The GPR55 ligand L-alpha-lysophosphatidylinositol promotes RhoA-dependent Ca2+ signaling and NFAT activation.

The endogenous phospholipid l-alpha-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) was recently identified as a novel ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55). In this study we define the downstream signaling pathways activated by LPI in a human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line engineered to stably express recombinant human GPR55. We find that treatment with LPI induces marked GPR55 internalization and stimulates a sustained, oscillatory Ca(2+) release pathway, which is dependent on Galpha13 and requires RhoA activation. We then establish that this signaling cascade leads to the efficient activation of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) family transcription factors and their nuclear translocation. Analysis of cannabinoid ligand activity at GPR55 revealed no clear effect of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol; however, the classical CB(1) antagonist AM251 evoked GPR55-mediated Ca(2+) signaling. Thus, LPI is a potent and efficacious ligand at GPR55, which is likely to be a key plasma membrane mediator of LPI-mediated signaling events and changes in gene expression.