GPCR Signalling Flashcards
What does ‘GPCRs’ stand for?
G-protein coupled receptor(s)
What is another name for GPCRs?
7TM Receptors (seven transmembrane receptors)
Fun fact!
Around 500 different GCPRs in humans
Fun fact!
50% of all pharmacological agents act on GPCRs!
What is the purpose of intracellular signalling cascades?
To amplify the extracellular signal across the membrane to the target, with strict control and cross-talk with other signals.
What are the two most important families of cell surface receptors?
GPCRs and Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Describe how conformational flexibility of the beta-adrenergic receptor changes upon ligand binding.
Adrenaline closes the space at the extracellular side between TM domains 3, 5 and 6, thereby forcing them apart at the cytosolic side. This induces a conformational change in the 5/6 loop promoting signal transduction.
Explain how the same signal can exert different effects in specific cells.
The receptor determines how a signal is interpreted, a different GPCR means a different outcome. Allows target cells to activate physiological responses that are appropriate for a given tissue while utilising the same common signalling components.
Which G protein is recruited to the GPCR when adrenaline binds to the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor in platelets?
G-alpha-i
Which G protein is recruited to the GPCR when adrenaline binds to the beta-2-adrenergic receptor in muscle cells?
G-alpha-s
What are G proteins?
Guanine Nucleotide Binding Proteins with a roll in signal transduction belonging to the larger group of GTPases that are recruited upon activation of a GPCR by its ligand.
Describe the G-protein cycle.
G-proteins bind tightly to their nucleotide cofactor GDP. GEFs catalyse the release of GDP from the G-protein.
GTP spontaneously binds to G-proteins.
GAPs enables the hydrolysis of GTP by the G-protein to GDP.
The cycle then continues.
What does GAP stand for?
GTPase Activating Protein
What does GEF stand for?
Guanine Exchange Factor
Why is a GAP needed in the G-protein cycle?
G-proteins are GTPases with extremely low activity. A GAP is needed for productive GTP hydrolysis.
GPCRs are able to act as GEFs. True or False?
True. Because of the conformational change due to ligand binding - movement of a helix - the GCPR mediates the removal of GDP on the intracellular G-protein
What is the role of the target of activated G-proteins?
Activated G-proteins target effector proteins which can act as GAPs to inactivate the G-protein-effector complex, while also mediating synthesis of another messenger.
Give an example of an effector protein and state its function.
Adenylyl Cyclase (AC) can be bound by G-alpha-s (stimulatory) or G-alpha-i (inhibitory) to regulate synthesis of cAMP - a second messenger. AC meanwhile acts as a GAP hydrolysing GTP so that the G-protein no longer binds AC and AC is inactivated.
What are second messengers?
Small molecules produced/released upon activation of a signalling pathway. They generally amplify a signalling cascade.
How can second messengers ensure a localised target response?
Localised production and constant destruction ensures they are released when and exactly where they are required.
What is ADP-ribosylation?
The addition of one or more ADP-ribose moieties to a protein. It is a reversible post-translational modification that is involved in many cellular processes
Explain how the cholera toxin leads to the presentation of cholera symptoms.
CTA1 fragment of Cholera Toxin catalyses the covalent ADP-ribosylation of G-alpha-s at an arginine residue at the active site.
This inhibits GTPase activity of G-alpha-s maintaining it in its active state.
This leads to overactive AC and excess cAMP production, and overactive PKA.
PKA then phosphorylate the CFTR chloride channel proteins, leading to ATP-mediated efflux of Cl-,
This causes the secretion of Water, Na+, K+ and HCO3- into the intestinal lumen.
Results in severe dehydration from rapid fluid loss
How does the Pertussis toxin cause excess cAMP production?
Pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates the G-alpha-i subunit at a cysteine residue preventing exchange of GDP for GTP.
G-alpha-i is permanently inactive and AC can never be inhibited. This leads to excessive cAMP synthesis.
Give some examples of second messengers.
1,2-Diacylglycerol (DAG) 3’,5’-cAMP (cAMP) Inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) 3’,5’-cGMP (cGMP) Ca2+ ions NO-radicals