Hydrogen peroxide causes uncoupling of dopamine D1-like receptors from G proteins via a mechanism involving protein kinase C and G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2.

Dopamine, via activation of D1-like receptors, inhibits Na,K-ATPase and Na,H-exchanger in renal proximal tubules and promotes sodium excretion. This effect of dopamine is not seen in conditions associated with oxidative stress such as hypertension, diabetes, and aging due to uncoupling of D1-like receptors from G proteins. To identify the role of oxidative stress in uncoupling of the D1-like receptors, we utilized primary cultures from rat renal proximal tubules. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxidant, treatment to the cell cultures increased the level of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage. Further, H2O2 decreased membranous D1-like receptor numbers and proteins, D1-like agonist (SKF 38393)-mediated [35S]GTPgammaS binding and SKF 38393-mediated inhibition of Na,K-ATPase. Moreover, H2O2 treatment to the cultures caused membranous translocation of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK 2) and increased serine phosphorylation of D1A receptors accompanied by an increase in protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Interestingly, PKC inhibitors blocked the H2O2-mediated stimulation of GRK 2 and serine phosphorylation of D1A receptors. Further, GRK 2 antisense but not scrambled oligonucleotides attenuated the effect of H2O2 on membranous expression of GRK 2. Moreover, direct activation of PKC with phorbol ester (PMA) resulted in reduction of SKF 38393-mediated [35S]GTPgammaS binding. We conclude that H2O2 stimulates PKC leading to the activation of GRK 2, which causes serine phopshorylation of D1A receptors and receptor G-protein uncoupling in these cells, resulting in impairment in D1-like receptor function.