Biomedical subjects

Richard T Premont

Publications and source records attributed to Richard T Premont.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 controls chronicity and severity of dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the colon plays an important role in the onset and course of inflammatory bowel disease. G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) is an intracellular kinase that regulates the sensitivity of certain G-protein-coupled receptors, including those involved in the migration of inflammatory cells. Therefore, it is hypothesised that GRK6 plays a role in determining the course of inflammation. AIM: To analyse the role of GRK6 in the course of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced by administering 1% DSS in drinking water to GRK6(-/-), GRK6(+/-) and wild-type (WT) mice for 6 days. The severity of colitis was assessed on the basis of clinical signs, colon length and histology. Moreover, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) levels, granulocyte infiltration, interleukin 1beta (IL1beta), CD4, CD8 and forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) expression in the colon were determined. In addition, regulatory T cell function in WT and GRK6(-/-) mice was analysed. The chemotactic response of granulocytes to colon culture supernatants was assessed using a transendothelial migration assay. RESULTS: The severity of colitis was increased in GRK6(-/-) and GRK6(+/-) mice and was accompanied by increased KC levels and increased granulocyte infiltration. Moreover, the chemotactic response of GRK6(-/-) granulocytes to supernatants of colon cultures was enhanced. Interestingly, the WT mice completely recovered from colitis, whereas the GRK6(-/-) and GRK6(+/-) mice developed chronic colitis, which was accompanied by increased IL1beta and CD4 expression and decreased FoxP3 expression. Moreover, regulatory T cell function was impaired in the GRK6(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: The intracellular level of GRK6 is an important factor in determining the onset, severity and chronicity of DSS-induced colitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Beta-arrestin2-mediated inotropic effects of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor in isolated cardiac myocytes.

The G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and beta-arrestins, families of molecules essential to the desensitization of G protein-dependent signaling via seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs), have been recently shown to also transduce G protein-independent signals from receptors. However, the physiologic consequences of this G protein-independent, GRK/beta-arrestin-dependent signaling are largely unknown. Here, we establish that GRK/beta-arrestin-mediated signal transduction via the angiotensin II (ANG) type 1A receptor (AT(1A)R) results in positive inotropic and lusitropic effects in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes. We used the "biased" AT(1A)R agonist [Sar(1), Ile(4), Ile(8)]-angiotensin II (SII), which is unable to stimulate G(alpha)q-mediated signaling, but which has previously been shown to promote beta-arrestin interaction with the AT(1A)R. Cardiomyocytes from WT, but not AT(1A)R-deficient knockout (KO) mice, exhibited positive inotropic and lusitropic responses to both ANG and SII. Responses of WT cardiomyocytes to ANG were dramatically reduced by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition, whereas those to SII were unaffected. In contrast, cardiomyocytes from beta-arrestin2 KO and GRK6 KO mice failed to respond to SII, but displayed preserved responses to ANG. Cardiomyocytes from GRK2 heterozygous knockout mice (GRK2(+/-)) exhibited augmented responses to SII in comparison to ANG, whereas those from GRK5 KO mice did not differ from those from WT mice. These findings indicate the existence of independent G(alpha)q/PKC- and GRK6/beta-arrestin2-dependent mechanisms by which stimulation of the AT(1A)R can modulate cardiomyocyte function, and which can be differentially activated by selective receptor ligands. Such ligands may have potential as a novel class of therapeutic agents.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2006

Regulation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta by G protein-coupled receptor kinase-5 in vascular smooth muscle cells involves the phosphatase Shp2.

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration are substantially controlled by the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRbeta), which can be regulated by the Ser/Thr kinase G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2). In mouse aortic SMCs, however, we found that prolonged PDGFRbeta activation engendered down-regulation of GRK5, but not GRK2; moreover, GRK5 and PDGFRbeta were coordinately up-regulated in SMCs from atherosclerotic arteries. With SMCs from GRK5 knock-out and cognate wild type mice (five of each), we found that physiologic expression of GRK5 increased PDGF-promoted PDGFRbeta seryl phosphorylation by 3-fold and reduced PDGFRbeta-promoted phosphoinositide hydrolysis, thymidine incorporation, and overall PDGFRbeta tyrosyl phosphorylation by approximately 35%. Physiologic SMC GRK5 activity also increased PDGFRbeta association with the phosphatase Shp2 (8-fold), enhanced phosphorylation of PDGFRbeta Tyr(1009) (the docking site for Shp2), and reduced phosphorylation of PDGFRbeta Tyr(1021). Consistent with having increased PDGFRbeta-associated Shp2 activity, GRK5-expressing SMCs demonstrated greater PDGF-induced Src activation than GRK5-null cells. GRK5-mediated desensitization of PDGFRbeta inositol phosphate signaling was diminished by Shp2 knock-down or impairment of PDGFRbeta/Shp2 association. In contrast to GRK5, physiologic GRK2 activity did not alter PDGFRbeta/Shp2 association. Finally, purified GRK5 effected agonist-dependent seryl phosphorylation of partially purified PDGFRbetas. We conclude that GRK5 mediates the preponderance of PDGF-promoted seryl phosphorylation of the PDGFRbeta in SMCs, and, through mechanisms involving Shp2, desensitizes PDGFRbeta inositol phosphate signaling and enhances PDGFRbeta-triggered Src activation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

GRK5 deficiency leads to early Alzheimer-like pathology and working memory impairment.

G-protein coupled receptor kinase-5 (GRK5) deficiency has been linked to early Alzheimer's disease in humans and mouse models of the disease. To determine potential roles of GRK5 in the disease pathogenesis, the GRK5 knockout mouse was evaluated at pathological and behavioral levels. We found that these mice displayed an age-dependent increase in hippocampal axonal defects characterized by clusters of axonal swellings that accumulated abnormal amounts of molecular motor proteins, microtubule-associated proteins, intracellular beta-amyloid, and subcellular organelles. In severe cases, extracellular beta-amyloid fibrillar deposits were occasionally observed, along with degenerating axonal components, and were tightly surrounded by reactive astrocytes. Moreover, significant loss of synaptic proteins and early signs of cholinoceptive neurodegeneration were evident in the hippocampus as well. Consistent with the moderate level of pathologic change, aged GRK5 knockout mice displayed selective working memory impairment, with other cognitive domains unaffected. Taken together, these findings not only strongly support an important role of GRK5 deficiency in early Alzheimer's pathogenesis, but also promote the GRK5 knockout mouse as an additional model for early Alzheimer-related studies.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2006

Regulation of neuroendocrine exocytosis by the ARF6 GTPase-activating protein GIT1.

Neuroendocrine cells release hormones and neuropeptides by exocytosis, a highly regulated process in which secretory granules fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents in response to a calcium trigger. Using chromaffin and PC12 cells, we have recently described that the granule-associated GTPase ARF6 plays a crucial role in exocytosis by activating phospholipase D1 at the plasma membrane and, presumably, promoting the fusion reaction between the two membrane bilayers. ARF6 is activated by the nucleotide exchange factor ARNO following docking of granules to the plasma membrane. We show here that GIT1, a GTPase-activating protein stimulating GTP hydrolysis on ARF6, is the second molecular partner that turns over the GDP/GTP cycle of ARF6 during cell stimulation. Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that GIT1 is cytosolic in resting cells but is recruited to the plasma membrane in stimulated cells, where it co-localizes with ARF6 at the granule docking sites. Over-expression of wild-type GIT1 inhibits growth hormone secretion from PC12 cells; this inhibitory effect was not observed in cells expressing a GIT1 mutant impaired in its ARF-GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity or in cells expressing other ARF6-GAPs. Conversely reduction of GIT1 by RNA interference increased the exocytotic activity. Using a real time assay for individual chromaffin cells, we found that microinjection of GIT1 strongly reduced the number of exocytotic events. These results provide the first evidence that GIT1 plays a function in calcium-regulated exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells. We propose that GIT1 represents part of the pathway that inactivates ARF6-dependent reactions and thereby negatively regulates and/or terminates exocytotic release.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6↗

PubMed2005

Mutational analysis of the Arf1*GTP/Arf GAP interface reveals an Arf1 mutant that selectively affects the Arf GAP ASAP1.

Arf1 is a GTP binding protein that functions at a number of cellular sites to control membrane traffic and actin remodeling. Arf1 is regulated by site-specific GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). The combined results of crystallographic and biochemical studies have led to the proposal that Arf1 GAPs differ in the specific interface formed with Arf1. To test this hypothesis, we have used mutagenesis to examine the interaction of three Arf GAPs (ASAP1, AGAP1, and ArfGAP1) with switch 1, switch 2, and alpha helix3 of Arf1. The GAPs were similar in being affected by mutations in switch 1 and 2. However, effects of a mutation within alpha helix3 and specific mutations within switch 1 and 2 differed among the GAPs. The largest differences were observed with a change of isoleucine 46 to aspartate ([I46D]Arf1), which reduced ASAP1-induced catalysis by approximately 10,000-fold but had a 3-fold effect on AGAP1. The reduction was due to an isolated effect on the catalytic rate, k(cat). In vivo [I46D]Arf1 had no detectable effect on the Golgi apparatus but, instead, functioned as a constitutively active mutant in the cell periphery, affecting the localization of ASAP1 and paxillin. Based on our results, we conclude that the contribution of specific residues within switch 1 of Arf to binding and achieving a transition state toward GTP hydrolysis differs among Arf GAPs.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

PubMed2005

beta-arrestin-dependent, G protein-independent ERK1/2 activation by the beta2 adrenergic receptor.

Physiological effects of beta adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) stimulation have been classically shown to result from G(s)-dependent adenylyl cyclase activation. Here we demonstrate a novel signaling mechanism wherein beta-arrestins mediate beta2AR signaling to extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK 1/2) independent of G protein activation. Activation of ERK1/2 by the beta2AR expressed in HEK-293 cells was resolved into two components dependent, respectively, on G(s)-G(i)/protein kinase A (PKA) or beta-arrestins. G protein-dependent activity was rapid, peaking within 2-5 min, was quite transient, was blocked by pertussis toxin (G(i) inhibitor) and H-89 (PKA inhibitor), and was insensitive to depletion of endogenous beta-arrestins by siRNA. beta-Arrestin-dependent activation was slower in onset (peak 5-10 min), less robust, but more sustained and showed little decrement over 30 min. It was insensitive to pertussis toxin and H-89 and sensitive to depletion of either beta-arrestin1 or -2 by small interfering RNA. In G(s) knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts, wild-type beta2AR recruited beta-arrestin2-green fluorescent protein and activated pertussis toxin-insensitive ERK1/2. Furthermore, a novel beta2AR mutant (beta2AR(T68F,Y132G,Y219A) or beta2AR(TYY)), rationally designed based on Evolutionary Trace analysis, was incapable of G protein activation but could recruit beta-arrestins, undergo beta-arrestin-dependent internalization, and activate beta-arrestin-dependent ERK. Interestingly, overexpression of GRK5 or -6 increased mutant receptor phosphorylation and beta-arrestin recruitment, led to the formation of stable receptor-beta-arrestin complexes on endosomes, and increased agonist-stimulated phospho-ERK1/2. In contrast, GRK2, membrane translocation of which requires Gbetagamma release upon G protein activation, was ineffective unless it was constitutively targeted to the plasma membrane by a prenylation signal (CAAX). These findings demonstrate that the beta2AR can signal to ERK via a GRK5/6-beta-arrestin-dependent pathway, which is independent of G protein coupling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

A crucial role for GRK2 in regulation of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase function in portal hypertension.

Nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in sinusoidal endothelial cells is reduced in the injured liver and leads to intrahepatic portal hypertension. We sought to understand the mechanism underlying defective eNOS function. Phosphorylation of the serine-threonine kinase Akt, which activates eNOS, was substantially reduced in sinusoidal endothelial cells from injured livers. Overexpression of Akt in vivo restored phosphorylation of Akt and production of NO and reduced portal pressure in portal hypertensive rats. We found that Akt physically interacts with G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2), and that this interaction inhibits Akt activity. Furthermore, GRK2 expression increased in sinusoidal endothelial cells from portal hypertensive rats and knockdown of GRK2 restored Akt phosphorylation and NO production, and normalized portal pressure. Finally, after liver injury, GRK2-deficient mice developed less severe portal hypertension than control mice. Thus, an important mechanism underlying impaired activity of eNOS in injured sinusoidal endothelial cells is defective phosphorylation of Akt caused by overexpression of GRK2 after injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The Arf GAPs AGAP1 and AGAP2 distinguish between the adaptor protein complexes AP-1 and AP-3.

ADP ribosylation factors (Arf) regulate membrane trafficking at multiple intracellular sites by recruiting coat proteins to membranes. The site-specific regulation of Arf is thought to be mediated by regulatory proteins including the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Here, we test this hypothesis by comparing the site of action of the Arf GAP AGAP2 to the closely related AGAP1. AGAP1 has previously been found to associate with the adaptor protein complex AP-3 and regulate the function of AP-3 endosomes. We found that AGAP2 directly interacted with AP-1. AGAP2 colocalized with AP-1, transferrin receptor and Rab4 on endosomes. Overexpression of AGAP2 changed the intracellular distribution of AP-1 and promoted Rab4-dependent fast recycling of transferrin. Based on these results, we concluded that the closely related Arf GAPs, AGAP1 and AGAP2, distinguish between these related heterotetrameric adaptor protein complexes to specifically regulate AP-3 endosomes and AP-1 recycling endosomes.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗

PubMed2005

Dopamine supersensitivity correlates with D2High states, implying many paths to psychosis.

Dopamine supersensitivity occurs in schizophrenia and other psychoses, and after hippocampal lesions, antipsychotics, ethanol, amphetamine, phencyclidine, gene knockouts of Dbh (dopamine beta-hydroxylase), Drd4 receptors, Gprk6 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6), Comt (catechol-O-methyltransferase), or Th-/-, DbhTh/+ (tyrosine hydroxylase), and in rats born by Cesarean-section. The functional state of D2, or the high-affinity state for dopamine (D2High), was measured in these supersensitive animal brain striata. Increased levels and higher proportions (40-900%) for D2High were found in all these tissues. If many types of brain impairment cause dopamine behavioral supersensitivity and a common increase in D2High states, it suggests that there are many pathways to psychosis, any one of which can be disrupted.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

ARFGAP1 plays a central role in coupling COPI cargo sorting with vesicle formation.

Examining how key components of coat protein I (COPI) transport participate in cargo sorting, we find that, instead of ADP ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1), its GTPase-activating protein (GAP) plays a direct role in promoting the binding of cargo proteins by coatomer (the core COPI complex). Activated ARF1 binds selectively to SNARE cargo proteins, with this binding likely to represent at least a mechanism by which activated ARF1 is stabilized on Golgi membrane to propagate its effector functions. We also find that the GAP catalytic activity plays a critical role in the formation of COPI vesicles from Golgi membrane, in contrast to the prevailing view that this activity antagonizes vesicle formation. Together, these findings indicate that GAP plays a central role in coupling cargo sorting and vesicle formation, with implications for simplifying models to describe how these two processes are coupled during COPI transport.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

PubMed2005

Once and future signaling: G protein-coupled receptor kinase control of neuronal sensitivity.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most numerous class of cell surface receptor, and substances acting through GPCRs mediate many critical signaling events and physiological processes. GPCR sensitivity and signaling is dynamic, responding rapidly to adjust to changes in the ambient level of stimulation of target cells. One important mediator of such receptor sensitivity is the family of GPCR kinases (GRKs). Like heterotrimeric G proteins, GRKs recognize agonist-bound, activated receptors, and this recognition promotes catalytic activation of GRKs, resulting in the preferential phosphorylation of activated receptors. GRK-phosphorylated receptors are then targeted by arrestin proteins, which bind to phosphorylated receptors. Arrestin-bound receptors are uncoupled from heterotrimeric G proteins, resulting in decreased sensitivity to further receptor stimulation (desensitization). Arrestin-bound receptors are also accelerated into internalization pathways and linked to distinct arrestin-mediated signaling pathways. GRKs thus serve as gatekeepers for receptors, terminating some signaling pathways and initiating others. One major outstanding question concerning GRKs understanding the mechanisms by which any particular receptor subtype (of the 800 or so in the body) is regulated by a specific GRK(s), and the consequences of this specificity. An understanding of this regulatory specificity could allow targeting of GRK function to ameliorate diseases involving GPCR dysregulation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Mammalian Scribble forms a tight complex with the betaPIX exchange factor.

Drosophila Scribble is implicated in the development of normal synapse structure and epithelial tissues, but it remains unclear how it plays a role and which process it controls. The mammalian homolog of Scribble, hScrib, has a primary structure and subcellular localization similar to that of its fly homolog, but its function remains unknown. Here we have used tandem mass spectrometry to identify major components of the hScrib network. We show that it includes betaPIX (also called Cool-1), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), and its partner GIT1 (also called p95-APP1), a GTPase activating protein (GAP). betaPIX directly binds to the hScrib PDZ domains, and the hScrib/betaPIX complex is efficiently recovered in epithelial and neuronal cells and tissues. In cerebellar granule cell cultures, hScrib and betaPIX are both partially localized at neuronal presynaptic compartments. Furthermore, we show that hScrib is required to anchor betaPIX at the cell cortex and that dominant-negative betaPIX or hScrib proteins can each inhibit Ca2+-dependent exocytosis in neuroendocrine PC12 cells, demonstrating a functional relationship between these proteins. These data reveal the existence of a tight hScrib/betaPIX interaction and suggest that this complex potentially plays a role in neuronal transmission.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

GRK6 deficiency is associated with enhanced CXCR4-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and impaired responsiveness to G-CSF in vivo.

The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) signaling pathway is thought to play an important role in the induction of neutrophil mobilization from the bone marrow in response to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. CXCR4 belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. Multiple members of this receptor family are desensitized by agonist-induced G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-mediated phosphorylation. Here, we demonstrate that in vitro SDF-1-induced chemotaxis of bone marrow-derived neutrophils from GRK6-deficient mice is significantly enhanced and that desensitization of the calcium response to SDF-1 is impaired in GRK6-/- neutrophils. CXCR4 activation by SDF-1 provides a key retention signal for hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. It is interesting that we observed that in the absence of GRK6, the G-CSF-induced increase in circulating neutrophils is profoundly impaired. Three days after injection of pegylated-G-CSF, significantly lower numbers of circulating neutrophils were observed in GRK6-/- as compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, early/acute neutrophil mobilization in response to G-CSF (3 h after treatment) was also impaired in GRK6-/- mice. However, blood neutrophil levels in untreated GRK6-/- and WT mice were not different. Moreover, the percentage of neutrophils in the bone marrow after G-CSF treatment was increased to the same extent in WT and GRK6-/- mice, indicating that neutrophil production is normal in the absence of GRK6. However, the increased chemotactic sensitivity of GRK6-/- neutrophils to SDF-1 was retained after G-CSF treatment. In view of these data, we suggest that the impaired G-CSF-induced neutrophil mobilization in the absence of GRK6 may be a result of enhanced CXCR4-mediated retention of PMN in the bone marrow.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The GIT/PIX complex: an oligomeric assembly of GIT family ARF GTPase-activating proteins and PIX family Rac1/Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors.

GIT proteins are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) small GTP-binding proteins, and interact with the PIX family of Rac1/Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors. GIT and PIX transiently localize p21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) to remodeling focal adhesions through binding to paxillin. To understand the role of these interactions, the association of GIT and PIX proteins was examined in detail. Two separable binding interactions link GIT and PIX proteins, GIT and PIX proteins each dimerize and a beta-PIX fragment containing the GIT-binding region failed to inhibit the association of the GIT and PIX proteins. Endogenous GIT and PIX co-fractionate at a very high molecular size. Purified 6xHis-tagged beta-PIX from Sf9 cells co-expressing untagged GIT1 yields recombinant GIT1/beta-PIX complexes that have equal amounts of beta-PIX and GIT1 and co-fractionate at the same large size as native GIT/PIX complexes. Thus, GIT and PIX proteins are tightly associated as a multimeric nexus capable of linking together important signaling molecules, including PAKs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Differences between AGAP1, ASAP1 and Arf GAP1 in substrate recognition: interaction with the N-terminus of Arf1.

The Arf GAPs are a structurally diverse group of proteins that catalyze the hydrolysis of GTP bound to Arf1. Here, we directly compare the role of amino acids 2-17 of Arf1, a GTP- and phospholipid-sensitive switch, for interaction with three Arf GAPs: Arf GAP1, AGAP1 and ASAP1. Sequestration of amino acids 2-17 with an antibody inhibited interaction with the three tested Arf GAPs. Examination of Arf1 mutants also indicated that [2-17]Arf1 is a critical structural determinant of interaction with all three Arf GAPs; however, the effect of specific mutations differed among the GAPs. Compared to wild-type Arf1, Arf1 with the amino terminal 13 ([Delta13]Arf1) and 17 amino acids ([Delta17]Arf1) deleted had 200- and 4000-fold reduced interaction with ASAP1 and 150-fold reduced interaction with AGAP1. In contrast, deletion of the amino terminus of Arf reduced interaction with Arf GAP1 by 5-fold. By analysis of point mutants, we found that lysines 15 and 16 had a greater contribution to productive interaction between Arf1, ASAP1 and AGAP1 than between Arf1 and Arf GAP1. Leucine 8 contributed to the interaction with Arf GAP1 but not with ASAP1 and AGAP1. Amino acids 2-17 of Arf1, isolated from the protein, inhibited GAP activity of Arf GAP1, ASAP1 and AGAP1 and bound directly to ASAP1. Taken together, our results indicate that (i) Arf GAPs interact with amino acids 2-17 of Arf1 and (ii) each subgroup of Arf GAPs has a unique interface with Arf1.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

PubMed2004

ACAP1 promotes endocytic recycling by recognizing recycling sorting signals.

Cargo sorting that promotes the transport of cargo proteins from a membrane compartment has been predicted to be unlikely in the endocytic recycling pathways. We now show that ACAP1 binds specifically and directly to recycling cargo proteins. Reducing this interaction for TfR inhibits its recycling. Moreover, ACAP1 binds to two distinct phenylalanine-based sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of TfR that function as recycling sorting signals to promote its transport from the recycling endosome. Taken together, these findings indicate that ACAP1 promotes cargo sorting by recognizing recycling sorting signals.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6↗

PubMed2004

Desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors and neuronal functions.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have proven to be the most highly favorable class of drug targets in modern pharmacology. Over 90% of nonsensory GPCRs are expressed in the brain, where they play important roles in numerous neuronal functions. GPCRs can be desensitized following activation by agonists by becoming phosphorylated by members of the family of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Phosphorylated receptors are then bound by arrestins, which prevent further stimulation of G proteins and downstream signaling pathways. Discussed in this review are recent progress in understanding basics of GPCR desensitization, novel functional roles, patterns of brain expression, and receptor specificity of GRKs and beta arrestins in major brain functions. In particular, screening of genetically modified mice lacking individual GRKs or beta arrestins for alterations in behavioral and biochemical responses to cocaine and morphine has revealed a functional specificity in dopamine and mu-opioid receptor regulation of locomotion and analgesia. An important and specific role of GRKs and beta arrestins in regulating physiological responsiveness to psychostimulants and morphine suggests potential involvement of these molecules in certain brain disorders, such as addiction, Parkinson's disease, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Furthermore, the utility of a pharmacological strategy aimed at targeting this GPCR desensitization machinery to regulate brain functions can be envisaged.

Animals↗