Oligomerization of G-protein-coupled receptors shown by selective co-immunoprecipitation

J Biol Chem. 2002 May 3;277(18):15482-5. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M201539200. Epub 2002 Feb 19.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can assemble as high molecular weight homo- and hetero-oligomeric complexes. This can result in altered receptor-ligand binding, signaling, or intracellular trafficking. We have co-transfected HEK-293 cells with differentially epitope-tagged GPCRs from different subfamilies and determined whether oligomeric complexes were formed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. This gave the surprising result that the 5HT(1A) receptor was capable of forming hetero-oligomers with all GPCRs tested including the 5HT(1B), 5HT(1D), EDG(1), EDG(3), GPR(26), and GABA(B2) receptors. The testing of other GPCR combinations showed similar results with hetero-oligomer formation occurring for the 5HT(1D) with the 5HT(1B) and EDG(1) receptor. Control studies showed that these complexes were present in co-transfected cells before the time of lysis and that the hetero-oligomers were comprised of GPCRs at discrete stoichiometries. These findings suggest that GPCRs have a natural tendency to form oligomers when co-transfected into cells. Future studies should therefore investigate the presence and physiological role of GPCR hetero-oligomers in cells in which they are endogenously expressed.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Kidney
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / chemistry
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1D
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / chemistry
  • Receptors, Serotonin / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Transfection

Substances

  • HTR1B protein, human
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1D
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Proteins