G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and beta-arrestins are recruited to FSH receptor in stimulated rat primary Sertoli cells

FSH-receptor (FSH-R) signaling is regulated by agonist-induced desensitization and internalization. It has been shown, in a variety of overexpression systems, that G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) phosphorylate the activated FSH-R, promote beta-arrestin recruitment and ultimately lead to internalization. The accuracy of this mechanism has not yet been demonstrated in cells expressing these different molecules at physiological levels. Using sucrose gradient fractionation, we show that FSH induces the recruitment of the endogenous GRK 2 and beta-arrestin 1/2 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane of rat primary Sertoli cells. As assessed by ligand binding, the FSH-R was found expressed in the fractions where GRK 2 and beta-arrestins were recruited upon FSH treatment. In addition, the endogenous beta-arrestin 1 was found dephosphorylated in an agonist-dependent manner. Finally, a significant FSH-binding activity was co-immunoprecipitated with the endogenous beta-arrestins from agonist-stimulated but not from untreated Sertoli cell extracts. This FSH-R interaction with beta-arrestins was sustained for up to 30 min. In conclusion, our data strongly suggest that the GRK/beta-arrestin machinery plays a physiologically relevant role in the regulation of the FSH signaling.     

Functional antagonism of different G protein-coupled receptor kinases for beta-arrestin-mediated angiotensin II receptor signaling

beta-arrestins bind to G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-phosphorylated seven transmembrane receptors, desensitizing their activation of G proteins, while concurrently mediating receptor endocytosis, and some aspects of receptor signaling. We have used RNA interference to assess the roles of the four widely expressed isoforms of GRKs (GRK 2, 3, 5, and 6) in regulating beta-arrestin-mediated signaling to the mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 by the angiotensin II type 1A receptor. Angiotensin II-stimulated receptor phosphorylation, beta-arrestin recruitment, and receptor endocytosis are all mediated primarily by GRK2/3. In contrast, inhibiting GRK 5 or 6 expression abolishes beta-arrestin-mediated ERK activation, whereas lowering GRK 2 or 3 leads to an increase in this signaling. Consistent with these findings, beta-arrestin-mediated ERK activation is enhanced by overexpression of GRK 5 and 6, and reciprocally diminished by GRK 2 and 3. These findings indicate distinct functional capabilities of beta-arrestins bound to receptors phosphorylated by different classes of GRKs.     

Different G protein-coupled receptor kinases govern G protein and beta-arrestin-mediated signaling of V2 vasopressin receptor

Signaling through beta-arrestins is a recently appreciated mechanism used by seven-transmembrane receptors. Because G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) phosphorylation of such receptors is generally a prerequisite for beta-arrestin binding, we studied the roles of different GRKs in promoting beta-arrestin-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by a typical seven-transmembrane receptor, the Gs-coupled V2 vasopressin receptor. Gs- and beta-arrestin-mediated pathways to ERK activation could be distinguished with H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, and beta-arrestin 2 small interfering RNA, respectively. The roles of GRK2, -3, -5, and -6 were assessed by suppressing their expression with specific small interfering RNA sequences. By using this approach, we demonstrated that GRK2 and -3 are responsible for most of the agonist-dependent receptor phosphorylation, desensitization, and recruitment of beta-arrestins. In contrast, GRK5 and -6 mediated much less receptor phosphorylation and beta-arrestin recruitment, but yet appeared exclusively to support beta-arrestin 2-mediated ERK activation. GRK2 suppression actually increased beta-arrestin-stimulated ERK activation. These results suggest that beta-arrestin recruited in response to receptor phosphorylation by different GRKs has distinct functional potentials.     

Testosterone stimulates intracellular calcium release and mitogen-activated protein kinases via a G protein-coupled receptor in skeletal muscle cells

Involvement of intracellular Ca(2+) and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the fast nongenomic effects of androgens in myotubes was investigated. Testosterone or nandrolone produced fast (<1 min) and transient increases in intracellular Ca(2+) with an oscillatory pattern. Calcium signals were slightly reduced in Ca(2+)-free medium, but lack of oscillations was evident. Signals were blocked by U-73122 and xestospongin B, inhibitors of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) pathway. Furthermore, IP(3) increased transiently 2- to 3-fold 45 sec after hormone addition. Cyproterone neither affected the fast Ca(2+) signal nor the increase in IP(3). Calcium increases could also be induced by the impermeant testosterone conjugated to BSA, and the effect of testosterone was abolished in cells incubated with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) or pertussis toxin. Stimulation of myotubes with testosterone, nandrolone, or testosterone conjugated to BSA increased immunodetectable phosphorylation of ERK1/2 within 5 min, and this effect was not inhibited by cyproterone. Phosphorylation was blocked by the use of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethylester, U-73122, and xestospongin B as well as by dominant negative Ras, MAPK kinase (MEK), or the MEK inhibitor PD-98059. In addition, guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) or pertussis toxin blocked ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These results are consistent with a fast effect of testosterone, involving a G protein-linked receptor at the plasma membrane, IP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) signal, and the Ras/MEK/ERK pathway in muscle cells.     

Activation of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor initiates insulin secretion from human islets of Langerhans: involvement of protein kinases

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is usually associated with systemic Ca(2+) homeostasis, but the CaR is also expressed in many other tissues, including pancreatic islets of Langerhans. In the present study, we have used human islets and an insulin-secreting cell line (MIN6) to investigate the effects of CaR activation using the calcimimetic R-568, a CaR agonist that activates the CaR at physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca(2+). CaR activation initiated a marked but transient insulin secretory response from both human islets and MIN6 cells at a sub-stimulatory concentration of glucose, and further enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion. CaR-induced insulin secretion was reduced by inhibitors of phospholipase C or calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinases, but not by a protein kinase C inhibitor. CaR activation was also associated with an activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and CaR-induced insulin secretion was reduced by an inhibitor of p42/44 MAPK activation. We suggest that the beta-cell CaR is activated by divalent cations co-released with insulin, and that this may be an important mechanism of intra-islet communication between beta-cells.     

Signaling of the human calcium-sensing receptor expressed in HEK293-cells is modulated by protein kinases A and C.

In this study, the human calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) stably expressed in HEK293 cells was investigated with regard to the phosphorylation-induced desensitization of its signaling pathway. The receptor is known to activate the phospholipase C/inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) signaling cascade, thus stimulating protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, the adenylylcyclase/cAMP signaling pathway that activates protein kinase A (PKA) is believed to be coupled to the receptor via an inhibitory G-protein. We elucidated the roles of PKC and PKA by measuring Ca 2+o -stimulated accumulation of total inositol phosphates and by individually and simultaneously inhibiting the two kinases pharmacologically in HEK293 cells, which stably expressed the human CaR. Pharmacological inhibition of PKC resulted in a 5-fold enhancement of IP 3 signaling, whereas blocking PKA had almost no effect. IP 3 signaling activity increased even more (10-fold) however, when the two kinases were inhibited simultaneously. Apart from validating the role of PKC as a potent down-regulator of signaling of the human CaR in this cell system, this study suggests that both kinases synergize in inhibiting Ca 2+o -stimulated IP 3 signaling in CaR-transfected HEK293 cells.     

Molecular mechanisms of endothelin-1-induced cell-cycle progression: involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, protein kinase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase at distinct points

Although it is well established that endothelin-1 (ET-1) has not only vasoconstrictive effects but also mitogenic effects, which seem to be implicated in vascular remodeling, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which ET-1 induces cell-cycle progression. In this study, we examined the effects of ET-1 on the cell-cycle regulatory machinery, including cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk), and cdk inhibitors in NIH3T3 cells. ET-1 increased cyclin D1 protein (5.1+/-1.9-fold increase, 8 hours after stimulation, P<0.05), cdk4 kinase activity (2.8+/-0. 5-fold increase, 12 hours after stimulation, P<0.01), and cdk2 kinase activity (2.1+/-0.4-fold increase, 16 hours after stimulation, P<0.05) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. ET-1-induced increase in cyclin D1 protein, and cdk4 kinase activity was not significantly inhibited by an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2, PD98059, nor by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C, whereas ET-1-induced upregulation of cyclin D1 protein and cdk4 kinase activity was significantly inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. In contrast, ET-1-induced activation of cdk2 kinase was significantly inhibited by PD98059, calphostin C, and LY294002. ET-1 increased 3H-thymidine uptake in a time-dependent fashion (0 hours, 4216+/-264 cpm per well; 8 hours, 5025+/-197 cpm per well; 16 hours, 9239+/-79 cpm per well, P<0.001 versus 0 hours). ET-1-induced increase in 3H-thymidine uptake was significantly inhibited by PD98059, calphostin C, and LY294002. These results suggest that ET-1-induced cell-cycle progression is, at least in part, mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, protein kinase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and that those pathways may be involved in the progression of the cell cycle at distinct points.     

Norepinephrine-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in atrial myocytes is regulated by extracellular calcium,protein kinase C,and calmodulin

We investigated whether alteration of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, protein kinase C, and calmodulin modulate norepinephrine (NE)-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) formation in neonatal rat atrial myocytes. NE-induced IP3 production in atrial myocytes was stimulated by elevation of extracellular Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner. However, TMB-8 (an intracellular calcium antagonist) and A23187 (an intracellular calcium agonist) did not significantly affect NE-induced IP3 production. PMA (a protein kinase C agonist) significantly decreased and staurosporine (a protein kinase C antagonist) significantly stimulated NE-induced IP3 production. W7 (a calmodulin antagonist) significantly increased the NE-induced IP3. In conclusion, elevation of extracellular Ca2+ concentrations affects NE-induced IP3 formation in atrial myocytes. Protein kinase C and calmodulin may control the IP3 response to NE by a negative feedback mechanism.     

The role of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in health and disease.

The calcium-sensing receptor has a key role in calcium homeostasis, it is involved in the regulation of the serum calcium level within minutes via the secretion and action of parathyroid and the excretion of calcium in the kidney in a negative feedback manner. Mutations of the calcium sensing receptor gene leads to inactivating and activating mutations resulting in diseases with hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia. The loss of function mutations are associated with familial benign hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH), an autosomal dominant disease characterised by lifelong mild hypercalcaemia, low urinary calcium excretion, and inappropriate high parathyroid hormone levels, sometimes difficult to distinguish from mild asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. Patients with FHH did not profit from parathyroidectomy, a calcium lowering therapy is not necessary. The gain of function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor are associated with autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia (ADH), a disease characterised by a generally asymptomatic hypocalcaemia, inappropriately high urinary calcium excretion and normal PTH levels. A therapy to raise the serum calcium concentration has to be done carefully and is only indicated in symptomatic patients, because of enhancement of hypercalciuria with the risk of nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. Molecular genetic analysis of the calcium sensing receptor gene facilitates the sometimes difficult diagnosis. The development of compounds modulating the calcium sensing receptor function and thereby the section of PTH may become an important role in treatment of diseases of calcium metabolism.     

Functional desensitization of the isolated beta-adrenergic receptor by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase: potential role of an analog of the retinal protein arrestin (48-kDa protein).

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase is an enzyme, possibly analogous to rhodopsin kinase, that multiply phosphorylates the beta-adrenergic receptor only when it is occupied by stimulatory agonists. Since this kinase may play an important role in mediating the process of homologous, or agonist-specific, desensitization, we investigated the functional consequences of receptor phosphorylation by the kinase and possible analogies with the mechanism of action of rhodopsin kinase. Pure hamster lung beta 2-adrenergic receptor, reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles, was assessed for its ability to mediate agonist-promoted stimulation of the GTPase activity of coreconstituted stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein. When the receptor was phosphorylated by partially (approximately 350-fold) purified preparations of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase, as much as 80% inactivation of its functional activity was observed. However, the use of more highly purified enzyme preparations led to a dramatic decrease in the ability of phosphorylation to inactivate the receptor such that pure enzyme preparations (approximately 20,000-fold purified) caused only minimal (approximately 1off/- 7%) inactivation. Addition of pure retinal arrestin (48-kDa protein or S antigen), which is involved in enhancing the inactivating effect of rhodopsin phosphorylation by rhodopsin kinase, led to partial restoration of the functional effect of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase-promoted phosphorylation (41 +/- 3% inactivation). These results suggest the possibility that a protein analogous to retinal arrestin may exist in other tissues and function in concert with beta-adrenergic receptor kinase to regulate the activity of adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors.     

Human melanocortin receptor 2 expression and functionality: effects of protein kinase A and protein kinase C on desensitization and internalization

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term regulation of the ACTH receptor human (h) melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2R) by transfection of a c-Myc-tagged hMC2R in the M3 cell line and assess its membrane expression by indirect immunofluorescence. Stimulation with ACTH induced production of cAMP with EC(50) values ranging from 7.6-11.9 nM in transient and stable transfectants, respectively. Pretreatment with ACTH induced a dose-dependent loss of cAMP production, from 1 pm up to 10 nM. Desensitization was also time dependent, with 70% loss of maximal responsiveness occurring after 15-min pretreatment with 10 nM ACTH, followed by a plateau up to 60 min. The decrease in hMC2R responsiveness was abrogated by individual treatment with protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C inhibitors, H-89 and GF109203X. However, when added simultaneously, receptor responsiveness was raised over the maximal hMC2R activity observed in control cells. ACTH-induced loss of cAMP production was accompanied by receptor sequestration into intracellular vesicles (maximum after 30-min exposure). Cotransfection of M3 cells with the c-Myc-tagged hMC2R and beta-arrestin-2-green fluorescence protein along with sucrose treatment revealed that beta-arrestin-2-green fluorescence protein and c-Myc-hMC2R were redistributed in similar intracellular vesicles through a clathrin-dependent, but caveolae-independent, process. Sucrose pretreatment blocked receptor desensitization, indicating that hMC2R desensitization and internalization are interrelated. Moreover, preincubation with H-89 abrogated hMC2R internalization, whereas GF109203X had no effect. In conclusion, the present results indicate that PKA and protein kinase C act synergistically to induce hMC2R desensitization, but only PKA is essential for receptor internalization, highlighting the complex nature of the short-term regulatory pattern of this receptor.     

Physiology and pathophysiology of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor

The system governing extracellular calcium (Ca2+o) homeostasis maintains near constancy of Ca2+o so as to ensure continual availability of calcium ions for their numerous intracellular and extracellular roles. In contrast to the intracellular ionized calcium concentration (Ca2+i), which varies substantially during intracellular signaling via this key second messenger, Ca2+o remains nearly invariant. Yet there must be a mechanism that senses small changes in Ca2+o so as to set into motion the homeostatic responses that return Ca2+o to its normal level. The recent identification and molecular cloning of the mechanism through which parathyroid cells and a number of other cell types sense Ca2+o, a G protein-coupled Ca2+o-sensing receptor (CaR), has proven unequivocally that extracellular calcium ions serve in an informational capacity. The CaR permits Ca2+o to function in a hormone-like role as an extracellular first messenger through which parathyroid, kidney, and other cells communicate with one another via the CaR. The identification of inherited human hypercalcemic and hypocalcemic disorders arising from inactivating and activating mutations of the CaR, respectively, has provided additional proof of the essential, nonredundant role of the CaR in mineral ion homeostasis. Moreover, CaR-active drugs are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of primary and uremic hyperparathyroidism, disorders in which there are acquired, tissue-specific reductions in CaR expression and, in turn, defective Ca2+o-sensing by pathological parathyroid cells. No doubt further studies of Ca2+o-sensing by the CaR will reveal additional functions of Ca2+o, not only as a systemic "hormone" but also in local, paracrine, and autocrine signaling through this novel Ca2+o-sensing receptor.     

Crystal structure of the incretin-bound extracellular domain of a G protein-coupled receptor

Incretins, endogenous polypeptide hormones released in response to food intake, potentiate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells after oral glucose ingestion (the incretin effect). This response is signaled by the two peptide hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) (also known as gastric inhibitory polypeptide) and glucagon-like peptide 1 through binding and activation of their cognate class 2 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Because the incretin effect is lost or significantly reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucagon-like peptide 1 and GIP have attracted considerable attention for their potential in antidiabetic therapy. A paucity of structural information precludes a detailed understanding of the processes of hormone binding and receptor activation, hampering efforts to develop novel pharmaceuticals. Here we report the crystal structure of the complex of human GIP receptor extracellular domain (ECD) with its agonist, the incretin GIP(1-42). The hormone binds in an alpha-helical conformation in a surface groove of the ECD largely through hydrophobic interactions. The N-terminal ligand residues would remain free to interact with other parts of the receptor. Thermodynamic data suggest that binding is concomitant with structural organization of the hormone, resulting in a complex mode of receptor-ligand recognition. The presentation of a well structured, alpha-helical ligand by the ECD is expected to be conserved among other hormone receptors of this class.     

G protein-coupled receptor oligomerization: implications for G protein activation and cell signaling

The cardiovascular system is richly endowed with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), members of the largest family of plasma membrane-localized receptors. During the last 10 years, it has become increasingly clear that many, if not all, GPCRs function in oligomeric complexes, as either homo- or hetero-oligomers. This review explores the mechanistic implications of GPCR dimerization and/or oligomerization on receptor activation and interactions with G proteins. The effects of GPCR oligomerization on receptor pharmacology, GPCR-mediated signaling, and potential contributions to GPCR crosstalk will be considered in the context of receptors important in the cardiovascular system. Our evolving understanding of the structural and functional consequences of GPCR oligomerization may provide novel and more selective sites for pharmacological tuning of cardiovascular function.     

Dual regulation of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor signaling by protein kinase C and beta-arrestins

We examined here the role of second messenger-dependent kinases and beta-arrestins in short-term regulation of the PTH receptor (PTHR) signaling. The inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) in COS-7 cells transiently expressing PTHR, led to an approximately 2-fold increase in PTH-stimulated inositol phosphate (IP) and cAMP production. The inhibition of protein kinase A increased cAMP production 1.5-fold without affecting IP signaling. The effects of PKC inhibition on PTHR-mediated G(q) signaling were strongly decreased for a carboxy-terminally truncated PTHR (T480) that is phosphorylation deficient. PKC inhibition was associated with a decrease in agonist-stimulated PTHR phosphorylation and internalization without blocking PTH-dependent mobilization of beta-arrestin2 to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of beta-arrestins strongly decreased the PTHR-mediated IP signal, whereas cAMP production was impaired to a much lower extent. The regulation of PTH-stimulated signals by beta-arrestins was impaired for the truncated T480 receptor. Our data reveal mechanisms at, and distal to, the receptor regulating PTHR-mediated signaling pathways by second messenger-dependent kinases. We conclude that regulation of PTHR-mediated signaling by PKC and beta-arrestins are separable phenomena that both involve the carboxy terminus of the receptor. A major role for PKC and beta-arrestins in preferential regulation of PTHR-mediated G(q) signaling by independent mechanisms at the receptor level was established.     

Role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and arrestins in beta-adrenergic receptor internalization

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the action of messengers that are key modulators of the function, growth, and differentiation of cardiac and vascular cells. A general feature of GPCRs is the existence of complex regulatory mechanisms that modulate receptor responsiveness and underlie important physiologic phenomena such as signal integration and desensitization. The molecular mechanisms of desensitization have been investigated with the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) used as the main model system. Rapid regulation of betaAR and other GPCRs appears to involve agonist-promoted receptor phosphorylation by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). This is followed by binding of uncoupling proteins termed arrestins and transient receptor internalization, which plays a key role in resensitizing GPCR by allowing its dephosphorylation and recycling. Recent data indicate that, besides the uncoupling function, GRK2 and beta-arrestin also directly participate in beta2AR sequestration, thus providing the trigger for its resensitization. A detailed knowledge of the role of GRKs and arrestins in betaAR internalization would make their physiologic role in the modulation of cellular responses to messengers better understood.     

Oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to mRNA encoding protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase reveal distinctive cell-type-specific roles in agonist-induced desensitization.

The roles of three protein kinases, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A), protein kinase C, and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK), implicated in agonist-induced desensitization of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptors were explored in four different cell lines after 48 hr of incubation with oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to the mRNA encoding each kinase. Desensitization of beta 2-adrenergic receptors was analyzed in cell types in which the activities of the endogenous complement of protein kinases A and C and beta ARK were distinctly different. Protein kinase A was necessary for desensitization of rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8), whereas the contribution of beta ARK to desensitization was insignificant. In Chinese hamster ovary cells that stably express beta 2-adrenergic receptors and in smooth muscle cells (DDT1MF-2), oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to beta ARK mRNA nearly abolished desensitization, whereas oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to protein kinase A mRNA attenuated desensitization to a lesser extent. In human epidermoid carcinoma cells (A-431), oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to either protein kinase A mRNA or beta ARK mRNA attenuated agonist-induced desensitization, providing a third scenario in which two kinases constitute the basis for agonist-induced desensitization. In sharp contrast, oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to protein kinase C mRNA were found to enhance rather than attenuate desensitization in DDT1MF-2 and A-431 cell lines, demonstrating counterregulation between prominent protein kinases in desensitization. Using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to "knock out" target protein kinases in vivo, we reveal distinctive cell-type-specific roles of protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and beta ARK in agonist-induced desensitization.     

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 involvement in desensitization of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor type 1 by CRF in murine corticotrophs

Hypothalamic CRF stimulates synthesis and secretion of ACTH via CRF receptor type 1 (CRFR1) in the anterior pituitary gland. After agonist-activated stimulation of receptor signaling, CRFR1 is down-regulated and desensitized. Generally, it is thought that G protein-coupled receptors may be desensitized by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). However, the role of GRKs in corticotropic cells has not been determined. In this study we focused on involvement of GRKs in desensitization of CRFR1 by CRF in corticotropic cells. We found that GRK2 (but not GRK3) mRNA and protein were expressed in rat anterior pituitary cells and AtT-20 cells (a line of mouse corticotroph tumor cells). To determine the role of GRK2 in CRF-induced desensitization of CRFR1 in mouse corticotrophs, AtT-20 cells were transfected with a dominant-negative mutant GRK2 construct. CRF desensitized the cAMP-dependent response by CRFR1. Desensitization of CRFR1 by CRF was significantly less in AtT-20 cells transfected with the dominant-negative mutant GRK2 construct compared with desensitization in control (an empty vector-transfected) AtT-20 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with a protein kinase A inhibitor also partially blocked desensitization of CRFR1 by CRF. These results suggest that GRK2 is involved in CRF-induced desensitization of CRFR1 in AtT-20 cells, and the protein kinase A pathway may also have an important role in desensitization of CRFR1 by CRF seen in corticotropic cells.