The discovery of signal transduction by G proteins: a personal account and an overview of the initial findings and contributions that led to our present understanding.
The realization that there existed a G-protein coupled signal transduction mechanism developed gradually and was initially the result of an ill fated quest for uncovering the mechanism of action of insulin, followed by a refocused research in many laboratories, including mine, on how GTP acted to increase hormonal stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Independent research into how light-activated rhodopsin triggers a response in photoreceptor cells of the retina and the attendant biochemical studies joined midway and, without the left hand knowing well what the right hand was doing, preceded classical G protein research in identifying the molecular players responsible for signal transduction by G proteins.
Birnbaumer
Lutz
L
Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. birnbau1@niehs.nih.gov
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history* / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism
D006150:Guanine Nucleotides; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases