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Cell signalling

Binding the receptor at both ends

Nature volume 469, pages 172–173 (2011)Cite this article

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G-protein-coupled receptors initiate a wide range of signalling pathways in cells. It seems that both a G protein and an agonist molecule must bind to the receptors to persistently activate them. See Article p.175 & Letters p.236 & p.241

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large family of proteins — consisting of more than 800 members in humans — that are embedded in the plasma membranes of most cells. They bind specifically to a diverse range of 'agonist' molecules, which convey sensory information or communicate changes in physiological states1. Once stimulated by agonists, GPCRs bind to and activate G proteins, which are attached to the inner surface of cell membranes. The G proteins then initiate signal cascades that control a wide variety of important biological processes. In this issue, two papers from Kobilka and colleagues2,3 and another from the groups of Tate and Schertler4 report structural, biophysical and computational studies that provide insight into GPCR activation by agonists.

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Figure 1: Activation of G-protein-coupled receptors.

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  1. Stephen R. Sprang is at the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA. stephen.sprang@umontana.edu ,

    Stephen R. Sprang

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  1. Stephen R. Sprang
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Sprang, S. Binding the receptor at both ends. Nature 469, 172–173 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/469172a

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