Identification of a region of the C-terminal domain involved in short-term desensitization of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor.

1. The prostaglandin EP4 receptor, which couples to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, undergoes rapid agonist-induced desensitization when expressed in CHO-K1 cells. 2. Truncation of the 488-amino acid receptor at residue 350 removes the carboxy-terminal domain and abolishes desensitization. 3. To further delineate residues involved in desensitization, the receptor was truncated at position 408, 383 or 369. Receptors truncated at position 408 or 383 underwent PGE2-induced desensitization, whereas the receptor truncated at position 369 displayed sustained activity, indicating that the essential residues for desensitization lie between 370 and 383. 4. The six serines in the 14-amino acid segment between residues 370 and 383 were mutated to alanine, retaining the entire C-terminal domain. Desensitization was absent in cells expressing this mutant. 5. The results indicate involvement of serines located between 370 and 382 in rapid desensitization of the EP4 receptor.