Detection of Heteromers Formed by Cannabinoid CB1, Dopamine D2, and Adenosine A2A G-Protein-Coupled Receptors by Combining Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation and Bioluminescence Energy Transfer
Gemma Navarro,1Paulina Carriba,1Jorge Gandí,1Francisco Ciruela,1,2Vicent Casadó,1Antoni Cortés,1Josefa Mallol,1Enric I. Canela,1Carmen Lluis,1and Rafael Franco1,3
Academic Editor: Sergi Ferre
Received23 Jul 2008
Revised01 Oct 2008
Accepted01 Oct 2008
Abstract
Functional interactions in signaling occur between dopamine D2 (D2R) and cannabinoid CB1 (CB1R) receptors, between CB1R and adenosine A2A (A2AR) receptors, and between D2R and A2AR. Furthermore, direct molecular interactions have been reported for the pairs CB1R-D2R, A2AR-D2R, and CB1R-A2AR. Here a combination of bimolecular fluorescence complementation and bioluminescence energy transfer techniques was used to identify the occurrence of D2R-CB1R-A2AR hetero-oligomers in living cells.