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.
Oldham
William M
WM
Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 442 Robinson Research Building, 2222 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-6600, USA.
Hamm
Heidi E
HE
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