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📚 > Physiology > General Physiology > Signal Transduction_>

G Protein Coupled Receptors



G Proteins-Coupled Receptors

  • The largest family of cell surface receptors.

  • Have 7 transmembrane segments ⟶ called 7-pass receptors.

  • Zigzag arrangement in like a snake ⟶ called serpentine receptors.

  • On extracellular side: Bind with a ligand.

  • On intracellular side: Associate with G protein.


G Proteins

  • Bind with GTP/GDP ⟶ Called GTP binding proteins or G protein.

  • Have GTPase activity.

  • Switch between two states:

  • GDP bound state: Inactive

  • GTP bound state: Active

  • Broad types:

  • Heterotrimeric G proteins.

  • Monomeric G proteins.

Heterotrimeric G Proteins
  • Composed of 3 subunits

  • α

  • ÎČ

  • Îł

  • α subunit has GTPase activity.

  • Entire complex is anchored to the membrane with α and Îł subunits.

  • Types:

  • Gs

  • Gi

  • Gq

  • Go

  • Different types have different sets of α, ÎČ, and Îł subunits.

  • Mediates response to a wide range of signaling molecules including hormones, neurotransmitters, odorants, tastants etc.

Monomeric or Small G Proteins
  • Composed of a single subunit.

  • The subunit is similar to α subunit that is seen in heterotrimeric G proteins ⟶ has GTPase activity.

  • Families:

  • Ras

  • Rho

  • Rab

  • Arf

  • Ran

  • Regulate gene expression, dell proliferation, differentiation and survival


Cyclic Journey of Heterotrimeric G Protein

  • During signaling, subunits of G protein go through a cyclic path.

  • As they go through the cycle, they affect different downstream second messengers.

Resting Condition
  • Trimer of α, ÎČ and Îł subunit is associated with the receptor.

  • α subunit is bound to GDP

Activation and Signaling

Ligand binds with the receptor

↓

Conformational change

↓

Release of GDP and binding of GTP to α subunit

↓

Dissociation of the complex from receptor & separation of subunits

↓

Formation of free α subunit and ÎČÎł complex

↓

Interact with different downstream molecules e.g. α subunit interacts with adenylyl cyclase and ÎČÎł complex interacts with ion channels

↓

The signal is carried further downstream

↓

Response


Inactivation

GTPase activity of α subunit

↓

Hydrolyses GTP into GDP and phosphate

↓

Inactive α subunit

↓

Dissociates from the downstream messenger

↓

Re-associates with ÎČÎł complex

↓

Termination of the signal

 

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▶ Adenylyl Cyclase: cAMP Pathway
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