.2 +/- 1.8 microM) by increasing maximal transport (Vmax(basal) = 6.2 +/- 0.3 versus Vmax(histamine) = 9.1 +/- 0.4) without changing the affinity of the transport process for phosphate. Prolonged treatment with 16 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate completely blocked protein kinase C activation and markedly attenuated the stimulation of phosphate uptake induced by histamine, establishing that 5-HT and histamine stimulate phosphate uptake through the common pathway of protein kinase C activation. The linkages of the histamine H1 and 5-HT1A receptors to G protein pools were assessed in two ways. (i) The stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C activity, and phosphate uptake associated with histamine were insensitive to pertussis toxin, whereas those associated with 5-HT were very sensitive to pertussis toxin. (ii) The stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C activity, and phosphate uptake induced by histamine and 5-HT were additive. These findings suggest that distinct receptor types can stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C, and phosphate uptake in an additive fashion through distinct pools of G proteins in a single cell type.

Dual coupling of the cloned 5-HT1A receptor to both adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C is mediated via the same Gi protein

The cloned 5-HT1A receptor, stably expressed in HeLa cells, has been shown to mediate the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) to inhibit cAMP formation and to stimulate the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. Both responses were found to be pertussis toxin sensitive. We have examined these two responses in membranes derived from these cells and show that the 5-HT1A receptor can directly regulate the activity of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C in response to agonist. In order to examine whether the same or distinct guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein(s) (G protein) are involved in these two signal transduction pathways, we used anti-peptide antibodies recognizing the alpha-subunits of Gi1, Gi2, Gi3 as specific tools, since these pertussis toxin substrates are expressed in HeLa cells. These antibodies have previously been shown to prevent receptor-G protein coupling by binding to the regions of G proteins which are putatively involved in interaction with receptors. Our results indicate that the Gi proteins, but preferentially Gi3, mediate the effects of 5-HT both to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and to stimulate phospholipase C. These findings demonstrate that the same receptor interacting with the same G protein can regulate several distinct effector molecules.

A cAMP response element in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene confers transcriptional autoregulation by cAMP

The rate of transcription of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene is increased in response to beta-adrenergic agonist stimulation of the receptor at the cell surface. This effect is mediated by stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and elevation of intracellular cAMP levels. We have previously shown that this responsiveness to cAMP resides in the 5'-flanking region of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene (Collins, S., Bouvier, M., Bolanowski, M. A., Caron, M. G., and Lefkowitz, R. J. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 86, 4853-4857). A 34-base pair sequence derived from the beta 2-adrenergic receptor promoter region (-70 to -37 base pairs), containing the sequence GTACGTCA, confers responsiveness to cAMP when present in either orientation 5' to the thymidine kinase promoter on the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Overexpression of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A fully substituted for forskolin in inducing expression through this sequence, indicating that the cAMP induction is mediated through this kinase. Mutations within the GTACGTCA sequence completely abolished the stimulation. A 43-kDa transcription factor (cAMP response element-binding protein) confers cAMP responsiveness through binding to specific sequences. In gel mobility shift assays, purified cAMP response element-binding protein bound to the 34-base pair oligonucleotide from the beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene with an affinity similar to that for the well-characterized cAMP response element from the human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene, and failed to bind to mutated elements. Thus, positive autoregulation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene appears to occur through receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, with consequent activation of cAMP response element-binding protein and stimulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene transcription. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism by which a receptor (beta 2-adrenergic receptor) stimulatory for adenylyl cyclase can exert positive feedback regulation on its own expression.

Expression of three alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in rat tissues: implications for alpha 2 receptor classification

Based on biochemical and ligand binding studies in various tissues and species, evidence for several alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes has accumulated. The current alpha 2-adrenergic receptor classification (alpha 2A, alpha 2B, alpha 2C) is based exclusively on pharmacological criteria. The molecular cloning of three distinct genes for human alpha 2-adrenergic receptors has confirmed the existence of multiple alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes. According to their localization on different human chromosomes, the receptor genes were termed alpha 2-C10, alpha 2-C4, and alpha 2-C2. The relationship, however, between the pharmacologically characterized alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and the isolated genes has yet to be clarified. Using Northern blot hybridization, we analyzed the expression of the three cloned alpha 2-adrenergic receptor genes in 13 rat tissues, as well as in cell lines previously described as model systems for the pharmacologically defined alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes. The alpha 2-C10 receptor corresponds to the alpha 2A subtype and is expressed in rat brainstem, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, pituitary gland, cerebellum, kidney, aorta, skeletal muscle, spleen, and lung. Messenger RNA coding for the alpha 2-C4 receptor was detected only in brain regions, not in peripheral tissues, whereas the alpha 2-C2 message was found only in liver and kidney. Hybridization experiments with RNA derived from tissues and cells from which the pharmacological alpha 2-receptor classification has been developed lead to the conclusion that the alpha 2B subtype represents two distinct receptor molecules, the alpha 2-C4 and a subtype previously undetected by classical ligand binding approaches. Furthermore, our results suggest that the alpha 2C subtype characterized in opossum kidney cells is an interspecies variation of alpha 2-C4 rather than a separate subtype. Finally, the cloned alpha 2-C2 receptor was found to be "alpha 2B-like" and not covered by the current pharmacological classification.

Control of yeast mating signal transduction by a mammalian beta 2-adrenergic receptor and Gs alpha subunit

To facilitate functional and mechanistic studies of receptor-G protein interactions, [corrected] the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor (h beta-AR) has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This was achieved by placing a modified h beta-AR gene under control of the galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter. After induction by galactose, functional h beta-AR was expressed at a concentration several hundred times as great as that found in any human tissue. As determined from competitive ligand binding experiments, h beta-AR expressed in yeast displayed characteristic affinities, specificity, and stereoselectivity. Partial activation of the yeast pheromone response pathway by beta-adrenergic receptor agonists was achieved in cells coexpressing h beta-AR and a mammalian G protein (Gs) alpha subunit-demonstrating that these components can couple to each other and to downstream effectors when expressed in yeast. This in vivo reconstitution system provides a new approach for examining ligand binding and G protein coupling to cell surface receptors.