Regulating expression and function of G-protein-linked receptors.

G-protein-linked receptors constitute a populous family of heptahelical, membrane-localized receptors for hormones, drugs and neurotransmitters that activate a diverse and smaller subset of effectors, including adenylylcyclases, phospholipases and various ion channels. The expression and functional status of G-protein-linked receptors is highly regulated. Expression is controlled largely by activation or repression of the genes encoding the receptors, balanced by post-transcriptional mechanisms such as destabilization of receptor mRNA. Agonist-induced down-regulation of receptors involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls. Gene structure reveals details of promoters as well as determinants for mRNA stability. Post-translational regulation of G-protein-linked receptors is dominated by protein phosphorylation. G-protein-linked receptors are substrates not only for protein kinase A, protein kinase C and receptor-specific kinases, but also for growth factor receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Recent advances in the study of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta ARs) illuminate new dynamic features of receptor regulation, central to our understanding of neurobiology.

G-protein-linked receptors as tyrosine kinase substrates: new paradigms in signal integration.

Understanding how cells integrate signals from a variety of chemically diverse information-containing molecules into complex, orchestrated responses such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is an overarching goal of cell biology. The ligand molecules that act upon cell surface receptors include those mediating proximal aspects of signal transduction through two major pathways: those that are G protein linked and those that are tyrosine kinase linked. G-protein receptors in the hundreds operate by means of less populous groups of heterotrimeric G proteins and the effectors regulated by G proteins. Growth factor receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity constitute a relatively large group of receptors, which share several downstream signalling elements with the G-protein-linked receptors. Integration between these two dominant pathways has been observed at several levels. The most proximal and intimate interaction possible--that between G-protein-linked receptors and tyrosine kinase receptors--has been discovered. Emerging data reveal new paradigms in which phosphorylation of G-protein-linked receptors on specific tyrosyl residues by tyrosine kinases enable G-protein-linked receptors to interact with adaptor molecules and enzymes previously thought to be restricted only to the signalling derivative of tyrosine kinase receptors.

Phosphorylation of the angiotensin II (AT1A) receptor carboxyl terminus: a role in receptor endocytosis.

The molecular mechanism of angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1) endocytosis is obscure, although the identification of an important serine/threonine rich region (Thr332Lys333Met334Ser335Thr336Leu337 Ser338) within the carboxyl terminus of the AT1A receptor subtype suggests that phosphorylation may be involved. In this study, we examined the phosphorylation and internalization of full-length AT1A receptors and compared this to receptors with truncations and mutations of the carboxyl terminus. Epitope-tagged full-length AT1A receptors, when transiently transfected in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells, displayed a basal level of phosphorylation that was significantly enhanced by angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation. Phosphorylation of AT1A receptors was progressively reduced by serial truncation of the carboxyl terminus, and truncation to Lys325, which removed the last 34 amino acids, almost completely inhibited Ang II-stimulated 32P incorporation into the AT1A receptor. To investigate the correlation between receptor phosphorylation and endocytosis, an epitope-tagged mutant receptor was produced, in which the carboxyl-terminal residues, Thr332, Ser335, Thr336, and Ser338, previously identified as important for receptor internalization, were substituted with alanine. Compared with the wild-type receptor, this mutant displayed a clear reduction in Ang II-stimulated phosphorylation. Such a correlation was further strengthened by the novel observation that the Ang II peptide antagonist, Sar(1)Ile8-Ang II, which paradoxically causes internalization of wild-type AT1A receptors, also promoted their phosphorylation. In an attempt to directly relate phosphorylation of the carboxyl terminus to endocytosis, the internalization kinetics of wild-type AT1A receptors and receptors mutated within the Thr332-Ser338 region were compared. The four putative phosphorylation sites (Thr332, Ser335, Thr336, and Ser338) were substituted with either neutral [alanine (A)] or acidic amino acids [glutamic acid (E) and aspartic acid (D)], the former to prevent phosphorylation and the latter to reproduce the acidic charge created by phosphorylation. Wild-type AT1A receptors, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, rapidly internalized after Ang II stimulation [t1/2 2.3 min; maximal level of internalization (Ymax) 78.2%], as did mutant receptors carrying single acidic substitutions (T332E, t1/2 2.7 min, Ymax 76.3%; S335D, t1/2 2.4 min, Ymax 76.7%; T336E, t1/2 2.5 min, Ymax 78.2%; S338D, t1/2 2.6 min, Ymax 78.4%). While acidic amino acid substitutions may simply be not as structurally disruptive as alanine mutations, we interpret the tolerance of a negative charge in this region as suggestive that phosphorylation may permit maximal internalization. Substitution of all four residues to alanine produced a receptor with markedly reduced internalization kinetics (T332A/S335A/T336A/S338A, t1/2 10.1 min, Ymax 47.9%), while endocytosis was significantly rescued in the corresponding quadruple acidic mutant (T332E/S335D/T336E/S338D, t1/2 6.4 min, Ymax 53.4%). Double mutation of S335 and T336 to alanine also diminished the rate and extent of endocytosis (S335A/T336A, 3.9 min, Ymax 69.3%), while the analogous double acidic mutant displayed wild type-like endocytotic parameters (S335D/T336E, t1/2 2.6 min, Ymax 77.5%). Based on the apparent rescue of internalization by acidic amino acid substitutions in a region that we have identified as a site of Ang II-induced phosphorylation, we conclude that maximal endocytosis of the AT1A receptor requires phosphorylation within this serine/threonine-rich segment of the carboxyl terminus.

Cardiotrophin-1 increases angiotensinogen mRNA in rat cardiac myocytes through STAT3 : an autocrine loop for hypertrophy.

-Cardiotrophin-1, an interleukin-6-related cytokine, stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway and induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. In this study, we demonstrate that cardiotrophin-1 induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in part by upregulation of a local renin-angiotensin system through the JAK/STAT pathway. We found that cardiotrophin-1 increased angiotensinogen mRNA expression in cardiac myocytes via STAT3 activation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 by cardiotrophin-1 treatment resulted in STAT3 homodimer binding to the St-domain in the angiotensinogen gene promoter, which lead to promoter activation in a transient transfection assay. Cardiotrophin-1-induced STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and binding to the St-domain were suppressed by AG490, a specific JAK2 inhibitor, which also attenuated cardiotrophin-1-stimulated angiotensinogen promoter activity. Cardiotrophin-1 did not activate the angiotensinogen gene promoter that contained a substitution mutation within the St-domain. Finally, losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated cardiotrophin-1-induced hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Angiotensin II is known to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy by activating the G-protein-coupled angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Our results suggest that upregulation of angiotensinogen and angiotensin II production contribute to cardiotrophin-1-induced cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and emphasize an important interaction between G-protein-coupled and cytokine receptors.

Insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 stimulates phosphorylation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor in vivo on sites distinct from those phosphorylated in response to insulin.

G-protein-linked receptors have been shown to be substrates for growth factor receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity typified by the ability of insulin to both phosphorylate tyrosyl residues in the C terminus of and to counter-regulate the action of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (Karoor, V., Baltensperger, K., Paul, H., Czech, M. P., and Malbon, C. C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 25305-25308). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), another member of the growth factor family operating via receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase, is shown in the present work to stimulate in vivo the phosphorylation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor. Analysis of tryptic digests prepared from phosphorylated beta2-adrenergic receptors of IGF-1-treated, metabolically labeled smooth muscle cells was performed using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, two-dimensional peptide mapping, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results of these separate analyses reveal that IGF-1 stimulates phosphorylation predominantly on tyrosyl residues Y132/141 of the second intracellular loop of the beta2-adrenergic receptor rather than the C-terminal region targeted by the activated insulin receptor (Y350/354, Y364), although both growth factors block beta-adrenergic agonist action. These data demonstrate selective phosphorylation of a G-protein-linked receptor by receptor tyrosine kinases for insulin and IGF-1 mapping to spatially distinct regions of this heptihelical membrane receptor.

The beta-adrenergic receptor is a substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase.

G-protein-linked receptors and intrinsic tyrosine-kinase growth receptors represent two prominent modalities in cell signaling. Cross-regulation among members of both receptor superfamilies has been reported, including the counter-regulatory effects of insulin on beta-adrenergic catecholamine action. Cells stimulated by insulin show loss of function and increased phosphotyrosine content of beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues 350/354 of beta 2-adrenergic receptors is obligatory for counter-regulation by insulin (Karoor, V., Baltensperger, K., Paul, H., Czech, M., and Malbon, C. C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 25305-25308), suggesting the hypothesis that G-protein-linked receptors themselves may act as substrates for the insulin receptor and other growth factor receptors. This hypothesis was evaluated directly using recombinant human insulin receptor, hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor, and an vitro reconstitution and phosphorylation assay. Insulin is shown to stimulate insulin receptor-catalyzed phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Phosphoamino acid analysis establishes that insulin receptor-catalyzed phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor in vitro is confined to phosphotyrosine. High pressure liquid chromatography and two-dimensional mapping reveal insulin receptor-catalyzed phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor at residues Tyr132/Tyr141, Tyr350/Tyr354, and Tyr364, known sites of phosphorylation in response to insulin in vivo. Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor as well as the insulin receptor displays the capacity to phosphorylate the beta 2-adrenergic receptor in vitro, establishing a new paradigm, i.e. G-protein-linked receptors acting as substrates for intrinsic tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors.

Phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues 350/354 of the beta-adrenergic receptor is obligatory for counterregulatory effects of insulin.

Insulin stimulates a loss of function and increased phosphotyrosine content of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor in intact cells, raising the possibility that the beta 2-receptor itself is a substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. Phosphorylation of synthetic peptides corresponding to cytoplasmic domains of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor by the insulin receptor in vitro and peptide mapping of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor phosphorylated in vivo in cells stimulated by insulin reveal tyrosyl residues 350/354 and 364 in the cytoplasmic, C-terminal region of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor as primary targets. Mutation of tyrosyl residues 350, 354 (double mutation) to phenylalanine abolishes the ability of insulin to counterregulate beta-agonist stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation. Phenylalanine substitution of tyrosyl reside 364, in contrast, abolishes beta-adrenergic stimulation itself.

Insulin stimulates sequestration of beta-adrenergic receptors and enhanced association of beta-adrenergic receptors with Grb2 via tyrosine 350.

G-protein-linked receptors, such as the beta2-adrenergic receptor, are substrates for growth factor receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity (Karoor, V., Baltensperger, K., Paul, H., Czech, M. P., and Malbon C. C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 25305-25308). In the present work, the counter-regulatory action of insulin on catecholamine action is shown to stimulate enhanced sequestration of beta2-adrenergic receptors in either DDT1MF-2 smooth muscle cells or Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing beta2-adrenergic receptors. Both insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulate internalization of beta-adrenergic receptors, contributing to the counter-regulatory effects of these growth factors on catecholamine action. In combination with beta-adrenergic agonists, insulin stimulates internalization of 50-60% of the complement of beta-adrenergic receptors. Insulin administration in vitro and in vivo stimulates phosphorylation of Tyr-350 of the beta-adrenergic receptor, creating an Src homology 2 domain available for binding of the adaptor molecule Grb2. The association of Grb2 with beta-adrenergic receptors was established using antibodies to Grb2 as well as a Grb2-glutathione S-transferase fusion protein. Insulin treatment of cells provokes binding of Grb2 to beta2-adrenergic receptors. Insulin also stimulates association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and dynamin, via the Src homology 3 domain of Grb2. Both these interactions as well as internalization of the beta-adrenergic receptor are shown to be enhanced by insulin, beta-agonist, or both. The Tyr-350 --> Phe mutant form of the beta2-adrenergic receptor, lacking the site for tyrosine phosphorylation, fails to bind Grb2 in response to insulin, fails to display internalization of beta2-adrenergic receptor in response to insulin, and is no longer subject to the counter-regulatory effects of insulin on cyclic AMP accumulation. These data are the first to demonstrate the ability of a growth factor insulin to counter-regulate G-protein-linked receptor, the beta-adrenergic receptor, via a new mechanism, i.e. internalization.

Molecular mechanisms of angiotensin II in modulating cardiac function: intracardiac effects and signal transduction pathways.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), regulates volume and electrolyte homeostasis and is involved in cardiac and vascular cellular growth in humans and other species. This system, which has been conserved throughout evolution, plays an important role in cardiac and vascular pathology associated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocarditis and congestive heart failure. The traditional RAS is viewed as a system in which circulating Ang II is delivered to target organs and cells. However, in the past decade, a local RAS has been described in cardiac cells, providing evidence for autocrine and paracrine pathways by which biological actions of Ang II could be mediated. The critical actions of Ang II are mediated primarily through the AT1, G-protein (guanylyl nucleotide binding protein) coupled receptor. In addition to coupling to conventional G-protein signal transduction pathways, the AT1 receptor was recently shown to increase the tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular substrates, including the STAT (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) family of novel transcription factors, in rat cardiac fibroblasts, myocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, and AT1 receptor transfected CHO cells. It has been shown that Ang II stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Stat1 (Stat 91) and Stat3 (Stat 92). Angiotensin II acting directly through the AT1 receptor, induces the formation of a complex of STAT proteins termed SIF (sis-inducing factor) which binds the DNA sequence, SIE (sis-inducing element) present in the promotor element of many genes. This provides evidence for a direct role of Ang II in mediating inflammatory and remodeling responses through the JAK-STAT pathway. Thus, it is likely that the JAK-STAT pathway has an important role in Ang II-mediated effects on gene transcription, cardiac and vascular cellular growth/development, and inflammatory responses.

Cyclosporine reduces left ventricular mass with chronic aortic banding in mice, which could be due to apoptosis and fibrosis.

A tacit assumption in studies of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is that left ventricular/body weight (LV/BW) reflects the extent of myocyte hypertrophy. The goal of the current investigation was to determine if there was another explanation for the reduced LV/BW observed after inhibiting calcineurin with cyclosporine during the development of pressure overload LV hypertrophy as compared with animals that did not receive cyclosporine. Accordingly, we examined the prevalence of fibrosis and apoptosis and measured cell size in the hearts from mice at 1 and 3 weeks after transverse aortic banding with and without chronic cyclosporine. Although LV/BW, compared to aortic banded vehicle treated mice, was reduced by 30% in aortic banded cyclosporine treated mice, myocyte cross sectional area was similar in both banded groups (346+/-9 microm2 v 336+/-13 microm2). The volume percent interstitial fibrosis was greater in aortic banded cyclosporine treated animals (1.4+/-0.2%) compared with aortic banded vehicle treated animals (0.9+/-0.2%, P<0.05) or in sham animals (0.6+/-0.1%). Surprisingly, lesions including myocytes containing iron were observed and were most prominent in aortic banded cyclosporine treated animals. Apoptosis, quantitated with TUNEL staining as percent of myocytes, was increased in aortic banded cyclosporine treated animals at 7 days (1.6+/-0.4%) compared with aortic banded vehicle treated animals (0.4+/-0.1%, P<0.01) and was still increased at 21 days. Immunoblotting demonstrated a decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt and Bad, and also Bcl-2 levels were reduced in aortic banded cyclosporine treated animals at 7 days compared with aortic banded vehicle treated animals. These proteins protect against apoptosis, and support the concept that cyclosporine inhibited the calcineurin pathway, resulting in enhanced apoptosis. Thus, the decrease in LV/BW in the aortic banded cyclosporine treated animals actually may be due, at least in part, to cell loss and death, as reflected by the enhanced fibrosis and apoptosis and the focal iron deposits in myocytes.

Utilization of selenocysteyl-tRNA[Ser]Sec and seryl-tRNA[Ser]Sec in protein synthesis.

The UGA selenocysteine (Sec) codon in glutathione peroxidase mRNA and in selenoprotein P and the UGA stop codon in rabbit beta-globin mRNA were employed to study the utilization of Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec and Ser-tRNA[Ser]Sec in protein synthesis. In vitro Ser-tRNA[Ser]Sec served as a suppressor of the UGA Sec codon as well as the UGA stop codon, while Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec did not. However, in vivo Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec did donate Sec to glutathione peroxidase in Xenopus oocytes microinjected with glutathione peroxidase mRNA and Sec-tRNA. A ribosome binding assay was devised to investigate the interaction of aminoacyl-tRNA, rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes, and eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF-1) in response to the appropriate trinucleoside diphosphate template. Ser-tRNA[Ser]Sec bound weakly to ribosomes in the presence of eEF-1 and UGA as compared to Phe-tRNA, Ser-tRNAIGA, and Met-tRNAm which bound more efficiently in the presence of eEF-1 and the appropriate template. No increase in the binding of Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec was observed under the same conditions as Ser-tRNA[Ser]Sec. The ribosome binding studies substantiated the finding that Ser-tRNA[Ser]Sec serves as a suppressor of UGA codons in protein synthesis, but Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec does not. In addition, these studies provide strong evidence that a specific elongation factor is required in mammalian cells for insertion of Sec into protein from Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec.