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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Genetically-encoded Molecular Probes to Study G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: September 13, 2013
Synthetic multivalent ligands as probes of signal transduction
Laura L Kiessling1, Jason E Gestwicki, Laura E Strong
1Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA. kiessling@chem.wisc.edu
Abstract:
Cell-surface receptors acquire information from the extracellular environment and coordinate intracellular responses. Many receptors do not operate as individual entities, but rather as part of dimeric or oligomeric complexes. Coupling the functions of multiple receptors may endow signaling pathways with the sensitivity and malleability required to govern cellular responses. Moreover, multireceptor signaling complexes may provide a means of spatially segregating otherwise degenerate signaling cascades. Understanding the mechanisms, extent, and consequences of receptor co-localization and interreceptor communication is critical; chemical synthesis can provide compounds to address the role of receptor assembly in signal transduction. Multivalent ligands can be generated that possess a variety of sizes, shapes, valencies, orientations, and densities of binding elements. This Review focuses on the use of synthetic multivalent ligands to characterize receptor function.
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