Agonist regulation of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) was investigated in stable CHO-K1 cells individually expressing the 5 human (h) SSTR subtypes. hSSTR 2,3,4, and 5 displayed rapid agonist-dependent internalization of [125I] LTT SST-28 ligand in a time- and temperature-dependent manner over 60 min. Maximum internalization of radioligand occurred with hSSTR3 (78%) followed by hSSTR5 (66%), hSSTR4 (29%) and hSSTR2 (20%). In contrast, hSSTR1 displayed virtually no internalization. Prolonged agonist treatment led to differential upregulation of some of the SSTRs. After 22 h, hSSTR1 was upregulated at the membrane by 110%, hSSTR2 and hSSTR4 by 26% and 22% respectively, whereas hSSTR3 and hSSTR5 showed little change. Agonist-induced recruitment of hSSTR1 to the membrane was confirmed by immunocytochemistry with hSSTR1 antibodies. These results show that SST regulates all 5 hSSTRs by differential subtype selective internalization or upregulation. Subtype selectivity for internalization and upregulation is inversely related.

Agonist regulation of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) was investigated in stable CHO-K1 cells individually expressing the 5 human (h) SSTR subtypes. hSSTR 2,3,4, and 5 displayed rapid agonist-dependent internalization of [125I] LTT SST-28 ligand in a time- and temperature-dependent manner over 60 min. Maximum internalization of radioligand occurred with hSSTR3 (78%) followed by hSSTR5 (66%), hSSTR4 (29%) and hSSTR2 (20%). In contrast, hSSTR1 displayed virtually no internalization. Prolonged agonist treatment led to differential upregulation of some of the SSTRs. After 22 h, hSSTR1 was upregulated at the membrane by 110%, hSSTR2 and hSSTR4 by 26% and 22% respectively, whereas hSSTR3 and hSSTR5 showed little change. Agonist-induced recruitment of hSSTR1 to the membrane was confirmed by immunocytochemistry with hSSTR1 antibodies. These results show that SST regulates all 5 hSSTRs by differential subtype selective internalization or upregulation. Subtype selectivity for internalization and upregulation is inversely related.

We have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic tail (C-tail) of the human somatostatin receptor type 5 (hSSTR5) in regulating receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase (AC) and in mediating agonist-dependent desensitization and internalization responses. Mutant receptors with progressive C-tail truncation (⌬347, ⌬338, ⌬328, ⌬318), Cys 320 3 Ala substitution (to block palmitoylation), or Tyr 304 3 Ala substitution of a putative NPXXY internalization motif were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells. Except for the Tyr 304 3 Ala mutant, which showed no binding, all other mutant receptors exhibited binding characteristics (K d and B max ) and G protein coupling comparable with wild type (wt) hSSTR5. The C-tail truncation mutants displayed progressive reduction in coupling to AC, with the ⌬318 mutant showing complete loss of effector coupling. Agonist pretreatment of wt hSSTR5 led to uncoupling of AC inhibition, whereas the desensitization response of the C-tail deletion mutants was variably impaired. Compared with internalization (66% at 60 min) of wt hSSTR5, truncation of the C-tail to 318, 328, and 338 residues reduced receptor internalization to 46, 46, and 23%, respectively, whereas truncation to 347 residues slightly improved internalization (72%). Mutation of Cys 320 3 Ala induced a reduction in AC coupling, desensitization, and internalization. These studies show that the C-tail of hSSTR5 serves a multifunctional role in mediating effector coupling, desensitization, and internalization. Whereas coupling to AC is dependent on the length of the C-tail, desensitization and internalization require specific structural domains. Furthermore, internalization is regulated through both positive and negative molecular signals in the C-tail and can be dissociated from the signaling and acute desensitization responses of the receptor.