Taxol normalizes the impaired agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization in splenocytes from GRK2+/- mice

Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Mar 29;560(1):9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.01.007. Epub 2007 Jan 19.

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is involved in the agonist-induced desensitization of beta2-adrenoceptors. In addition, GRK2 is capable of binding and phosphorylating tubulin. Interestingly, microtubule dynamics profoundly affect agonist-induced internalization of beta2-adrenoceptors. Here, we analyzed agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization and signaling in splenocytes from GRK2+/- mice that have a approximately 50% lower level of GRK2 protein compared to wild type (WT) mice. In addition, we investigated the role of microtubule stability in these processes. Splenocytes from GRK2+/- mice express approximately 50% less beta2-adrenoceptors on the cell surface and show impaired agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization. Disruption of microtubules using colchicine reduces agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization in cells from WT, but not in cells from GRK2+/- mice. Importantly, increasing tubulin stability by taxol almost completely restores the defective agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization in cells from GRK2+/- animals, without affecting WT cells. Despite lower surface receptor numbers, cells of GRK2+/- mice show normal beta2-adrenoceptor agonist-induced cAMP responses. Although interfering with microtubule stability has major effects on agonist-induced receptor internalization in GRK2+/- cells, microtubule dynamics do not influence cAMP responses. Our data suggest that cells with low GRK2 adapt to the lower GRK2 level by decreasing the number of beta2-adrenoceptors on the cell surface. In addition, the cellular GRK2 level determines the extent of agonist-induced beta2-adrenoceptor internalization via a mechanism involving microtubule stability. Importantly, however, normalization of agonist-induced receptor internalization by taxol is not sufficient to alter receptor signaling.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Colchicine / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology
  • beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases / genetics
  • beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • Cyclic AMP
  • GRK2 protein, mouse
  • beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2
  • Paclitaxel
  • Colchicine