Detection of higher-order G protein-coupled receptor oligomers by a combined BRET–BiFC technique

Abstract 

Despite some caveats, G protein-coupled receptor oligomerization is a phenomenon that is becoming largely accepted. Within these oligomers, however, stoichiometry remains to be elucidated. Here, by using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we visualized adenosine A_2A receptor homodimers in living cells, showing no apparent difference in the subcellular distribution when compared to the YFP-labelled adenosine A_2A receptor protomer. Interestingly, the combination of bimolecular fluorescence complementation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer techniques allowed us to detect the occurrence of adenosine A_2A receptors oligomers containing more than two protomers. These results provide new insights into the molecular composition of G protein-coupled receptor oligomers.

Structured summary

Keywords: G protein-coupled receptors, Adenosine receptors, Receptor oligomerization