Receptor tyrosine kinase activation induces free fatty acid 4 receptor phosphorylation, β-arrestin interaction, and internalization.

FFA4 (Free Fatty Acid receptor 4, previously known as GPR120) is a G protein-coupled receptor that acts as a sensor of long-chain fatty acids, modulates metabolism, and whose dysfunction participates in endocrine disturbances. FFA4 is known to be phosphorylated and internalized in response to agonists and protein kinase C activation. In this paper report the modulation of this fatty acid receptor by activation of receptor tyrosine kinases. Cell-activation with growth factors (insulin, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, and platelet-derived growth factor) increases FFA4 phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. This effect was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, suggesting the involvement of these kinases in it. FFA4 phosphorylation did not alter agonist-induced FFA4 calcium signaling, but was associated with decreased ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, epidermal growth factor, and to a lesser extent, platelet-derived growth factor, induce receptor internalization. This action of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and epidermal growth factor was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Additionally, cell treatment with these growth factors induced FFA4-β-arrestin coimmunoprecipitation. Our results evidenced cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinases and FFA4 and suggest roles of protein kinase C and phosphoinositide 3-kinase in such a functional interaction.