Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors

G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
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 Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
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 Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Coronary artery hypoxic vasorelaxation is augmented by perivascular adipose tissue through a mechanism involving hydrogen sulphide and cystathionine-β-synthase.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2018
Same author

A critical role for cystathionine-β-synthase in hydrogen sulfide-mediated hypoxic relaxation of the coronary artery.

Vascular pharmacology·2017
Same author

BJP is linking its articles to the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY.

British journal of pharmacology·2015
Same author

Effects of NAD at purine receptors in isolated blood vessels.

Purinergic signalling·2014
Same author

A role for the sodium pump in H2O2-induced vasorelaxation in porcine isolated coronary arteries.

Pharmacological research·2014
Same author

Distinct mechanisms of relaxation to bioactive components from chamomile species in porcine isolated blood vessels.

Toxicology and applied pharmacology·2013
Same journal

Glucagon-like peptide-1 improves vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive mice via CREB-driven transcriptional regulation of long non-coding RNA 155383.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

The chemokine receptor-like fourth extracellular loop of the apelin receptor differentially regulates apelin and elabela binding and signalling.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Peripheral targets for neuropathic pain.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Therapeutic potential of liver X receptor agonist GW3965 in preserving myelin integrity following traumatic brain injury.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

The role of protein arginine methyltransferases in sickle cell-mediated neurovascular impairments in mice.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
Same journal

β-Cyclodextrin inclusion enhances the pro-resolving effects of the annexin A1 mimetic Ac2-26 in a mouse model of antigen-induced arthritis.

British journal of pharmacology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells
09:21

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells

Published on: November 7, 2025

So what do we call GPR18 now?

S P H Alexander1

  • 1School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK. steve.alexander@nottingham.ac.uk

British Journal of Pharmacology
|October 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Further characterization of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR18 provides a pharmacological profile that questions its nomenclature and the definition of classical cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.

More Related Videos

G Protein-selective GPCR Conformations Measured Using FRET Sensors in a Live Cell Suspension Fluorometer Assay
09:12

G Protein-selective GPCR Conformations Measured Using FRET Sensors in a Live Cell Suspension Fluorometer Assay

Published on: September 10, 2016

Modified Yeast-Two-Hybrid System to Identify Proteins Interacting with the Growth Factor Progranulin
07:56

Modified Yeast-Two-Hybrid System to Identify Proteins Interacting with the Growth Factor Progranulin

Published on: January 17, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells
09:21

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells

Published on: November 7, 2025

G Protein-selective GPCR Conformations Measured Using FRET Sensors in a Live Cell Suspension Fluorometer Assay
09:12

G Protein-selective GPCR Conformations Measured Using FRET Sensors in a Live Cell Suspension Fluorometer Assay

Published on: September 10, 2016

Modified Yeast-Two-Hybrid System to Identify Proteins Interacting with the Growth Factor Progranulin
07:56

Modified Yeast-Two-Hybrid System to Identify Proteins Interacting with the Growth Factor Progranulin

Published on: January 17, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Receptor Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR18's function remains largely uncharacterized.
  • Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) are well-defined targets in the endocannabinoid system.
  • Understanding orphan receptors like GPR18 is crucial for expanding knowledge of cellular signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a detailed pharmacological profile of the orphan receptor GPR18.
  • To discuss the implications of GPR18's characterization on its nomenclature.
  • To explore potential overlaps or distinctions between GPR18 and classical cannabinoid receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Pharmacological characterization of GPR18.
  • Analysis of receptor binding and signaling pathways.
  • Comparative assessment with cannabinoid receptor (CB1, CB2) pharmacology.

Main Results:

  • McHugh et al. have elucidated a pharmacological profile for GPR18.
  • This profile raises questions regarding the appropriate nomenclature for GPR18.
  • The findings may necessitate a re-evaluation of the pharmacological definitions of CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Conclusions:

  • The pharmacological data on GPR18 challenge existing classifications.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the precise identity and function of GPR18.
  • This work contributes to a deeper understanding of the cannabinoid system and related receptors.