K. Obara et al., G-protein coupled receptor kinase 2 and 3 expression in human detrusor cultured smooth muscle cells, UROL RES, 29(5), 2001, pp. 325-329
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of G-protein couple
d receptor kinases (GRKs) mRNA by RT-PCR and GRKs protein by immunohistoche
mistry in human detrusor cultured smooth muscle. Primary cultures of human
detrusor smooth muscle cells were established using the explant method from
three normal bladders. The expression of each GRK, beta -adrenergic recept
or and muscarinic acethylcholine receptor (mAchR) mRNA was examined by reve
rse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical s
taining was also performed using primary antibodies for GRKs. The GRK2 and
GRK3 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR. The m2, m3 and m5 mAchR and beta1
, beta2 and beta3 adrenergic receptor subtypes mRNA were also detected. Usi
ng immunohistochemistry, both GRK2 and GRK3 were found to be expressed in d
etrusor smooth muscle cells. These results demonstrated the existence of GR
K2 and GRK3 and the co-expression of m2, m3 and m5 mAchR and beta1, beta2 a
nd beta3 adrenergic receptor subtypes in detrusor smooth muscle cells. The
possibility exists that these kinases play a role in the desensitization me
chanism of mAchR and beta adrenergic receptors.