Biased signaling due to oligomerization of the G protein-coupled platelet-activating factor receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important drug targets that mediate various signaling pathways by activating G proteins and engaging beta-arrestin proteins. Despite its importance for the development of therapeutics with fewer side effects, the underlying mechanism that controls the balance between these signaling modes of GPCRs remains largely unclear. Here, we show that assembly into dimers and oligomers can largely influence the signaling mode of the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Single-particle analysis results show that PAFR can form oligomers at low densities through two possible dimer interfaces. Stabilization of PAFR oligomers through cross-linking increases G protein activity, and decreases beta-arrestin recruitment and agonist-induced internalization significantly. Reciprocally, beta-arrestin prevents PAFR oligomerization. Our results highlight a mechanism involved in the control of receptor signaling, and thereby provide important insights into the relationship between GPCR oligomerization and downstream signaling. The functional consequence of G protein-coupled receptor oligomerization remains debated. Here the authors show that platelet-activating factor receptor oligomerization enhances G protein coupling, and restrains beta-arrestin recruitment and internalization.