Internalization and recycling of the human prostacyclin receptor is modulated through its isoprenylation-dependent interaction with the δ subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase 6

Prostacyclin, the major cyclooxygenase-derived product of arachidonic acid formed in the vasculature, mediates its potent anti-thrombotic and anti-proliferative effects through its G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) termed the IP. Unlike many GPCRs, agonist-induced internalization of the IP occurs in an arrestin/ GPCR kinase-independent manner. However, deletion of the IP COOH-terminal region prevented internalization suggesting that protein interactions at this region are involved in IP regulation. Using the COOH-terminal region of IP as bait we identified the delta subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6 delta) as a novel hIP-interacting protein in two independent yeast two-hybrid screens. Interaction of IP and PDE6 delta was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation in HEK293 cells, and in HEPG2 cells, which endogenously express neither IP nor PDE6 delta. IP isoprenylation was critical for this interaction, as PDE6 delta was unable to associate with an isoprenylation-deficient mutant IP (IPSSLC). PDE6 delta overexpression altered the temporal pattern of agonist-induced internalization of IP, but not IPSSLC, in HEPG2 cells, increasing initial internalization but facilitating the return of IP to the cell surface despite the continued presence of agonist. Depletion of PDE6 delta using short interfering RNA abolished cicaprost-induced IP internalization in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Recycling of IP, but not IPSSLC, upon agonist removal was facilitated by overexpression of PDE6 delta. Thus PDE6 delta interacts specifically with IP to modulate receptor trafficking.