title: Functional significance of oligomerization of G-protein-coupled receptors.
abstract: In contrast to other families of cell surface receptors for which dimerization is an integral part of the activation process, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were thought, until recently, to function as monomeric units. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that GPCRs could exist and be active as oligomeric complexes. Because they are major pharmacological targets, their existence as homo- or heterodimers could have important implications for the development and screening of new drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Autonome, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salahpour
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouvier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019281:Dimerization; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000502:physiology; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins