G-protein coupled receptor kinase-like immunoreactivity in the snail, Helix pomatia, neurons

GPRCs are regulated via phosphorylation by different protein kinases including GRKs and PKA and PKC. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and physiological role of GRKs in the tissues of the snail, Helix pomatia. Here we report that immunoblotting of brain homogenate with anti-GRK2/3 antibody prepared from mammalian tissue can be detected in snail GRK-like immunoreactivity. The GRK2/3 immunoreactivity was found at ∼ 80 kDa in a variety of cells, including salivary duct, salivary gland and eye. Intracellular injection of the anti-GRK2/3 prevented the neuron from desensitization and agonist-induced activation augmented the phosphorylated GRKs in the membrane fraction suggesting that GRKs may have a functional role in the neuropeptide receptor desensitization in snail.