Lobster G-protein coupled receptor kinase that associates with membranes and G(β) in response to odorants and neurotransmitters

A cDNA clone (lobGRK2) encoding a protein of 690 amino acids with significant similarity to the GRK2 subfamily of G-protein coupled receptor kinases was isolated, lobGRK2 was widely expressed as a 9-kb major transcript and a protein of 80 kDa. It was most abundant in the brain and the olfactory organ but was absent in the eye/eyestalk. Immunocytochemistry revealed lobGRK2 immunoreactivity in the outer dendritic segments of the olfactory receptor neurons, the site of olfactory transduction. LobGRK2 immunoreactivity was observed in most neuronal structures in the brain, although with varying intensity. It was strongest in neuropil, especially the olfactory and accessory lobes but was also detectable in neuronal cell bodies. Stimulation of brain homogenates with a mixture of neurotransmitters increased the association of lobGRK2 with membranes and with G(β). Similarly, stimulation of olfactory dendrite homogenates with an odorant mixture caused lobGRK2 to associate with G(β). These results support the conclusion that lobGRK2 responds to odorants and to neurotransmitters and may act to initiate desensitization by phosphorylating G-protein-coupled receptors in the olfactory organ and the brain, respectively.