The influence of G protein subtype on agonist action at D2 dopamine receptors

In previous studies, we have shown that agonists influence the ability of D2 dopamine receptors to couple to G proteins and here we extend this work. The human D2Short dopamine receptor and a natural polymorphism of this D(2Short)(Ser311Cys), have been studied by co-expressing the receptors in insect cells with Gbeta1gamma2 and either Galpha(o), Galpha(i1), Galpha(i2) or Galpha(i3) G protein subunits. These preparations have been used to study the G protein coupling profiles of the two receptors and the influence of agonists. Receptor/G protein coupling was analysed in dopamine/[3H]spiperone competition binding experiments and through stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding. Although the Ser311Cys polymorphism itself had no appreciable effect on the G protein coupling specificity of the D2 receptor, agonist stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding, revealed that both dopamine and (+)-3PPP showed a clear preference for Galpha(o) compared to the Galpha(i) subtypes, but quinpirole did not. These results indicate that agonists are able to stabilise different receptor conformations with different abilities to couple to G proteins.