Yeast Ste2 receptors as tools for study of mammalian protein kinases and adaptors involved in receptor trafficking

BACKGROUND Mammalian receptors that couple to effectors via heterotrimeric G proteins (e.g., beta 2-adrenergic receptors) and receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity (e.g., insulin and IGF-I receptors) constitute the proximal points of two dominant cell signaling pathways. Receptors coupled to G proteins can be substrates for tyrosine kinases, integrating signals from both pathways. Yeast cells, in contrast, display G protein-coupled receptors (e.g., alpha-factor pheromone receptor Ste2) that have evolved in the absence of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as those found in higher organisms. We sought to understand the motifs in G protein-coupled receptors that act as substrates for receptor tyrosine kinases and the functional consequence of such phosphorylation on receptor biology. We expressed in human HEK 293 cells yeast wild-type Ste2 as well as a Ste2 chimera engineered with cytoplasmic domains of the beta2-adrenergic receptor and tested receptor sequestration in response to activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. RESULTS The yeast Ste2 was successfully expressed in HEK 293 cells. In response to alpha-factor, Ste2 signals to the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and internalizes. Wash out of agonist and addition of antagonist does not lead to Ste2 recycling to the cell membrane. Internalized Ste2 is not significantly degraded. Beta2-adrenergic receptors display internalization in response to agonist (isoproterenol), but rapidly recycle to the cell membrane following wash out of agonist and addition of antagonist. Beta2-adrenergic receptors display internalization in response to activation of insulin receptors (i.e., cross-regulation), whereas Ste2 does not. Substitution of the cytoplasmic domains of the beta2-adrenergic receptor for those of Ste2 creates a Ste2/beta2-adrenergic receptor chimera displaying insulin-stimulated internalization. CONCLUSION Chimera composed of yeast Ste2 into which domains of mammalian G protein-coupled receptors have been substituted, when expressed in animal cells, provide a unique tool for study of the regulation of G protein-coupled receptor trafficking by mammalian receptor tyrosine kinases and adaptor proteins.