GBRs (GABAB receptors; where GABA stands for γ-aminobutyric acid) are G-protein-coupled receptors that mediate slow synaptic inhibition in the brain and spinal cord. In vitro assays have previously demonstrated that these receptors are heterodimers assembled from two homologous subunits, GBR1 and GBR2, neither of which is capable of producing functional GBR on their own. We have used co-immunoprecipitation in combination with bioluminescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer approaches in living cells to assess directly the interaction between GBR subunits and determine their subcellular localization. The results show that, in addition to forming heterodimers, GBR1 and GBR2 can associate as stable homodimers. Confocal microscopy indicates that, while GBR1/GBR1 homodimers are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment, both GBR2/GBR2 homodimers and GBR1/GBR2 heterodimers are present at the plasma membrane. Although these observations shed new light on the assembly of GBR complexes, they raise questions about the potential functional roles of GBR1 and GBR2 homodimers.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
May 2005
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Research Article|
May 10 2005
Subcellular distribution of GABAB receptor homo- and hetero-dimers
Josée-France VILLEMURE;
Josée-France VILLEMURE
*Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, C. P. 6128, succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
Search for other works by this author on:
Lynda ADAM;
Lynda ADAM
1
*Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, C. P. 6128, succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
Search for other works by this author on:
Nicola J. BEVAN;
Nicola J. BEVAN
†GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Katy GEARING;
Katy GEARING
†GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Sébastien CHÉNIER;
Sébastien CHÉNIER
*Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, C. P. 6128, succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
Search for other works by this author on:
Michel BOUVIER
*Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, C. P. 6128, succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
2To whom correspondence should be addressed (email michel.bouvier@umontreal.ca).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 20 2004
Revision Received:
December 07 2004
Accepted:
December 23 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
December 23 2004
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
The Biochemical Society, London
2005
Biochem J (2005) 388 (1): 47–55.
Article history
Received:
August 20 2004
Revision Received:
December 07 2004
Accepted:
December 23 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
December 23 2004
Citation
Josée-France VILLEMURE, Lynda ADAM, Nicola J. BEVAN, Katy GEARING, Sébastien CHÉNIER, Michel BOUVIER; Subcellular distribution of GABAB receptor homo- and hetero-dimers. Biochem J 15 May 2005; 388 (1): 47–55. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20041435
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.