GABA(B) receptors are unique among G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in t
heir requirement for heterodimerization between two homologous subunits, GA
BA(B1) and GABA(B2), for functional expression. Whereas GABA(B1) is capable
of binding receptor agonists and antagonists, the role of each GABA(B) sub
unit in receptor signaling is unknown. Here we identified amino acid residu
es within the second intracellular domain of GABA(B2) that are critical for
the coupling of GABA(B) receptor heterodimers to their downstream effector
systems. Our results provide strong evidence for a functional role of the
GABA(B2) subunit in G-protein coupling of the GABA(B) receptor heterodimer.
In addition, they provide evidence for a novel "sequential" GPCR signaling
mechanism in which ligand binding to one heterodimer subunit can induce si
gnal transduction through the second partner of a heteromeric complex.