Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
10:13

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

17.5K

Nuclear G protein signaling: new tricks for old dogs

Rhiannon Campden1, Nicolas Audet, Terence E Hébert

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
|January 16, 2015
PubMed

Insights

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G proteins function within the nucleus, not just the cell membrane. Nuclear signaling pathways impact cellular functions, including in heart cells.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • The standard model places G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exclusively on the cell membrane.
  • This model does not account for GPCRs, G proteins, and signaling molecules found within the nucleus.
  • Emerging evidence highlights nuclear localization and function of these signaling components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the presence and function of G proteins within the nucleus.
  • To explore nuclear G protein-dependent signaling pathways.
  • To emphasize cardiac signaling implications of nuclear G proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on nuclear GPCRs and G proteins.
  • Analysis of evidence from isolated nuclei studies.
  • Focus on G protein signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes.

Main Results:

  • GPCRs are present on the nuclear membrane and can activate G protein signaling pathways within the nucleus.
  • Nuclear G protein pathways can mimic cell surface signaling, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate, calcium, and nitric oxide synthase activation.
  • Various heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins are identified in the nucleus across different cell types.

Conclusions:

  • The function of GPCRs and G proteins extends beyond the cell membrane to the nucleus.
  • Nuclear G protein signaling plays a role in cellular processes, particularly evident in cardiac cells.
  • Further research into nuclear G protein function is warranted.

More Related Videos

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators07:41

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators

Published on: February 20, 2018

9.6K
Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor GPCR-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum09:40

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor GPCR-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Published on: September 20, 2011

18.5K

Related Concept Videos

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
8.0K
G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

2.6K
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...
20.2K
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers01:15

Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers

Many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic; they do not cross the cell membrane but bind to cell-surface receptors. Thus, their message must be relayed by second messengers present in the cell cytoplasm. There are several second messenger pathways, each with its own way of relaying information. For example, the G protein-coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol pathway is active when the receptor induces...
9.6K
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.
134.8K
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

7.2K