BIOL 2P03 Lecture 12: G Protein Coupled Receptors
5 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
Gpcrs represent the largest and most diverse class of plasma membrane receptors. In humans alone, there are approximately 1,000 different gpcrs. Between 1/3 to 1/2 of all pharmaceutical drugs act on gpcrs. Gpcrs regulate almost every physiological function in the human body. Dr. alfred gilman and dr. martin rodbell were jointly awarded the nobel prize in physiology or. Medicine in 1994 for their discovery of gpcrs. Gpcrs can detect many different physical and chemical signals, including: Small organic molecules such as odorants, tastants, neurotransmitters. Extracellular region of receptor helps form ligand binding site and is responsible for modulating ligand access to the binding site. Transmembrane region helps form ligand binding site and undergoes conformational changes necessary to induce intracellular signaling. Intracellular region associates with cytosolic signaling molecules, such as heterotrimeric g- proteins. Subunit and / subunits are bound to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. A binding site for the intracellular region of the gpcr.
