title: Beta-adrenoceptor control of G protein function in the neonate: determinant of desensitization or sensitization.
abstract: Neonatal beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs) are resistant to agonist-induced desensitization. We examined the functioning of G(i) and G(s) after repeated administration of beta-AR agonists to newborn rats. Isoproterenol (beta(1)/beta(2) agonist) obtunded G(i) function in the heart but not the liver; in contrast, terbutaline, a beta(2)-selective agonist, enhanced G(i) function. Isoproterenol, but not terbutaline, increased membrane-associated G((s)alpha), which would enhance receptor function. In addition, isoproterenol increased and terbutaline maintained the proportion of the short-splice (S) variant of G((s)alpha) in the membrane fraction; G((s)alpha)S is functionally more active than the long-splice variant. Either isoproterenol or terbutaline treatment increased G((s)alpha) in the cytosolic fraction, a characteristic usually associated with desensitization in the adult. Decreased G(i) activity, coupled with increased membrane-associated G((s)alpha) concentrations and maintenance or increases in membrane G((s)alpha)S, provide strong evidence that unique effects on G protein function underlie the ability of the immature organism to sustain beta-AR cell signaling in the face of excessive or prolonged stimulation; these mechanisms also contribute to tissue selectivity of the effects of beta-agonists with divergent potencies toward different beta-AR subtypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Auman
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Seidler
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Slotkin
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology*; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D007545:Isoproterenol; D013726:Terbutaline