Biomedical subjects

May Simaan

Publications and source records attributed to May Simaan.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Dissociation of beta-arrestin from internalized bradykinin B2 receptor is necessary for receptor recycling and resensitization.

Beta-arrestins are multifunctional adaptors that bind agonist-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), mediate their desensitization and internalization, and control the rate at which receptors recycle back at the plasma membrane ready for subsequent stimulation. The activation of the bradykinin (BK) type 2 receptor (B2R) results in the rapid desensitization and internalization of the receptor. Little is known, however, about the role of beta-arrestin in regulating the intracellular trafficking and the resensitization of the B2R. Using confocal microscopy, we show that BK stimulation of COS-7 cells expressing B2R induces the colocalization of the agonist-activated receptor with beta-arrestin into endosomes. Fluorescent imaging and ligand binding experiments also reveal that upon agonist removal, beta-arrestin rapidly dissociates from B2R into endosomes, and that receptors return back to the plasma membrane, fully competent for reactivating B2R signaling as measured by NO production upon a second BK challenge. However, when the receptor is mutated in its C-terminal domain to increase its avidity for beta-arrestin, B2R remains associated with beta-arrestin into endosomes, and receptors fail to recycle to the plasma membrane postagonist wash. Similarly, the recycling of receptors is prevented when a beta-arrestin mutant exhibiting increased avidity for agonist-bound GPCRs is expressed with B2R. Stabilizing receptor/beta-arrestin complexes into endosomes results in the dampening of the BK-mediated NO production. These results provide evidence for the involvement of beta-arrestin in the intracellular trafficking of B2R, and highlight the importance of receptor recycling in reestablishing B2R signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Involvement of a cytoplasmic-tail serine cluster in urotensin II receptor internalization.

Most G-protein-coupled receptors that undergo agonist-dependent internalization require the presence of specific cytoplasmic-tail residues to initiate interactions with proteins of the endocytic machinery. Here we show that the UT receptor (urotensin II receptor) undergoes internalization, and that specific serine residues of the receptor's cytoplasmic tail participate in this process. We first observed a time-dependent increase in internalization of the UT receptor expressed in COS-7 cells following binding of the agonist urotensin II. This sequestration was significantly reduced in the presence of sucrose, demonstrating that the agonist-activated UT receptor is internalized in part by clathrin-coated pits. Moreover, the sequestered receptor was co-localized in endocytic vesicles with beta-arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2. To assess whether specific regions of the receptor's cytoplasmic tail were involved in internalization, five UT receptor mutants were constructed. In four constructs the receptor's cytoplasmic tail was truncated at various positions (UTDelta367, UTDelta363, UTDelta350 and UTDelta336), and in the other four adjacent serine residues at positions 364-367 were replaced by Ala (Mut4S). Each mutant, except UTDelta367, demonstrated a significantly reduced internalization rate, thereby revealing the importance of specific serine residues within the cytoplasmic tail of the UT receptor for its ability to be internalized efficiently.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

c-Src regulates clathrin adapter protein 2 interaction with beta-arrestin and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor during clathrin- mediated internalization.

Beta-arrestins are multifunctional adapters involved in the internalization and signaling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They target receptors to clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) through binding with clathrin and clathrin adapter 2 (AP-2) complex. They also act as transducers of signaling by recruiting c-Src kinase to certain GPCRs. Here we sought to determine whether c-Src regulates the recruitment of AP-2 to beta-arrestin and the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) during internalization. We show that the agonist stimulation of native AT1R in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induces the formation of an endogenous complex containing c-Src, beta-arrestins and AP-2. In vitro studies using coimmunoprecipitation experiments and a yeast three-hybrid assay reveal that c-Src stabilizes the agonist-independent association between beta-arrestin2 and the beta-subunit of AP-2 independently of the kinase activity of c-Src. However, although c-Src expression promoted the rapid dissociation of AP-2 from both beta-arrestin and AT1R after receptor stimulation, a kinase-inactive mutant of c-Src failed to induce the dissociation of AP-2 from the agonist-occupied receptor. Thus, the consequence of c-Src in regulating the dissociation of AP-2 from the receptor was also examined on the internalization of AT1R by depleting c-Src in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells using a small interfering RNA strategy. Experiments in c-Src depleted cells reveal that AT1R remained mostly colocalized with AP-2 at the plasma membrane after Ang II stimulation, consistent with the observed delay in receptor internalization. Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation experiments in c-Src depleted HEK 293 cells and VSMCs showed an increased association of AP-2 to the agonist-occupied AT1R and beta-arrestin, respectively. Together, our results support a role for c-Src in regulating the dissociation of AP-2 from agonist-occupied AT1R and beta-arrestin during the clathrin-mediated internalization of receptors and suggest a novel function for c-Src kinase in the internalization of AT1R.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗

PubMed2002

Calcium channels contribute to the decrease in blood pressure of pregnant rats.

Pregnancy is associated with hemodynamic changes such as reduced vascular resistance and blood pressure. We reported that, during late pregnancy, the activity of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) is altered in the adrenal cortex and vascular smooth muscle. These observations suggested that the late pregnancy-induced decrease in blood pressure is linked to diminished VDCC function. We attempted to prevent pregnancy-induced reduced blood pressure with a calcium channel activator (CGP 28392) in pregnant rats and to mimic it by administration of a calcium channel blocker (nifedipine) to nonpregnant rats. Treatment was given from the 15th day of gestation for 7 days. The systolic blood pressure of CGP 28392-treated pregnant rats rose transiently for 2 days and then declined toward values of nontreated pregnant controls, although remaining higher. However, nonpregnant rats maintained their high arterial pressure throughout CGP 28392 treatment. Nifedipine lowered the blood pressure in nonpregnant rats to values of nontreated term-pregnant controls. Both agents did not affect body weight, water or food intake, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone or corticosterone levels. Nifedipine and CGP 28392 treatment of nonpregnant and pregnant animals, respectively, did not modify the response of aortic rings to KCl. These results show that VDCC activation caused hypertension, which modified the extent of the decrease in blood pressure at the end of pregnancy.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗