Heterologous desensitization mediated by G protein-specific binding to caveolin

We examined the notion that sequestration of G protein subunits by binding to caveolin impedes G protein reassociation and leads to transient, G protein-specific desensitization of response in dispersed smooth muscle cells. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and substance P (SP) were used to activate G(q/11), cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA) was used to activate G(i3), and acetylcholine (ACh) was used to activate both G(q/11) and G(i3) via m3 and m2 receptors, respectively. CCK-8 and SP increased only Galpha(q/11), and CPA increased only Galpha(i3) in caveolin immunoprecipitates; caveolin and other G proteins were not increased. ACh increased both Galpha(q/11) and Galpha(i3) in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion: only Galpha(q/11) was increased in the presence of an m2 antagonist, and only Galpha(i3) was increased in the presence of an m3 antagonist. To determine whether transient G protein binding to caveolin affected subsequent responses mediated by the same G protein, PLC-beta activity was measured in cells stimulated sequentially with two different agonists that activate either the same or a different G protein. After treatment of the cells with ACh and an m2 antagonist, the phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) response to CCK-8 and SP, but not CPA, was decreased; conversely, after treatment of the cells with ACh and an m3 antagonist, the PLC-beta response to CPA, but not CCK-8 or SP, was decreased. Similarly, after treatment with CCK-8 or SP, the PLC-beta response mediated by G(q/11) only was decreased, whereas after treatment with CPA, the PLC-beta response mediated by G(i3) only was decreased. A caveolin-binding Galpha(q/11) fragment blocked the binding of activated Galpha(q/11) but not Galpha(i3) to caveolin-3 and prevented desensitization of the PLC-beta response mediated only by other G(q/11)-coupled receptors. A caveolin-binding Galpha(i3) fragment had the reverse effect. Thus, transient binding of receptor-activated G protein subunits to caveolin impedes reassociation of the heterotrimeric species and leads to desensitization of response mediated by other receptors coupled to the same G protein.