We previously determined that D1 receptors can endocytose through caveolae, a subset of lipid rafts, in addition to internalization via a clathrin-dependent pathway. In this report, we investigated the potential role that palmitoylation might have on directing D1 receptor internalization through either a clathrin or caveolar-dependent route. Through whole cell binding analysis and sucrose gradient fractionation studies, we demonstrated that although palmitoylation of the D1 receptor was not required for agonist-independent localization to caveolae, agonist induced internalization kinetics of a de-palmitoylated D1 receptor were accelerated similar to 8-fold in comparison to wild-type D1 receptor and were very similar to that observed for clathrin-dependent D1 receptor internalization. Additionally, inhibition of the clathrin mediated pathway led to significant attenuation in the extent of agonist induced internalization of the de-palmitoylated D1 receptor, suggesting the de-palmitoylated D1 receptor was directed to a clathrindependent internalization pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that palmitoylation may be involved in directing agonist-dependent D1 receptor internalization through selective endocytic routes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.