Cooperation of Two Subtypes of PGE₂ Receptor, Gi Coupled EP3 and Gs Coupled EP2 or EP4 Subtype

Abstract

Four prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtypes have been identified and cloned, designated as EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. These EP receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor family. EP3 receptor signals are primarily involved in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via Gi activation, while EP2 and EP4 receptor signals cause a stimulation of adenylyl cyclase via Gs activation. Immune cells, such as mast cells, express multiple EP subtypes on their cell membranes, but few studies have been conducted to understand exactly what signals the main flow for the multiple subtypes expressing immune cells. We previously demonstrated that activation of Gi-coupled EP3 receptor exhibited a cooperative effect on cAMP synthesis induced by Gs-coupled EP2 receptor in COS-7 cells. Here we report that a selective EP4 agonist-induced adenylyl cyclase activity was augmented by simultaneous addition of a selective EP3 agonist in mastocytoma P-815 cells, which express mRNAs for both EP3 and EP4 subtypes. The augmentation in cAMP synthesis was found to be pertussis toxin-sensitive. P-815 cells are demonstrated to bind to Pronectin-F, a proteolytic fragment of fibronectin, in adhesion protein of the extracellular matrix, by addition of PGE₂, which is mediated by PKA. The binding of P-815 cells to Pronectin-F mediated by EP4 receptor was augmented by the EP3 receptor. These findings indicate that two subtypes of PGE₂ receptors, EP3 and EP4, cooperatively activate the cAMP-mediated adhesion event through induction of fibronectin ligand elicited by PGE₂ in P-815 cells. Furthermore, the PGE₂-induced adhesion response may contribute to the mast cell recruitment function on extracellular matrix during inflammation.