title: C-terminal domains within human MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors are involved in internalization processes.
abstract: Melatonin, a molecule implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, often exerts its effects through G-protein-coupled melatonin receptors, MT(1) and MT(2). In this study, we sought to understand further the domains involved in the function and desensitization patterns of these receptors through site-directed mutagenesis. Two mutations were constructed in the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail of each receptor subtype: (i) a cysteine residue in the C-terminal tail was mutated to alanine, thus removing a putative palmitoylation site, and a site possibly required for normal receptor function (MT(1)C7.72A and MT(2)C7.77A) and (ii) the C-terminal tail in the MT(1) and MT(2) receptors was truncated, removing the putative phosphorylation and beta-arrestin binding sites (MT(1)Y7.64 and MT(2)Y7.64). These mutations did not alter the affinity of 2-[(125)I]-iodomelatonin binding to the MT(1) or MT(2) receptors. Using confocal microscopy, it was determined that the putative palmitoylation site (cysteine residue) did not play a role in receptor internalization; however, this residue was essential for receptor function, as determined by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation assays. Truncation of the C-terminal tail of both receptors (MT(1)Y7.64 and MT(2)Y7.64) inhibited internalization as well as the cAMP response, suggesting the importance of the C-terminal tail in these receptor functions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Witt-Enderby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019390:Arrestins / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D044122:Receptor, Melatonin, MT1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D044123:Receptor, Melatonin, MT2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000071557:beta-Arrestins
chemical_list: D019390:Arrestins; D044122:Receptor, Melatonin, MT1; D044123:Receptor, Melatonin, MT2; D000071557:beta-Arrestins; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D008550:Melatonin