Chronic Treatment with Mood Stabilizers Increases Membrane GRK3 in Rat Frontal Cortex

Background G-protein receptor kinases (GRKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases involved in the homologous desensitization of agonist activated G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). G-protein coupled receptor supersensitivity, possibly as a result of decreased GRK, has been suggested in affective disorders. Methods We used immunobloting to determine if chronic, therapeutically relevant doses of lithium (Li+), carbamazepine (CBZ), and valproate (VPA), would increase GRK2/3 protein levels in rat frontal cortex. Results Chronic Li+ (24%) and CBZ (44%) significantly increased GRK3 in the membrane but not cytosol fractions. Chronic VPA had no effect on GRK3. G-protein receptor kinase 2 protein levels were unchanged by all treatments. The GRK3 membrane to cytosol ratio was increased significantly in Li+ and CBZ treated rats. Conclusions These results show that chronically administered Li+ and CBZ, but not VPA, increase the translocation of GRK3 from cytosol to membrane, possibly correcting supersensitivity of GPCRs in bipolar disorder.