title: Homo- and heterodimerization of somatostatin receptor subtypes. Inactivation of sst(3) receptor function by heterodimerization with sst(2A).
abstract: Several recent studies suggest that G protein-coupled receptors can assemble as heterodimers or hetero-oligomers with enhanced functional activity. However, inactivation of a fully functional receptor by heterodimerization has not been documented. Here we show that the somatostatin receptor (sst) subtypes sst(2A) and sst(3) exist as homodimers at the plasma membrane when expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Moreover, in coimmunoprecipitation studies using differentially epitope-tagged receptors, we provide direct evidence for heterodimerization of sst(2A) and sst(3). The sst(2A)-sst(3) heterodimer exhibited high affinity binding to somatostatin-14 and the sst(2)-selective ligand L-779,976 but not to the sst(3)-selective ligand L-796,778. Like the sst(2A) homodimer, the sst(2A)-sst(3) heterodimer stimulated guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) binding, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases after exposure to the sst(2)-selective ligand L-779,976. However, unlike the sst(3) homodimer, the sst(2A)-sst(3) heterodimer did not promote GTPgammaS binding, adenylyl cyclase inhibition, or extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in the presence of the sst(3)-selective ligand L-796,778. Interestingly, during prolonged somatostatin-14 exposure, the sst(2A)-sst(3) heterodimer desensitized at a slower rate than the sst(2A) and sst(3) homodimers. Both sst(2A) and sst(3) homodimers underwent agonist-induced endocytosis in the presence of somatostatin-14. In contrast, the sst(2A)-sst(3) heterodimer separated at the plasma membrane, and only sst(2A) but not sst(3) underwent agonist-induced endocytosis after exposure to somatostatin-14. Together, heterodimerization of sst(2A) and sst(3) results in a new receptor with a pharmacological and functional profile resembling that of the sst(2A) receptor, however with a greater resistance to agonist-induced desensitization. Thus, inactivation of sst(3) receptor function by heterodimerization with sst(2A) or possibly other G protein-coupled receptors may explain some of the difficulties in detecting sst(3)-specific binding and signaling in mammalian tissues.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klutzny
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirscht
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kreienkamp
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Höllt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004705:Endocytosis; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007211:Indoles; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011485:Protein Binding; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000939:Epitopes; D007211:Indoles; C121854:L 779976; D008024:Ligands; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D013004:Somatostatin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases