Role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in migration and inflammation

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) emerges as a key modulator of G protein-coupled receptors and other plasma membrane receptors triggered by chemotactic messengers. In addition, GRK2 has been reported to interact with a variety of signal transduction proteins related to cell migration. Interestingly, the levels of expression and activity of this kinase are altered in serval inflammatory disorders, thus suggesting that it may play an important role in the onset or progression of these pathologies. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in the control of GRK2 expression and function and highlights novel functional interactions of this protein that might help to explain how altered GRK2 level affects cell migration in different cell types and pathological settings.