Abstract
The α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) is a member of the seven transmembrane-spanning G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. In the kidney, the α2-AR is most abundant in the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule where it is important in enhancing Na+ reabsorption via the modulation of Na+/H+ exchange. Radioligand binding and physiological studies suggest that the α2-AR resides primarily on the basolateral surface of these proximal tubule cells in vivo. To investigate the mechanisms underlying α2-AR polarization in epithelial cells, we permanently expressed wild-type and an epitope-tagged version of the α2A-AR in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Using a steady-state surface biotinylation assay, we observe that 80-90% of the α2A-AR in MDCK cell clones is located on the basolateral membrane domain. Immunolocalization studies confirm the biotinylation results and demonstrate that the α2A-AR is actually confined primarily to the lateral domain of the basolateral surface. Metabolic labeling experiments suggest that basolateral polarization of the α2A-AR is achieved by direct targeting of the receptor to the basolateral domain. Targeting of the α2A-AR to the basolateral surface is not perturbed by pertussis toxin-treatment of MDCK cells, suggesting that coupling of the α2A-AR to GTP-binding proteins is not important for receptor polarization.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 11340-11347 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Biological Chemistry |
Volume | 268 |
Issue number | 15 |
State | Published - May 25 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology