Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding for the GLP-1 receptor expressed in rat lung

Recent data revealed the existence, localization and possible function of specific receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1) in rat lung. This receptor has different biochemical features than the GLP-1 receptor in endocrine pancreas. Therefore, we aimed to clone the lung receptor cDNA in order to analyze whether biochemical and functional diversity of the GLP-1 receptors in lung and pancreas is based upon genetic differences. A cDNA library from rat lung in a lambda gt11 vector was screened with a cDNA probe coding for the rat pancreas GLP-1 receptor. Thereby, we found a lung GLP-1 receptor cDNA which shows nearly complete homology to the pancreatic beta-cell receptor cDNA. Only one base exchange occurred at base 1 of a codon at position 977 resulting in a change of valine residue for isoleucine at position 323 of the amino acid sequence within the fifth transmembrane region. Northern blot hybridization identified transcripts at 2.7, 3.4, and 3.6 Kb. Expression of the recombinant lung GLP-1 receptor cDNA in CHO cells displayed a pharmacological profile similar to that seen with cells expressing the beta-cell derived cDNA. Therefore, we conclude that tissue-specificity for GLP-1 receptors is based upon posttranslational modifications of the receptor protein (for example glycosilation) or alternative splicing of primary transcripts and not on variations within the coding sequence of the receptor gene.