Measurement of G protein-coupled receptor surface expression

Abstract

The quantity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed on the cell surface is an important factor regulating receptor signaling. Maturation, internalization, recycling and degradation together determine the net amount of receptor surface expression. Understanding every aspect of the receptor lifecycle will facilitate the development of therapeutic applications. A number of assays for measuring the surface expression of GPCRs are currently available. This minireview summarizes the currently available assays and their suitability and usage for measuring GPCR surface expression.

• ELISA
• flow cytometry
• GPCR
• HTS
• internalization
• surface expression

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Amy Ramsey for critical reading of the manuscript.