Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates extracellular calcium homeostasis through the type 1 PTH receptor (PTH1R) expressed in kidney and bone. The PTH1R undergoes -arrestin/dynamin-mediated endocytosis in response to the biologically active forms of PTH, PTH-(1-34), and PTH-(1-84). We now show that amino-truncated forms of PTH that do not activate the PTH1R nonetheless induce PTH1R internalization in a cell-specific pattern. Activation-independent PTH1R endocytosis proceeds through a distinct arrestin-independent mechanism that is operative in cells lacking the adaptor protein Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) (ezrin-binding protein 50). Using a combination of radioligand binding experiments and quantitative, live cell confocal microscopy of fluorescently tagged PTH1Rs, we show that in kidney distal tubule cells and rat osteosarcoma cells, which lack NHERF1, the synthetic antagonist PTH-(7-34) and naturally circulating PTH-(7-84) induce internalization of PTH1R in a -arrestin-independent but dynamindependent manner. Expression of NHERF1 in these cells inhibited antagonist-induced endocytosis. Conversely, expression of dominant-negative forms of NHERF1 conferred internalization sensitivity to PTH-(7-34) in cells expressing NHERF1. Mutation of the PTH1R PDZ-binding motif abrogated interaction of the receptor with NHERF1. These mutated receptors were fully functional but were now internalized in response to PTH-(7-34) even in NHERF1-expressing cells. Removing the NHERF1 ERM domain or inhibiting actin polymerization allowed otherwise inactive ligands to internalize the PTH1R. These results demonstrate that NHERF1 acts as a molecular switch that legislates the conditional efficacy of PTH fragments. Distinct endocytic pathways are determined by NHERF1 that are operative for the PTH1R in kidney and bone cells.Extracellular calcium homeostasis in vertebrate animals is primarily under the endocrine control of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1 /type I PTH receptor (PTH1R). The PTH1R, predominantly expressed in kidney and bone cells, belongs to class B of the large superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that consists of receptors for peptide hormones and neuropeptides (1). Class B GPCRs are characterized by a common topology and by their ability to couple to multiple signaling pathways via distinct G proteins.PTH is synthesized by the parathyroid glands as a mature peptide of 84 amino acids that is stored in secretory vesicles and dense core granules. Reductions of extracellular calcium levels are detected by the calcium-sensing receptor on parathyroid chief cells and promote the release of PTH, which acts on bone (to increase resorption) and kidney (to augment reabsorption), thereby restoring serum calcium levels. PTH-(1-84) is usually the major form of PTH secreted by the parathyroid glands. However, recent analyses reveal that PTH fragments that are likely to be PTH-(7-84) are also secreted by the parathyroid glands and generated by peripheral metabolism (2, 3). These PTH fragments or their synthetic a...