Distinct regions in the C-Terminus required for GLP-1R cell surface expression, activity and internalisation

• The C-terminus is vital for GLP-1R cell surface expression, activity and internalisation.
• Residues 411–418 in the C-terminus are critical for GLP-1R cell surface expression.
• Residues 419–430 within the C-terminus are important for the activity of GLP-1R.
• Residues 431–450 in the C-terminus are essential for GLP-1R internalisation.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1R), an important drug target in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates insulin secretion by GLP-1. The N-terminus controls GLP-1R biosynthetic trafficking to the cell surface but the C-terminus involvement in that trafficking is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify distinct regions within the C-terminal domain required for human GLP-1R (hGLP-1R) cell surface expression, activity and internalisation using a number of C-terminal deletions and site-directed mutations. The results of this study revealed that the residues 411–418 within the C-terminal domain of the hGLP-1R are critical in targeting the newly synthesised receptor to the plasma membrane. The residues 419–430 are important for cAMP producing activity of the receptor, most likely by coupling to Gαs. However, the residues 431–450 within the C-terminus are essential for agonist-induced hGLP-1R internalisation. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the hGLP-1R has distinct regions within the C-terminal domain required for its cell surface expression, activity and agonist-induced internalisation.

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