DOPAMINE-INDUCED RECRUITMENT OF DOPAMINE D1 RECEPTORS TO THE PLASMA-MEMBRANE

The recruitment of G protein-coupled receptors from the cytoplasm to t he plasma membrane generally is believed to be a constitutive process. We show here by the use of both confocal microscopy and subcellular f ractionation that, for at least one such receptor, this recruitment is regulated and not constitutive. Cells from a proximal tubular-like ce ll line, LLCPK1 cells, were incubated with either a D1 agonist, a dopa mine precursor, or an inhibitor of dopamine metabolism to increase dop amine availability in the cell. Each of the three procedures led to a rapid translocation of dopamine D1 receptors from the cytosol to the p lasma membrane.