GRK Phosphorylation Research Articles

Transactivation of the EGF receptor as a novel desensitization mechanism for G protein-coupled receptors, illustrated by dopamine D2-like and β2 adrenergic receptors

Transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) provides intricate control over multiple regulatory cellular processes that merge the diversity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with the robust signaling capacities of receptor tyrosine kinases. Contrary to the typical assertions, our findings demonstrate that EGFR transactivation contributes to the desensitization of GPCRs. Repeated agonist stimulation of certain GPCRs enhanced EGFR transactivation, triggering a series of cellular events associated with GPCR desensitization. This effect was observed in receptors undergoing desensitization (D3R, K149C-D2R, β2AR) but not in those resistant to desensitization (D2R, C147K-D3R, D4R, β2AR mutants lacking GRK2 or GRK6 phosphorylation sites). The EGFR inhibitor AG1478 prevented both desensitization and the associated cellular events. Similarly, these cellular events were also observed when cells were treated with EGF, but only in GPCRs that undergo desensitization. These findings suggest that EGFR transactivation diversifies pathways involved in ERK activation through the EGFR signaling system and also mediates GPCR desensitization. Alongside the widely accepted steric hindrance model, these findings offer new insights into understanding the mechanisms of GPCR desensitization, which occurs through complex cellular processes.

GRK2-mediated AKT activation controls cell cycle progression and G2 checkpoint in a p53-dependent manner

Cell cycle checkpoints, activated by stressful events, halt the cell cycle progression, and prevent the transmission of damaged DNA. These checkpoints prompt cell repair but also trigger cell death if damage persists. Decision-making between these responses is multifactorial and context-dependent, with the tumor suppressor p53 playing a central role. In many tumor cells, p53 alterations lead to G1/S checkpoint loss and the weakening of the G2 checkpoint, rendering cell viability dependent on the strength of the latter through mechanisms not fully characterized. Cells with a strong pro-survival drive can evade cell death despite substantial DNA lesions. Deciphering the integration of survival pathways with p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms governing the G2/M transition is crucial for understanding G2 arrest functionality and predicting tumor cell response to chemotherapy. The serine/threonine kinase GRK2 emerges as a signaling node in cell cycle modulation. In cycling cells, but not in G2 checkpoint-arrested cells, GRK2 protein levels decline during G2/M transition through a process triggered by CDK2-dependent phosphorylation of GRK2 at the S670 residue and Mdm2 ubiquitination. We report now that this downmodulation in G2 prevents the unscheduled activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, allowing cells to progress into mitosis. Conversely, higher GRK2 levels lead to tyrosine phosphorylation by the kinase c-Abl, promoting the direct association of GRK2 with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K and AKT activation in a GRK2 catalytic-independent manner. Hyperactivation of AKT is conditioned by p53’s scaffolding function, triggering FOXO3a phosphorylation, impaired Cyclin B1 accumulation, and CDK1 activation, causing a G2/M transition delay. Upon G2 checkpoint activation, GRK2 potentiates early arrest independently of p53 through AKT activation. However, its ability to overcome the G2 checkpoint in viable conditions depends on p53. Our results suggest that integrating the GRK2/PI3K/AKT axis with non-canonical functions of p53 might confer a survival advantage to tumor cells.

Role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) in β2 -adrenoceptor-mediated glucose uptake.

Truncation of the C-terminal tail of the β2 -AR, transfection of βARKct or over-expression of a kinase-dead GRK mutant reduces isoprenaline-stimulated glucose uptake, indicating that GRK is important for this response. We explored whether phosphorylation of the β2 -AR by GRK2 has a role in glucose uptake or if this response is related to the role of GRK2 as a scaffolding protein. CHO-GLUT4myc cells expressing wild-type and mutant β2 -ARs were generated and receptor affinity for [3 H]-CGP12177A and density of binding sites determined together with the affinity of isoprenaline and BRL37344. Following receptor activation by β2 -AR agonists, cAMP accumulation, GLUT4 translocation, [3 H]-2-deoxyglucose uptake, and β2 -AR internalization were measured. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer was used to investigate interactions between β2 -AR and β-arrestin2 or between β2 -AR and GRK2. Glucose uptake after siRNA knockdown or GRK inhibitors was measured in response to β2 -AR agonists. BRL37344 was a poor partial agonist for cAMP generation but displayed similar potency and efficacy to isoprenaline for glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. These responses to β2 -AR agonists occurred in CHO-GLUT4myc cells expressing β2 -ARs lacking GRK or GRK/PKA phosphorylation sites as well as in cells expressing the wild-type β2 -AR. However, β2 -ARs lacking phosphorylation sites failed to recruit β-arrestin2 and did not internalize. GRK2 knock-down or GRK2 inhibitors decreased isoprenaline-stimulated glucose uptake in rat L6 skeletal muscle cells. Thus, GRK phosphorylation of the β2 -AR is not associated with isoprenaline- or BRL37344-stimulated glucose uptake. However, GRKs acting as scaffold proteins are important for glucose uptake as GRK2 knock-down or GRK2 inhibition reduces isoprenaline-stimulated glucose uptake.

Atypical regulation of an atypical chemokine receptor: ACKR3 'senses' CXCR4 activation through phosphorylation.

ACKR3 is an arrestin-biased 7-transmembrane receptor that is unable to activate G proteins. The receptor shares the chemokine agonist, CXCL12, with the canonical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), CXCR4. The receptor pair plays a critical role in mediating cell migration during cardiac and CNS development as well as contributing to cancer growth and metastasis. Whereas CXCR4 drives cellular migration through G protein signaling, ACKR3 primarily acts to scavenge chemokines, which indirectly regulates migration through shaping the extracellular chemokine gradient. Scavenging is driven by constitutive internalization and recycling of the receptor and concomitant shuttling of CXCL12 to lysosomes for degradation. Since internalization of GPCRs is often dependent on phosphorylation and β-arrestins, we set out to resolve how GPCR kinases (GRKs) and β-arrestins influence ACKR3 scavenging. Despite robust β-arrestin recruitment by ACKR3, knockouts of β-arrestins had little impact on CXCL12 scavenging by the receptor; nevertheless, GRK phosphorylation is essential. Employing GRK knockout cells, we discovered that GRK5 is the dominant kinase for ACKR3 phosphorylation and primary driver of chemokine scavenging in HEK293 cells. In comparison the responses elicited by GRK2 were much more limited. Because GRK2 requires free Gβγ released by heterotrimeric G protein activation, we hypothesized that the muted GRK2 impact may be due to the lack of G protein coupling by ACKR3. Indeed, addition of Gβγ significantly enhanced GRK2-mediated ACKR3 phosphorylation and scavenging of CXCL12. Additionally, co-activation of CXCR4 produced sufficient Gβγ to promote GRK2 phosphorylation of ACKR3. These results suggest a mechanism for ACKR3 to ‘sense’ CXCR4 activation through GRK2 activity. Likewise, this would allow CXCR4 to influence CXCL12 scavenging as well as its own signaling by promoting β-arrestin recruitment to ACKR3.

A novel GRK2 inhibitor alleviates experimental arthritis through restraining Th17 cell differentiation

T helper type 17 (Th17) cell which is induced by interleukine-6 (IL-6)-signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling is a central pro-inflammatory T cell subtype in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could be significantly reduced by paeoniflorin-6′-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) treatment with unclear mechanisms. This study was aimed to found out the mechanism of CP-25 in hampering Th17 cells differentiation in arthritic animals thus explore more therapeutic targets for RA. In mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), both circulating and splenic Th17 subsets were expanded with increased STAT3 phosphorylation and decreased Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP1)-β-arrestin2 (arrb2)-STAT3 interaction in CD4+ helper T (Th) cells. Either CP-25 or paroxetine (PAR), an established G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) inhibitor treatment effectively relieved the joints inflammation of CIA mice with substantially reduced Th17 cell population through inhibiting STAT3 and restoring the SHP1-arrb2-STAT3 complex. Knockout of arrb2 exacerbated the clinical manifestations of collagen antibody-induced arthritis with upregulated Th17 cells. In vitro studies revealed that depletion of arrb2 or inhibition of SHP1 promoted Th17 cell differentiation. Moreover, stimulation of adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR) simultaneously promoted Th17 cell differentiation via accelerating abbr2-A3AR binding, which could be prevented through inhibiting GRK2 phosphorylation by CP-25 or PAR, or genetically reducing GRK2. This work has demonstrated that CP-25 or PAR treatment recovers the SHP1-arrb2-STAT3 complex which prevents STAT3 activation in Th cells through reducing arrb2 recruitment to A3AR by inhibiting GRK2 phosphorylation, leading to the reduction in Th17 cell differentiation and arthritis attenuation.

Grk7 but not Grk1 undergoes cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in zebrafish cone photoreceptors and mediates cone photoresponse recovery to elevated cAMP

In the vertebrate retina, phosphorylation of photoactivated visual pigments in rods and cones by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) is essential for sustained visual function. Previous invitro analysis demonstrated that GRK1 and GRK7 are phosphorylated by PKA, resulting in a reduced capacity to phosphorylate rhodopsin. Invivo observations revealed that GRK phosphorylation occurs in the dark and is cAMP dependent. In many vertebrates, including humans and zebrafish, GRK1 is expressed in both rods and cones while GRK7 is expressed only in cones. However, mice express only GRK1 in both rods and cones and lack GRK7. We recently generated a mutation in Grk1 that deletes the phosphorylation site, Ser21. This mutant demonstrated delayed dark adaptation in mouse rods but not in cones invivo, suggesting GRK1 may serve a different role depending upon the photoreceptor cell type in which it is expressed. Here, zebrafish were selected to evaluate the role of cAMP-dependent GRK phosphorylation in cone photoreceptor recovery. Electroretinogram analyses of larvae treated with forskolin show that elevated intracellular cAMP significantly decreases recovery of the cone photoresponse, which is mediated by Grk7a rather than Grk1b. Using a cone-specific dominant negative PKA transgene, we show for the first time that PKA is required for Grk7a phosphorylation invivo. Lastly, immunoblot analyses of rod grk1a-/- and cone grk1b-/- zebrafish and Nrl-/- mouse show that cone-expressed Grk1 does not undergo cAMP-dependent phosphorylation invivo. These results provide a better understanding of the function of Grk phosphorylation relative to cone adaptation and recovery.

The tyrosine phosphorylation of GRK2 is responsible for activated D2R-mediated insulin resistance

Dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) plays a key role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis by stimulating the secretion of many glucoregulatory hormones. Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders which occurs when PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is downregulated. However, the potential involvement of D2R in insulin resistance remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of glucose transport by D2-like receptors and discovered that activation of D2R, but not D3R or D4R, suppressed insulin-induced 2-DOG uptake and Glut4 membrane translocation in a GRK2- and Src-dependent manner. Further study revealed that activation of D2R inhibits insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt at Thr308 and Ser473, which are hallmarks of its kinase activity, by increasing the interaction of tyrosine phosphorylated GRK2 with Akt and then preventing Akt from interacting with PDK1. Thus, this study demonstrates that Src mediated GRK2 tyrosine phosphorylation is an essential physiological event that mediates the roles of D2R in insulin resistance.

Abstract P2083: Erk-mediated Phosphorylation Of Grk2 Leads To Reduced Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity And Alters Pyroptotic Signaling

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important regulators of cellular functions where agonist binding leads to receptor conformational changes and downstream activation of g-protein-mediated signaling cascades. Signal transduction is terminated by receptor phosphorylation mediated by G-protein coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) is a main GRK in the heart and is upregulated in heart failure (HF) patients. Recently, we and others have shown that GRK2 can translocate to cardiac mitochondria where it regulates metabolism. Notably, we found that phosphorylated GRK2 at S670 post- ischemia/reperfusion (IR) decreases glucose mitochondrial utilization and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity. Furthermore, 2D-SDS PAGE followed by LC/MS/MS revealed a potential link between mitochondrial GRK2 and PDH phosphorylation. Using a novel PDHα KI CRISPR Cas HEK cell line, we tested the hypothesize that PDH phosphorylation of this novel site was important for PDH activity. Utilizing cytosolic and mitochondrially-targeted pyruvate indicators we measured pyruvate levels in WT and KI HEK cells. In parallel, using a novel mouse model GRK2-S670A, we investigated the role of ERK in mediating GRK2 mitochondrial translocation and pyroptotic signaling. Further experiments will determine long-term impact of mitochondrial GRK2 in cell survival in cardiac pathological conditions.

Abstract P3021: Blocking Grk2-induced Adiponectin Receptor 1 Serine 205 Phosphorylation As A Potential Target Against Post-ischemic Pathological Remodeling

Background: Despite significantly reduced acute MI mortality in recent years, ischemic HF continues to escalate. Therapeutic interventions effectively reversing pathologic remodeling are an urgent unmet medical need. We recently demonstrated that AdipoR1 phosphorylation by GRK2 contributes to maladaptive remodeling in the ischemic heart. The current study clarified the underlying mechanisms leading to AdipoR1 phosphorylative desensitization, and investigated whether blocking AdipoR1 phosphorylation may restore its protective signaling, reversing post-MI remodeling. Methods and Results: Specific site(s) and underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for AdipoR1 phosphorylative desensitization were investigated in vitro (neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes). The effects of AdipoR1 phosphorylation inhibition upon adiponectin (APN) post-MI remodeling and HF progression were investigated in vivo. Among 4 previously identified sites sensitive to GRK2 phosphorylation, alanine substitution of Ser 205 (AdipoR1 S205A ), but not other 3 sites, rescued GRK2-suppressed AdipoR1 functions, restoring APN-induced cell salvage kinase activation and reducing oxidative cell death. AdipoR1 phosphorylation promoted clathrin-dependent (not caveolae) endocytosis and lysosomal-mediated (not proteasome) degradation, reducing AdipoR1 protein level and suppressing AdipoR1-mediated cytoprotective action. GRK2-induced AdipoR1 endocytosis and degradation were blocked by AdipoR1 S205A overexpression. Moreover, AdipoR1 S205E (pseudo-phosphorylation) phenocopied GRK2 effects, promoted AdipoR1 endocytosis and degradation, and inhibited AdipoR1 biological function. Most importantly, AdipoR1 function was preserved during HF development in AdipoR1 S205A KI mice. APN administration 7 days after MI reversed post-MI remodeling and improved cardiac function. However, re-expressing hAdipoR1 WT in AdipoR1-KO mice failed to restore APN cardioprotection. Conclusion: Ser 205 is responsible for AdipoR1 phosphorylative desensitization in the failing heart. Blockade of AdipoR1 phosphorylation followed by pharmacologic APN administration is a novel therapy effective in reversing post-MI remodeling and mitigating HF progression.

Endosomal b2‐adrenergic receptor controls nuclear cAMP signal in learning and memory via sequestration of phosphodiesterase 4D

Learning and memory‐related behaviors depend on GPCR signaling to the nucleus to induce Immediate early gene (IEG) expression. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating this process remain unclear. We have previously identified a subpopulation of β2AR which is preferentially phosphorylated by GRK sites and internalized to the endosome upon stimulation. Here, we demonstrate that GRK phosphorylated endosomal β2Adrenergic Receptor (β2AR) indirectly facilitates nuclear cAMP signaling through sequestration of a PDE4D/β‐arrestin complex. Combining subcellular cAMP biosensors and transgenic mice, we found deleting GRK phosphorylation sites on β2AR (GRKD) blocked agonist‐induced receptor endocytosis and nuclear cAMP signaling in hippocampal neurons. This resulted in impaired PKA‐mediated IEGs expression in vitro,reduced learning induced IEG expression in vivo, and impaired long‐term memory in a Morris water maze. Mechanistically, while β2AR stimulation promoted β‐arrestin‐dependent recruitment of PDE4D5, inhibition of β‐arrestin‐PDE4D5 association alone prevented β2AR‐induced increases in nuclear cAMP signaling without affecting receptor endocytosis. Furthermore, direct PDE4 inhibition was sufficient to rescue the β2AR‐induced nuclear cAMP signal in GRKD neurons and ameliorate the long‐term memory deficits in GRKD mice. This work indicates that the sequestration of the β‐arrestin/PDE4D complex by the GRK‐phosphorylated β2AR critically controls the receptor‐induced nuclear cAMP signals. This constitutes a novel mechanism by which GPCR activation promotes nuclear cAMP signaling through endocytosis dependent relocalization of PDE4D isoforms, IEG expression, and learning and memory‐related behaviors.

PKC-isoform specific regulation of receptor desensitization and KCNQ1/KCNE1 K+ channel activity by mutant α1B-adrenergic receptors

Activation of a specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoform during stimulation of Gq protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs) is determined by homologous receptor desensitization that controls the spatiotemporal formation of downstream Gq signalling molecules. Furthermore, GqPCR-activated PKC isoforms specifically regulate receptor activity via a negative feedback mechanism.In the present study, we investigated the contribution of several phosphorylation sites in the α1B-adrenergic receptor (α1B-AR) for PKC and G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) to homologous receptor desensitization and effector modulation. We analyzed signalling events downstream to human wildtype α1B-ARs and α1B-ARs lacking PKC or GRK2 phosphorylation sites (Δ391–401, α1B-ΔPKC-AR and Δ402–520, α1B-ΔGRK-AR) by means of FRET-based biosensors in HEK293 that served as online-assays of receptor activity. K+ currents through KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels (IKs), which are regulated by both phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-depletion and/or phosphorylation by PKC, were measured as a functional readout of wildtype and mutant α1B-AR receptor activity.As a novel finding, we provide evidence that deletion of PKC and GRK2 phosphorylation sites in α1B-ARs abrogates the contribution of PKCα to homologous receptor desensitization. Instead, the time course of mutant receptor activity was specifically modulated by PKCβ. Mutant α1B-ARs displayed pronounced homologous receptor desensitization that was abolished by PKCβ-specific pharmacological inhibitors.IKs modulation during stimulation of wildtype and mutant α1B-ARs displayed transient inhibition and current facilitation after agonist withdrawal with reduced capability of mutant α1B-ARs to induce IKs inhibition. Pharmacological inhibition of the PKCβ isoform did not augment IKs reduction by mutant α1B-ARs, but shifted IKs modulation towards current facilitation. Coexpression of an inactive (dominant-negative) PKCδ isoform (DN-PKCδ) abolished IKs facilitation in α1B-ΔGRK-AR-expressing cells, but not in α1B-ΔPKC-AR-expressing cells. The data indicate that the differential modulation of IKs activity by α1B-ΔGRK- and α1B-ΔPKC-receptors is attributed to the activation of entirely distinct novel PKC isoforms.To summarize, specific phosphorylation sites within the wildtype and mutant α1B-adrenergic receptors are targeted by different PKC isoforms, resulting in differential regulation of receptor desensitization and effector function.

Mdm2-Mediated Downmodulation of GRK2 Restricts Centrosome Separation for Proper Chromosome Congression.

The timing of centrosome separation and the distance moved apart influence the formation of the bipolar spindle, affecting chromosome stability. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling induces early centrosome separation through downstream G protein-coupled receptor kinase GRK2, which phosphorylates the Hippo pathway component MST2 (Mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 2), in turn allowing NIMA kinase Nek2A activation for centrosomal linker disassembly. However, the mechanisms that counterbalance centrosome disjunction and separation remain poorly understood. We unveil that timely degradation of GRK2 by the E3 ligase Mdm2 limits centrosome separation in the G2. Both knockout expression and catalytic inhibition of Mdm2 result in GRK2 accumulation and enhanced centrosome separation before mitosis onset. Phosphorylation of GRK2 on residue S670 enables a complex pattern of non-K48-linked polyubiquitin chains assembled by Mdm2, which correlate with kinase protein degradation. Remarkably, GRK2-S670A protein fails to phosphorylate MST2 despite overcoming Mdm2-dependent degradation, which results in defective centrosome separation, shorter spindles, and abnormal chromosome congression. Conversely, extra levels of wild-type kinase in the G2 cause increased inter-centrosome distances with longer spindles, also converging in congression issues. Our findings show that the signals enabling activity of the GRK2/MST2/Nek2A axis for separation also switches on Mdm2 degradation of GRK2 to ensure accurate centrosome dynamics and proper mitotic spindle functionality.

The short third intracellular loop and cytoplasmic tail of bitter taste receptors provide functionally relevant GRK phosphorylation sites in TAS2R14

For most G protein–coupled receptors, the third intracellular loop (IL3) and carboxy-terminal tail (CT) are sites for G protein–coupled receptor kinase (GRK)–mediated phosphorylation, leading to β-arrestin binding and agonist-specific desensitization. These regions of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are extremely short compared with the superfamily, and their function in desensitization is unknown. TAS2R14 expressed on human airway smooth muscle cells relax the cell, suggesting a novel target for bronchodilators. To assess IL3 and CT in agonist-promoted TAS2R14 desensitization (tachyphylaxis), we generated fusion proteins of both the WT sequence and Ala substituted for Ser/Thr in the IL3 and CT sequences. In vitro, activated GRK2 phosphorylated WT IL3 and WT CT proteins but not Ala-substituted forms. TAS2R14s with mutations in IL3 (IL-5A), CT (CT-5A), and in both regions (IL/CT-10A) were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293T cells. IL/CT-10A and CT-5A failed to undergo desensitization of the intracellular calcium response compared with WT, indicating that functional desensitization by GRK phosphorylation is at residues in the CT. Desensitization of TAS2R14 was blocked by GRK2 knockdown in human airway smooth muscle cells. Receptor:β-arrestin binding was absent in IL/CT-10A and CT-5A and reduced in IL-5A, indicating a role for IL3 phosphorylation in the β-arrestin interaction for this function. Agonist-promoted internalization of IL-5A and CT-5A receptors was impaired, and they failed to colocalize with early endosomes. Thus, agonist-promoted functional desensitization of TAS2R14 occurs by GRK phosphorylation of CT residues and β-arrestin binding. However, β-arrestin function in the internalization and trafficking of the receptor also requires GRK phosphorylation of IL3 residues.

Inhibitory effect of CP-25 on intimal formation and vascular hyperplasia via suppression of GRK2/ERK1/2/EVI1 signaling

Excessive proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the center of intimal formation during in-stent restenosis and vein graft disease. Paeoniflorin-6′-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) is known to suppress inflammation and atherogenesis. However, the potential effect of CP-25 on intimal formation remains elusive. In the present study, we found that CP-25 significantly attenuated wire injury-induced intimal formation in C57BL/6 mice (intimal area: 2.64 ± 0.25 × 104 μm2 vs. 1.53 ± 0.21 × 104 μm2, P < 0.05) and vascular hyperplasia indicated by PCNA staining. In vitro experiments showed that CP-25 significantly alleviated human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation induced by PDGF-BB. Mechanistically, CP-25 inhibited GRK2 phosphorylation through PDGF receptor in the presence of PDGF-BB. In accordance with these results, CP-25 disrupted the interaction of GRK2 with ERK1/2 and suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 signaling in HASMCs. EVI1, which is considered as a downstream of ERK1/2 signaling and a novel transcription factor for VSMC differentiation, was also downregulated by CP-25 treatment. Moreover, overexpression of EVI1 partly restored the decreased proliferation and dedifferentiation of HASMCs treated by CP-25. Collectively, these findings suggested that CP-25 could alleviate intimal formation in response to wire injury via suppression of the interaction of GRK2 and ERK1/2 and EVI1 activation, indicating CP-25 might serve as a potent pharmaceutical for intimal formation.

SAT-313 Synaptojanin 2 Binding Protein Is Required for Efficient Somatostatin Receptor 2A Phosphorylation by G Protein Coupled Receptor Kinases and Signaling to the ERK/MAPK Pathway

Somatostatin receptor 2A (Sst2A) agonists are the primary pharmacological treatment for growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary tumors to inhibit GH secretion and limit the destructive effects of these tumors. Sst2A agonists are also widely used as imaging agents for neuroendocrine tumors, and are under investigation for treatment of these cancers. However, despite the clinical importance of Sst2A agonists, regulatory mechanisms controlling Sst2A internalization and signaling are not fully understood. Sst2A contains a C-terminal PDZ binding site that serves as a docking platform for PDZ domain containing proteins. In an unbiased screen for PDZ domain proteins that can interact with Sst2A, we identified Synaptojanin 2 binding protein (SYNJ2BP) / Outer mitochondrial protein 25 (OMP25). SYNJ2BP is an outer mitochondrial protein that has been shown previously to promote the internalization of the Activin Type II receptor. We find that SYNJ2BP interacts with Sst2A in a ligand-dependent manner. Importantly, we show that SYNJ2BP promotes interaction of Sst2A with the G protein couple receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), and that siRNA-mediated knockdown of SYNJ2BP dramatically inhibits Sst2A phosphorylation by endogenous GRKs. Moreover, overexpression of SYNJ2BP strongly potentiates Sst2A phosphorylation on the GRK phosphorylation sites. Modulation of SYNJ2BP expression also regulates somatostatin-stimulated β-arrestin recruitment to the plasma membrane. Interestingly, in contrast to the large effects on Sst2A phosphorylation and β-arrestin recruitment, modulation of SYNJ2BP expression only caused a small change in ligand-stimulated receptor internalization. When we assessed downstream signaling, we found that SYNJ2BP overexpression potently stimulated receptor-dependent activation of ERK1/2, but had little effect on the ability of Sst2A to repress forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that interaction of Sst2A with a PDZ domain protein affects receptor regulation and signaling. Because multiple PDZ domain containing proteins have been shown to interact with Sst2A, these data also suggest that interaction of Sst2A with this class of proteins may be an important regulatory mechanism to bias its function within the cell.

Restricting mitochondrial GRK2 post-ischemia confers cardioprotection by reducing myocyte death and maintaining glucose oxidation.

Increased abundance of GRK2 [G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinase 2] is associated with poor cardiac function in heart failure patients. In animal models, GRK2 contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure after ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. In addition to its role in down-regulating activated GPCRs, GRK2 also localizes to mitochondria both basally and post-IR injury, where it regulates cellular metabolism. We previously showed that phosphorylation of GRK2 at Ser670 is essential for the translocation of GRK2 to the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes post-IR injury in vitro and that this localization promotes cell death. Here, we showed that mice with a S670A knock-in mutation in endogenous GRK2 showed reduced cardiomyocyte death and better cardiac function post-IR injury. Cultured GRK2-S670A knock-in cardiomyocytes subjected to IR in vitro showed enhanced glucose-mediated mitochondrial respiratory function that was partially due to maintenance of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and improved glucose oxidation. Thus, we propose that mitochondrial GRK2 plays a detrimental role in cardiac glucose oxidation post-injury.

G protein Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 Levels Regulate Differential Internalization of C-C Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7) in Primary Mouse T Cells

Abstract G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling can be regulated by phosphorylation via GPCR kinases (GRKs) and recruitment of b-arrestins. The C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) GPCR, has two ligands, CCL19 and CCL21 that promote chemotactic migration of CCR7 expressing immune cells, including naïve T cells. Distinct signaling pathways are activated in T cells depending upon which ligand is bound to the CCR7. It remains unclear to what extent GRKs contribute to differential internalization of ligand-bound CCR7 and subsequent signaling that controls T cell migration. We used naïve primary T cells from wild type C57 BL/6 mice (WT) or syngeneic mice heterozygous for the GRK2 gene that express 50% GRK2 protein levels compared to WT mice. T cells were incubated with 40 nM of CCL19 or CCL21 for up to 8 minutes. Incubation with CCL19, but not CCL21, led to CCR7 internalization; however, both ligands facilitated rapid, sustained CCR7 internalization in GRK2+/− T cells. The reduced GRK2 levels in the heterozygote T cells had no significant effect on migration to CCL19 or CCL21 compared to WT T cells. Titration transfection experiments in HEK293T cells or CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown of GRK2 in CEM T cells suggested that GRK2 is required for ligand-mediated CCR7 internalization, while higher GRK2 levels inhibit the internalization process. CCR7 internalization was blocked following transfection of a kinase dead GRK2 mutant indicating that GRK2 phosphorylation is required for CCR7 internalization. Immunomicroscopy suggested arrestin-3 formed clusters, independent of the ligand used. Overall, these data suggest that cellular concentration of GRK2 plays an important role in the internalization of ligand/CCR7.

Phosphorylation of GPCR Kinase 2 in Intact Cells: A Proteomic Approach

G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) were first discovered by their ability to phosphorylate GPCRs in an agonist‐dependent manner. GRKs belong to the AGC kinase family of kinases. Activation of AGC kinases is often accompanied by phosphorylation of activation loop residues as well as other conformational changes in catalytically important residues. Crystal structures of GRK2 suggest that the activation segment region is in a relatively “active” conformation in the absence of phosphorylation. Nonetheless, a phosphoproteomic study (Oppermann et al., 2009) indicated that GRK2 Ser350 and Thr353 can be phosphorylated in intact cancer cells. Ser350 and Thr353 reside in the activation loop and P+1 site of the peptide‐binding site, respectively. To test the role of Ser350 and Thr353 phosphorylation in GRK2 function, we substituted alanine and aspartate at these two positions and tested the ability to phosphorylate the beta‐adrenergic receptor. We found that Thr353 is particularly important for phosphorylation of beta‐adrenergic receptor by GRK2 in COS‐7 cells, since conversion to Ala or Asp prevented substrate phosphorylation. In cells transfected with both beta‐adrenergic receptor and GRK2, multiple forms of GRK2 were detected in cells treated with agonist. The multiple forms are consistent with various phosphorylation states. Our goal is to assess Ser350/Thr353 phosphorylation in intact cells using phosphoproteomic approaches. To this end, we engineered a hexahistidine tag on GRK2 expressed from a mammalian cell vector to facilitate its purification and have demonstrated that the tagged kinase is fully functional in agonist‐dependent receptor phosphorylation. We are further developing methods to assess GRK2 phosphorylation by isoelectric focusing and mass spectrometry.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by the National Science Foundation MCB0744739 and Siena College Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Dopamine negatively modulates the NCA ion channels in C. elegans.

The NALCN/NCA ion channel is a cation channel related to voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. NALCN has been reported to be a sodium leak channel with a conserved role in establishing neuronal resting membrane potential, but its precise cellular role and regulation are unclear. The Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of NALCN, NCA-1 and NCA-2, act in premotor interneurons to regulate motor circuit activity that sustains locomotion. Recently we found that NCA-1 and NCA-2 are activated by a signal transduction pathway acting downstream of the heterotrimeric G protein Gq and the small GTPase Rho. Through a forward genetic screen, here we identify the GPCR kinase GRK-2 as a new player affecting signaling through the Gq-Rho-NCA pathway. Using structure-function analysis, we find that the GPCR phosphorylation and membrane association domains of GRK-2 are required for its function. Genetic epistasis experiments suggest that GRK-2 acts on the D2-like dopamine receptor DOP-3 to inhibit Go signaling and positively modulate NCA-1 and NCA-2 activity. Through cell-specific rescuing experiments, we find that GRK-2 and DOP-3 act in premotor interneurons to modulate NCA channel function. Finally, we demonstrate that dopamine, through DOP-3, negatively regulates NCA activity. Thus, this study identifies a pathway by which dopamine modulates the activity of the NCA channels.

The EGF receptor inhibits the signaling of dopamine D3 receptor through the phosphorylation of GRK2 on tyrosine residues

Receptor transactivation or crosstalk are terms referring to instances in which the signaling of a given receptor is regulated by a different class of receptor. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the dopaminergic systems in the brain are closely related to schizophrenia with respect to both etiology and treatment. Thus, we investigated the functional interactions between the EGF receptor (EGFR), which belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase family, and the dopamine D2-like receptors (D2R, D3R, and D4R), which are members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Among D2-like receptors, the signaling of D3R was selectively inhibited by EGFR stimulation. Moreover loss-of-function assays showed that tyrosine-phosphorylated GRK2 mediates this inhibition by acting on the second intracellular loop of D3R. Considering that both EGFR and D3R are closely related to schizophrenia, this study could provide new molecular insight into the etiology of the disorder.