The role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases in the pathology of malignant tumors

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) constitute seven subtypes of serine/threonine protein kinases that specifically recognize and phosphorylate agonist-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), thereby terminating the GPCRs-mediated signal transduction pathway. Recent research shows that GRKs also interact with non-GPCRs and participate in signal transduction in non-phosphorylated manner. Besides, GRKs activity can be regulated by multiple factors. Changes in GRKs expression have featured prominently in various tumor pathologies, and they are associated with angiogenesis, proliferation, migration, and invasion of malignant tumors. As a result, GRKs have been intensively studied as potential therapeutic targets. Herein, we review evolving understanding of the function of GRKs, the regulation of GRKs activity and the role of GRKs in human malignant tumor pathophysiology.

Keywords: Breast cancer; G protein coupling receptor kinases; G protein-coupled receptors; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Lung cancer; Prostate cancer.

Fig. 1

Function and GRKs-mediated signal pathways. GRKs phosphorylate agonist-activated GPCRs, which allows the recruitment of β-arrestins, thereby terminating or inducing the GPCRs-mediated signal transduction pathways. In addition, GRKs can also interact with non-GPCRs or non-receptor substrates, including participating in signal transduction in both a phosphorylated manner and non-phosphorylated manner. This associated signal regulation by GRKs promotes or inhibits different cellular functions, such as cell growth, proliferation, migration, metastasis, and survival