Differences in the signaling pathways of α(1A)- and α(1B)-adrenoceptors are related to different endosomal targeting.

AIMS: To compare the constitutive and agonist-dependent endosomal trafficking of α(1A)- and α(1B)-adrenoceptors (ARs) and to establish if the internalization pattern determines the signaling pathways of each subtype. METHODS: Using CypHer5 technology and VSV-G epitope tagged α(1A)- and α(1B)-ARs stably and transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells, we analyzed by confocal microscopy the constitutive and agonist-induced internalization of each subtype, and the temporal relationship between agonist induced internalization and the increase in intracellular calcium (determined by FLUO-3 flouorescence), or the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases (determined by Western blot). RESULTS AND C…