Heterotrimeric G protein activation by G-protein-coupled receptors.
Heterotrimeric G proteins have a crucial role as molecular switches in signal transduction pathways mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors. Extracellular stimuli activate these receptors, which then catalyse GTP-GDP exchange on the G protein alpha-subunit. The complex series of interactions and conformational changes that connect agonist binding to G protein activation raise various interesting questions about the structure, biomechanics, kinetics and specificity of signal transduction across the plasma membrane.
Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 442 Robinson Research Building, 2222 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-6600, USA.
William M
WM
Oldham
Heidi E
HE
Hamm
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins