Abstract
The β(1) adrenergic receptor (β(1)AR) is recognized as a classical Gα(s)-coupled receptor. Agonist binding not only initiates G protein-mediated signaling but also signaling through the multifunctional adapter protein β-arrestin. Some βAR ligands, such as carvedilol, stimulate βAR signaling preferentially through β-arrestin, a concept known as β-arrestin-biased agonism. Here, we identify a signaling mechanism, unlike that previously known for any Gα(s)-coupled receptor, whereby carvedilol induces the transition of the β(1)AR from a classical Gα(s)-coupled receptor to a Gα(i)-coupled receptor stabilizing a distinct receptor conformation to initiate β-arrestin-mediated signaling. Recruitment of Gα(i) is not induced by any other βAR ligand screened, nor is it required for β-arrestin-bias activated by the β(2)AR subtype of the βAR family. Our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for Gα(i) in β(1)AR signaling and suggest that the concept of β-arrestin-bias may need to be refined to incorporate the selective bias of receptors towards distinct G protein subtypes.