RT Journal Article T1 Role of a Gαi2 protein splice variant in the formation of an intracellular dopamine D2 receptor pool. A1 López-Aranda, Manuel Francisco A1 Acevedo, Maria J. A1 Gutiérrez-Pérez, Antonia A1 Koulen, Peter A1 Khan, Zafaruddin K1 Interacciones proteína-proteína K1 Dopamina - Receptores K1 Receptores de neurotransmisores AB Treatment of D2-receptor-expressing cells with specific drugs upregulates the receptor number at the cell surface independently of protein synthesis, leading to the concept of an intracellular receptor pool. However, how this pool is operating is still an enigma. Here, we report that a splice variant of the Galphai2 protein, protein sGalphai2, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of this D2-receptor pool. Co-expression of sGi2 with D2 receptor reduced receptor localization to cell surface by one-third. This effect is associated with specific intracellular protein-protein interaction and the formation of a sGi2-D2-receptor complex. It has been suggested that the formation of this complex serves to prevent D2 receptors from reaching the cell membrane. Treatment of D2-receptor-expressing cells with agonists increased the number of cell surface D2 receptors and coincided with a reduction in these receptors from intracellular complexes, suggesting that agonist treatment released D2 receptors from the complex allowing them to localize to the cell membrane. Thus, in addition to elucidating how the intracellular pool of D2 receptor functions, our findings uncover a novel mechanism regulating the density of cell surface D2 receptors. PB The Company of Biologists YR 2007 FD 2007-07-01 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/35818 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/35818 LA eng NO López-Aranda MF, Acevedo MJ, Gutierrez A, Koulen P, Khan ZU. Role of a Galphai2 protein splice variant in the formation of an intracellular dopamine D2 receptor pool. J Cell Sci. 2007;120(Pt 13):2171-2178. doi:10.1242/jcs.005611 NO https://openpolicyfinder.jisc.ac.uk/id/publication/14670 NO This work was supported by BFI2003-03464, BFU2006-0306 and Ramón y Cajal program grants from MEC (toZafaruddin Khan), FIS PI060556 grant from MSC (to Antonia Gutiérrez) and a Young Investigator Award from NARSAD (to Peter Koulen). DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga RD 25 ene 2026