Abstract:
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4γ (GRK4γ) variant R65L in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.
Methods Humanized GRK4γ wild-type (WT) and GRK4γ R65L gene knock-in rats were generated using Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9(CRISPR-Cas9)gene editing technology to introduce the human GRK4γ WT or R65L variant into the rat genome. The effects of the GRK4γ R65L variant on basal blood pressure and renal sodium excretion, as well as on blood pressure and renal sodium excretion after a high-salt diet (4% NaCl), were investigated. Changes in the expression and phosphorylation levels of the key renal natriuretic regulatory receptor, dopamine D1 receptor (D1R), were detected.
Results In this study, humanized GRK4γ WT and GRK4γ R65L gene knock-in rats were successfully constructed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Under normal salt diet (0.4% NaCl), no difference was observed in basal blood pressure, urine volume, or urinary sodium excretion among wild-type SD rats, hGRK4γ WT or hGRK4γ R65L rats (baseline urinary sodium: 1.678 ± 0.336 vs. 1.730 ± 0.295 vs. 1.678 ± 0.328 mmol/kg, F = 0.063, P = 0.939; urine volume: 41.03 ± 6.08 vs. 38.68 ± 7.03vs. 43.57 ± 6.56 mL/kg, F = 1.178, P = 0.327). After administration of a high-salt diet (4% NaCl), compared with hGRK4γ WT and wild-type SD rats, hGRK4γ R65L rats exhibited significantly elevated blood pressure and a marked reduction in urinary sodium excretion ( 7.156 ± 0.685 vs. 6.680 ± 1.235 vs. 3.722 ± 0.706 mmol/kg, F = 25.00, P < 0.05). Renal artery perfusion experiments further revealed a significant impairment in diuresis and natriuresis mediated by the renal dopamine D1R in hGRK4γ R65L rats. While the protein expression level of D1R remained unchanged, its phosphorylation level was significantly increased, indicating dysfunction of renal D1R.
Conclusions The GRK4γ R65L variant leads to impaired renal sodium excretion and salt-sensitive hypertension. Excessive phosphorylation of renal D1R induced by GRK4γ R65L may be the potential mechanism.