On the expanding terminology in the GPCR field: the meaning of receptor mosaics and receptor heteromers.
The oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a fact that deserves further attention as increases both the complexity and diversity of the receptor-mediated signal transduction, thus enriching the cell signaling. Consequently, in the present review we tackle among others the problems concerning the terminology used to describe aspects surrounding the GPCRs oligomerization phenomenon. Therefore, the theoretical implications of the GPCR oligomerization will be briefly discussed together with possible implications of this phenomenon especially for new strategies in drug development.
Agnati
Luigi F
LF
IRCCS San Camillo, Lido Venezia, Italy. luigiagnati@tin.it
Guidolin
Diego
D
Vilardaga
Jean Pierre
JP
Ciruela
Francisco
F
Fuxe
Kjell
K
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled