Abstract-The ability of dopamine 1 (D 1 ) receptors to inhibit luminal Na ϩ -H ϩ exchanger (NHE) activity in renal proximal tubules and induce a natriuresis is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, it is not clear whether the defect is at the level of the D 1 receptor, G s␣ , or effector proteins. The coupling of the D 1 receptor to G s␣ and NHE3 was studied in renal brush border membranes (BBM), devoid of cytoplasmic second messengers. D 1 receptor, G s␣ , and NHE3 expressions were similar in SHR and their normotensive controls, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Guanosine-5Ј-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP␥S) decreased NHE activity and increased NHE3 linked with G s␣ similarly in WKY and SHR, indicating normal G s␣ and NHE3 regulation in SHR. However, D 1 agonists increased NHE3 linked with G s␣ in WKY but not in SHR, and the inhibitory effects of D 1 agonists on NHE activity were less in SHR than in WKY. Moreover, GTP␥S enhanced the inhibitory effect of D 1 agonist on NHE activity in WKY but not in SHR, suggesting an uncoupling of the D 1 receptor from G s␣ /NHE3 in SHR. Similar results were obtained with the use of immortalized renal proximal tubule cells from WKY and SHR. We conclude that the defective D 1 receptor function in renal proximal tubules in SHR is proximal to G s␣ /effectors and presumably at the receptor level. The mechanism(s) responsible for the uncoupling of the D 1 receptor from G proteins remains to be determined. Because the primary structure of the D 1 receptor is not different between normotensive and hypertensive rats, differences in D 1 receptor posttranslational modification are possible. Key Words: dopamine Ⅲ receptors, dopamine Ⅲ G protein Ⅲ rats, inbred SHR R enal dopamine production, dopamine receptors, and dopamine receptor regulation are important in the pathogenesis of hypertension. 1 Dopamine, produced by renal proximal tubules, is an important paracrine/autocrine inhibitor of renal sodium transport under conditions of sodium loading. 1 The inhibition of sodium transport in renal proximal tubules by dopamine is exerted via the Na ϩ -H ϩ exchanger (NHE) at the luminal or brush border membrane (BBM) and via Na ϩ ,K ϩ -ATPase at the basolateral membrane. 1 The major transport of sodium across the luminal membrane of renal proximal tubules is caused by NHE activity. 2 Five of the 6 isoforms of NHE are expressed in the kidney. 3,4 However, the NHE3 isoform predominates in the BBM of rat renal proximal tubules. 2,5 There is an impaired ability of dopamine 1 (D 1) -like receptors to inhibit NHE activity in BBM of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). 1 The decreased inhibitory effect of D 1 -like receptors on NHE activity in renal proximal tubules and failure to induce a natriuresis cosegregate with hypertension in SHR and normotensive WistarKyoto rat (WKY) crossbreeds. 6 However, it is not clear whether the impaired inhibitory action of D 1 -like receptors on NHE activity is at the receptors, G proteins, signal transducers, or effectors. G proteins can regulate NHE acti...