Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 enhances α1D-adrenergic receptor constriction

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a serine/theorinine kinase that phosphorylates and desensitizes agonist-bound G protein-coupled receptors. GRK2 is increased in expression and activity in lymphocytes and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) in human hypertension and animal models of the disease. Inhibition of GRK2 using the carboxyl-terminal portion of the protein (GRK2ct) has been an effective tool to restore compromised beta-adrenergic receptor (AR) function in heart failure and improve outcome. A well-characterized dysfunction in hypertension is attenuation of beta AR-mediated vasodilation. Therefore, we tested the role of inhibition of GRK2 using GRK2ct or VSM-selective GRK2 gene ablation in a renal artery stenosis model of elevated blood pressure (BP) [the two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) model]. Use of the 2K1C model resulted in a 30% increase in conscious BP, a threefold increase in plasma norepinephrine levels, and a 50% increase in VSM GRK2 mRNA levels. BP remained increased despite VSM-specific GRK2 inhibition by either GRK2 knockout (GRK2KO) or peptide inhibition (GRK2ct). Although beta AR-mediated dilation in vivo and in situ was enhanced, alpha(1)AR-mediated vasoconstriction was also increased. Further pharmacological experiments using alpha(1)AR antagonists revealed that GRK2 inhibition of expression (GRK2KO) or activity (GRK2ct) enhanced alpha(1D)AR vasoconstriction. This is the first study to suggest that VSM alpha(1D)ARs are a GRK2 substrate in vivo.