G protein-coupled receptor dimerization and signaling.
G protein-coupled receptors are involved in the regulation of many aspects of normal physiology and pathology. Recent research has broadened our view of how the cell transduces ligand binding to cellular responses. It is becoming clear that phenomena that take place both at the cell surface, such as receptor oligomerization, as well as intracellularly, such as interaction between different signaling pathways, have important roles in the response elicited by a ligand. The study of these events requires the combined use of classical biochemical techniques with novel methods that allow analysis of these mechanisms. This chapter gives an overview of both types of techniques, with an emphasis on discussing their main applications and the conclusions that can be drawn in each case.
Mellado
Mario
M
Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotechnología/CSIC, UAM Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
Serrano
Antonio
A
Martínez
Carlos
C
Rodríguez-Frade
José Miguel
JM
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D019281:Dimerization; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D002118:Calcium