Signal transduction of a G protein-coupled receptor in caveolae: colocalization of endothelin and its receptor with caveolin.

Caveolae are small invaginations of the plasma membrane 50-100 nm in diameter. Since calcium channels, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, and heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are localized in caveolae, they may participate in signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptors. Here we show that the G protein-coupled endothelin receptor subtype A (ETA) and its bound endothelin ligand are found in plasma membrane caveolae. ETA and its bound ligand coimmunoprecipitate with caveolin, a structural component of caveolae, in extracts of cells expressing transfected ETA receptors. Confocal fluorescence microscopy shows colocalization of ETA receptors and caveolin in micropatches at or near the plasma membrane, in the absence of endothelin ligands. These observations demonstrate a functional role for plasma membrane caveolae in signal transduction by this G protein-coupled receptor.