P-Rex1 limits the agonist-induced internalization of GPCRs independently of its Rac-GEF activity

The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) P-Rex1 mediates G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling by activating the small GTPase Rac. We show here that P-Rex1 also controls GPCR trafficking. P-Rex1 inhibits the agonist-stimulated internalization of the GPCR S1PR1 independently of its Rac-GEF activity, through its PDZ, DEP, and inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase domains. P-Rex1 also limits the agonist-induced trafficking of CXCR4, PAR4, and GLP1R but does not control steady-state GPCR levels, nor the agonist-induced internalization of the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFR and EGFR. P-Rex1 blocks the phosphorylation required for GPCR internalization. P-Rex1 binds G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (Grk2), both in vitro and in cells, but does not appear to regulate Grk2 activity. We propose that P-Rex1 limits the agonist-induced internalization of GPCRs through its interaction with Grk2 to maintain high levels of active GPCRs at the plasma membrane. Therefore, P-Rex1 plays a dual role in promoting GPCR responses by controlling GPCR trafficking through an adapter function as well as by mediating GPCR signaling through its Rac-GEF activity.