Caveolins act as scaffold proteins in multiprotein complexes and have been implicated in signaling by G protein-coupled receptors. Studies using knock-out mice suggest that beta(3)-adrenoceptor (beta(3)-AR) signaling is dependent on caveolin-1; however, it is not known whether caveolin-1 is associated with the beta(3)-AR or solely with downstream signaling proteins. We have addressed this question by examining the impact of membrane rafts and caveolin-1 on the differential signaling of mouse beta(3a)- and beta(3b)-AR isoforms that diverge at the distal C terminus. Only the beta(3b)-AR promotes pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive cAMP accumulation. When cells expressing the beta(3a)-AR were treated with filipin III to disrupt membrane rafts or transfected with caveolin-1 siRNA, the cyclic AMP response to the beta(3)-AR agonist CL316243 became PTX-sensitive, suggesting G alpha(i/o) coupling. The beta(3a)-AR C terminus, S (P-384) under bar PLNR (P-389) under bar DG (Y-392) under bar EGARP (P-398) under bar PT, resembles a caveolin interaction motif. Mutant beta(3a)-ARs (F389A/Y392A/F398A or P384S/F389A) promoted PTX-sensitive cAMP responses, and in situ proximity assays demonstrated an association between caveolin-1 and the wild type beta(3a)-AR but not the mutant receptors. In membrane preparations, the beta(3b)-AR activated G alpha(o) and mediated PTX-sensitive cAMP responses, whereas the beta(3a)-AR did not activate G alpha(i/o) proteins. The endogenous beta(3a)-AR displayed G alpha(i/o) coupling in brown adipocytes from caveolin-1 knock-out mice or in wild type adipocytes treated with filipin III. Our studies indicate that interaction of the beta(3a)-AR with caveolin inhibits coupling to G alpha(i/o) proteins and suggest that signaling is modulated by a raft-enriched complex containing the beta(3a)-AR, caveolin-1, G alpha(s), and adenylyl cyclase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

beta-Adrenoceptor stimulation induces glucose uptake in several insulin-sensitive tissues by poorly understood mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We used a model system in CHO-K1 cells expressing the human beta(2)-adrenoceptor and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to investigate the signalling mechanisms involved.

KEY RESULTS

In CHO-K1 cells, there was no response to b-adrenoceptor agonists. The introduction of b2-adrenoceptors and GLUT4 into these cells caused increased glucose uptake in response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists. GLUT4 translocation occurred in response to insulin and beta(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation, although the key insulin signalling intermediate PKB was not phosphorylated in response to beta(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation. Truncation of the C-terminus of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor at position 349 to remove known phosphorylation sites for GPCR kinases (GRKs) or at position 344 to remove an additional PKA site together with the GRK phosphorylation sites did not significantly affect cAMP accumulation but decreased beta(2)-adrenoceptor-stimulated glucose uptake. Furthermore, inhibition of GRK by transfection of the bARKct construct inhibited beta(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation, and overexpression of a kinase-dead GRK2 mutant (GRK2 K220R) also inhibited GLUT4 translocation. Introducing beta(2)-adrenoceptors lacking phosphorylation sites for GRK or PKA demonstrated that the GRK sites, but not the PKA sites, were necessary for GLUT4 translocation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Glucose uptake in response to activation of beta(2)-adrenoceptors involves translocation of GLUT4 in this model system. The mechanism is dependent on the C-terminus of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor, requires GRK phosphorylation sites, and involves a signalling pathway distinct from that stimulated by insulin.