Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Characterization of G Protein-coupled Receptors by a Fluorescence-based Calcium Mobilization Assay
Published on: July 28, 2014
Functional reconstitution of G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated adenylyl cyclase activation by a baculoviral
Toshiko Sakihama1, Kazuyuki Masuda, Takato Sato
1Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan. sakihama@med.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Abstract:
Recently, evidence has accumulated in support of the heterologous expression of functional membrane proteins and their complexes on extracellular baculovirus particles (budded virus, BV). In this study, we attempted to apply this BV display system to detect G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. We infected Sf9 cells with a combination of four recombinant baculoviruses individually encoding the dopamine D1 receptor (DR-D1), G-protein alpha-subunit (Galpha(s)), G-protein beta(1)gamma(2) subunit dimer (Gbeta(1)gamma(2)), and adenylyl cyclase type VI (ACVI). The recovered BV fraction produced cAMP in response to the stimulation with dopamine. Co-expression of all three G-protein subunits in addition to receptor and ACVI led to a maximal response. BV co-expressing DR-D1, Galpha(s), Gbeta(1)gamma(2), and ACVI also responded to dopamine agonists and an antagonist. Furthermore, BV expressing two other Galpha(s)-coupled receptors together with Galpha(s), Gbeta(1)gamma(2), and ACVI also produced cAMP in response to their specific ligands. These results indicate the functional coupling of receptor, Galpha(s) and ACVI is reconstituted on BV. Since BV is essentially free of endogenous GPCRs, this BV co-display system should prove highly useful for the development of functional assay systems for GPCRs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
G-protein Coupled Receptors
G-protein Coupled Receptors
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...

