GPCR kinase subtype requirements for arrestin-2 and -3 translocation to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the consequences on G protein signalling

Abstract

Arrestins are key negative regulators of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) through mediation of G protein desensitisation and receptor internalisation. Arrestins can also contribute to signal transduction by scaffolding downstream signalling effectors for activation. GPCR kinase (GRK) enzymes phosphorylate the intracellular C-terminal domain, or intracellular loop regions of GPCRs to promote arrestin interaction. There are seven different GRK subtypes, which may uniquely phosphorylate the C-terminal tail in a type of 'phosphorylation barcode,' potentially differentially contributing to arrestin translocation and arrestin-dependent signalling. Such contributions may be exploited to develop arrestin-biased ligands. Here, we examine the effect of different GRK subtypes on the ability to promote translocation of arrestin-2 and arrestin-3 to the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor (CB₁) with a range of ligands. We find that most GRK subtypes (including visual GRK1) can enhance arrestin-2 and -3 translocation to CB₁, and that GRK-dependent changes in arrestin-2 and arrestin-3 translocation were broadly shared for most agonists tested. GRK2/3 generally enhanced arrestin translocation more than the other GRK subtypes, with some small differences between ligands. We also explore the interplay between G protein activity and GRK2/3-dependent arrestin translocation, highlighting that high-efficacy G protein agonists will cause GRK2/3 dependent arrestin translocation. This study supports the hypothesis that arrestin-biased ligands for CB₁ must engage GRK5/6 rather than GRK2/3, and G protein-biased ligands must have inherently low efficacy.

Keywords: Arrestin; CB(1); Cannabinoid; GPCR; GRK; Phosphorylation.