The aim of the study was to examine the mechanisms by which ACh, acting via m2 receptors, regulates GRK2-mediated VPAC 2 receptor desensitization in gastric smooth muscle cells. VIP induced VPAC 2 receptor phosphorylation and internalization in freshly dispersed smooth muscle cells. Co-stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh), in the presence of m3 receptor antagonist, 4-DAMP, augmented VPAC 2 receptor phosphorylation and internalization. The m2 receptor antagonist methoctramine or the c-Src inhibitor PP2 blocked the effect of ACh, suggesting that the augmentation was mediated by c-Src, derived from m2 receptor activation. ACh induced activation of c-Src and phosphorylation of GRK2 and the effects of ACh were blocked by methoctramine, PP2, or by uncoupling of m2 receptors from G i3 with pertussis toxin. In conclusion, we identified a novel mechanism of cross-regulation of GRK2-mediated phosphorylation and internalization of G scoupled VPAC 2 receptors by G i -coupled m2 receptors via tyrosine phosphorylation of GRK2 and stimulation of GRK2 activity.
KeywordsSmooth muscle; receptor desensitization; vasoactive intestinal peptide; GRK2 phosphorylation Smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract exhibits tone on which rhythmic contractions are superimposed. Both, the frequency and amplitude of rhythmic contractions and the muscle tone, are modulated by excitatory and inhibitory neural inputs from the myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system. Excitatory transmitters consist of acetylcholine (ACh) and tachykinins, and inhibitory transmitters consist of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), and nitric oxide (NO) [1,2]. About 30% of the myenteric neurons contain VIP, PACAP, and the NO synthase, the enzyme responsible for generation of neural NO. About 40% of the neurons contain ACh and tachykinins. There is no overlap between these groups of nerve fibers and the fibers project into muscle layers. Excitatory neurons mainly release acetylcholine, whereas inhibitory neurons co-release VIP/ PACAP and NO [1,2].On the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, ACh interacts with two muscarinic receptors to activate distinct signaling pathways [3][4][5]. The more abundant (~80%) m2 receptors are Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Most studies on receptor regulation have used GRK2 as a prototype kinase that phosphorylates many G protein-coupled receptors [16][17][18]. The activity and localization of GRK2 are regulated by phosphorylation by kinases such as PKA, protein kinase C (PKC), c-Src, and extracellular ...