G Protein-coupled receptors

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors and heterotrimeric G proteins can diffuse laterally in the plasma membrane such that one receptor can catalyze the activation (GDP/GTP exchange) of multiple G proteins. In some cases, these processes are fast enough to support molecular signal amplification, where a single receptor maintains the activation of multiple G proteins at steady-state. Amplification in cells is probably highly regulated. It depends upon the identities of the G receptor and G protein - some do and some don’t - and upon the activities of GTPase-activating proteins, membrane scaffolds, and other regulatory partners.

Keywords: :

• GAPs (GTPase activating proteins)
• GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors)
• GPCRs (G protein coupled receptors)
• GTPases/G proteins
• effectors

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.