Identification of potential tyrosine-containing endocytic motifs in the carboxyl-tail and seventh transmembrane domain of the neurokinin 1 receptor.

Although agonist-induced endocytosis of G-protein-coupled receptors is critical for receptor desensitization and resensitization, receptor motifs that interact with the endocytic apparatus have not been adequately characterized. We examined the effects of mutating the rat neurokinin-1 receptor on endocytosis using 125I-substance P, fluorescent substance P, and receptor antibodies. Substance P induced rapid internalization of wild-type receptors that were targeted to perinuclear endosomes. Truncation of the C-tail at residues 324, 342, and 354 reduced internalization up to 60% and caused retention of receptors at the cell surface and in superficial endosomes. Mutation of Tyr-341 and Tyr-349 in potential tyrosine-containing endocytic motifs of the C-tail also impaired internalization. A Y305A mutant within the putative NPX2-3Y endocytic motif of the seventh transmembrane domain showed impaired signaling and was minimally expressed at the plasma membrane but was found in cytoplasmic vesicles. In contrast, a Y305F mutant signaled normally and was normally expressed at the plasma membrane but showed impaired internalization. Thus, endocytosis of the neurokinin 1 receptor relies on several tyrosine-containing sequences in the C-tail and seventh transmembrane domain.