In:
Biochemical Journal, Portland Press Ltd., Vol. 340, No. 2 ( 1999-06-01), p. 529-538
Abstract:
The rat thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 (TRHR-1) was modified by the addition of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and expressed stably in HEK293 cells. Extensive overlap of plasma membrane distribution of autofluorescent TRHR-1-GFP with that of the phosphoinositidase C-linked G-proteins Gqα/G11α, identified by indirect immunofluorescence, was monitored concurrently. Addition of thyrotropin-releasing hormone resulted in rapid separation of TRHR-1-GFP and Gqα/G11α signals as the receptor was internalized. This situation persisted for more than an hour. At longer time periods a fraction of the cellular Gqα/G11α was also internalized, although much of the Gqα/G11α immunoreactivity remained associated with the plasma membrane. Parallel experiments, in which the cellular distribution of TRHR-1-GFP and Gqα/G11α immunoreactivity were monitored in sucrose-gradient fractions following cell disruption, also demonstrated a rapid, agonist-induced movement of TRHR-1-GFP away from the plasma membrane to low-density vesicular fractions. At later time points, a fraction of the cellular Gqα/G11α immunoreactivity was also redistributed to overlapping, but non-identical, low-density-vesicle-containing fractions. Pretreatment of the cells with cytochalasin D or nocodazole prevented agonist-induced redistribution of G-protein but not TRHR-1-GFP, further indicating resolution of the mechanics of these two processes. The combination of a GFP-modified receptor and immunostaining of the G-proteins activated by that receptor allows, for the first time, concurrent analysis of the varying dynamics and bases of internalization and redistribution of two elements of the same signal-transduction cascade.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0264-6021
,
1470-8728
Language:
English
Publisher:
Portland Press Ltd.
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1473095-9
SSG:
12
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