A Novel Role for c-Myc in G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 4 (GRK4) Transcriptional Regulation in Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells*

摘要

The G coupled-protein receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) negatively regulates the dopaminergic system by desensitizing the dopamine-1-receptor (D1R). The expressional control of GRK4 has not been reported, but here, we show that the transcription factor c-Myc binds to the promoter of GRK4 and positively regulates GRK4 protein expression in human renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs). Addition of phorbol esters (PMA) to RPTCs not only increased c-Myc binding to the GRK4 promoter, but also increased both phospho-c-Myc and GRK4 expression. The PMA-mediated increase in GRK4 expression was completely blocked by the c-Myc inhibitor, 10074-G5, indicating that GRK4 is downstream of phospho-c-Myc. The autocrine production of angiotensin II (Ang II) in RPTCs increased the phosphorylation and activation of c-Myc and subsequently GRK4 expression. 3-Amino-4-thio-butyl sulfonate (EC-33), an inhibitor of aminopeptidase A (APA), increased RPTC secretion of Ang II. EC-33 or Ang II increased the expression of both phospho-c-Myc and GRK4, which was blocked by 10074-G5. Blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) with losartan decreased phospho-c-Myc and GRK4 expression. Both inhibition of c-Myc activity and blockade of AT1R restored the coupling of D1R to adenylyl cyclase (AC) stimulation in uncoupled RPTCs (uRPTCs) while PMA or Ang II caused the uncoupling of normally coupled RPTCs (nRPTCs). We suggest that the AT1R impairs D1R function via c-Myc activation of GRK4. This novel pathway may be involved in the increase in blood pressure in hypertension that is mediated by increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system and decreased activity of the renal dopaminergic system.