Activation and targeting of mitogen-activated protein kinases by G-protein-coupled receptors

Over the past decade, it has become apparent that many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) generate signals that control cellular differentiation and growth, including stimulation of Ras family GTPases and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways. The mechanisms that GPCRs use to control the activity of MAP kinases vary between receptor and cell type but fall broadly into one of three categories: signals initiated by classical G protein effectors, e.g., protein kinase (PK)A and PKC, signals initiated by cross-talk between GPCRs and classical receptor tyrosine kinases, e.g., "transactivation" of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, and signals initiated by direct interaction between β-arrestins and components of the MAP kinase cascade, e.g., β-arrestin "scaffolds". While each of these pathways results in increased cellular MAP kinase activity, emerging data suggest that they are not functionally redundant. MAP kinase activation occurring via PKC-dependent pathways and EGF receptor transactivation leads to nuclear translocation of the kinase and stimulates cell proliferation, while MAP kinase activation via β-arrestin scaffolds primarily increases cytosolic kinase activity. By controlling the spatial and temporal distribution of MAP kinase activity within the cell, the consequences of GPCR-stimulated MAP kinase activation may be determined by the mechanism by which they are activated.Key words: G-protein-coupled receptor, receptor tyrosine kinase, β-arrestin, mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase.