Beta AR Research Articles

Accelerated Dephosphorylation of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor by Mutation of the C-Terminal Lysines: Effects on Ubiquitination, Intracellular Trafficking, and Degradation

Agonist-mediated ubiquitination regulates some G protein-coupled receptors by targeting them to lysosomes for degradation. Phosphorylation also regulates receptor endocytosis and trafficking to lysosomes. To explore the roles of the two post-translational modifications, we mutated the three C-terminal lysines to arginines in the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) (K348/372/375R). The level of agonist-mediated ubiquitination of the mutant (3K/R) was greatly reduced compared to that of wild-type (WT) beta 2AR in whole cells and in cell-free assays. Downregulation of 3K/R also was attenuated compared to that of the WT, whereas internalization and recycling were more similar. During endocytosis, WT and 3K/R appeared in different vesicles and WT, but not 3K/R, was transported to lysosomes. Both were rapidly phosphorylated in agonist-stimulated cells, but upon agonist removal, the rate of dephosphorylation of 3K/R initially was approximately 5 times faster than that of WT. The increased rate also was observed in a cell-free, soluble assay and, thus, was not due to differences in receptor trafficking. Okadaic acid, a potent phosphatase inhibitor, reduced the level of dephosphorylation and increased the levels of lysosomal targeting and degradation of 3K/R. The reduced level of ubiquitination and rapid dephosphorylation of 3K/R appear to prevent it from being sorted to lysosomes in contrast to the phosphorylated and ubiquitinated WT beta 2AR. Our findings indicate that both phosphorylation and ubiquitination are involved in the intracellular sorting of beta 2AR between pathways of recycling to the plasma membrane and degradation in lysosomes, and that the rate of dephosphorylation may be another mechanism of regulating the sorting.

Distinct Interactions of Human β1- and β2-Adrenoceptors with Isoproterenol, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine

Fluorescence studies with purified human beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR) revealed that the endogenous catecholamines, (-)-epinephrine (EPI), (-)-norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DOP), stabilize distinct active receptor conformations. However, the functional relevance of these ligand-specific conformations is as yet poorly understood. We addressed this question by studying fusion proteins of the beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)AR) and beta(2)AR with the short and long splice variants of G(s)alpha (G(s)alpha(S) and G(s)alpha(L)), respectively. Fusion proteins ensure efficient receptor/G-protein coupling and defined stoichiometry of the coupling partners. EPI, NE, DOP, and the prototypical synthetic betaAR agonist, (-)-isoproterenol (ISO), showed marked differences in their efficacies at stabilizing the high-affinity ternary complex at beta(1)AR-G(s)alpha and beta(2)AR-G(s)alpha fusion proteins. Ternary complex formation was more sensitive to disruption by GTP with the beta(2)AR than with the beta(1)AR. Generally, in steady-state GTPase assays, ISO, EPI, and NE were full agonists, and DOP was a partial agonist. Exceptionally, at beta(1)AR-G(s)alpha(L), NE was only a partial agonist. Generally, in adenylyl cyclase assays, ISO, EPI, and NE were full agonists, and DOP was a partial agonist. At beta(2)AR-G(s)alpha(L), NE was only a partial agonist. There was no correlation between efficacy at stabilizing the ternary complex and activating GTPase, and there were also dissociations between K(i) values for high-affinity agonist binding and EC(50) values for GTPase activation. In contrast to synthetic partial agonists, DOP did not exhibit increased efficacy at betaAR-G(s)alpha(L) versus betaAR-G(s)alpha(S) fusion proteins. In conclusion, our data with betaAR-G(s)alpha fusion proteins show that endogenous catecholamines and ISO stabilize distinct conformations in the beta(1)AR and beta(2)AR.

Phosphodiesterase 4 and Phosphatase 2A Differentially Regulate cAMP/Protein Kinase A Signaling for Cardiac Myocyte Contraction under Stimulation of β1 Adrenergic Receptor

Activation of the beta adrenergic receptor (betaAR) induces a tightly controlled cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) activity to ensure an agonist dose-dependent and saturable contraction response in animal heart. We have found that stimulation of beta(1)AR by isoproterenol induces maximal contraction responses at the dose of 1 microM in cardiac myocytes; however, cAMP accumulation continues to increase with higher agonist concentrations. Dose-dependent cAMP accumulation is tightly controlled by negative regulator phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) that hydrolyzes cAMP. At 1 nM isoproterenol, cAMP accumulation is minimal because of the hydrolysis of cAMP by PDE4, which leads to a small increase in PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I (TnI), and contraction responses. Inhibition of PDE4 activity with rolipram enhances cAMP accumulation, yields maximal PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and TnI, and myocyte contraction responses. In contrast, at 10 microM isoproterenol, despite the negative effect of PDE4, cAMP accumulation is sufficient for maximal PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and TnI. Inhibition of PDE4 with rolipram enhances cAMP accumulation, but not PKA phosphorylation and contraction responses. It is interesting that activities of both PKA and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) are enhanced under beta(1)AR activation with 10 microM isoproterenol, and PP2A is recruited to PKA/A kinase-anchoring protein complex. Inhibition of PP2A with okadaic acid further enhances the phosphorylation of phospholamban and TnI as well as contraction responses induced by 10 microM isoproterenol. Therefore, PP2A plays a key role in limiting PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and TnI for myocyte contraction responses under beta(1)AR stimulation.

Endogenous Gs-coupled receptors in smooth muscle exhibit differential susceptibility to GRK2/3-mediated desensitization.

Although G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) have been shown to mediate desensitization of numerous GPCRs in studies using cellular expression systems, their function under physiological conditions is less well understood. In the current study, we employed various strategies to assess the effect of inhibiting endogenous GRK2/3 on signaling and function of endogenously expressed G s-coupled receptors in human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. GRK2/3 inhibition by expression of a Gbetagamma sequestrant, a GRK2/3 dominant-negative mutant, or siRNA-mediated knockdown increased intracellular cAMP accumulation mediated via beta-agonist stimulation of the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR). Conversely, neither 5'-( N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA; activating the A2b adenosine receptor) nor prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2; activating EP2 or EP4 receptors)-stimulated cAMP was significantly increased by GRK2/3 inhibition. Selective knockdown using siRNA suggested the majority of PGE 2-stimulated cAMP in ASM was mediated by the EP2 receptor. Although a minor role for EP3 receptors in influencing PGE 2-mediated cAMP was determined, the GRK2/3-resistant nature of EP2 receptor signaling in ASM was confirmed using the EP2-selective agonist butaprost. Somewhat surprisingly, GRK2/3 inhibition did not augment the inhibitory effect of the beta-agonist on mitogen-stimulated increases in ASM growth. These findings demonstrate that with respect to G s-coupled receptors in ASM, GRK2/3 selectively attenuates beta 2AR signaling, yet relief of GRK2/3-dependent beta 2AR desensitization does not influence at least one important physiological function of the receptor.

Nedd4 Mediates Agonist-dependent Ubiquitination, Lysosomal Targeting, and Degradation of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor

Agonist-stimulated beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) ubiquitination is a major factor that governs both lysosomal trafficking and degradation of internalized receptors, but the identity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase regulating this process was unknown. Among the various catalytically inactive E3 ubiquitin ligase mutants that we tested, a dominant negative Nedd4 specifically inhibited isoproterenol-induced ubiquitination and degradation of the beta(2)AR in HEK-293 cells. Moreover, siRNA that down-regulates Nedd4 expression inhibited beta(2)AR ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation, whereas siRNA targeting the closely related E3 ligases Nedd4-2 or AIP4 did not. Interestingly, beta(2)AR as well as beta-arrestin2, the endocytic and signaling adaptor for the beta(2)AR, interact robustly with Nedd4 upon agonist stimulation. However, beta(2)AR-Nedd4 interaction is ablated when beta-arrestin2 expression is knocked down by siRNA transfection, implicating an essential E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor role for beta-arrestin2 in mediating beta(2)AR ubiquitination. Notably, beta-arrestin2 interacts with two different E3 ubiquitin ligases, namely, Mdm2 and Nedd4 to regulate distinct steps in beta(2)AR trafficking. Collectively, our findings indicate that the degradative fate of the beta(2)AR in the lysosomal compartments is dependent upon beta-arrestin2-mediated recruitment of Nedd4 to the activated receptor and Nedd4-catalyzed ubiquitination.

Critical Role of PDE4D in β2-Adrenoceptor-dependent cAMP Signaling in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

One of the defining properties of beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) signaling is the transient and rapidly reversed accumulation of cAMP. Here we have investigated the contribution of different PDE4 proteins to the generation of this transient response. To this aim, mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient in PDE4A, PDE4B, or PDE4D were generated, and the regulation of PDE activity, the accumulation of cAMP, and CREB phosphorylation in response to isoproterenol were monitored. Ablation of PDE4D, but not PDE4A or PDE4B, had a major effect on the beta-agonist-induced PDE activation, with only a minimal increase in PDE activity being retained in PDE4D knock-out (KO) cells. Accumulation of cAMP was markedly enhanced, and the kinetics of cAMP accumulation were altered in their properties in PDE4DKO but not PDE4BKO cells. Modest effects were observed in PDE4AKO mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The return to basal levels of both cAMP accumulation and CREB phosphorylation was greatly delayed in the PDE4DKO cells, suggesting that PDE4D is critical for dissipation of the beta2AR stimulus. This effect of PDE4D ablation was in large part due to inactivation of a negative feedback mechanism consisting of the PKA-mediated activation of PDE4D in response to elevated cAMP levels, as indicated by experiments using the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitors H89 and PKI. Finally, PDE4D ablation affected the kinetics of beta2AR desensitization as well as the interaction of the receptor with Galphai. These findings demonstrate that PDE4D plays a major role in shaping the beta2AR signal.

β2‐Adrenergic receptor and adenylate cyclase gene polymorphisms affect sickle red cell adhesion

Sickle red cell (SS RBC) adhesion is thought to contribute to sickle cell disease (SCD) pathophysiology. SS RBC adhesion to laminin increases in response to adrenaline stimulation of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)ARs) and adenylate cyclase (ADCY6), and previous evidence suggests such activation occurs in vivo. We explored whether polymorphisms of the beta(2)AR and ADCY6 genes (ADRB2 and ADCY6, respectively) affect RBC adhesion to laminin. We found that the beta(2)AR arg(16)-->gly substitution and two non-coding ADCY6 polymorphisms were associated with elevated adhesion. We postulate that ADRB2 and ADCY6 polymorphisms may influence SCD severity through the mechanism of RBC adhesion.

Increased RhoGDI2 and peroxiredoxin 5 levels in asthmatic murine model of β2-adrenoceptor desensitization: A proteomics approach

Beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR) desensitization is a common problem in clinical practice. beta(2)AR desensitization proceeds by at least such three mechanisms as heterologous desensitization, homologous desensitization and a kind of agonist-induced rapid phosphorylation by a variety of serine/threonine kinases. It is not clear whether there are other mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate potential mechanisms of beta(2)AR desensitization. Twenty-four BALB/c (6-8 weeks old) mice were divided into three groups, which is, group A, phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated; group B, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced; and group C, salbutamol-treated. Inflammatory cell counts, cytokine concentrations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pathological sections, total serum IgE, airway responsiveness, membrane receptor numbers and total amount of beta(2)AR were observed. Asthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were established. Groups B and C were selected for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis so as to find key protein spots related to beta(2)AR desensitization. Asthmatic mouse model and beta(2)AR desensitization asthmatic mouse model were verified by inflammatory cell count, cytokine concentration of BALF, serum IgE level, airway hyperreactivity measurement, radioligand receptor binding assay, Western blot analysis, and pathologic examination. Then the two groups (groups B and C) were subjected to 2DE. Two key protein spots associated with beta(2)AR desensitization, Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI(2)) and peroxiredoxin 5, were found by comparative proteomics (2DE and mass spectrum analysis). Oxidative stress and small G protein regulators may play an important role in the process of beta(2)AR desensitization.

β-Arrestin-biased Agonism at the β2-Adrenergic Receptor

Classically, the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) and other members of the seven-transmembrane receptor (7TMR) superfamily activate G protein-dependent signaling pathways in response to ligand stimulus. It has recently been discovered, however, that a number of 7TMRs, including beta 2AR, can signal via beta-arrestin-dependent pathways independent of G protein activation. It is currently unclear if among beta 2AR agonists there exist ligands that disproportionately signal via G proteins or beta-arrestins and are hence "biased." Using a variety of approaches that include highly sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based methodologies, including a novel assay for receptor internalization, we show that the majority of known beta 2AR agonists exhibit relative efficacies for beta-arrestin-associated activities (beta-arrestin membrane translocation and beta 2AR internalization) identical to the irrelative efficacies for G protein-dependent signaling (cyclic AMP generation). However, for three betaAR ligands there is a marked bias toward beta-arrestin signaling; these ligands stimulate beta-arrestin-dependent receptor activities to a much greater extent than would be expected given their efficacy for G protein-dependent activity. Structural comparison of these biased ligands reveals that all three are catecholamines containing an ethyl substitution on the alpha-carbon, a motif absent on all of the other, unbiased ligands tested. Thus, these studies demonstrate the potential for developing a novel class of 7TMR ligands with a distinct bias for beta-arrestin-mediated signaling.

β2‐Adrenergic receptor regulates Toll‐like receptor‐4‐induced nuclear factor‐κB activation through β‐arrestin 2

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in innate immunity while, beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)AR) provide the key linkages for the sympathetic nervous system to regulate the immune system. However, their role in macrophages remains uncertain. Here, we demonstrate the cross-talk between beta(2)AR and TLR signalling pathways. Expression of beta(2)AR was down-regulated by TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. To investigate the physiological consequence of this down-regulation RAW264 cells, a macrophage cell line, were transfected with a beta(2)AR expression vector (RAWar). Both LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) expression and NO production were markedly suppressed in the RAWar cells. The activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaBalpha) in response to LPS were markedly decreased in these cells. The level of beta-arrestin 2, which regulates beta(2)AR signalling, was also reduced in RAW264 cells after stimulation with LPS, but not in RAWar cells. Overexpression of beta-arrestin 2 (RAWarr2) also inhibited NO production and NOS II expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that beta-arrestin 2 interacted with cytosolic IkappaBalpha and that the level of IkappaBalpha coimmunoprecipitated by anti-beta-arrestin 2 antibodies was decreased in the RAW264 cells but not in RAWar or RAWarr2 cells. These findings suggest that LPS-stimulated signals suppress beta(2)AR expression, leading to down-regulation of beta-arrestin 2 expression, which stabilizes cytosolic IkappaBalpha and inhibits the NF-kappaB activation essential for NOS II expression, probably to ensure rapid and sufficient production of NO in response to microbial attack.

Endocytosis machinery is required for β1-adrenergic receptor-induced hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes

Cardiac hypertrophy by activation of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) is mediated more efficiently by the beta1-AR than by the beta2-AR. We investigated the signalling mechanism by which the beta1-AR mediates cardiac hypertrophy. Experiments were performed in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Hypertrophy was determined by the protein/DNA content and atrial natriuretic factor transcription. Phosphorylation of Akt and Src was assessed by immunoblotting. Isoproterenol (ISO, 10 microM), a non-selective beta-AR agonist, caused selective downregulation of the beta1-AR (control beta1 vs. beta2: 35 vs. 65%, Bmax 78 +/- 4 fmol/mg; 4 h, 10 vs. 90%, 61 +/- 5 fmol/mg). Concanavalin A (Con A, 0.5 microg/mL), an inhibitor of endocytosis, prevented downregulation of beta1-ARs by ISO treatment (4 h, 35 vs. 65%, 73 +/- 8 fmol/mg), suggesting that beta1-ARs selectively undergo endocytosis. Interference with beta1-AR endocytosis by Con A, carboxyl terminal peptide of beta-AR kinase-1, dominant negative (DN) beta-arrestin-1, or DN dynamin inhibited beta-adrenergic hypertrophy, suggesting that the endocytosis machinery plays a key role in mediating beta-adrenergic hypertrophy. Activation of Akt by the beta1-AR was blocked by inhibition of the endocytosis machinery, suggesting that endocytosis mediates activation of Akt. Akt plays a critical role in beta-adrenergic hypertrophy, since DN Akt blocked ISO-induced hypertrophy. beta-Adrenergic activation of Akt is mediated by Src, which associates with the endocytosis machinery and is necessary and sufficient to mediate beta-adrenergic hypertrophy. Activation of the endocytosis machinery is required for activation of Akt, which, in turn, critically mediates beta1-AR-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

IGF-1 regulates cAMP levels in astrocytes through a β2-adrenergic receptor-dependant mechanism

We have recently demonstrated that neonatal astrocytes derived from mice lacking beta-2 adrenergic receptors (beta(2)AR) possess higher proliferation rates, as compared to wild-type cells, an attribute that was shown to involve insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling. In the present study, we demonstrate that basal cAMP levels in beta(2)AR knockout astrocytes were significantly lower than in wild type cells. Furthermore, treatment with IGF-1 reduced intracellular cAMP levels in wild type astrocytes, yet had no effects on cAMP levels in beta(2)AR deficient astrocytes. Our data suggests that IGF-1 treatment influences cAMP production through a beta(2)AR-dependant mechanism in astrocytes. A deficit of beta(2)AR on astrocytes, as previously reported in multiple sclerosis, may influence cell proliferation, an action which could have implications in processes involved in astrogliosis.

Role of β adrenergic receptor polymorphisms in heart failure: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Heart Failure (HF) is a common disorder associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. beta adrenergic receptors (betaAR) are the primary pathway through which cardiac function is influenced. Chronic beta(1)AR activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of HF and betaAR blockade improves survival in left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Common functional polymorphisms in beta adrenergic receptor genes (ADRB) have been associated with HF phenotypes, and with pharmacogenetic interaction with beta adrenergic receptor blockers (beta blockers). However, these associations have not been consistently replicated. The evidence for ADRB variant involvement in pathogenesis, progression and response to beta blockers in HF is reviewed. In addition, a meta-analysis of three studies analysing the effect of ADRB1 Arg389Gly polymorphism on left ventricular remodelling with the use of beta blockers, demonstrating a 5% improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in Arg389 homozygotes, is presented. There is now accumulating molecular evidence for a different functional response to beta blockers associated with this polymorphism. In the future, confirmed genotypic associations may enable patients to be identified who are either at greater risk of developing HF, whose HF may rapidly progress, or who are unlikely to benefit from beta blockers, and such patients may benefit from targeted aggressive therapy.

Epinephrine Regulation of the Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase: ROLES OF RAC1 AND β3-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS IN ENDOTHELIAL NO SIGNALING

beta-Adrenergic receptors (betaAR) play an important role in vasodilation, but the mechanisms whereby adrenergic pathways regulate the endothelial isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) are incompletely understood. We found that epinephrine significantly increases eNOS activity in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Epinephrine-dependent eNOS activation was accompanied by an increase in phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser(1179) and with decreased eNOS phosphorylation at the inhibitory phosphoresidues Ser(116) and Thr(497). Epinephrine promoted activation of the small G protein Rac1 and also led to the activation of protein kinase A. All of these responses to epinephrine in BAEC were blocked by the beta(3)AR blocker SR59230A. We transfected and validated duplex small interfering RNA (siRNA) constructs to selectively "knock down" specific signaling proteins in BAEC. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rac1 completely blocked all beta(3)AR signaling to eNOS and also abrogated epinephrine-dependent cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and Akt activation. However, siRNA-mediated knockdown of PKA did not affect Rac1 activation by epinephrine but did attenuate Akt activation by epinephrine. These findings indicate that Rac1 is an upstream regulator of beta(3)AR signaling to PKA and to eNOS and identify a novel beta(3)AR --> Rac1 --> PKA --> Akt pathway in endothelium. We exploited the p21-activated kinase pulldown assay to identify proteins associated with activated Rac1 and found that epinephrine stimulated the association of eNOS with Rac1; epinephrine-stimulated eNOS-Rac1 interactions were blocked by the beta(3)AR antagonist SR59230A. Co-transfection of eNOS cDNA with constitutively active Rac1 enhanced beta(3)AR-promoted eNOS-Rac1 association; co-transfection of eNOS with dominant negative Rac1 completely blocked the eNOS-Rac1 association. We also found that epinephrine-induced Rac1 --> PKA --> Akt pathway mediates beta(3)AR-mediated endothelial cell migration. Taken together, our data establish that the small G protein Rac1 is a key regulator of beta(3)AR signaling in cultured aortic endothelial cells with potentially important implications for the pathways involved in adrenergic modulation of eNOS pathways in the vascular wall.

A monoclonal antibody for G protein–coupled receptor crystallography

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of signaling proteins in mammals, mediating responses to hormones, neurotransmitters, and senses of sight, smell and taste. Mechanistic insight into GPCR signal transduction is limited by a paucity of high-resolution structural information. We describe the generation of a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the third intracellular loop (IL3) of the native human beta(2) adrenergic (beta(2)AR) receptor; this antibody was critical for acquiring diffraction-quality crystals.

A Major Functional Role for Phosphodiesterase 4D5 in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Relaxation of airway smooth muscle is dependent predominantly upon elevation of cell cAMP content. Although the processes involved in elevation of cell cAMP content are reasonably well established, the mechanisms governing subsequent control of cAMP turnover are less clear. Breakdown of cAMP is solely regulated by phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes. We have previously reported that PDE4 family members are likely to be important in this process, and that expression of PDE4D variants is actively regulated at the transcriptional level. Here, we demonstrate a key role for PDE4D5 in the control of beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR)-stimulated cAMP activity in human airway smooth muscle cells using splice variant-specific small interfering RNA knockdown. Furthermore, we show, using an Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP)-based, cAMP-sensitive fluorescent probe, that these intracellular cAMP gradients are controlled both temporally and dynamically by PDE4D5. Elevation of cAMP within the cytoplasm after beta(2)AR stimulation is rapid and shows no distinct spatial compartmentalization in these cells. These data suggest that PDE4D5, despite being a minor component of the tissue PDE pool, is the key physiological regulator of beta(2)AR-induced cAMP turnover within human airway smooth muscle.

Perilipin regulates the thermogenic actions of norepinephrine in brown adipose tissue

In response to cold, norepinephrine (NE)-induced triacylglycerol hydrolysis (lipolysis) in adipocytes of brown adipose tissue (BAT) provides fatty acid substrates to mitochondria for heat generation (adaptive thermogenesis). NE-induced lipolysis is mediated by protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of perilipin, a lipid droplet-associated protein that is the major regulator of lipolysis. We investigated the role of perilipin PKA phosphorylation in BAT NE-stimulated thermogenesis using a novel mouse model in which a mutant form of perilipin, lacking all six PKA phosphorylation sites, is expressed in adipocytes of perilipin knockout (Peri KO) mice. Here, we show that despite a normal mitochondrial respiratory capacity, NE-induced lipolysis is abrogated in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) of these mice. This lipolytic constraint is accompanied by a dramatic blunting ( approximately 70%) of the in vivo thermal response to NE. Thus, in the presence of perilipin, PKA-mediated perilipin phosphorylation is essential for NE-dependent lipolysis and full adaptive thermogenesis in BAT. In IBAT of Peri KO mice, increased basal lipolysis attributable to the absence of perilipin is sufficient to support a rapid NE-stimulated temperature increase ( approximately 3.0 degrees C) comparable to that in wild-type mice. This observation suggests that one or more NE-dependent mechanism downstream of perilipin phosphorylation is required to initiate and/or sustain the IBAT thermal response.

Anti-β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies are potent stimulators of the ERK1/2 pathway in cardiac cells

Antibodies specific for the beta1-adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) are highly prevalent in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and known to contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure, though the precise molecular mechanisms involved are largely unknown. We have explored the effects of beta(1)AR autoantibodies obtained from DCM patients on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in murine cardiomyocytes. We find that human beta(1)AR autoantibodies potently stimulate ERK1/2 in cardiac cells by using signalling pathways different from those triggered by the classic beta-agonist isoproterenol, also leading to a different pattern of activated ERK subcellular localization. The extent of ERK stimulation by endogenous cardiac beta(1)AR is markedly enhanced in the presence of both beta(1)AR-autoantibodies and isoproterenol. Interestingly, beta(1)AR-autoantibody-mediated ERK activation is not blocked by some betaAR antagonists used in the treatment of heart failure. Our results suggest that these antibodies elicit a distinct beta(1)AR active conformation that would lead to the engagement of signaling effectors different from those recruited by classic beta-agonists, a finding that could lead to better understanding of DCM pathogenesis and aid in designing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

The Arg389Gly β1-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism and susceptibility to faint during head-up tilt test

To investigate the association of the Gly389 allele with positive head-up tilt test (HUT) in a Mexican Mestizo population. HUT results were compared between carriers (one or two copies of the Gly389 allele) and non-carriers (Arg389Arg genotype) of the Gly389 allele of the beta(1)AR gene in 50 patients with unexplained syncope. Thirty-three patients (66%) had a positive HUT. Patients with a positive HUT had a higher Gly389 allele frequency compared with those with a negative test (30.3 vs. 3%; OR 13; pC = 0.012). Moreover, when comparing positive HUT in passive drug-free phase, positive HUT in pharmacological (nitrate) phase, and negative (both phases), a decreasing gradient in the frequencies of the Gly389 allele was found among the three groups: 45.4, 22.7, and 3%, respectively. An association of positive tilt table testing to a single nucleotide polymorphism with a Gly to Arg switch at position 389 of the beta(1)AR was found. This polymorphism may contribute to susceptibility to faint during orthostatic challenge.

Crosstalk between Gi and Gq/Gs pathways in airway smooth muscle regulates bronchial contractility and relaxation

Receptor-mediated airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction via G(alphaq), and relaxation via G(alphas), underlie the bronchospastic features of asthma and its treatment. Asthma models show increased ASM G(alphai) expression, considered the basis for the proasthmatic phenotypes of enhanced bronchial hyperreactivity to contraction mediated by M(3)-muscarinic receptors and diminished relaxation mediated by beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)ARs). A causal effect between G(i) expression and phenotype has not been established, nor have mechanisms whereby G(i) modulates G(q)/G(s) signaling. To delineate isolated effects of altered G(i), transgenic mice were generated overexpressing G(alphai2) or a G(alphai2) peptide inhibitor in ASM. Unexpectedly, G(alphai2) overexpression decreased contractility to methacholine, while G(alphai2) inhibition enhanced contraction. These opposite phenotypes resulted from different crosstalk loci within the G(q) signaling network: decreased phospholipase C and increased PKCalpha, respectively. G(alphai2) overexpression decreased beta(2)AR-mediated airway relaxation, while G(alphai2) inhibition increased this response, consistent with physiologically relevant coupling of this receptor to both G(s) and G(i). IL-13 transgenic mice (a model of asthma), which developed increased ASM G(alphai), displayed marked increases in airway hyperresponsiveness when G(alphai) function was inhibited. Increased G(alphai) in asthma is therefore a double-edged sword: a compensatory event mitigating against bronchial hyperreactivity, but a mechanism that evokes beta-agonist resistance. By selective intervention within these multipronged signaling modules, advantageous G(s)/G(q) activities could provide new asthma therapies.