PKCβII inhibits the ubiquitination of β-arrestin2 in an autophosphorylation-dependent manner

GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2)/β-arrestins and protein kinase A (PKA)/protein kinase C (PKC) mediate homologous and heterologous regulations of GPCRs, respectively. Conventional protein kinase C enzymes (PKCs), as exemplified by PKCβII, selectively inhibit internalization of dopamine D2 receptor and β2 adrenoceptor in a β-arrestin- but not GRK2-dependent manner. PKCβII interacts with β-arrestin2 upon autophosphorylation at T250, and inhibits the receptor internalization by decreasing the ubiquitination of β-arrestin2. PKCβII interferes with the interaction between β-arrestin2 and MDM2 in the cytosol, resulting in the redistribution of MDM2 to the nucleus. Subsequently, deubiquitination of β-arrestin2 and inhibition of agonist-induced receptor internalization follow. Thus, our study suggests that the extent of β-arrestin ubiquitination and the autophosphorylation status of PKCs determine PKCβII-mediated inhibition of homologous regulatory processes of GPCRs.