Communications Biology (Jul 2024)

Role of the V2R–βarrestin–Gβγ complex in promoting G protein translocation to endosomes

  • Badr Sokrat,
  • Anthony H. Nguyen,
  • Alex R. B. Thomsen,
  • Li-Yin Huang,
  • Hiroyuki Kobayashi,
  • Alem W. Kahsai,
  • Jihee Kim,
  • Bing X. Ho,
  • Symon Ma,
  • John Little,
  • Catherine Ehrhart,
  • Ian Pyne,
  • Emmery Hammond,
  • Michel Bouvier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06512-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Classically, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) promote signaling at the plasma membrane through activation of heterotrimeric Gαβγ proteins, followed by the recruitment of GPCR kinases and βarrestin (βarr) to initiate receptor desensitization and internalization. However, studies demonstrated that some GPCRs continue to signal from internalized compartments, with distinct cellular responses. Both βarr and Gβγ contribute to such non-canonical endosomal G protein signaling, but their specific roles and contributions remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R)–βarr complex scaffolds Gβγ at the plasma membrane through a direct interaction with βarr, enabling its transport to endosomes. Gβγ subsequently potentiates Gαs endosomal translocation, presumably to regenerate an endosomal pool of heterotrimeric Gs. This work shines light on the mechanism underlying G protein subunits translocation from the plasma membrane to the endosomes and provides a basis for understanding the role of βarr in mediating sustained G protein signaling.