Constitutive dimerization of human serotonin 5-HT4 receptors in living cells

FEBS Lett. 2005 Jun 6;579(14):2973-80. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.04.040.

Abstract

Serotonin 5-HT4 receptor isoforms are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with distinct pharmacological properties and may represent a valuable target for the treatment of many human disorders. Here, we have explored the process of dimerization of human 5-HT4 receptor (h5-HT4R) by means of co-immunoprecipitation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). Constitutive h5-HT4(d)R dimer was observed in living cells and membrane preparation of CHO and HEK293 cells. 5-HT4R ligands did not influence the constitutive energy transfer of the h5-HT4(d)R splice variant in intact cells and isolated plasma membranes. In addition, we found that h5-HT4(d)R and h5-HT4(g)R which structurally differ in the length of their C-terminal tails were able to form constitutive heterodimers independently of their activation state. Finally, we found that coexpression of h5-HT4R and beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) led to their heterodimerization. Given the large number of h5-HT4R isoforms which are coexpressed in a same tissue, our results points out the complexity by which this 5-HTR sub-type mediates its biological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Ligands
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Receptors, Serotonin / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • serotonin 5 receptor