GPCRs Flashcards
How many GPCRs are encoded in the human genome?
> 800
Describe the common basic structure of GPCRs.
- Single polypeptide chain
- 7 transmembrane-spanning regions
- Extracellular N-terminal
- Intracellular C-terminal
What is the mode of action of GPCRs?
- Ligand binds to GPCR - causes R conformational change.
- Activated GPCR facilitates GTP for GDP exchange on G alpha subunit of a G protein.
- G protein alpha-beta/gamma complex immediately dissociates (into alpha-GTP + free beta/gamma).
- Each subunit interacts with effector proteins:
- second messenger generating enzymes
- ion channels
What are G proteins?
- Guanine-nucleotide binding protein
- Heterotrimeric: alpha, beta and gamma subunits
What determines the duration of the alpha-GTP and/or beta-gamma interaction with effectors?
- G alpha GTPase activity hydrolyses GTP back to GDP - G protein subunits reform an inactive complex.
- GTPase activity is poor - up to 5 sec for hydrolysis to occur, allows time for signal transduction.
What would be the consequence of a mutation in G alpha GTPase?
- Mutation that increases activity would decrease response - less time.
- Mutation that decreases activity would increase response - more time.
What are the 3 different forms of G protein alpha subunits?
- Gs - activates adenylyl cyclase
- Gi - inhibits adenylyl cyclase
- Gq - activates phospholipase C
Which second messengers do Gs and Gq activate?
- Gs: catalyses formation of cAMP from ATP by adenylate cyclase.
- Gq: catalyses formation of IP3 and DAG from PIP2 by phospholipase C.
Which GPCRs are associated with the activities of Gs, Gi and Gq?
- Alpha1 adrenoR - Gq
- Alpha2 adrenoR - Gi
- Beta1 adrenoR - Gs
- Beta2 adrenoR - Gs
Which type of G alpha subunits are associated with cholinergic GPCRs?
- M1 & M3 (muscarinic R): Gq - stimulates phospholipase C
- M2: Gi - inhibits adenylyl cyclase
How do the cholera and pertussis toxins interfere with G protein function?
- PTx catalyses ADP-ribosylation of Gi - prevents GPCR-G interaction.
- CTx modifies all Gs containing proteins - unable to hydrolyse GTP - activated for 18-24 hrs before being degraded - very high cyclic AMP concs - cell damage.
What type of effectors are stimulated by GPCR and G protein activation?
- Enzymes, e.g.
- adenylyl cyclase (ATP to cAMP)
- phospholipase C (PIP2 to IP3 + DAG)
- Ion channels, e.g.
- voltage-operated calcium channels
- G protein-regulated inwardly-rectifying K+ channels (KIRKs)
Describe the diversity of G proteins.
Human genome encodes:
- 20 G alpha
- 5 G beta
- 12+ G gamma
Describe the chain of events leading to and following from Gs activation.
- Agonist binds to GPCR - conformational change.
- GPCR mediates GDP replacement by GTP on alpha subunit.
- Alpha-GTP dissociates from beta/gamma - activates adenylyl cyclase (AC).
- AC converts ATP to cyclic AMP (+2 Pi) - hydrophilic molecule that migrates to cytoplasm.
- 4 cAMP bind to 2 regulatory subunits of protein kinase A (PKA).
- PKA catalytic subunits are released - phosphorylate a small number of target molecules in cell.
Name some well known endocrine and paracrine agonists that act at Gs-GPCRs.
1) Adrenaline (endocrine) - beta adrenoRs
2) Noradrenaline (paracrine) - beta adrenoRs
3) Dopamine (paracrine) - D1 dopamine Rs
4) Histamine (paracrine) - H2 histamine Rs